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Liam Payne's One Direction bandmates are "completely devastated" by his death, they said in a statement on the boy band's Instagram account Thursday, one day after Payne's death at an Argentina hotel. Sistema de Atencion Medica de Emergencia (SAME), the emergency health service, said that Payne fell from the balcony in Palermo. Police were called to the hotel for reports of an aggressive man, according to the emergency services agency, which later confirmed Payne's death. The office added that the autopsy findings indicate Payne "could have fallen in a state of semi or total unconsciousness." A number of substances were found in Payne's hotel room, the prosecutor's office said in a statement, which would prove alcohol and drug consumption.

Persons: Liam Payne's, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam, Malik, Payne, Liam Payne, Zane Malik, Louis Tomlinson of, Michael Tran Organizations: Republic Records, Billboard, Nokia Theatre, Sistema, Medica, Police, Telemundo, Argentina National Prosecutor’s, NBC Locations: Argentina, Los Angeles, Palermo, Payne's

☆ Meet ‘X,’ the human voice behind Spotify’s AI DJ: ‘It’s a digitized version of me’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Xavier Jernigan, Spotify's head of cultural partnerships and the voice of the company's AI DJIf you think Spotify's AI DJ sounds more human than robot, there's a reason for that: It's modeled after an actual person, Xavier "X" Jernigan. Spotify rolled out its AI DJ product in the U.S. and Canada on February 22, 2023. So, they approached him to see if he would be interested in becoming a voice model for the AI DJ. Training the AI DJSpotify uses Sonantic, a dynamic text-to-speech AI voice platform the company acquired in 2022, and OpenAI technologies to power its AI DJ. Jernigan says being embraced globally as the voice of Spotify's AI DJ has been a humbling experience.

Persons: Xavier Jernigan, It's, Xavier, DJ X, Jernigan, Spotify's, Kendrick Lamar, Drake Organizations: Spotify, CNBC, DJ, Def Jam, Republic Records, Florida, Mechanical University, New York University Locations: U.S, Canada, New, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, London, Sydney

☆ Every Ariana Grande album, ranked from worst to best
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

1 on this list because it's the culmination of everything Grande does best. Only an artist with tremendous talent, clout, and emotional strength could have produced and released an album like this. That she managed to siphon this music from the depths of personal tragedy makes the effect even more sublime. If I were forced to choose, "NASA" and "Make Up" are the weakest of the bunch, but that certainly doesn't mean they're bad. In fact, it's a testament to the strength of this album that its "worst" songs are just slightly less dazzling than the rest.

Persons: it's Organizations: NASA, Press

☆ Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine' isn't her best album, but it's a solid collection of bops
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

However, Grande did "Eternal Sunshine" a disservice with its title and marketing. But asked if she planned to "address things" with "Eternal Sunshine," Grande demurred. Sure, you could say that Grande doesn't owe us honesty or specificity, and you might be right. As a staunch believer in the album as an art form, "Eternal Sunshine" left me wanting. But if I reframe "Eternal Sunshine" as a collection of excellent pop songs, I have very few complaints.

Persons: Katia Temkin, Max Martin, ILYA, Shintaro Yasuda, Nick Lee, Grande, who's, Sang, would've, Courtney, we're, She's, baring, I'm Organizations: Records, Press

☆ Analysis: Taylor Swift would win any popularity contest against MAGA
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Taylor Swift performs at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in 2015. From Taylor Swift On her birthday in 2019, Swift shared this photo of herself as a child. From Taylor Swift A 13-year-old Swift sings the National Anthem before an NBA game in Philadelphia in 2002. John Mabangalo/Pool/Getty Images Swift performs during a sold-out show at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2009. Ethan Miller/Getty Images Swift performs onstage at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during her 1989 tour in 2015.

Persons: CNN — It’s, Donald Trump, Taylor Swift, Joe Biden’s, Swift, she’s, Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Smerconish, Winfrey, Barack Obama, Obama, Hillary Clinton, Christopher Polk, Scott, Andrea Swift, Jesse D, Tim McGraw, Kevin Winter, John Mabangalo, Chad Batka, Bryan Bedder, Larry Busacca, Miley Cyrus, Lucas Till, Hannah Montana, Sam Emerson, Everett, Jonas, Frank Masi, Taylor, I'm, West, Beyonce, Jeff Kravitz, Lucy Nicholson, Christopher Morris, Josh Haner, Kevin Mazur, James Taylor, Charles Sykes, Matt Sayles, Mark J, Terrill, Invision, Jimmy Fallon, Douglas Gorenstein, Nicholas Harvey, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Laraine Newman, Bill Hader, Taran Killam, Kristen Wiig, Keenan Thompson, Fred Armisen, Kerry Washington, Betty White, Bradley Cooper, Dana Edelson, Andrea, Ethan Miller, Tim Boyles, Selena Gomez, Jordan Strauss, Mike Coppola, John Shearer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Brandon Urie, Katy Perry, Republic Records Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Will Heath, Seth Wenig, Terence Rushin, Travis Kelce, Patrick Smith, propping, It’s, birther, There’s Organizations: CNN, Monmouth University, Marist College, Trump, Democratic, Biden, Staples Center, NBA, of Country, Garden, New York Times, New York's Rockefeller Center, Walt Disney Co, Kanye, Madison, MTV, NBC, ACM, Academy of Country, Getty, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Universal Pictures, Coachella, Republic Records, New York University, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, AFC, Super, Swift, Republicans, NFL, Republican Locations: America, Monmouth, Los Angeles, West Reading , Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, New York, Auburn Hills , Michigan, Newark , New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Frankfurt, Germany, London, Arlington , Texas, Tampa, Chicago, Atlanta, United States, Hawaii

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Pearl Jam 's forthcoming album is called “Dark Matter,” its first single of the same title has been released, and the band will start a world tour in May. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers revealed the new details on the project and their 2024 plans on Tuesday. “Dark Matter," their 12th studio album and first since 2020's “Megaton," will be released April 19 on Monkeywrench and Republic records. A tour is scheduled to begin May 4 in Vancouver, British Columbia. “No hyperbole, I think this is our best work," Vedder said from the stage as he introduced the album.

Persons: Singer Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Jeff Ament, Vedder, Megaton ”, Matt Cameron's, Andrew Watt, Rick Rubin Organizations: ANGELES, Hall of Famers, Troubadour Locations: Monkeywrench, Vancouver , British Columbia, West Hollywood, Seattle, Malibu

“What we’ve seen with the Taylor Swift tour is something that we’ve not really seen before,” said Richard Clarke, an analyst at investment firm Bernstein. Taylor Swift performs at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in 2015. From Taylor Swift On her birthday in 2019, Swift shared this photo of herself as a child. From Taylor Swift A 13-year-old Swift sings the National Anthem before an NBA game in Philadelphia in 2002. John Mabangalo/Pool/Getty Images Swift performs during a sold-out show at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2009.

Persons: Tokyo CNN —, Taylor, Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, we’ve, ”, Richard Clarke, Bernstein, “ It’s, TikTok she’d, curating, Kane Ishiyone, Swift, –, Ishiyone, Richard A, Brooks, Clarke, “, that’s, Christopher Polk, Scott, Andrea Swift, Jesse D, Tim McGraw, Kevin Winter, John Mabangalo, Chad Batka, Bryan Bedder, Larry Busacca, Miley Cyrus, Lucas Till, Hannah Montana, Sam Emerson, Everett, Jonas, Frank Masi, I'm, West, Beyoncé, Jeff Kravitz, Lucy Nicholson, Christopher Morris, Josh Haner, Kevin Mazur, James Taylor, Charles Sykes, Matt Sayles, Mark J, Terrill, Invision, Jimmy Fallon, Douglas Gorenstein, Nicholas Harvey, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Laraine Newman, Bill Hader, Taran Killam, Kristen Wiig, Keenan Thompson, Fred Armisen, Kerry Washington, Betty White, Bradley Cooper, Dana Edelson, Andrea, Ethan Miller, Tim Boyles, Selena Gomez, Jordan Strauss, Mike Coppola, John Shearer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Brandon Urie, Katy Perry, Republic Records Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Will Heath, Seth Wenig, Terence Rushin, David Eulitt, Mitsumasa Etou, Akazawa, haven’t, It’s, Michele Bullock Organizations: Tokyo CNN, People, Kansas City Chiefs, Taylor, Getty, Super Bowl, Chicago Bears, dateline, Vegas, Staples Center, NBA, of Country, Garden, New York Times, New York's Rockefeller Center, Walt Disney Co, Kanye, Madison, MTV, NBC, ACM, Academy of Country, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Universal Pictures, Coachella, Republic Records, New York University, Arrowhead, Chiefs, NET, Tokyo City University, Fuji, Tokyo, Reserve Bank of Australia, Reuters Locations: Tokyo, Las Vegas, Philippines, Fukuoka, Japan, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Shibuya, AFP, Asia, Washington, Las Vagas, Los Angeles, West Reading , Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, New York, Auburn Hills , Michigan, Newark , New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Frankfurt, London, Arlington , Texas, Tampa, Chicago, Atlanta, Kansas City , Missouri, Asia Pacific, Singapore, Australia, East Coast

Photos You Should See View All 45 Images“We made this record like a year ago," Ament told the audience. While Vedder remains the face and voice of the band, the star of this album is drummer Matt Cameron, who joined the Jam in 1998 after starting out with Soundgarden. His relentless pounding opens many of the 11 tracks, and drowns out his bandmates' playing and Vedder's vocals at times. “Every time I've played someone the record it was like a two-day recovery,” Vedder said. The band members credited Watt, who was less than a year old when their first album “Ten” was released in 1991, for lifting them to the heights they hit.

Persons: Pearl Jam, Singer Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Jeff Ament, Elton John, ”, we've, ‘ Let’s, Vedder, Andrew Watt, Rick Rubin, Ament, “ We’ve, Gigaton ”, Matt Cameron, Soundgarden, “, ” Vedders, Peppers, Chad Smith, “ Matt Cameron, ” Vedder, I've, Watt, McCready, Kelly Slater’s Organizations: WEST HOLLYWOOD, Troubadour, Roll Hall of Famers, Republic Records, Pearl Locations: Los Angeles, Seattle, Malibu , California

☆ Opinion: How Taylor Swift conquered capitalism
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Opinion Jeff Yang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There’s a whole cottage industry in pop culture essay writing dedicated to trying to unpack why Taylor Swift is so successful. Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift performs onstage during Taylor Swift The 1989 World Tour Live In Los Angeles at Staples Center on August 25, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Taylor Swift performs onstage during night one of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Nissan Stadium on May 05, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Already a billionaire, Swift stands to personally make as much as $4.1 billion from the “Eras” tour, according to estimates cited by the Post. Keep an eye out: “The Tao of Tay: The Swift Path to Success,” coming soon to better airport bookstores everywhere.

Persons: Jeff Yang, Bruce, “, CNN —, Taylor Swift, Jeff Yang CNN, Kim Kardashian, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, aplomb, Swift, Ariana Grande, Tay, bestie, she’s, Celine Dion, She’s, Christopher Polk, Scooter Braun, ” It’s, Joan of Arc, John Shearer, “ Taylor Swift, Swift’s, Merrill Lynch, ” Organizations: CNN, Singer, Los, Staples Center, Republic Records, Universal Music Group, Universal, Washington Post, Nissan, Machine Records Locations: Asian America, America, Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California, Nashville , Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Nashville, Tay

☆ Stray Kids Score Another No. 1 With ‘Rock-Star’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Ben Sisario | More About Ben Sisario | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Stray Kids, the eight-piece K-pop group that was formed on a South Korean reality TV show, has scored its fourth No. 1 in two years on Billboard’s album chart, bumping Taylor Swift to No. “Rock-Star,” an eight-track mini album — including two versions of a song called “Lalalala” — becomes Stray Kids’ latest No. 1, selling 213,000 copies in the United States, mostly on CD, and racking up a modest 16 million streams, according to the tracking service Luminate. After striking a deal in the United States in 2022 with Republic Records — also the label for Swift, Morgan Wallen, Drake and other stars — the group landed two albums at No.

Persons: Taylor Swift, ”, —, Republic Records —, Swift, Morgan Wallen, Drake, Swift’s, Chris Stapleton Organizations: Republic Records Locations: Korean, United States, Memphis

☆ Taylor Swift’s ‘1989’ Re-Do Tops Original’s First-Week Sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Anne Steele | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” broke Taylor Swift’s own all-time first-week sales record. Photo: Republic Records/Associated PressTaylor Swift’s rerecording of her blockbuster “1989” album sold more copies in its first week than the original following its 2014 debut, the first time one of the pop star’s re-dos has topped her first takes. “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” sold 1.65 million copies across formats in the U.S., according to Luminate Data, formerly Nielsen Music. That landed it atop the Billboard 200 albums chart with the biggest sales week of the year—and the biggest sales week for any album since Adele ’s “25” in 2015. It also broke Swift’s own all-time first-week sales record.

Persons: ”, Taylor Swift’s, Press Taylor Swift’s rerecording, Adele ’ Organizations: Republic Records, Press, Nielsen Locations: U.S

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kim Petras fans, the wait is over. In 2021, Petras signed with major label Republic Records and announced the album — then scheduled to be her full-length debut — but it was eventually scrapped and leaked. Political Cartoons View All 1163 ImagesIt was a disappointing turn of events for Petras and her fans, who had long awaited her first album. It wasn't until June that she released what would become her actual debut, the flirty, Eurodance-pop “Feed the Beast." Petras says fans can expect to hear some of their favorite tracks from across her vast discography.

Persons: — Kim Petras, popstar, Petras, ”, Paris Hilton, ” Petras, it’s, Sam Smith, “, ‘ Organizations: ANGELES, Republic Records, Petras Locations: “, Austin , Texas, Milan

☆ Taylor Swift changes controversial lyrics for ‘Better Than Revenge’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

From Taylor Swift On her birthday in 2019, Swift shared this photo of herself as a child. From Taylor Swift A 13-year-old Swift sings the National Anthem before an NBA game in Philadelphia in 2002. Kevin Winter/ACMA/Getty Images Swift sings the National Anthem before Game 3 of the 2008 World Series in Philadelphia. John Mabangalo/Pool/Getty Images Swift performs during a sold-out show at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2009. Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images Swift performs on stage during an "Eras Tour" concert in Atlanta in April 2023.

Persons: CNN — Taylor Swift, ” Swift, “, Swift, ” Taylor, shaming, ” Taylor Swift, Christopher Polk, Scott, Andrea Swift, Taylor Swift, Jesse D, Tim McGraw, Kevin Winter, John Mabangalo, Chad Batka, Bryan Bedder, Larry Busacca, Miley Cyrus, Lucas Till, Hannah Montana, Sam Emerson, Everett, Jonas, Frank Masi, Taylor, I'm, West, Beyonce, Jeff Kravitz, Lucy Nicholson, Christopher Morris, Josh Haner, Kevin Mazur, James Taylor, Charles Sykes, Matt Sayles, Mark J, Terrill, Invision, Jimmy Fallon, Douglas Gorenstein, Nicholas Harvey, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Laraine Newman, Bill Hader, Taran Killam, Kristen Wiig, Keenan Thompson, Fred Armisen, Kerry Washington, Betty White, Bradley Cooper, Dana Edelson, Andrea, Ethan Miller, Tim Boyles, Selena Gomez, Jordan Strauss, Mike Coppola, John Shearer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Brandon Urie, Katy Perry, Republic Records Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Will Heath, Seth Wenig, Terence Rushin, didn’t, It’s, –, Scooter Braun, Braun Organizations: CNN, Staples Center, NBA, of Country, Garden, New York Times, New York's Rockefeller Center, Walt Disney Co, Kanye, Madison, MTV, NBC, ACM, Academy of Country, Getty, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Universal Pictures, Coachella, Republic Records, New York University, Machine Locations: Los Angeles, West Reading , Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, New York, Auburn Hills , Michigan, Newark , New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Frankfurt, Germany, London, Arlington , Texas, Tampa, Chicago, Atlanta

☆ Taylor Swift shares powerful Pride month message during Chicago ‘Eras Tour’ concert
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Taylor Swift kicked off the Chicago leg of her “Eras Tour” Friday night with a powerful Pride month message in support of the LGBTQ community. Republic Records“We can’t talk about Pride without talking about pain,” she said, pivoting from her celebration of the community to the realities of the current political climate. Rachel Wisniewski/The Washington Post/Getty Images“We can support as much as we want during Pride month but if we’re not doing our research on these elected officials – Are they advocates? Concluding her speech, Swift told the audience that she loves them and wished everyone a “happy pride month.”As Swift celebrated with her Chicago audience, hundreds of ticketless Swifties showed their support by gathering outside of Soldier Field on Saturday night to sing along with the show. The gathering has become a pattern along various “Eras Tour” stops, beginning in May when thousands of ticketless Swifties flocked to sing and dance outside of Philadelphia’s Lincoln Field.

Persons: CNN — Taylor Swift, “, ” Swift, ” Taylor Swift, ”, Midnights, Phil Bredesen, Jim Cooper, Shayna Weachter, Cecelia Zschunke, Riley O'Brien, Rayana, Taylor Swift's, Rachel Wisniewski, we’re, –, Swift, Swifties, ticketless Swifties Organizations: CNN, Chicago, Chicago’s, Republic, Tennessee, Representatives, Lincoln Financial, Washington Post, Soldier Locations: Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, Philadelphia’s

☆ TikTok is quietly moving in on record labels' territory and insiders say its ambitions could end up 'pissing off' music partners
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Its music ambitions could ruffle feathers at record labels and publishers — unless it pays out. TikTok's app regularly sparks trends that help songs go viral, making it a favorite of marketers at major labels and independents. TikTok works closely with record labels and artists on promotional efforts like livestreamed concerts, in-person performances, and private listening parties with TikTok stars. Spotify has maintained a tenuous relationship with the labels over the years as it's sought to balance profit margins while splitting revenue with artists, labels, and publishers. Still, even as record labels and publishers push TikTok to pay more to music rights holders, they're investing more in the app.

☆ How TikTok is trying to become the music industry's everything app, even if it risks 'pissing off' record labels
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Jan 27 (Reuters) - Rick Astley has sued the rapper Yung Gravy over a song that borrowed heavily from the British singer's signature "Never Gonna Give You Up," claiming that the new song illegally used an impersonator who imitated Astley's distinctive baritone. "In an effort to capitalize off of the immense popularity and goodwill of Mr. Astley, defendants ... conspired to include a deliberate and nearly indistinguishable imitation of Mr. Astley's voice," the complaint said. Among the defendants are Yung Gravy, whose real name is Matthew Hauri, and his record label, Universal Music Group's (UMG.AS) Republic Records. Universal and a representative for Yung Gravy did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The song saw resurgent popularity about two decades later through the "Rickroll" internet meme, where it unexpectedly interrupts unrelated content.

☆ Taylor Swift holds all top 10 spots in Billboard Hot 100 as she announces first major tour in nearly 5 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Jack Stebbins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Taylor Swift performs on the stage in concert at Mercedes-Benz Arena on May 30, 2014 in Shanghai, China. Taylor Swift said Tuesday she's heading back out on tour, as she occupies all of the top 10 spots of the Billboard Hot 100 with songs from her new album "Midnights." "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" is scheduled for 27 dates at U.S. stadiums beginning in March. Along with "Midnights," Swift has yet to tour with her albums "Folklore" and "Evermore" which were released in 2021. She also released "Red (Taylor's Version)" and "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" the same year, as she looks to reclaim the rights to her early works.

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