Do you remember when Jay-Z used to own the summer?Well, I think he’s still running this town more than ever.Hot off partnering Tidal with Square, which led to a huge payout and the sale of 50% of Ace of Spades to LVMH’s spirit and wine division, Moet Hennessy, Hov has begun charting his next course.Jay-Z and his team are making major moves in Cannabis, launching Monogram’s initial ad campaign with Hype Williams at Frank Sinatra’s house. But behind the scenes, the bigger play is positioning Monogram in a SPAC called the Parent Company that consolidates some big players in the Cannabis business. It’s quickly becoming one of the largest conglomerates in the space and growing rapidly in market share and scale.Another high-growth, new frontier sandbox Jay is playing in is blockchain. He recently invested in NFT shopping platform, Bliski, and dropped his first NFT commemorating the 25th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt. He partnered with Sotheby’s and a dope artist, Derek Adams, for this awesome piece.The release was controversial because of a lawsuit Jay-Z has filed against the photographer who shot the album cover, Jonathan Mannion. Jay does not want Mannion to profit from his likeness, in print or digitally. This is important because it could set a precedent for artist permissions with respect to the NFT space. It has already caused many photographers to think twice about how they’re moving on the blockchain.Jay has also been fighting to prevent his former business partner and co-owner of the rights to Reasonable Doubt, Dame Dash, from releasing an NFT of the project without his permission. These are big rulings that will provide clarity going forward.Hov also invested in Certified Collectables Group (CCG), which is relevant to the NFT landscape, taking preferred shares with a powerful lineup of investors.But it doesn’t end there. Jay-Z also:
Made a strong VR and Crypto play.
Has Megan Thee Stallion, managed by Roc Nation, on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue (the first rapper to do so)
Premiered the trailer for his production company’s country-western, The Harder They Fall
Found the time to support his childhood idol and record a slot for Big Daddy Kane’s new documentary
Announced a new media venture alongside Modern Luxury called EDITION
The only thing missing, you might notice, is new music. But we got a glimmer of hope during Kanye’s much-discussed “DONDA” listening party in Atlanta last week. Jay-Z’s verse had everyone talking! It hints at a possible reunion, which would obviously be the biggest thing in music. “Watch The Throne” is still my favorite album of all time. Needless to say, my fingers are crossed.P.S. Wishing a very Happy Birthday to our very own Alex Kirshbaum today. Find him online and show him love. He’s the dream weaver!
BEATS
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and Modern Luxury Media Launch New Multimedia Platform ‘Edition’On Thursday, Modern Luxury Media announced it has partnered with Roc Nation to launch Edition, which promises to offer “the first fully multi-platform portal into a world of luxury that celebrates talent from diverse communities.” The brand will consist of print and digital journalism, as well as various audio and video-based content. Isoul H. Harris, the former head of UPTOWN magazine, will take on the role of editor-in-chief for Edition. (Complex)
Ask A Music Critic: Is It Wrong To Wear A Band Shirt To Their Concert?I have been asked this a lot over the years, and to be honest I don’t know how this unwritten rule started. But I understand the reasoning behind it, and I think it really, really blows. (UPROXX)
How I Landed a Juicy Sync Deal With SZA and TAZOComposer Eric Dubois recently landed a sync deal for a TAZO Tea Company commercial (featuring singer-songwriter SZA) after company higher-ups found his work on music licensing and distribution platform Songtradr. Now, Dubois has shed light on the process and his advice for fellow creators who are looking to secure placements of their own. (Digital Music News)
NFTs May Seem Like Frivolous Fads. They Should Be the Future of MusicEarlier this year, when a person with the username “JeffBezosForeskin” paid around $40,000 for Monty Python actor John Cleese’s NFT — a crude iPad sketching of the Brooklyn Bridge complete with disproportionately sized, stick-figure fishies — I lost a bit of whatever faith I had left in humanity. (Rolling Stone)
Tennis, Everyone?Last month, he introduced Furi Sport, an equipment — rackets, strings, overgrips and bags — and apparel line with his business partner Michelle Spiro. The idea behind the company is to break down the entry barrier to tennis, to shake off the elitist country-club flavor that insulates the world of Wimbledon and its all-white dress code. (NY Times)
GIPHY and Spotify Team Up to Connect GIFs and Music Artists; Launch Partners include Doja Cat, The Kid LAROI, & Post MaloneToday, GIPHY is excited to announce its first official integration with Spotify. This collaboration enables verified music artists on GIPHY to connect their content (GIFs, Stickers, and Clips) directly to associated music on the Spotify app. (Giphy)
YouTube’s Latest Tipping Feature Focuses On Individual VideosYouTube viewers already have three ways to support their favourite creators by paying: Super Chat, Super Stickers, and channel subscriptions. Now there’s a fourth, Super Thanks, and unlike the first two above, it isn’t restricted to being used during livestreams. (Musically)
Mercedes-Benz Taps Endel for Pilot Test of Adaptive MusicWe recently reported on a partnership between AI music startup LifeScore and automotive firm Bentley to develop an adaptive music system for a new concept car. Now another AI music firm, Endel, is working on a similar thing with Mercedes-Benz. (Musically)
Two Positive TikTok Studies… and a Third That’s Less soTikTok has commissioned and published two new studies to trumpet its impact on music and culture, although a third study also published yesterday – an investigation of its recommendation algorithm’s workings by the Wall Street Journal – offers a considerably less sunny outlook on the social app’s impact. (Musically)
Bill Simmons On ‘Woodstock 99’ & Turning ‘Music Box’ ’30 For 30′ Of Music Documentaries: Deadline Q&ABill Simmons, co-creator of ESPN’s documentary strand 30 for 30, is turning his attention to music documentaries for his latest project.Music Box is a 30 for 30-style strand for HBO that encompasses a number of movies about bands and artists. It kicks off tonight with Woodstock 99: Peace, Love & Rage, a film about the chaotic festival. (Deadline)
Developing A Scratch Card Track Reveal For Pop SmokeLast year I had the opportunity to help market Pop Smoke’s debut posthumous record, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, soon after his tragic passing. Though that track reveal concept was developed in a rush, I’m constantly receiving kind words and enthusiasm about it. Thanks to Pop Smoke for giving it the best possible vehicle. (Lee Martin)
There Are No Rules Now: How Gen Z Reinvented Pop PunkToday’s pop punks go to therapy (I’m Gonna Tell My Therapist On You by Pinkshift) and sing self-reflectively about relationships. Their vocals recall the soprano gymnastics of the genre’s 00s matriarch, Paramore’s Hayley Williams more than her nasal male contemporaries. Pop punk has become a defining sound of 2021. (The Guardian)
Enough with the Grateful Dead CollabsThe official collabs rarely go beyond slapping a Steal Your Face logo or a Dancing Bear on a product. It’s akin to the outdated “Pink it and shrink it” approach that sneaker companies used to take to designing for women, except in this case it’s “Bear it and wear it.” It feels like a money grab on both sides of the equation, and the net result is uninspired pieces. (Just a Thought)
What Would It Really Take to Decentralize the Music Industry?Blockchain or Web3 or whatever we want to call decentralized technology is at a crossroads. It, along with related tech like cryptocurrencies and NFTs, has matured dramatically.Yet music blockchain companies have struggled to succeed, even as they promise (and occasionally deliver) real creativity and efficiency in areas where the music industry desperately needs it. (Music Business Worldwide)
How Rolling Loud Came Back and Signaled the Return of Major FestivalsA year and half later, though, music festivals are finally coming back. Rolling Loud Miami was one of the first festivals to confirm its summer lineup, and it will be the first to take place. After initially planning to return in May, organizers pushed the timeline back this spring before settling on July 23 through July 25. (Complex)
BYTES
“Say What You Will” is more of Blake’s signature melancholy, R&B-inflected fare, featuring some impressive falsetto tricks and the less-impressive lyric “I’ve been popular / with all the popular guys.” In a press release, Blake described the song as “about finding peace with who you are and where you’re at regardless of how well other people seem to be doing.” It’s also the first taste of Blake’s upcoming fifth album, Friends That Break Your Heart, described by the musician as a “concept album” and featuring musicians including SZA and JID.
Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” is their latest hit, and it’s already racked up over 10 millions Spotify streams to date. It is produced by Take a Daytrip and Kanye West and will appear on Lil Nas' upcoming album, Montero. On the track, Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow rap about their success and being on top. The explosive new idea aims at shutting down all Lil Nas X’s critics and empowers the LGBTQ+ community.
Teens and young adults are lamenting that social media has become more media than social. With Facebook expected to experience its lowest annual growth rate to date, and Gen Z and Millennials continuing to question the motivation of big tech corporations, a return to social media that’s focused on fostering true connections is gaining attention and investment. The top 3 alternate social media platforms are Halloapp, IRL, Poparazzi.
Jon Batiste, recent Oscar winner and late-night star, is releasing his new single “Sweet Loraine”, giving an early preview of his what his upcoming fundraising album ‘Relief: A Benefit of the Jazz Foundation of America’s Musicians Relief Fund’ will sound like.
This week's newsletter was carefully curated by the Nue Agency staff and our editor Rachel Meisner. If you think we missed something this week or have any suggestions/comments for next week's newsletter, let us know!