Merck Mercuriadis, Hipgnosis Songs founder and former Guns N’ Roses manager asks a simple question. Why are songwriters the lowest paid in the business?

Whoever built the music business, built it backwards. Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory is more sustainable for its chocolate workers. Santa’s elves are paid more than songwriters.

Mercuriadis notes: “In almost every other vocation in the world – and even in every other aspect of the entertainment business – the equivalent person to the songwriter would be amongst the highest paid… not the worst. How can this not be the case in music?”

Read his full open letter below
CONTINUE READING

Nicki Minaj compares U.S. cancel culture to Communist China.

Nicki Minaj came out skeptical of Pfizer’s vaccine and the media pounced on her. The rapper and CNN’s Joy Reid got into a pissing match. Late night comedians (I say that loosely) also joined in the attacks.

While she was fending off her critics, Minaj insists she has a right to question government authority when it comes to mandates and science.

“You should be able to question about anything you’re putting inside your body” says Minaj.

She said women scrutinize unobjectionable items like cosmetics and beauty products including wig glue.

“But you can’t innocently ask question about something going in your body?” says Minaj. “I remember going to China and they were telling us you cannot speak out against the people in power there, and I remember all of us thinking, oh, ok, we understand and we respect the laws here and that it’s so different from where we live.”

Nicki warns that cancel culture has poisoned the U.S.

“But don’t y’all see what’s FN happening?” she said. “Don’t y’all see that we are living now in that time, where people will turn their back on you for not agreeing? People will isolate you if you simply speak and ask a question.”

Ed Sheeran says award shows are toxic, depressing, and full of resentment.

I’ve always liked Ed because he’s the best songwriter in the business and everyone knows it. I like him even more because he’s a Hollywood outsider and doesn’t play by their rules. His songs sell, fans love him, and he doesn’t need to whore himself to pimps that promise him more FaceTime if he delivers PSA’s. Hence, Hollywood hates him.

Back to award shows. I’ve been to them. I’ve never felt comfortable. It’s a dog & pony show and feels creepy weird. New artists and first timers are enthralled. They think it’s a great networking tool until they realize nobody cares. These shows become a nuisance to the big names. They’re expected to come and show up. Some cave and dread the moment, while some blow it off. They have the “I don’t need you, you need me” attitude. If they find out they didn’t win a prize, they’ll pull a no-show. The big shots don’t like clapping their hands for winners in this culture of self worship.

“The room is filled with resentment and hatred towards everyone else” says Sheeran. “It’s just lots of people wanting other people to fail and I don’t like that.”

Sheeran also says UK award shows are more enjoyable and less cutthroat than the U.S. “In England, our award shows are just like, everyone gets drunk and no one really cares who wins or loses, it’s just sort of a good night out.”

I’m thankful for Sheeran’s brutal honesty.

If you’re not convinced we reached a new era, then look at the MTV VMA ratings. Less than a million viewers tuned in and watched the debacle. The internet killed the video star. Oddly enough, Madonna opened the show followed by the usual suspects like Shawn Mendez, Justin Bieber, and of course the go-to rock act Foo Fighters.

If any artist turned into a household name during the pandemic, it was Dua Lipa. The timing couldn’t be worse though – a party album dropping during a pandemic. Regardless, the British singer has dominated top 40 radio for nearly 18 months with top-shelf dance tracks.

She missed 2 years of touring and the Delta variant isn’t stopping her. She has a 2022 tour planned with Ceremony London producing and Live Nation promoting it. Dua Lipa will perform 28 shows in America and will include first ever headline shows at Madison Square Garden and The Forum.

“I’m so thrilled to tour again and see my angels in person! How amazing that we all get to dance and celebrate together once again,” says Dua. “When I was writing ‘Future Nostalgia,’ I imagined the songs being played in clubs on nights out with your mates. I’m so excited that this fantasy is finally coming true. I can’t wait to experience these songs with you together live!”