The government of India has threatened to jail employees of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter as it seeks to end political protests and take control over American owned tech platforms.

Twitter “will continue to advocate for the fundamental principles of the Open Internet,” a company spokesman said, adding: “Threats to these principles are on the rise around the world, which is of deep concern.”
Other nations have responded that the U.S. big tech companies are not advocating an open internet. Instead these social platforms have morphed into media and publishing companies.
Right now, Facebook and WhatsApp have more users in India than in any other country.

Miley Cyrus moved to Columbia Records after 7 years and a four album deal on RCA. Miley’s co-managers Adam Leber and Tish Cyrus’ have a relationship with Columbia CEO Ron Perry which sealed the deal.

Miley’s sister Noah and Lil Nas X is also signed with Columbia who is also managed by Leber.
Miley made a jump from child TV actress to pop singer making a splash with “Wrecking Ball” and “We Can’t Stop”.
Miley released three albums under RCA – Bangerz in 2013, Younger Now in 2017 and the most recent album Plastic Hearts which topped the rock charts.
“We Can’t Stop,” Wrecking Ball” and “Malibu” were her biggest hits.

Spotify continues to make noise with their global emerging artist development program, RADAR.

In RADAR news, the streaming platform has teamed up with Oslo-based pop artist, girl in red, aka Marie Ulven.

girl in red has released the single “Serotonin’ (FINNEAS collaboration) that deals with mental health that comes off her forthcoming album if i could make it go quiet.
The indie pop singer first made waves with “i wanna be your girlfriend,” which has clocked over 150 million streams on Spotify landing on Spotify’s most popular playlists including New Music Friday, LOREM, Oyster, Ultimate Indie, Out Now.
girl in red will get the full Spotify muscle including promotional support for her upcoming releases, on-platform marketing, and social promotion.
Spotify’s previous US RADAR artists Alaina Castillo, J.I The Prince of N.Y, The Kid LAROI, and Flo Milli.

SoundCloud will become the first streaming service to start directing subscribers’ fees only to the artists they stream. This move is applauded by the artist community campaigning for fairer pay.

Streaming services like Spotify and Apple put royalty payments into one big pot and pay them out based on which artists have the most plays. This payout is unfair, that gives a huge slice to the few megastars like Ariana Grande, and leaves nothing for the majority of the artists.

Why should fans fund artists that they never listen to? It doesn’t make sense.

SoundCloud will start directing royalties due from each subscriber only to the artists they stream.

“Artists are now better equipped to grow their careers by forging deeper connections with their most dedicated fans,” the statement said. “Fans can directly influence how their favorite artists are paid.”

Major record labels favor the Spotify/ Apple payout system which allows them to generate massive profits through a few artists.

Is Morgan Wallen slowing coming back after being cancelled?

Knoxville’s WMYL radio station put Morgan Wallen back in rotation. How did it happen? Well, the radio station polled its listeners and 92% wanted the rising country star back on radio.

“We were disappointed by the behavior in the video,” said the station owner Ron Meredith. “But we were also uncomfortable with sitting in judgment.”
Morgan Wallen’s mother also spoke out agains the media mob.

“CPAC is playing Morgan Wallen, they don’t hold to Cancel Culture. I stand with Morgan Wallen, who made a mistake and is paying dearly for it,” Wallen’s mom said. “Country Music Associations, businesses, radio stations, and agencies, stop using him as a pawn. Forgiveness and love is needed on all sides, not hate. Hate produces more hate. This isn’t solving problems. Your round table discussions are not solving problems.”

She went to say:

“Get out in neighborhoods and help your children and youth of all colors that are suffering,” “Educate, mentor, love. Blexitfoundation.org.”

Regardless of the ban, Wallen’s album sales and streams have skyrocketed.