deal

Ja Morant Suspension Makes NLE Choppa Lose His Powerade Deal

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Ja Morant’s suspension bled over into many aspects of the entertainment world, including a Powerade ad with NLE Choppa. Not only was the ad featuring Morant itself pulled, but Choppa’s new track “Mo Up Front” was meant to be used as its soundtrack. Following the Grizzlies player’s gun-flashing incident, though, it seems like both lost their chance at the bag. Of course, it’s beyond NLE’s control, which is unfortunate considering that he’s not a massive commercial star when compared to other ad-frequenting artists. This could’ve really boosted his profile and brand, although he’ll likely have more opportunities like this in the future.

Moreover, TMZ reported the news and heard from sources close to their camps that the ad was part of Ja and Powerade’s “What 50% More Means” campaign. In addition, the ad highlighted March Madness in the NCAA. After the basketball star’s suspension and subsequent investigations, such plans fell through. However, TMZ‘s sources reported that the two are still good friends, have a good rapport, and maintain a relationship. After all, the Memphis rapper walked the Grizzlies out for their opening home game, so his fandom runs deep.

NLE Choppa Loses Powerade Spot With Ja Morant

In fact, the “Shotta Flow” MC will participate in the team’s celebrity basketball game on Monday (March 20). Not only should it be a fun and celebratory occasion, but it will also benefit St. Jude’s Hospital. On the musical end of things, the artist will give fans a lot of heat very soon. Apparently, his upcoming track with Lil Wayne drops next week, titled “Ain’t Gonna Answer.” What’s more is that it’ll be the last (or one of the last) singles before the April release of his next album Cottonwood 2.

Meanwhile, Morant’s situation also prompted the Memphis NBA team to change their travel protocols for the sake of the players. It seems like the team at large often got into trouble at the road. Furthermore, its players will not be allowed to stay overnight at cities they travel to. Instead, they must hit the road immediately after a game to their next destination. Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below and return to HNHH for the latest on NLE Choppa and Ja Morant.

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Diplo Explains Recent Catalog Sale & What He Wants To Do With The Money

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Diplo says that there’s a growing trend for artists to sell their music catalogs because it’s more convenient to have the money upfront. That’s the reasoning he gave to explain his own decision to sell his Mad Decent Publishing catalog to Olivier Chastan‘s music rights and brand management company Iconoclast. When asked about the deal at LAX, Diplo revealed to TMZ what he intends to do with the money.

“It’s a great investment because when you stream music it just constantly goes. So a record like ‘Lean On,’ one of my songs with Major Lazer, always has 400,000 streams. It’s always gonna generate capital so it’s a great investment.” As for why keeping the catalog wouldn’t be a great investment for him, Diplo explained: “I don’t want to wait 20 years for it to reach the max. I just want money now so I can go do stuff with it.” As for what he wants to do with the money, he added that he wants to make a movie, invest in property, and more.

Diplo At The Grammys

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Diplo attends the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Olivier Chastan explained Iconoclast’s decision to purchase Diplo’s catalog in a statement provided to Billboard. He described the body of work as “one of the most exciting and original catalogs where Brazilian Baile Funk and Angolan Kuduro mix with EDM and pop.”

“I first became aware of Mad Decent when Kevin Kusatsu and Diplo were working on the first Major Lazer album,” Chastan continued. “The sound was completely different, the songwriting utterly original and fresh-sounding, and the production uniquely creative. Our acquisition of the Mad Decent Publishing catalog illustrates our commitment to preserving and growing culturally significant art of any era including with artists that are shaping contemporary music.”

Diplo is far from the first artist to sell their catalog in recent years. Bruce Springsteen did so in 2021, bringing in $500 million in exchange. Justin Bieber also recently sold his catalog for $200 million while Dr. Dre sold a portion of his for just over $200 million.

Major Lazer’s “Lean On”

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Dr. Dre Close To Finalizing $200M+ Deal Including Music Assets: Report

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Dr. Dre is close to reaching an agreement in finalizing a deal that’s worth $200M, according to Billboard.

Dre’s selling a packaged deal to UMG and Shamrock Holdings that includes music income streams and owned music assets. The Emmy Award winner‘s assets, which reportedly generate $10M annually, are being sold in two separate deals to the companies.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Dr. Dre performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Sources close to the situation claim that the deal with Shamrock includes artist royalties from a pair of solo albums, as well as shares from his royalties from N.W.A. Additionally, sources said his producer included his royalties and writer’s share of his song catalog (the ones where he doesn’t own publishing) in the deal. The writer’s share could include songs from The Chronic.

UMG’s potential deal with Dre could include the ownership of the master recording of The Chronic. Additionally, Dre’s also including his share of Kendrick Lamar’s releases under Aftermath/Interscope’s deal with Top Dawg Entertainment. However, sources did not specify the songs included in the bundle. It should be noted his ownership stake in Aftermath isn’t offered as part of Dre’s assets for sale.

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 12: Dr. Dre at Madison Square Garden on February 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/WireImage)

Shamrock Holdings could reportedly snag 75% to 90% of the revenue from Dre’s packaged deal. At the same time, UMG could possibly gain 10% to 25% of the remaining package, consisting of revenue from owned assets.

There are conflicting reports surrounding the number attached to the deal. The asking price is upwards of $250M but sources close say that Dre will likely get closer to $200M. Ultimately, the deal seems to be anywhere between the two figures.

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Rich Homie Quan Challenges J.I.D Over Alleged Record Contract

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Rich Homie Quan called out J.I.D for claiming that he offered him a “disgusting” record contract. Quan offered to pay the Dreamville rapper $1 million if he can produce the deal.

“I don’t even remember specifically, but … straight crack sandwiches,” J.I.D told Charlemagne on The Breakfast Club, earlier this year.

AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 19: Rich Homie Quan performs onstage during the PANDORA Discovery Den SXSW on March 19, 2015 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for PANDORA Media)

Addressing the comment during a new interview with HipHopDX, Quan explained that he has no memory of offering him a concrete deal. However, he does admit that the two had a discussion.

“I remember talking to J.I.D, he’s from Atlanta,” he said. “As far as the contract, that’s cap. He knows that’s cap. I’ve never, ever sent no contract to no artist. If I want to sign you, I’ve got the best entertainment lawyer in the world. I’ve been in f’d up situations so why would I put an artist in one?”

Quan also admitted that he may have been on drugs at the time and simply can’t remember.

“But I’ma tell you this: I may have said it ’cause at that time, you know what I’m saying, I was on drugs. I was geeked up, I was turnt,” he admitted. “But I think he said I sent him an actual contract, that’s cap. I’ve never sent a contract, man. That’s cap.”

Afterward, Quan issued the challenge to J.I.D: “If he can show me a contract that I sent him, I’ll give him a million dollars.”

He also clarified that there’s “no beef” between the two rappers.

J.I.D ended up singing with J. Cole’s label, Dreamville, in 2017. He released his debut studio album, The Never Story, later that year.

Check out Rich Homie Quan’s full comments for J.I.D below.

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