Like all of you, we at Nue are trying to figure out how to make things work in these crazy times.Every block I walk in New York right now has pop-up restaurants. They may be serving at half capacity, but the hustle is real. The spirit is there and the energy is electric.Meanwhile, behind those walls, there are smart owners trying to figure out how to reinvent their businesses. Try having a conversation with one of these savvy entrepreneurs. Their work ethic and creativity is inspiring.Music, as we know, has it rough right now. With concerts and touring unofficially canceled until June 2021 (but realistically later), countless entertainment industry livelihoods are at risk. Of course, there will be exceptions, like the much discussed drive-thru charity event The Chainsmokers + JAJA Tequila put on. But well-paying opportunities are few and far between.Sports might not be in much better shape. The Olympics were pushed and college sports were canceled. The MLB’s shortened campaign got off to an incredibly bumpy start with a COVID outbreak in the Marlins clubhouse and NBA Bubbleball is no question one of the weirdest things to ever take place. I might opt for the documentary when it’s over rather than suffering through the day-to-day.As an avid tennis player and fan, I’m excited about the US Open returning in September, but with no fans, Arthur Ashe and its new retractable roof will be eery, to say the least.Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. might be tight. Shouts to Triller for putting its money where its mouth is in taking on the lead sponsor role.And what about the NFL? The NFL seems to be taking a “by any means necessary” approach. Logically it doesn’t make sense -- at least in baseball the players spend most of the time six feet apart -- but the NFL is barbaric in nature. And everyone is going to watch! Lol.To be honest, I’m even worried about the content landscape. People are consuming sooo much. Yes, new platforms like HBO Max, Disney+, and Quibi are popping up, but most of this content was shot before the pandemic. With a second wave possible and production halted, what will there be to watch come Christmas? I’m still bummed that Billions cut mid-season.As always, there is opportunity in crisis. If all eyes are on pro sports, specifically the NFL, there will be room to create ancillary culture content around those weekly conversations. The games will become tentpole moments for culture, content, fashion, and commerce.I find it brave of the athletes to do whatever it takes to compete for our collective enjoyment. I hope they can hear us rooting them on!
BEATS
Game On: What What Travis Scott Is Teaching Music Stars About The World’s Biggest New (Virtual) StageThe 28-year-old rapper is streaming from home in Los Angeles while tuning in through his gaming console to the premiere of “Astronomical” — his pretaped performance as an avatar within the massively popular multiplayer video game Fortnite Battle Royale, in which groups of 100 players battle on a deserted island until only one of them remains. (Billboard)
3 Lessons From Taylor Swift's Surprise 'Folklore' AlbumDon't let your current circumstances be an excuse for not being productive. Sure, it's rough right now. People are trying to figure out how to adapt and adjust their lives to a world that looks dramatically different from what it did just a few months ago. (Inc)
NY Department Of Health Launching Investigation Into The Chainsmokers’ Drive-In ShowEarlier today, The Chainsmokers started trending on Twitter (with over 65k tweets near its peak) for their charity show in the Hamptons this past weekend. With tickets available up to $25,000, one could say the charity portion of the event was a success. Unfortunately, videos and photos of the show demonstrate “egregious social distancing violations,” say NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, and he is “appalled.” (Your EDM)
Universal Music Group Makes Election Day a Company HolidayThe Task Force for Meaningful Change – established by Universal Music Group in early June and named a few days after the fact – recently proposed the pivot, and UMG higher-ups formally announced the new policy in an internally circulated memo (which DMN obtained). On Election Day 2020 – set for Tuesday, November 3rd – the Big Three record label will grant its stateside team members eight hours of paid leave. (Digital Music News)
Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde gets into the sleep space, backing NY-based ProperHelping Americans get their 40 winks has never been more necessary as the country faces what some health experts have called a sleep epidemic, and Snoop Dogg’s cannabis-focused firm Casa Verde Capital wants to help. (TechCrunch)
German Scientists Are Putting On A Concert To Find Out How Covid-19 Spreads At ShowsThe concert industry has been at a standstill since COVID-19, and many people -- as much as they miss going to shows -- don't seem in a massive hurry to go back to venues till there's a vaccine. A group of German scientists, however, are trying to get 4200 healthy people to attend a show in August with the express goal of finding out just how the coronavirus might spread in a concert setting. (Brooklyn Vegan)
Post Malone Files Trademark for a World Beer Pong LeagueAccording to reports, Post Malone is now looking to launch a beer pong league.After introducing his French rosé wine brand, Maison No. 9, Posty and his manager Dre London is looking to continue to expand his ventures beyond the music realm. (Hypebeast)
Lockdown Was A Boon For Spotify. Now Musicians Are Fighting BackThe current payout system used by all the major streaming services is known as the ‘pro rata’ model. Under this arrangement, all revenues are collected into a single pot and then divided and distributed according to the share of total streams for the given payment period. (Wired)
Why Designers Are Paying Homage to Pop SmokeHuman Made and Palm Angels released collections inspired by the rapper just days apart, and Pop’s friend and designer Ev Bravado dropped a collection for the late rapper’s album, while Vlone re-released products on July 23. Portions of the proceeds from all of the collaborations went to the Pop’s Shoot for the Stars foundation that was founded and is run by his family, and the Victor Victor Foundation led by Steven Victor, founder and chief executive officer of Victor Victor Worldwide. (WWD)
Diplo Announces Higher Ground Performance Inside FortniteDiplo is throwing down in Fortnite once again, as he presents a very special and virtual Higher Ground experience for his online fanbase.The renowned DJ/producer kicked off the game’s still fresh Party Royale mode with a Major Lazer set in May and apparently he made a great impression. He was recently asked back to throw down a special Diplo Presents: Thomas Wesley set with special guests from his debut album, Noah Cyrus and Young Thug. (Your EDM)
Lollapalooza Goes Virtual with 4 Day Free Lolla2020 on YouTubeLollapalooza Chicago is officially cancelked this year, but organizers have announced plans to mark the festival weekend with Lolla2020, a free four-night virtual festival on the original dates of Thursday, July 30 through Sunday, August 2. (Hypebot)
What Do Virtual Festivals Pay Artists? Tomorrowland Tests a New ModelThe Belgian organizers are paying artists by their views and overall ticket sales, in what could be a first in the livestreaming world.Did Tomorrowland just discover a new formula for compensating artists on the festival’s imaginary island of Pāpiliōnem? (Billboard)
Popular TikTok Stars to Leave Platform for Rival App Over Data Privacy ConcernsThe move is significant because it is one of the first organized U.S. efforts among prominent TikTok influencers to get people off the platform. Combined, the four TikTok influencers have an audience of nearly 47 million followers. (LA Times)
The Music Industry Has an Advertising ProblemThe biggest news in the music industry last week was a bit of a damp squib. Universal Music Group and Spotify jointly announced Wednesday (July 22nd) that they’d re-upped their global licensing deal — but aside from a vague commitment from Universal to utilize Spotify’s “two-sided marketplace” tools (something we’ll come back to), there didn’t appear to be any major changes to the prior agreement between the world’s biggest recorded music rightsholder and the world’s biggest audio subscription service. (Rolling Stone)
BYTES
With live events canceled and sound stages shuttered, the entertainment industry has to look for new ways to create content while cutting costs.Guy talks with Jeremy Zimmer, CEO and co-founder of United Talent Agency, about how the industry is trying to meet the demands of the moment.
David Byrne says "context has a huge effect on creativity." He draws on his time with Talking Heads, as well as Bach, Gregorian chant, even birds—to show how spaces affect the music we write and play.
The Los Angeles-based company is thought to be raising the investment via the private security market. Investors in the round will reportedly include Farvahar Partners, a boutique merchant bank that is run by former Bank of America executive Omeed Malik.On LinkedIn, Mike Lu (pictured) shared a story covering news of the raise, calling it “a huge milestone for Triller”.
And so to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Jock Jams release, ESPN tracked down the key executives and artists and asked them to retell inspirations behind the greatest -- and strangest -- compilation of sports anthems in music history.
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!