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PAUL MCCARTNEY SURPRISES AUDIENCE WITH LIVE WTF PODCAST WITH MARC MARON
 
 
Motown Records’ year-long 60th Anniversary celebration unveiled, featuring definitive documentary – Hitsville: The Making of Motown – and major catalogue reissue campaign
 
Stellar array of superstars and rising artists reveal new music and projects, while music
industry notables – led by Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO Sir Lucian Grainge and
CMG Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett – speak to the music business’s evolution and innovation
 
 
 
 
Capitol Music Group (CMG) Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett hosted what has become one of the music industry’s most-notable yearly events, the company’s 5th Annual Capitol Congress, on Wednesday, August 8 at the ArcLight Theatre in Hollywood. During the day-long gathering, CMG’s superstar and developing artists presented their forthcoming music and projects to the company’s staff, its international affiliates, entertainment industry representatives from around the world and influential consumer and trade media. 
    
The event kicked-off with opening addresses from Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, who spoke of the music industry’s tremendous growth and CMG’s evolution since relaunching in late 2012, and Barnett, who spoke of the innovative steps CMG has taken over the past year.
   
 A highlight of the day’s events was a surprise appearance by Paul McCartney, who received CMG’s first Capitol Icon award and was interviewed live by Marc Maron for a very special edition of his WTF Podcast. During the interview, McCartney delved into the creation of his forthcoming Egypt Station album, regaled the rapt audience with stories from his days with the Beatles, and discussed his enduring influence and relevance in a remarkable career that spans six decades. In addition, Lyft and Capitol Records teased an upcoming partnership in support of Egypt Station.
 
Red-hot hip-hop trio Migos also surprised attendees, joining Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “Pee” Thomas – the founders of the Atlanta-based Quality Control Music (QC) – and fellow QC artists Lil Yachty, Lil Baby and Yung Miami of City Girls for a presentation of awards and certifications by Motown Records President Ethiopia Habtemariam. Migos’ latest album, Culture II, was spotlighted for selling more than 3 million adjusted albums globally, including 4.5 billion streams. QC’s CEO Pee teased more projects coming from the label, “even before the end of the year.”
  
  Habtemariam also unveiled footage from a forthcoming and definitive Motown documentary, Hitsville: The Making of Motown – directed by Gabe Turner and Ben Turner of Fulwell 73 – which will chronicle the label’s historic rise through new and exclusive interviews with the company’s founder, Berry Gordy, and key artists, songwriters, producers and executives who contributed to one of America’s greatest and most inspiring success stories. The film will be released next year. Habtemariam then moderated a panel, titled Culture: The New Mainstream, which included a discussion of Motown’s enduring influence. The panel featured Shawn Gee, CEO of Live Nation, Urban; Chace Johnson, manager of artists A$AP Rocky and Playboy Carti; Dion “NoID” Wilson, EVP of CMG and President of Artium; Kevn “Coach K” Lee, COO of Quality Conrol Music; Kristen Fraser, the founder of PVTL.
 
    During previous Capitol Congresses, CMG has paid tribute to artists and albums that have tremendously impacted music and popular culture and greatly added to the company’s historic legacy. This year, rapper, entertainer and entrepreneur MC Hammer was honored for his albums Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em and Too Legit To Quit, which are largely responsible for nearly 50 million albums sold during the artist’s career. His enduring contributions were explored in an on-stage interview with journalist and Universal Music Enterprises executive Andre Torres.
   
 A new and groundbreaking partnership between CMG and advertising leader Havas, both part of Vivendi, was announced during Capitol Congress by Paul Marobella, Chief Executive Officer, and Jason Peterson, Chief Creative Officer, of Havas Creative, North America. They revealed that The Annex – a unique cultural network powered by Havas – will launch Annex Tower Creative within CMG’s iconic Capitol Tower in Hollywood. The arrangement between the two Vivendi companies is a powerful one that will create unique opportunities for CMG and The Annex by utilizing their industry expertise and relationships within music, entertainment, art, content and fashion to create innovative brand partnerships and campaigns with the artists across CMG’s multiple labels. The first such partnership was revealed today – between rapper and singer Lil’ Yachty and Conagra Brands' Chef Boyardee line of pasta products – that will include a music video launching soon.
 
       Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, BBC Radio 1 remains as culturally significant and influential as at any time in its storied history. In an interview with CMG’s EVP of Global Marketing Robbie McIntosh, BBC 1’s Head of Music Chris Price and its Controller Ben Cooper discussed the pivotal role the station has played in music, entertainment and popular culture since its launch in 1967.
 
    In honor of Bill Hearn, the beloved and longtime head of Capitol Christian Music Group who passed away in December, CMG’s Barnett and Brian Nolan, announced the formation of The Bill Hearn College Scholarship Fund to benefit students within the Compton School District’s Dominquez High School who will be attending college.
 
    At Congress, Barnett, Nolan and Hearn’s widow, Charmion Gustke Hearn, presented the first scholarship check to Julia Vallejo, who will be attending the University of California at Irvine this fall. This scholarship fund is an extension of the CMG’s Bonus Tracks program with Dominguez High School that teaches students about jobs and responsibilities within the music industry through in-person seminars at the school with CMG executives.
 
    Additionally joining Barnett, Grainge and the hundreds of specially-invited attendees were an array of CMG artists who presented new and forthcoming projects, including platinum singer and songwriter Troye Sivan, who premiered his new single, “Animal”; platinum rapper NF, who was honored for more than 3 million adjusted albums sold, including 3.5 billion streams; R&B vocalist and rising star Queen Naija, who was introduced by noted music producer and CMG Executive Vice President Dion “NoID” Wilson before performing her new single, “Medicine”; hugely-popular social media influencer Loren Gray, who introduced a video presentation demonstrating the reach and enthusiasm of her 20-million-strong fan network; and brand-new capitol signing, singer and songwriter Fletcher, who premiered her new single with a live performance of “Undrunk.”
  
  The day’s attendees and artists were joined by hundreds of additional guests at a star-studded gala held that evening at CMG’s iconic Capitol Tower in Hollywood. Guests at the gala enjoyed cocktails created with Martell cognacs

 

 The full list of artists, speakers and presenters during Capitol Music Group’s (CMG’s) 5th Annual Capitol Congress were (in order of appearance):
 
1.    Steve Barnett - CMG Chairman & CEO
2.    Sir Lucian Grainge –Universal Music Group (UMG) Chairman & CEO
3.    Ashley Newton – CMG President
4.    Fletcher - Artist
5.    Brian Nolan –CMG/seventeenfifty Senior Vice Present
6.    Jason Peterson - Havas Chief Creative Officer
7.    Paul Marobella – Havas Chairman & CEO
8.    Chris Price - BBC Radio 1 Head of Music
9.    Ben Cooper – BBC Radio 1 Controller
10. Robbie McIntosh -CMG EVP of Global Marketing
11. Dion “No I.D.” Wilson -CMG EVP and music producer
12. Queen Naija - Artist
13. Peter York –Capitol Christian Music Group Chairman & CEO
14. Jacqueline Saturn - Caroline GM
15. Brad O’Donnell –CCMG Chief Creative Officer
16. Hudson Plachy - CCMG Chief Marketing Officer
17. NF - Artist
18. Matt Sawin - Caroline EVP
19. Christine and the Queens (via video) - Artist
20. Michelle Jubelirer - CMG COO
21. Geoff Harris - CMG CFO
22. Ethiopia Habtemariam - Motown Records President
23. Ben Turner - Filmmaker
24. Gabe Turner - Filmmaker
25. Pierre “Pee” Thomas -Quality Control Music’s (QC’s) CEO
26. Kevin “Coach K” Lee - QC’s COO
27. Shawn Gee - CEO of Live Nation, Urban
28. Chace Johnson –manager of artists A$AP Rocky and Playboy Carti
29. Dion ”NoID” Wilson - EVP of CMG and President of Artium
30. Kevn “Coach K” Lee -COO of Quality Conrol music
31. Kristen Fraser, the founder of PVTL
32. Mitra Darab - CMG SVP of Global Marketing
33. Andre Torres - UMG VP of Urban Catalog
34. MC Hammer - Artist
35. Don Was - Blue Note President
36. Jessica Care Moore – Artist
37. Dave McMurray - Artist
38. Toby Andrews - Astralwerks GM
39. Troye Sivan - Artist
40. Bob Lefsetz – Music industry blogger
41. Greg Marella - CMG EVP of Promotion
42. Loren Gray - Artist
43. Bruce Resnikoff -Universal Music Enterprises President
44. James Corden (via video) - Entertainer
45. Paul McCartney - Artist
46. Marc Maron -Comedian and host of WTF Podcast)

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

IMPF launches 4th edition of Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing

IMPF has launched the fourth edition of the Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing.Available here and sponsored by Musixmatch, it is the only report that looks exclusively at the independent music publishing industry and its international impact and position....more

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

Sony Music Entertainment Germany launch new electronic music label 'noted. records'

The Berlin-based imprint will cater to electronic music artists globally First signing, Anfisa Letyago, to release new single today   Sony Music Entertainment (SME) Germany announced today the launch of 'noted. records', a global electronic music label with a commitment to cultivating electronic and...more

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

AIMP Statement on Spotify's Music-Audiobook Bundle

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) — including Michael Lau (National Chair and New York Chapter President), Marc Caruso (Los Angeles Chapter President), Ree Guyer (Nashville Chapter President), and Tony D. Alexander (Atlanta Chapter President) — issued the below statement on...more

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

6 new publishers elected to IMPF Board

Rosa M. Vizcaíno Gómez, Emily Stephenson, Claudia Mescoli, Cecilia Léon Rodrigo, Tatjana Bukvić and Denise Andrikopoulou newly elected at organisation’s 2024 General Assembly. IMPF (Independent Music Publishers International Forum) has elected a new College of members to its Board at the organisation’s...more

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Music Producers Guild Announces 2024 Awards Winners

Thursday 25th April. At an inspiring ceremony at The Troxy, London, The Music Producers Guild in association with Dolby & Mix with The Masters, announced the complete list of 2024 award winners. Now in its 16th year, the annual event, which recognises early talent, who later go on to...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

IMS Business Report 2024

Dance Music industry now firmly in its post-pandemic growth phase with 17% revenue growth in 2023 and a total industry valuation reaching $11.8 billion.Independent labels increased their market share for the fourth consecutive quarter, reaching 31%.The annual study of the electronic...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Pulse Music Group and hit songwriter/producer/artist Jon Bellion form publishing venture

  First signing between Beautiful Mind & PULSE Music Group is Elijah Noll PULSE Music Group Co-CEO’s Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham along with President/Head of Creative, Ashley Calhoun announced today that they have formed a music publishing creative joint venture...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Record Store Day, The Music Business Association and Luminate announce new partnership regarding physical music sales data across independent retail sector in the US

Luminate Now Receiving Independent Sales Data from StreetPulse Billboard Rebranding “Tastemaker Albums” Chart To Better Recognize Impact of Independent Store Sales Today, Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS), Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), and Department of Record Stores (DORS), who work together as Record Store Day, The Music Business Association,...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Absolue inks deal with Capitol Records Italy for Jack Savoretti album

  Absolute Label Services will handle release of Savoretti’s first ever Italian language LP in UK & Ireland. Absolute Label Services has agreed a deal with Universal/Capitol Records Italy for the release of Jack Savoretti’s first ever Italian language album. The deal covers...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music opens at the British Library

Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music opens at the British Library     First exhibition to document the 500-year musical journey of African and Caribbean people in Britain opens at the British Library and in local libraries across the UK  Soul...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

YolanDa Brown OBE DL becomes University of Kent’s new chancellor

  The University of Kent is delighted to announce that double-MOBO winning musician and broadcaster YolanDa Brown OBE DL has been appointed to the role of Chancellor, succeeding Gavin Esler who has retired from the position after almost 10 years in the role. Having...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Festivals unite to extend fundraising prize draw closing date

WIN TICKETS TO OVER 60 OF THE UK & EUROPE’S MOST BELOVED FESTIVALS IN SUPPORT OF WAR CHILD AND MAP BOOMTOWN, LOVE SAVES THE DAY, PARKLIFE, ALL POINTS EAST, TRUCK, THE LONG ROAD, WIDE AWAKE AND MANY MORE   OVER £10,000 RAISED SO...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Concord Music Publishing extends agreement with Jeremy Lutito, signs Jon Class under new JV partnership

  Today, Concord Music Publishing announced that they have extended and expanded their existing agreement with GRAMMY-nominated producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Lutito. This worldwide publishing deal, effective immediately, includes Lutito’s full catalog and all future works and launches a new joint venture partnership, Mezzanine,...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

TuneCore Expands Music Publishing Services and User Experience to Aid Independent Songwriters

TuneCore, the leading independent development partner for self-releasing artists—owned by Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies—has rolled out a comprehensive suite of music publishing services to help independent songwriters increase their earnings in over 200 countries.   Andreea Gleeson,...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Radio 2 in the Park 2024 to land in Preston

  Radio 2’s flagship annual live music event, Radio 2 in the Park, will take place this year in Moor Park in Preston, Lancashire on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September, as revealed this morning by Gaby Roslin on the Radio...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Como No – The UK’s Leading Latin Music Promoter – Announces New Director Amid Major Changes To Organisational Structure

Elena Beltrami is appointed as new Director of Como No & La Linea Festival as Founder Andy Wood steps back and becomes a Non-Executive board member   Como No, one of the world’s foremost Latin music promoters, today announces a significant change...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Liana Flores signs to Verve (US) and partners with Fiction (UK)

Releases highly anticipated new song ‘I Wish For The Rain’ Today, British-Brazilian artist Liana Flores is proud to announce that she is now signed to the iconic Verve Records (The Velvet Underground, Astrud Gilberto Kurt Vile, Arooj Aftab). Fiction Records (The...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Amazon Music returns to Primavera Sound to exclusively livestream the festival to audiences around the world

Amazon Music and Primavera Sound join forces for the third consecutive year Music fans around the world will be able to tune in to the event from 30th May – 1st June Primavera Sound will be broadcast in Spanish and English on the Amazon...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Black Lives in Music - Government ‘Falling Short’ in Helping to Protect Women in the Music Industry

UK Government ‘Falling Short’ in Helping to Protect Women in the Music Industry Harassment and Discrimination Allowed to Continue After Government Rejects Recommendations of the Misogyny in Music Report BLiM & CIISA amd more respond to the Government’s inaction CIISA cite BLiM's new...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Symphonic Distribution Hires Stephen Nightingale to Lead A&R and Business in Canada

  Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, has hired music industry veteran Stephen Nightingale as Vice President, A&R and Business Development, Canada. Reporting to Symphonic’s Chief Creative Officer, Randall Foster, Nightingale will bring his...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Rock icon Dan P Carter joins Spinefarm as Director of Artist Development

Key appointments also made across UK Marketing Team Spinefarm Music Group, one of the most successful and best-known rock labels in the world, has announced a major global hire alongside a new UK marketing team. Dan P Carter, the longtime curator of...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Park Avenue Artists Expands Booking Division

New York multihyphenate agency signs new talent, brings on booking co-director in ongoing push to create a new model for arts agencies and management.  Park Avenue Artists has expanded both its artist roster and its executive team in its booking division....more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Meet Unisound: The ultimate matchmaker between sample buyers and sellers

  The market for sample packs is more saturated than ever–forcing modern sample libraries to make and market their sounds and leaving buyers to sift through endless sounds to find exactly what they are looking for.  That’s why Unisound created a platform that lets...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Universal Music France and Binetou Sylla, founder of leading independent label Wèrè Wèrè Music partner to lead Def Jam Africa across French-speaking Africa

Universal Music France and producer Binetou Sylla form strategic relationship to lead Def Jam Africa, focusing on further developing French-speaking regional artists globally    Universal Music France (UMF), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

BPI CEO calls on music industry and government to unite around 5 key priorities to support human artistry and sustainably promote British music

  Focus on talent & education, fan engagement & innovation; and sustainability; Keynotes from Ed Newton-Rex, Fay Milton, Louis VI, and Thangam Debbonaire MP, Shadow Secretary of State for DCMS. Panel contributions including by Rebecca Allen (EMI Records), Elton Jackson (Sony Music UK), Vabyanti Endrojono-Ellis...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Independent and Music Venue Trust launch major new initiative to support UK grassroots music venues

Main Stage will be led by Music Editor Roisin O’Connor alongside the Music Venue Trust 12 venues around the UK to be recognised over the next yearEach venue to receive editorial coverage and a free ad campaign on The Independent The Independent...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

Sony Music Publishing Nashville Signs Randall King to Global Deal

  Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced the signing of West Texas native Randall King, celebrated by Holler as “the genre's neo-traditional figurehead,” to a global publishing agreement.  King has emerged as one of today’s most promising new voices in country music, amassing over...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

Nominations announced for the Ivors with Amazon Music 2024

Sampha and Yussef Dayes lead the way with two nominations each Composer Daniel Pemberton also receives two nominations across the screen categories  RAYE, CMAT, Yussef Dayes, Lankum and Sampha in the running for Best Album Jungle, The Japanese House, Jazzy and Kenya Grace...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Great Escape announces full conference line-up and schedule

NEW SPEAKERS INCLUDE WIRE'S COLIN NEWMAN, IZZY BEE PHILLIPS (BLACK HONEY) AND APPLE MUSIC HOST DOTTY    Today The Great Escape has announced the full line-up and schedule for its UK-leading music industry conference, returning to Brighton from Wednesday 15th to Saturday...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

FAC boost their community with 20 new Artist Ambassadors

FAC boost their community with 20 new Artist Ambassadors including Duran Duran, Nia Archives, Girli, Elkka, English Teacher, Guvna B, OneDa and Alt-J's Gus Unger-Hamilton The new cohort means more than 140 artists have agreed to act as Ambassadors for the...more

26 Apr 2024

  • Should the state step in to save our live music scene? (see Features)

  • Gary Roden exits Co-op Live following troubled venue launch (see News)

25 Apr 2024

  • Spotify talks growth, bundle royalties and short-video plans (see Digital)

24 Apr 2024

  • BPI CEO calls on music industry and government to unite around 5 key priorities to support human artistry and sustainably promote British music (see News)

23 Apr 2024

  • Hipgnosis Song Management fires back at Songs Fund board (see Business)

22 Apr 2024

  • Blackstone bid for Hipgnosis receives backing from board (see Business)

  • Taylor Swift’s new album breaks Spotify records (see News)

  • Independence - what’s up with that BPI press release about 2023 music consumption? (see Comment)

19 Apr 2024

  • Creator Remuneration Working Group meet for the first time (see News)

  • Concord's takeover of Hipgnosis (see Analysis)

18 Apr 2024

  • Concord set to acquire Hipgnosis Songs Fund (see Business)

17 Apr 2024

  • Is the music industry gaslighting artists? (see Comment)

16 Apr 2024

  • BPI’s new Yearbook highlights an independent sector growing for a sixth consecutive year (see Reports)

  • Can’t cross the moat? Walk around it. (see Comment)

15 Apr 2024

  • The conversation around Fandom needs to change (see Opinion)

  • Viagogo: Carrying on ticketing, despite the controversy (see News)