David Purcell On Getting Started with Artist Management [VIDEO]

David Purcell from NYU talks about getting started in artist management in the music industry today. He suggests to spark up a rapport with a band you want to work with and speak with other artist managers. He talks about the importance of asking questions, observing what other bands are doing correctly and incorrectly, and isolating trends. He advises to model yourself after bands that have had moderate success and isolate a venue you believe would be appropriate for your band or artist. Mr. Purcell also says to get as many research books on artist management as you can.

Walter Yetnikoff on Why Record Labels Are Failing Emerging Artists [VIDEO]

Walter Yetnikoff, the legendary former head of CBS Records, shares his thoughts at a meeting of the American Bar Association on the tendency of record label management to abandon an artist if they don't meet with immediate success, instead of working through periods of lower album sales (or revenue) to build a lasting market for that artist's music. He illustrates his argument with an analysis of the career of Bruce Springsteen, who was on CBS during Yetnikoff's tenure.

How Record Labels Earn Money under Copyright Law [VIDEO]

In this segment of his lecture at a music educators conference at Loyola University New Orleans, entertainment attorney and educator Mark Davis explains how artists and their labels profit from sales of sound recordings and the licensing of those recordings. He also makes some predictions as to how the shift from terrestrial to digital radio will enable record companies to collect additional royalties.

What Do You Do If Someone Is Using Your mUSIC On MySpace Or YouTube? On MySpace Or YouTube?

By Vanessa Kaster

Today, it is almost a given that music you create will easily be copied and used by other people via the internet. And the BETTER your MUSIC is, the MORE LIKELY it is to be copied. This applies to music, photographs, lyrics, poetry, trademarks and all varieties of creative stuff.

If you discover that your sON is being used by someone else on their website, MySpace page or YouTube posting, it’s a good idea to contact the poacher and let them know that it’s YOUR music they are using and let them know how you want them to treat your music  The treatment you request can range from:

* asking them to stop using your song and remove it from their site,
* asking for credit for your songs,
* letting them how they can buy your music (if it’s for sale.)

The best case scenario is that you know the person using your music and can easily reach out to them to work out how and if you want your stuff used by them. Most of the time however, you may not know the person… BUT don’t rush to attack them too violently… because, these poachers could become your NEWEST and BIGGEST fans. Keep this in mind when you reach out to them, and make a pitch to sell your stuff (ie promote your upcoming gigs and CD’s) at the same time that you ask them to refrain from poaching. About 90% of the time, it’s possible to make this extra sale.

The worst case scenario is that the poacher ignores your attempts to contact them and continues using your stuff. If this happens, look through the ‘Terms of Service’ for the host website and follow the instructions it gives for notifying them of illegal use of copyrighted or trademarked property. To find the relevant Terms of Service, run an internet search on the hosting website’s Terms of Service. (for example: ‘MySpace Terms of Service’)

Be diligent and keep tabs on how and who is using your music!!

Blog: www.iplegalfreebies.wordpress.com

http://www.artistshousemusic.org/articles/what+do+you+do+if+someone+is+using+your+stuff+on+myspace+or+youtube

Shawn “Pecas” Costner Is Named Executive Vice President At Def Jam Records

Def Jam Records are shifting around their team a lot in 2013.

Coming off the departure of Joie Manda and Senior Vice President of A&R Sha Money XL, Shawn “Pecas” Costner has been promoted to Executive Vice President. Previously, he served three years as Senior VP at Def Jam that houses hip-hop mainstays Kanye West, 2 Chainz and The Roots.

“Def Jam [Records] is the greatest hip-hop label in the world and it is an honor and a privilege to work with such incredible artists every day,” said Pecas in a press statement. “I am appreciative of [Island Def Jam Records President] Steve Bartels for his leadership and his continued faith in me as we move the Def Jam brand into the future. With our talented staff, an unprecedented roster of superstars and an exciting crop of newcomers, we are poised to win big in 2013 and beyond.”

Pecas has been working at Def Jam since 2005. Before working for the label, he was at Elektra and Arista Records.

Freekey Zekey Reveals The Diplomats Are No Longer Signed To Interscope

Fans looking forward to a Diplomats reunion may have to wait, as the Harlem crew is out of a record deal.

In a recent interview with VladTV, Freekey Zekey revealed that the Dips are no longer signed to Interscope Records, the label who signed the group in 2010. Zekey explained that Juelz Santana’s personal and legal problems halted the album’s production, which ultimately cost the group its deal. Still, Zekey said that now that Juelz is back recording music, all it will take for the group to reunite is the chance to sit down and work its issues out.

“I don’t know. [Juelz Santana] had I guess personal problems that was negating him from hittin’ the studio hard. I don’t know what they are or what they was, but his mind was with it. ‘Cause every time we talked to him or spoke to him, he [was excited]. But whatever was lurkin’ in his personal life or whatever the case may be, would basically stop him from getting into that studio…[cops took] everything [from Juelz's studio], every single thing. They gutted it…it was back to back things going on. They’re talking about some gun problems, and his man died in the studio…it was just piling up on him.”

He added, “[Juelz] is back…Jim and Cam got songs in the studio already, so right but now, it’s just up to us to sit down and say we’re gonna do it.”

Earlier this year, the Diplomats reunited for a live performance at B.B. King’s House of Blues in New York City.

Arrest Warrant Issued for Chad Johnson

Chad Johnson

PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

• Former NFL star Chad Johnson is a wanted man by the Broward County, Florida police. Johnson allegedly violated his probation by not reporting to his probation officer. Johnson is also accused of not proving he enrolled in and completed the "Batterers Intervention Program." Once apprehended, a hearing will be set to determine if he's guilty of violating his probation. Last year, Johnson escaped jail time by accepting a plea deal after being charged with a battery misdemeanor for allegedly head-butting his ex-wife Evelyn Lozada. [TMZ]

President Obama Hosting White House Concert Honoring Carole King With Billy Joel, Gloria Estefan, Emeli Sande

President Barack Obama is putting on a show at the White House next week for singer-songwriter Carole King.

She is the first woman to receive the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from theLibrary of Congress.

The White House says Obama will present the award to King during a concert Wednesday. The program will include performances by King, Gloria Estefan, Billy Joel, Jesse McCartney, Emeli Sandé, James Taylor and Trisha Yearwood.

King's hits during five decades of songwriting include "You've Got a Friend," ''So Far Away" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."

Wednesday's concert will be the latest in the "In Performance at the White House" series. It will be streamed live on the www.whitehouse.gov , and broadcast nationally by PBS stations on May 28.

Kanye West 'Aint No Muthaf---in Celebrity' at Adult Swim Upfront

"I ain't no muthafuckin celebrity," Kanye West said halfway through his nearly 90-minute set at the Adult Swim Upfront at New York's Roseland Ballroom Wednesday night. "There's one thing about me, I'm a terrible, terrible terrible celebrity. I don't know if you really know there's one thing about me but I'm the worst kind of celebrity. All I do is make real music. All I do is sit in the studio and make real shit. And that's it. And that's muthafuckin it. That's muthafuckin it!"

Kanye West Rants About 'Suit & Tie,' Music Biz at London Concert

West had been largely silent up to this point, instead performing a string of back-to-back hits like "Good Life,"  "Jesus Walks," "All Of The Lights" and "Heartless" as well as at least two new tracks, one of which may very well be titled "Awesome" based on these lyrics: "Cause baby you're awesome / you don't need to listen to your manager. I know you just be tired from running through my mind / can I come inside? / Cuz baby you're awesome / And I'm also awesome." He teased this song, seeming to be titled "So Awesome," at last week's Met Gala event.

The first new track, which he performed two songs into his set (after "Mercy" and "Cold"), flirted with dubstep. It could possibly be the Skrillex collaboration that the electronic musician teased himself to The Daily Beast, as it had a taste of A$AP Rocky own, Skrillex collaboration, "Wild For the Night."

The Roseland stage was framed by a giant pyramid backdrop, which projected lightning, smoke and red and purple lights for an Illuminati-like effect. West himself performed behind a screen for majority of the time, Wizard of Oz-style, with black-and-white projections of his face in close-up often looking like a sonogram (no sign of Kim, by the way.)

West was onstage by 10:40, just 10 minutes shy of his contracted set time. That was a major improvement from the last time he played an Adult Swim upfront in 2008, when he was booked to be onstage by 10 and wasn't even in the building until midnight, having played another show for Casio G Shock surrounded by topless models.

Anyway, back to the rant. Here's more from Kanye:

"So I don't want no people runnin' up on me with cameras, trying to like sell pictures and shit to magazines, asking me dumb ass questions, throwin' me off my focus and shit. Harrasin' you all muthafuckin day. I ain't no muthafuckain celebrity.

It's so funny. Somebody asked me, 'when you do SNL, are you going to do a skit about the paparazzi and shit. And like humanize yourself?' I ain't hear to apologize to no muthafuckas, man. It ain't about me humanizing myself. At what point did I become un-human where I have to turn myself back? Or maybe I was demonized, or maybe I was treated inhumane and not human in that type of situation. I ain't no muthafuckin celebrity. I ain't runnin' for office. I ain't kissin' nobody's muthafuckin babies. I drop your baby and you muthafuckin sue me and shit. I'm trying to make some music that inspires people to be the best that they can be. And I don't want nobody else to ask anything of me! Don't ask nothing else of me.

Muthafuckas chasin you down, about to make you crash and shit. And all they want is for a nigga to laugh and shit. Hell nah, I ain't doin no muthafuckin 'SNL' skits. This is my Goddamn life. This ain't no muthafuckin joke."

N.W.A. MEMBER REACTS TO EAZY-E SUMMER RESURRECTION ANNOUNCEMENT

N.W.A. member DJ Yella has stepped forward to offer his take to news this week of late rapperEazy-E being virtually brought back to life at the annual Rock the Bells music festival.

Rather than boycott or lash out against the news, Yella said he is fully behind younger hip-hop heads having an opportunity to experience Eazy's music.

TMZ spoke with Yella -- who also produced Eazy's first solo album -- and the guy tells us he thinks it's GREAT that his deceased friend will come back to life (via hologram) to perform at the Rock the Bells hip-hop festival in September. "It's cool that a younger generation will get to experience [Eazy's] music," Yella says. (TMZ)

Although there are no plans for him to perform alongside the late N.W.A. leader, Yella said fans should not be surprised if he pops upat one of the shows.

Yella tells us he's "most likely" going to attend one of the shows ... and REEAALLLY hopes the hologram performs "Boyz-n-the-Hood" and "Foe tha Love of $," alongside Bone Thugs. The 45-year-old rap pioneer says ... he feels the hologram is a "pretty nice tribute" to both Eazy and N.W.A ... but says he was kinda hoping the group would score an even bigger honor. "We should have been in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year," Yella says ... "But this is cool too." (TMZ)

While N.W.A.'s Dr. Dre resurrected the late 2Pac for a hologram Coachella performance last year, Rock The Bells founder Chang Weisberg has said they will use similar but not the same technology.

"It's an original virtual performance, not a hologram," Weisberg insisted. "I never used the word hologram. There are a number of multimedia visual effects that will be applied that will definitely at the very least make the performances look like a hologram. People's minds will be blown." (Radio)

Buzz behind the unexpected Eazy-E performance heated up the Internet earlier this week.

Not only will the Wu come together as they did most recently at Coachella this year, but they will also be accompanied by a virtual rendition of the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. One of the last major performances from the entire Clan, ODB included, happened during the inaugural Rock The Bells in 2004. Meanwhile, Bone Thugs will be joined on stage by a virtual performance from the late Eazy-E. The Compton rapper was a mentor for the Cleveland rap group and had signed them to his Ruthless Records label. (Complex)

TIM DOG ACCUSED OF PULLING BIGGEST DEATH HOAX

The Internet is currently in a frenzy with reports of late rapper Timothy "Tim Dog" Blair allegedly faking his own death to avoid million-dollar debts circulating.

According to reports, a woman claims the New York rapper is nothing more than a scam artist who faked his death for financial reasons.

A woman who was swindled by a famous rapper says 'Tim Dog' may be up to his biggest scam yet. The rapper reportedly died in February, but the Mid-South woman he scammed believes the con man may have faked his own death. Timothy Blair, more commonly known as Tim Dog, owes her money. When he was reported dead, she says, all the payments stopped. He got famous in the 90s for his song about Compton, but Tim Dog's lasting legacy, in Esther Pilgrim's mind, will be something else, "He really thinks he can outsmart everybody." She says the rapper swindled her out $32,000, "A fictitious business deal." She's not the only one who says Tim Dog is a con man. "Twenty victims have contacted me personally from around the world," she said. (WREG News)

To make matters even worse, additional media outlets claim there are questionable factors related to his February death.

In 2011, a Mississippi judge ordered Blair to pay her back, "One hundred dollars per month." Esther says she received those payments up until she got the phone call that Tim Dog was dead. In February, media outlets, including Rolling Stone, reported the 46-year-old rapper died from complications of diabetes. Esther says at first, she believed it like everybody else. Then she did some digging, "There was nothing of what you would normally find. What city? Who found him? There was nothing with any type of concrete details." She even had a friend go down to Atlanta this week, where he allegedly died, to find his death certificate, "They weren't able to find any record of his death." In fact,News Channel 3 used private investigator Andy Wilson who said he couldn't find a death record for Timothy Blair either. Esther says Tim Dog owes upwards of $2 million to people around the world and she believes his own death might be just be his biggest con yet, "Oh, I think there is a great chance that he's alive." A private investigator has also confirmed an active address for Blair in Atlanta as of April. (WREG)

February reports claimed the "F*ck Compton" hitmaker lost a battle with diabetes on Valentine's Day.

Hip Hop mourns its first loss of 2013, with the death of BX veteran rapper Timothy "Tim Dog" Blair today from a seizure following a long bout with diabetes. He was 46 years old. Tim Dog was present and active during a pivotal time in Hip Hop and unapolgetically made his mark. The Source would like to send our condolences to his family and friends. Rest In Peace. (The Source)

The rapper made a name for himself in the early 1990's with his infectious "F*ck Compton" diss record.

Veteran Bronx rapper Timothy Blair (a.k.a. Tim Dog) was found dead today at the age of 46. Tim Dog suffered from a seizure earlier today stemming from his long-time battle with diabetes. Tim Dog was best known in the early '90s when he was on the front lines of the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop battle. Blair released what is arguably his most famous song, the diss track "F*ck Compton," in 1991. R.I.P. Tim Dog. (Complex)

Along with sparking outbursts from West Coast icons like N.W.A. and DJ Quik, Dog released a couple albums in his prime.

Bronx rapper Tim Dog (born Tim Blair) fired fresh shots in the long-simmering hip-hop coastal war with his 1991 album Penicillin on Wax. His single "F--- Compton" triggered answers and comebacks in West and East Coast circles, and helped his album become an underground sensation, though not a major hit. Tim Dog's alternately leering and fiery tone, confrontational diatribes, and cutting beats were even more vigorous on the follow-up, Do or Die, in 1993. (All Music)

Reports claim the rap veteran found himself in some legal trouble a couple years ago.

In 2011, Tim Dog pled guilty to grand larceny for swindling a woman out of $32,000 in an online dating scam, a scandal covered in a 2012 episode of Dateline NBC. He was sentenced to five years' probation. (Rolling Stone)

[source]  http://www.sohh.com/2013/05/tim_dog_accused_of_pulling_biggest_death.html

Jennifer Lopez Appointed Chief Creative Officer of NUVOtv

Jennifer Lopez is the newly appointed chief creative officer of NUVOtv.

The versatile J-Lo was announced last fall as a creative partner with the English-language Latino network, but her role was solidified Wednesday as NUVOtv held its upfront for advertisers and prepared for a re-launch of its programming in July.

In an interview before the presentation, Lopez said about two years ago she was approached by NUVOtv to serve "probably more as the face of the network. But once we sat down and I started expressing my point of view about the programming and the network, it grew into something bigger."

She said that, with the support of her own production company, she will be involved in marketing, branding and program development.

"A network that reflects the modern Latino experience, but in English, must have the quality that everybody has," she said.

Lopez will also be the subject of a 90-minute biographical special, the network said. Among new series announced will be "Gotta Dance," a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of professional dancers accompanying Lopez on a world concert tour.

Asked if her on-camera presence is likely to extend beyond those programs, she said yes - "if we find a great show that I would star in anyway. But I always want to do what's right for the network as opposed to using it as a vehicle for myself. That's not the point."

Lopez laughed when asked if she would consider returning to "American Idol," where she spent two seasons as judge on a panel that is currently in turmoil.

"I'm gonna perform there (Thursday) night," she replied. "I don't know what else is gonna happen."

Looking ahead to the July 18 debut of the NUVOtv programming slate, she said, "We've given it enough of a facelift to launch, but we know we have work ahead of us."

Other series announced include "Rodney's Joy," a reality show about Grammy Award-winning producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins as he takes on a new client - his wife, Joy Enriquez - as well as "Mario Lopez: One on One," an interview show.
NUVOtv is available in 32 million homes.

[source] http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/1562335/jennifer-lopez-appointed-chief-creative-officer-of-nuvotv

Wet Seal to Pay $7.5 Million in Discrimination Case

By// Mariah Craddick

Wet Seal has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a class action discrimination lawsuit filed against them stemming from claims brought by three African-American employees who accused the store of firing them because they “didn’t fit the store’s image.” According to the Denver Post, at least $5.58 million of the damages will go to current and former African-American managers.

The suit, filed by Nicole Cogdell, Kai Hawkins and Myriam Saint-Hilaire, claimed that former Wet Seal executives denied equal pay and promotion opportunities or terminated African-American store managers nationwide.

“Being targeted for termination from a job I loved because of my race was a nightmare,” Cogdell said in a statement issued through the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. “It was important for me to be a force for change, but I could not have done it without the support of other employees who spoke out against discrimination. Wet Seal has now committed to strong, fair policies because we took a stand. I hope these changes will create opportunities for all deserving employees, regardless of their race.”

According to Clutch Magazine, the settlement agreement outlines a series of different initiatives to ensure diversity. The settlement still has to be approved in federal court.

PHOTO OF DIDDY'S $500,000 CAR, BODYGUARD HANDCUFFED AT GUNPOINT REVEALED

A day after Diddy's bodyguard had to exit his Mercedes Maybach at gunpoint by Los Angeles police, a photo from the incident has emerged online.

In the photo, Puff Daddy's security is shown surrendering to policejust feet away from the whip.

Cops were all over Diddy's $500,000 Maybach yesterday like WHITE ON RICE ... guns at the ready ... suspect handcuffed on his knees ... and we've got a photo of the incredible scene. As we reported, a fleet of squad cars roared to L.A.'s Soho House yesterday following a 911 call about a suspicious black car with a weapon inside. When they arrived to the scene, cops pulled over Diddy's Maybach. The car -- driven by Diddy's bodyguard -- had just dropped off the hip-hop mogul at the exclusive West Hollywood club and was driving away ... but it barely left the driveway before cops got to it. (TMZ)

Despite the seriousness, Diddy was not in the car when the cops arrived.

The drama unfolded Wednesday in Los Angeles, prompted by a 911 call. At least five police cruisers responded and police pulled two people out of the vehicle, creating quite a sight. Lucky for Diddy he wasn't in the car. Unlucky for his bodyguard, he WAS in the car and ended up cuffed in the middle of the street, on his knees. (RadarOnline)

Back in early April, police surrounded the rap mogul's Los Angeles crib as a result of a prank.

Sean Combs is the latest celebrity to be targeted by the wave of "swatting" pranks that are sweeping Hollywood. More than a dozen police cars and two helicopters raced to the Bad Boymogul's L.A. home yesterday after a 911 caller claimed that someone was shot inside the residence. After securing both Diddy's house and his neighbor's, actor Steve Carell, the cops determined that the call was a prank and dispersed. (BET)

When not dodging law enforcement, Puff is showing off his senseof humor with clips like the new "Downton Diddy" FunnyorDie.com skit.

Diddy will not be starring in Downton Abbey, in spite of apparently claiming he would be taking a recurring role in the hit costume drama. The US rapper turned out to have been promoting a skit on Will Ferrell's Funny Or Die website. The prospect of Lord and Lady Grantham being overshadowed by glittering bling, and Cristal served to a disapproving dowager countess was raised on 15 May when Diddy announced via his Twitter feed he would be joining the cast of Julian Fellowes's ITV drama. (The Guardian)

MTV's O Music Awards Announces Nominees, Set for June 19

MTV and Viacom today announced the nominees for the fourth iteration of its O Music Awards, which include Frank Ocean, PSY, Baauer, Bon Iver, internet meme Lil B, and more. The O Music Awards are digitally focused and targeted towards millennials, with categories like "Favorite Music Cat" (cats that have become famous on the web) and "Too Much Ass for TV" (music videos banned on broadcast television due to content concerns), along with a voting structure that relies heavily on digital and social media interaction.

The 2013 version of the O Awards isn't a show proper, but rather will take place over a full day, which MTV is calling "Live Music Day." 50 different performancestaking place at various locations in the U.S. will be streamable at the property's website. These performances will include the nominees for the O Awards' new concept, "Make a Band Famous," wherein votes will be tallied via the website, Facebook and Twitter, with the five bands who received the most votes performing during the "show" and the winner being determined following a final tally.

The O Music Awards are scheduled for June 19th, beginning at 7PM ET. A list of the nominees:

Digital Genius Award
Psy
Yoko Ono
Will.i.am
Trent Reznor
Pussy Riot

Best Web-Born Artist
Kitty
Baauer
FIDLAR
Macklemore
Angel Haze

Best Music App
Scape
Vjay
Timbre
CrowdSYNC
Jukely

Best Interactive Music Video
Linkin Park, “Lost in the Echo”
Beck & Chris Milk, “Sound and Vision”
Tanlines, “Not The Same”
Miranda Lambert, “Fastest Girl in Town”
Yung Jake, “e.m.-bed.de/d”

Fan Army FTW
Tokio Hotel’s “Aliens”
Adam Lambert’s “Glamberts”
Ed Sheeran’s “Sheerios”
Justin Bieber’s “Beliebers”
Beyonce’s “Beyhive”
Demi Lovato’s “Lovatics”
Thirty Seconds to Mars’ “Echelon”
Selena Gomez’s “Selenators”
All Time Low’s “Hustlers”
Lil B’s “Task Force”

Best Music Hack
Bonhamizer
Leap Orchestra
Maebe
Tweet Concrete
Boil the Frog

Must Follow Artist on Twitter
Bruno Mars
?uestlove
Frank Ocean
Andrew W.K.
Erykah Badu
Grimes
Carrie Brownstein
Solange
Ryan Adams
Richard Marx

Best Artist Instagram
Pictureplane
Tyler the Creator
Bon Iver
Mariah Carey
Riff Raff

Our Favorite Musical Cat
Lil Bub
Keyboard Cat
Skifcha The Hipster Dubstep Cat
Collective Soul Cat
CatCERTO

Too Much Ass for TV (NSFW Music Videos)
David Bowie, “The Stars (Are Out Tonight)”
Sigur Ros, “Valtari”
DIIV, “Wait”
Frank Ocean, “Pyramids”
Robin Thicke, “Blurred Lines”

Make a Band Famous
The So So Glos
Chill Moody
Syd Arthur
Striking Matches
Tatiana Owens
John & Jacob
Shy Glizzy
Fallulah
The Future
Darling Parade

Next Big Scene
PostDubStep
CloudRap
Beats
#Seapunk
Vaporwave

Analog Genius Award
Jack White
Beck
Neil Young
Shone

Most Inspiring Fan Outreach
Dan Deacon
Avicii x You
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
Alicia Keys

The “Friday, Friday” Vanguard Award
Harlem Shake (the faux dance)
Flash Mobs
Goats yelling like humans in music videos
Twerking
Lip Dubs

Suspect??? “Unidentified Sources” Make Outrageous Claim That Kim K Is Worried That Kanye Has A Secret Gay Boo!

Kim Kardashian just can’t catch a break. She’s been routinely slammed for filing for divorceafter just 72 days of marriage, her maternity wardrobe fashion choices are ridiculed across the globe, and now she’s being attacked with haters making the ridiculous claim that her baby daddy Kanye West is gay.

The 32-year-old reality super star is two months away from giving birth to her first child, and while she’s always been a target of criticism, the personal critiques seem to be crossing the line.

Kim’s Givenchy flowered dress was universally slammed at the Met Gala, and then on-line commenters began to harass her saying that Kanye was in a romantic relationship with a man she knows, according to In Touch magazine.

“Kim freaked out,” a source told the magazine.

The man named in the report allegedly recently purchased an apartment near Kanye’s luxurious Soho pad. He also calls Paris home, and Kanye has been living there for the last few months working on his album.

That apparently adds up to a gay relationship, according to some haters.

The super star rapper has been plagued by gay rumors for years, and the report says Kanye and the man bonded in Paris.

“They’re super close,” Kim’s supposed friend said. “They spend a lot of time together at Kanye’s apartment.”

According to the rumor, Kanye’s secret down-low lover is Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci, the same man that stitched Kim’s slandered Met Gala “sofa” dress. In addition, Gwyneth Paltrow revealed that Kanye was “furious” for some unknown reason:

“Kanye West was playing and he was all furious and he threw his microphone down and it was all drama. I don’t know why [he was mad].”

Tthese “sources” claim the reason Yeezy was pissed off is because Riccardo was going Instagram ham with photos of Frank Ocean all night long.

People have always said that ‘Ye is gay because of his left-of-center fashion choices, but there is no way he has been chopping down all these bangin’ bawwwwdies AND been a closet homosexual…right??

Wade Robson WILL have his day in court... allegations of molestation.

Wade Robson 
WILL have his day in court in his attempt to prove he was molested by Michael Jackson ... even if he's shut down by the Michael Jackson Estate.

TMZ has learned ... Robson has filed a civil lawsuit in L.A. County Superior Court ... and it has nothing to do with his creditor's claim against the Estate. We broke the story ... Robson belatedly filed his creditor's claim, alleging MJ molested him between the ages of 7 and 14.

Robson may get shut down by the probate judge because he waited too long to file his claim.  But the civil lawsuit we found will NOT go away that easily.

The allegations in the civil lawsuit are sealed, but TMZ has obtained the face page of the complaint, which shows Robson is suing DOE 1, an individual, DOE 2, a California corporation, and DOE 3, a California corporation.  As for who these anonymous DOES are ... TMZ has done some digging, and it's clear.  Robson is targeting MJJ Productions -- Michael's record label (owned by Sony) which hired Wade when he was 11 -- and MJJ Ventures ... which produced Michael's music videos.

The two corporations may have been involved in bringing Wade to the U.S. from his home in Australia, and it's clear Wade will argue they had some responsibility for protecting him -- kind of like the relationship between priests who molest and the Catholic Church.

As for the individual DOES (Wade names 50 DOES) ... it's very clear from our research that Robson is targeting the two executors of the MJ Estate -- John Branca and John McClain.

Short story -- even if Wade loses in probate court, he can probably have his day in civil court and put Michael Jackson and allegations of molestation before a jury.

[source] http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/15/wade-robson-sue-michael-jackson-estate-to-prove-molestation/#ixzz2TOzELqtG 

Manatt Launches Digital Media Investment Fund

Entertainment law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips on Wednesday announced it is launching a digital media practice and an investment fund aimed at early stage start-ups.

Manatt, whose legal clients include Sugarland, the Eagles, INgrooves and BMI Rights Management, also appointed Peter Csathy to head up the investment arm of Manatt Digital Media Ventures.

Csathy (pronounced chah-tee) was previously chief executive of Sorenson Media and, before that, SightSpeed. He was also president and chief operating officer of Musicmatch, a digital jukebox and streaming music service that Yahoo! Acquired in 2004 for $160 million. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Csathy began his career as an entertainment attorney for New Line Cinema and Universal Studios.

The Los Angeles-based firm’s digital media practice will be headed up by T. Hale Boggs, a Manatt partner who specializes in corporate, finance and venture capital issues. The practice is looking to differentiate itself from other boutiquelaw firms by selling a suite of soup-to-nuts services, from business consulting, partner negotiations and mergers and acquisitions.

Manatt, whose partners have invested in Pinterest and Etsy, declined to disclose how much money is in the investment fund, which is financed by the firm’s partners. Csathy said Manatt plans to invest in 10 to 15 startups a year, with individual investments ranging anywhere between $15,000 and $600,000.

"There’s been a groundswell of new digital business models, particularly in Los Angeles and New York," Csathy said. "There’s also an optimism among media companies about what this can mean for them."

Jordan Bromley, a Manatt partner who is part of the 30-person Digital Media Ventures unit, said the firm will look to invest in companies that help deliver content, particularly live content. (The law firm overall has 400 attorneys and consultants in eight cities.)

"We’re interested in companies that facilitate access," Bromley said.

DR. DRE & JIMMY IOVINE SHELL OUT $70 MILLION

Aftermath Records head Dr. Dre and Interscope CEO Jimmy Iovine proved they are worthy of making Forbes' list on a yearly basis by throwing down a combined $70 million for a good cause this week.

According to reports, the music moguls' enormous donation is to help create a new institute at the University of Southern California.

The huge gift from the two who have been music business partners in the past will be used to create the Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation. The academy will provide a special four-year program for undergraduates whose interests span several fields from marketing to computer science to visual design and other arts. It will include one-on-one faculty mentoring with professors from programs around the university and interaction with entertainment industry luminaries. (Fox News)

The university's president has released an official statement on receiving their unexpected gift.

"The vision and generosity of Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young will profoundly influence the way all of us perceive and experience artistic media," USC President C. L. Max Nikias said in a statement. "We are committed to encouraging our students to use their intellectual and creative resources to effect change in all segments of society. Our goal is to ensure that the academy is the most collaborative educational program in the world." (Statement)

Over the spring, Doc landed a Top 3 spot on Forbes' Hip-Hop's Wealthiest Artists list.

1: Diddy, $580 M 2: Jay-Z $475M 3: Dr Dre $350M 4: Birdman $150M 5: 50 Cent $125M Birdman: The New Orleans native cofounded Cash Money Records two decades ago with his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams (Birdman's net worth would be well over $200 million if his ownership in the label wasn't shared). 50 Cent: Now he's trying to replicate the latter feat with companies like SMS Audio, his answer to Dr. Dre's Beats, and SK Energy, which has its sights set on category leader 5-Hour Energy. (Forbes)

No strangers to working together, Dre and Iovine have partnered up on numerous accounts to help enhance sound quality.

"We have to fix the entire chain," Iovine explained. "Our position is to go to all the sources and try to improve sound and educate people...We can't put anything weak in the line. Whoever puts out things that sound bad shouldn't be as cool as something that sounds great...I just want our product to sound better. The record business committed many, many mistakes in the last ten years, and I'm right in there. One of them was letting its product get degraded. It's one thing to let it get stolen, it's another to allow it to be degraded because then you really don't have a chance...video games and TV quality are getting better and the quality of our work is getting lower. If that happens, then music will become disposable. That's something we can fix." (CNET)