EXCLUSIVE: ['Love & Hip Hop Miami'] Breakout Star Amara's ready for the big time

Welcome to Tha' Palace! Amara La Negra is no novice when it comes to music. She's kicked down doors in entertainment for years, breaking stereotypes while singing her black-girl narrative on stages throughout Latin America. From being a child star on Univision's Sábado Gigante to making a name for herself in the urban Latin music industry, Amara's ready for the big time.

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Following the premiere of Love & Hip Hop: Miami and Amara's highly celebrated debut on the reality TV show Monday, Billboard has learned that the Dominican artist has inked a multi-album record deal with Fast Life Entertainment Worldwide and BMG.

READ MORE: [Katt Williams] Discusses his Role in "Father Figures"

“I’m still in shock! At times, I am caught pinching myself because there is a part of me that still is in awe of being signed to a franchise that will heighten my success," she raved in a statement. "It is a feeling of a different level of hunger because I have prayed for this so much that it feels unreal! I am humbly honored to have a team that continues to believe in me. Having a pioneer in the music arena like Zach seeing the potential in my musical craft and talent. I am thankful for my team at Fast Life Ent. Worldwide and BMG for this opportunity as an artist. And I cannot for my fans to hear my new music."

READ MORE: [CARDI B]: With First 3 Hot 100 Hits in [Top 10 Simultaneously]!!!

Under the new deal -- which was worked out between Fast Life Entertainment Worldwide CEO Jullian Boothe and BMG Recordings President Zach Katz (formerly of indie label Beluga Heights and Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment) -- Amara will release her first single in the first quarter of 2018. Her upcoming music will be produced by hitmakers Rock City, whose previous credits includeRihanna, Beyoncé, Sean Kingston, Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj, among many others.

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In a previous interview with Billboard, Amara La Negra expressed her joy and gratitude for gaining a television platform that will help highlight the struggles she's long endured in the music industry as someone who is bicultural and of Afro-Caribbean descent. As she readies fresh music and perhaps a new sound, catch Amara on VH1's Love and Hip Hip: Miami every Monday at 9 p.m. ET.

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(LEGAL): Spotify Hit With [$1.6 Billion Lawsuit] From Publisher Representing Tom Petty, Neil Young, Others

Spotify has been hit with a $1.6 billion lawsuit from Wixen Music Publishing, which handles titles by Tom Petty, Neil Young, Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Stevie Nicks, and others. The suit, which alleges that Spotify is using thousands of songs without a proper license, was filed on Dec. 29 in California federal court. It is seeking damages worth at least $1.6 billion and injunctive relief.

Anita Baker: Farewell Tour?

Spotify has been plagued by complaints and legal action from the music-publishing industry, which widely feels that labels are getting the fairer share of royalties from the company. In May the company proposed a $43 million settlement to resolve a class-action suit from a collective of songwriters, including David Lowery and Melissa Ferrick, that in September was lambasted as being inadequate by a group of songwriters and actors; more lawsuits ensued.

READ MORE: Katt Williams Discusses his Role in "Father Figures"

Wixen’s lawsuit says the proposed settlement “does not adequately compensate Wixen or the songwriters it represents.” The suit continues, “Prior to launching in the United States, Spotify attempted to license sound recordings by working with record labels but, in a race to be first to market, made insufficient efforts to collect the required musical composition information and, in turn, failed in many cases to license the compositions embodied within each recording or comply with the requirements of Section 115 of the Copyright Act. Either a direct license from Wixen or a compulsory license would have permitted Spotify to reproduce and/or distribute the Works as part of the Service, including by means of digital phonorecord deliveries (“DPDs”), interactive streaming, and limited downloads. But Spotify failed to obtain either license type,” and instead outsourced that role to the Harry Fox Agency, which the suit says “Spotify knew … did not possess the infrastructure to obtain the required mechanical licenses and Spotify knew it lacked these licenses.”

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Spotify filed court papers on Friday that questioned whether Wixen’s clients had authorized the company to take that action, claiming that it had given its clients only a brief opt-out period before their names would be included in the suit.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, company president Randall Wixen clarified that it and its clients are not taking part in the Music Modernization Act introduced late in December, which aims to simplify digital licensing and increase rates, or joining the class-action suit “in part because of their belief that the proposed settlement is inadequate, because too much of the settlement is going to legal fees, and because the terms of the go-forward license in the settlement are not in their long-term best interests.” Instead, the company says it “was and is desirous of sitting down with Spotify to work out an amicable settlement for its past infringements and unlicensed uses, and seeks to work out a go-forward license which is fair to all parties.

READ MORE: [CARDI B]: With First 3 Hot 100 Hits in [Top 10 Simultaneously]!!!

“We’re just asking to be treated fairly,” he continued. “We are not looking for a ridiculous punitive payment. But we estimate that our clients account for somewhere between 1% and 5% of the music these services distribute. Spotify has more than $3 billion in annual revenue and pays outrageous annual salaries to its executives and millions per month for ultra-luxurious office space in various cities. All we’re asking for is for them to reasonably compensate our clients by sharing a miniscule amount of the revenue they take in with the creators of the product they sell.”

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[HIP HOP]: Cardi B Joins The Beatles & Ashanti With First 3 Hot 100 Hits in [Top 10 Simultaneously]!!!

Welcome to Tha' Palace! Cardi B becomes just the third act – and the first rapper – to place her first three  Billboard Hot 100 entries in the chart's top 10 simultaneously, joining only The Beatles and Ashanti in achieving the feat.

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The Bronx rapper earns the honor as G-Eazy's "No Limit," featuring A$AP Rocky and Cardi B, lifts from No. 5 to a No. 4 high on the new Jan. 6-dated Hot 100; Migos, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B's No. 6-peaking "MotorSport" holds at No. 7; and Cardi B's former three-week No. 1 debut smash "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)" returns to the top 10, rising 12-10.

Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé's "Perfect" tops the Hot 100 for a fourth week.

Let's run down the top 10 of the Jan. 6-dated Hot 100, which blends all-genre streaming, airplay and sales data. All charts will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Jan. 3, as Billboard is adjusting how it dates its charts and magazine issues.)

As Cardi B places at Nos. 4, 7 and 10 on the Hot 100, she joins elite company in ranking in the top 10 with her first three charted titles in the same week.

The Beatles first tripled up at the heights of early Beatlemania, as, on the Hot 100s dated Feb. 29, March 7 and March 14, 1964, their first three entries all charted in the top 10 together. In the last of those three frames, the band monopolized the top three, with their first three hits at Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively: "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "She Loves You" and "Please Please Me."

The feat remained unmatched for 38 years, until Ashanti reached the Hot 100's top 10 with her first three charted titles simultaneously. On March 30 and April 6, 2002, she appeared in the tier with her own "Foolish" and as featured on Fat Joe's "What's Luv?" and Ja Rule's "Always on Time."

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Cardi B is the first artist overall to chart three songs in the top 10 simultaneously since The Chainsmokers, who became the first duo to earn the distinction on the March 18, 2017-dated Hot 100. She's the first woman to do so since both Iggy Azalea and Ariana Grande on Aug. 30, 2014.

Cardi B, Azalea, Grande, Adele and Ashanti are the only women with such a top-10 triple.

The only other acts to chart three Hot 100 top 10s simultaneously (dating to the chart's Aug. 4, 1958, inception): Bee Gees, 50 Cent, Usher, Akon, T-Pain, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Justin Bieber (thus, making Cardi B the 15th act to join the club).

The honor is the latest for Cardi B, who, when "MotorSport" zoomed 15-6 on the Dec. 30-dated Hot 100, became the first female rapper to reach the top 10 with her first three Hot 100 entries.

Cardi B's current trio of top 10s is driven most heavily by streaming, as "No Limit" leaps 7-4 on the Streaming Songs chart with 34.2 million U.S. streams, up 18 percent, in the week ending Dec. 28, according to Nielsen Music; "MotorSport" reverses 5-7 (30 million, down 4 percent); and "Bodak Yellow" holds at No. 9 (24.2 million, down 1 percent).

Not to be forgotten among Cardi B's bounty this week: at No. 4 on the Hot 100, "No Limit" marks a new career high for both G-Eazy and A$AP Rocky, the latter of whom surpasses his prior No. 5 peak, as featured on Selena Gomez's "Good for You" in 2015.

Meanwhile, Cardi B adds to her haul this week, earning the Hot 100's top two debuts with her fourth and fifth Hot 100 entries. "Bartier Cardi," featuring 21 Savage, bows at No. 14 on the Hot 100, as it launches at No. 10 on the Digital Song Sales chart with 45,000 first-week downloads sold in the week ending Dec. 28 and at No. 11 on Streaming Songs (21.1 million opening-week U.S. streams). The song's No. 14 Hot 100 entrance matches Cardi B's best, tying the arrival of "MotorSport" (Nov. 18).

Plus, Ozuna and Cardi B's "La Modelo" debuts on the Hot 100 at No. 52, starting on Digital Song Sales at No. 40 (19,000) and Streaming Songs at No. 41 (11.7 million). It opens at No. 3 on Hot Latin Songs (where it marks Cardi B's first appearance).

Atop the Hot 100 for a fourth frame, Sheeran and Beyoncé's "Perfect," released on Atlantic Records, and first as a solo song by Sheeran on his album ÷ (Divide), spends a fifth week at No. 1 on Digital Song Sales (163,000, up 8 percent). It dips to No. 2 after a week atop Streaming Songs (37.7 million, down 13 percent) and holds at its No. 2 high on the Radio Songs chart, with 129.6 million in audience, up 4 percent, in the week ending Dec. 31.

Post Malone's "Rockstar," featuring 21 Savage, ranks at No. 2 on the Hot 100 for a fourth week after eight weeks at No. 1. It rebounds for a 13th week at No. 1 on Streaming Songs (40.2 million, down 6 percent) and leads the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts for a 12th week each.

Camila Cabello's "Havana," featuring Young Thug, keeps at No. 3 on the Hot 100, after reaching No. 2, while topping Radio Songs for a fourth week (130.4 million, down 3 percent).

Rounding out the Hot 100's top five, Imagine Dragons' "Thunder" rises 6-5 after reaching No. 4, while leading Hot Rock Songs for a ninth week. Meanwhile, a medley version of the song with Khalid's "Young Dumb & Free," released at midnight ET Dec. 20 and being tracked as its own title, enters the Hot 100 at No. 69 (and Hot Rock Songs at No. 4), fueled by its No. 8 debut on Digital Song Sales (46,000 sold). The song is a studio version of the medley that the group and Khalid performed on the American Music Awards Nov. 19. (Khalid's track jumps 33-18 for a new high on the Hot 100.)

Elsewhere in the Hot 100's top 10, Lil Pump's "Gucci Gang" drops 4-6 after hitting No. 3; Sam Smith's No. 4-peaking "Too Good at Goodbyes" holds at No. 8; and Halsey's "Bad at Love" rebounds 10-9 after reaching No. 8.

In addition to Cardi B's debuts outside the Hot 100's top 10, two songs, especially, are challenging for spots in the region: Kendrick Lamar's "Love.," featuring Zacari, zooms 22-11 as the chart's top gainer in streaming (19.2 million, up 53 percent), following the Dec. 21 arrival of its official video, and Dua Lipa's "New Rules" rises 13-12.

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[TOP STORY]: Chance The Rapper—“Success as an Independent Artist Is Attainable If You're Patient!”

[Tha' Palace]: Chance the Rapper’s rise to stardom and commercial success as an independent artist is undoubtedly considered a fairytale within the indie music industry. While many independent artists strive to get where Chance is in his career, Apple Music’s Carl Chery, suggested that level of success isn’t realistic for everyone.

Now, Chery’s comments have sparked debate between Chance and another media outlet regarding independent success. In a recent episode of “Everyday Struggle,” Chery stated that Chance was “an anomaly” within the game. “He’s special. […] But the success is misleading,” Chery explained.

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“Now you have all these other aspiring artists thinking you don’t need a label. Chance is special, he’s charismatic, he’s smart as hell, he’s just special.”

In response to Chery’s comments, music site, DJ Booth published an editorial piece examining Chance’s remarkable winning streak as an independent. Many of the article’s points piggybacked off of Chery’s initial thoughts.

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Not pleased by the piece, Chance responded to DJ Booth on Twitter. “This is wack,” Chance tweeted. “Ya’ll steady tellin ppl they need a label/publisher/distributor to achieve success as an artist. Thats a lie.”

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DJ Booth’s Twitter account quickly replied to the Chi native, clarifying its statement regarding how realistic it is for indie artists to achieve Chance’s level of success.

Chance clapped back: “It’s only unrealistic because of the conditioning all artists are exposed to by different forms of media creating the narrative that you need to be discovered or put on in order to be successful. We wouldnt seek out deals if mf's knew there were other avenues,” he continued.

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He also encouraged artists to be patient. “Also have some damn patience, all your favorite artists are locked up in deals and until they get out (and stay out) you wont see the realization of their full potential,” the “No Problem” artist added. Chance the Rapper’s independent success as been up for debate for a while now. While he is recognized by many as an indie artist, some influencers have suggested that he is not actually one. 

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$800 Million at [Worldwide Box Office]— already the 28th-highest of all time!

By Dave McNary

[Palace News]: Disney-Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” will cross $800 million at the worldwide box office on Tuesday after less than two weeks of release.

Here's the deal:

“The Last Jedi” took in $27.5 million on Christmas Day on Monday at 4,232 North American locations to lift its 11-day domestic total to $396.5 million — already the 28th-highest of all time. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” tops the domestic list with $936.7 million and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is in seventh place with $532.2 million.

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The tentpole’s international take totaled $14.8 million on Monday. Several territories were mostly closed for Christmas, such as in the U.K., Australia, and Russia. The U.K. is the top international market with $67.9 million, followed by Germany with $42.6 million, France with $31.1 million, Japan with $29.6 million, and Australia with $27.2 million. It will open in China on Jan. 5.

Why does this matter?

With $791.6 million worldwide at the end of Christmas, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” already ranks as the 71st-highest worldwide grosser of all time, $1.3 million behind 1982’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is third on the list behind “Avatar” and “Titanic” with $2.06 billion. Last year’s “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is 20th at $1.06 billion.

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Moviegoing should be strong for the rest of 2017 since many patrons are on vacation. Sony’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” has provided the most competition to “The Last Jedi” since it opened on Dec. 20. The action-comedy has totaled $72 million domestically and took in another $49.5 million from 54 international markets during the Friday-Sunday period.

Contributing Author: Dave McNary

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[SHOW BIZ]: Father Figures’ Star; (Katt Williams), Has A Original Netflix Special And Smash Movie!!!

Katt Williams

Katt Williams is the 6th man in a new comedy from Warner Bros called Father Figures starring Ed Helms and Owen Wilson.  Here's the deal... 

We sat down with the troubled comedian to talk about his role in this new film, bouncing back after several stumbles, but there's more.  

As one of the funniest stand-up comics of his generation, it is easy to forget that Katt Williams is no stranger to being in films. His filmography includes classics like Friday After Next, Norbit, The Perfect Holiday, First Sunday and Scary Movie 5.

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Katt also reveals he has a new comedy special dropping in January on Netflix that he’s trying to prove that they spent their money on the wrong comedians. Katt’s hair is for an upcoming film he’s working on.

In his new comedy Father Figures, comedian Katt Williams plays a good-natured hitchhiker who is just trying to get home to his family. While his co-stars Ed Helms and Owen Wilson go on a cross-country trek to find their biological father, Williams emerges as the voice of reason, as if he's almost connected to a higher power.

Why does this matter?

The energy of the film shifts the second Williams pops up – and then Father Figures becomes a madcap free-for-all, complete with Williams tied up in the back-seat & ultimately a train crash. Williams’ hitchhiker isn’t even give a name, yet still the comedian imbues the character with a surprising level of sweetness, proof just how much Williams can do with any amount of material.

 “The true unknown dynamic of The Illuminati is that, for those of us who hunt the Illuminati and do battle against them, we know they’re real," Williams said. "The interesting part is we’re all trying to be the Illuminati at the end of the day, because those are the enlightened ones. It doesn’t really matter that this group is enlightened under fictitious circumstances; it is what it is nonetheless. It’s about having the information. And as long as they have information that we don’t have, then they will continue to be as real as they have always been. But they are not in any way as cocky as they’d like to be. Because we out them out any chance we get. They hate publicity. They hate to hear their name.”

READ MORE: $800 Million at[Worldwide Box Office]

His co-star was a little less direct when asked about the existence of the secret society.

But here’s the catch…

 “We’re forbidden to answer that,” Ed Helms said with a chuckle. “We’ll be killed if we answer that.”

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Williams says he enjoys films — but that they’re very different from stand-up.

That's not all...

“When I do my stand-up, I’m always ‘on’ whenever I’m on stage and it’s all in my control,” he said. “Acting isn’t like that. There is a lot of standing around between takes. You have to turn your dial to zero sometimes — and then be ready to turn it back up again.”

Williams states that although his character doesn’t get a lot of screen time, he remains proud of the role.

“He is a character that is treated with respect and that doesn’t allow himself to be exploited”.

Father Figures was released in theaters On December 22.

Contributing Author: BlogXilla

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