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Radio Edit | 5.5.2023

Radio Edit | 5.5.2023

a music industry newsletter

Radio Edit Team
May 05, 2023

Today’s newsletter takes a look at how the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting process works and a crucial ruling in the Ed Sheeran copyright case. Other stories include indie catalog acquisition and an examination of the industry’s sync business.

Top Stories

The Hall of Fame Explained

On May 4th, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame unveiled their list of 2023 inductees. Each year, the list is both celebrated and a source of debate. But how do we get here? Let’s take a look at the process.

The Hall of Fame consists of 4 distinct categories: Performers, Musical Excellence, Early Influences, and the Ahmet Ertegun Award- which is given to industry experts who aren't musicians but have advanced rock 'n' roll's cause in other ways.
To determine the nominees in the Performer category, a nominating committee- which consists of artists, industry executives, historians, and journalists- convenes to evaluate the list of eligible artists for consideration. Artists become eligible for consideration 25 years after the release of their first record.
Voting criteria to be considered includes the impact and influence of the artist on music history, as well as their popularity, longevity, and musical innovations.
The identities of the nominating committee members is kept confidential to protect from lobbying and harassment
Once the nominating committee has curated their ballot, it is then voted upon by a much larger voting body of over 1,000 music industry professionals and living hall of famers. From here, the final list of HOF inductees is determined. FRL

This year’s Hall of Fame inductee list includes: Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against The Machine, and The Spinners.

Acquitt(Ed)

Following almost two weeks of court proceedings, Ed Sheeran was cleared by a jury in the copyright infringement lawsuit levied against him by the daughter of Ed Townsend, co-writer of Marvin Gaye’s song “Let’s Get It On.”

The lawsuit alleges that Sheeran lifted “Let’s Get It On”’s four-chord progression and elements of its melody, including in its opening line. Sheeran’s expert musicologist argued that the chord progression used in both songs is ubiquitous in pop music- even identifying 33 examples of songs that predate Gaye’s 1973 hit.

Prior to deliberation, the judge advised the jury that the lawyers for the heirs of Gaye’s co-writer, Ed Townsend, needed to “prove by a preponderance of the evidence… that Sheeran actually copied and wrongfully copied ‘Let’s Get It On’” — as opposed to the coincidental, negligible similarities argued by Sheeran’s attorneys.”

With this result, Sheeran was able to avoid paying millions in damages and a precedent that had the rest of the music industry on edge. Variety

What Else Is Going On

Management

Aaron Frank joins forces with Q Prime to form new management arm, Q Prime AF. Frank brings clients with him including Greta Van Fleet, Marcus King, and St. Paul & The Broken Bones.

Live / Touring

Live Nation has purchased 3,000 copies of Touring and Mental Health with plans of distributing them to their venues’ dressing rooms

Label

HYBE sees 44% revenue jump in Q1

Publishing

Music financing firm Duetti has just closed on a $32mm funding round. The firm’s approach to the catalog market is providing funding to emerging/indie artists in exchange for a share of full catalogs or tracks- where they intend to maximize returns through marketing and social promotion. Already, Duetti has partnered with about 60 artists and invested approximately $400k in rights acquisitions.

Tech/Social

Guy Oseary & Ashton Kutcher launch $240mm AI investment fund

Indie distributor Distrokid has launched a mobile app

Other

An explainer on music sync: markets, applications, and the economics

Shareholders sue Adidas over handling of Kanye partnership handling and fallout

The Weeknd has teamed up with Blue Bottle Coffee on new product line. “Ethiopian culture is an important part of my identity and I’m proud to work alongside the Blue Bottle Coffee team to shine a light on Ethiopian traditions, values, and of course, coffee,” said The Weeknd in a press release.

As they “reset” the app, Clubhouse to lay off 50% of its workforce

Appointments / Departures

Appointments

AWAL promotes Matt Riley (Managing Director), Victoria Needs (SVP) and Sam Potts (SVP) in the UK

Sarah Knabe named SVP, A&R at Big Loud

Concord Music Publishing ups Brooke Primont to EVP, Global Sync

Sean “Diddy” Combs and Warner CEO Robert Kyncl join Paley Center board of trustees

Departures

James Curleigh out as President/CEO at Gibson, Cesar Gueikian named interim

Vania Schlogel steps down from board director role at Hipgnosis

Featured Releases

Grandson / I Love You, I’m Trying (A) / Elektra