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Michael Jackson Estate Secures $600 Million Sale Despite Mother’s Objections

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A blockbuster deal has been struck between Sony and Michael Jackson’s estate. The former has paid a whopping $600 million for the King of Pop’s back catalog. It was a lengthy process to secure the deal, but it was finalized on August 22 by Jackson’s estate executors John Branca and John McClain. It was previously reported by Billboard that Sony wanted to purchase half of Michael Jackson’s catalog. Now, however, it seems as though the final sale include all of the recordings Jackson made during his life. It benefits lots of people who were close to Jackson, but his mother, Katherine, is not pleased.

The matriarch of the Jackson family claimed that the Sony deal “violated Michael’s wishes.” Katherine Jackson actually tried to stop the deal, but her legal attempts were rejected by the court. The ruling was that she “forfeited” her case when she failed to present it to a lower probate court. Branca and McCain were ultimately able to make the deal because it did not directly go against the conditions of Michael Jackson’s will. “The will gave the executors broad powers of sale,” the court wrote. “With no exception for the specific assets at issue in this case.”

Read More: Janelle Monae Takes Down Michael Jackson Parody Video After Fan Backlash

Katherine Claims Michael Jackson’s Wishes Were ‘Violated’

Furthermore, the court declared that Jackson’s estate was well within its rights to make a deal they felt was advantageous. “[A judge] did not err in concluding that it was Michael’s intent to allow the executors to sell any estate assets,” the court announced. “Including those at issue in the proposed transaction.” Katherine was the last Jackson standing in opposition to the Sony deal. When it was initially suggested, Michael Jackson’s son Blanket and daughter Paris also balked at the idea. The more money went into a legal battle, however, the more open they were to negotiating.

In March 2024, Blanket issued a statement asking his grandmother to stop using Michael Jackson’s estate to pay for legal fees. Blanket, who also goes by the name “Bigi,” declared Katherine’s efforts to be pointless. “Bigi decided not to waste his resources to participate in an appeal,” a court document stated. “Nonetheless, Katherine has decided to appeal this court’s ruling. That decision is not for the benefit of the heirs.” Debate will continue to rage on as to whether Michael Jackson would have inked the deal with Sony himself. As it stands, though, the company now owns $600 million worth of his music.

Read More: Chris Brown Reacts To Tank Calling Him A Better Artist Than Michael Jackson

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How To Buy Peso Pluma And Sony’s Ult Power Sound Series Speakers

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In February, Peso Pluma signed his first-ever brand partnership with Sony. “I’m excited for the opportunity to collaborate with Sony’s ‘For The Music’ campaign to continue opening pathways for Latin music,” Pluma said in a statement at the time. On Thursday, April 11, Pluma and Sony jointly announced the launch of the ULT POWER SOUND series, which is described in a press release as “a new series of Bluetooth speakers and headphones designed to make users feel like they are front row at a concert.”

“The powerful sound and massive bass of the ULT POWER SOUND® series excites me,” Pluma said in a statement. “As a musician who relies heavily on bass when creating my music, I feel that these products provide the best listening experience for my fans, and there is nothing else like it.”

How To Buy Peso Pluma & Sony’s Ult Power Sound Series Speakers

The product launch includes ULT TOWER 10, ULT FIELD 7, ULT FIELD 1, and ULT WEAR. According to a press release, each product will be available sometime in “spring 2024” at Sony’s official website, Amazon, Best Buy, and “other Sony-authorized dealers.”

The pricing is based upon “suggested retail price”:

  • ULT TOWER 10: $1,199
  • ULT FIELD 7: $499
  • ULT FIELD 1 in black, forest gray, off-white, or orange: $129
  • ULT WEAR in black, forest gray, or off-white: $199.99

Find all of the product details here.

In one of Sony’s promotional videos, Pluma jaunts into a quiet museum with a smirk because he knows he’s about to use the ULT TOWER 10 to put on an impromptu concert for the unsuspecting museumgoers. The paintings even come to life!

Watch that video above or the behind-the-scenes video below.

Peso Pluma Has Joined Forces With Sony’s ‘For The Music’ Campaign For His First-Ever Brand Partnership

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peso pluma 2024
SONY

Peso Pluma has partnered with Sony for its “For The Music” audio campaign, marking the Latin music artist’s first-ever brand partnership. Pluma joins the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Khalid, and Tate McRae who have partnered with Sony for the movement, which aims to create authentic music experiences and transcend emotion for fans.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to collaborate with Sony’s ‘For The Music’ campaign to continue opening pathways for Latin Music,” said Pluma in a statement.

“Since the launch of ‘For The Music,’ we have cultivated such amazing collaborations with artists on products and experiences that have brought their creative vision to fans in new and innovative ways” said Jordy Freed — Head of Brand, Business Development, Partner Marketing & Strategy, Personal Entertainment Business in Sony Corporation of America — in a statement. “We are thrilled to continue this work with Peso Pluma and support him as he takes his music to new levels.”

The “For The Music” movement consists of three categories — “For The Ear,” which emphasizes the cutting-edge technology of Sony’s audio products; “For The Stage,” which features products designed for immersive musical performances for artists; and “For The Studio,” creating tools for the production process, where all the magic begins.

Look out for a video ad coming soon.

Charli Baltimore Recalls Lance “Un” Rivera Trying To Make Her A Rap “Britney Spears”

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Charli Baltimore says that Lance “Un” Rivera and Epic Records tried to make her into a “rap version of Britney Spears.” She reflected on her experiences in the music industry with gender bias and more during an interview with VladTV.

“I feel like, I don’t think that they knew what to do with me as an artist,” she said. “Everyone seemed to have their own vision of what I should be. And, by me not really knowing anything at that point about the music business, I’m being pulled in one hundred different directions as to what my ‘image’ should be and I feel like my image is what I was when I got signed. I had red hair. It wasn’t like they sat me down and transformed me or did a makeover. This is how I walked in. Why do we have to change me into some version of myself that I’m not.”

Read More: Charli Baltimore Net Worth 2023: What Is The Rapper Worth?

Charli Baltimore Performs With Ja Rule At The BET Awards

Ja Rule performs with Charli Baltimore. during The 2nd Annual B.E.T. Awards – Rehearsals – Day 2 at Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by M. Caulfield/WireImage)

From there, she brought up Lance “Un” Rivera. “And I don’t know if it was all ‘Un’ or it was all ‘Un’ and Sony,” she said. “But obviously, most of my ‘how I should be conforming’ conversations came from ‘Un.’” She went on to describe him as “very controlling.” She further concluded: ” I think in his mind, he wanted me to be like a pop rapper, like a rap version of Britney Spears or something, which I’m not.” Check out her full comments on the situation below.

Charli Baltimore Reflects On Her Experience In The Music Industry

A one point in the interview, Vlad brought up previous comments she made and implied she had considered suicide at the time. Charli shot down the idea, instead suggesting she was focused on learning from mistakes and tragedies and living on for her children.

Read More: Charli Baltimore: A Look At A Hip Hop Queen

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Charlamagne Tha God Clarifies That K. Michelle Isn’t Banned From “Breakfast Club”

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During a recent appearance on The Shade Room, singer K. Michelle claimed that she was banned from The Breakfast Club and the Sony building entirely. As a part of her statement she also included details about how Michael Jackson and DMX had also reportedly been banned from the building. That revelation left fans pouring through various appearances she had made on the show in the past looking for an explanation. Subsequently in a new episode, Charlamagne Tha God is responding.

One thing he does agree with is that Michael Jackson did have unrelated issues with Sony. But he denies pretty much everything else, both the allegations that DMX was banned during his life and that K. Michelle wasn’t allowed. Charlamagne clarifies that Michelle is “Welcomed on the breakfast club anytime.” Significantly, one thing he doesn’t mention is the reported issues between Michelle and co-host Angela Yee. Consequently their beef dates all the way back to a 2016 appearance on the show where Michelle confronted Angela. Check out Charlamagne Tha God’s response below.

Read More: K. Michelle Net Worth 2023: What Is The “LHHATL” Star Worth?

K. Michelle Is Welcome On “The Breakfast Club”

Fans in the comments has strong reactions to the whole situation, many of which took issue with Angela Yee’s role in everything. “NEVER been an Angela Yee fan” reads one of the top comments. “She was banned because of Yee messy ass,” another agrees. But not all of the comments took the same tone. “I love Yee, that wasn’t Yee fault. Plus Yee is truly for her peoples,” an entirely different comment expresses.

Charlamagne Tha God is often dealing in controversy. Earlier this month fans rolled their eyes when he asked Yo Gotti exactly how far he was from the streets. The clip went viral even though there didn’t seem to be any bad blood between them in the moment. What do you think of Charlamagne Tha God’s response to K. Michelle claiming she was banned from The Breakfast Club? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Mondaii Talks Making Feel Good Music, Writing For K. Michelle, And Being Mentored By Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis

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Bun B Says UGK Is Still $2Mil “In The Red” With Their Label

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The music industry continues to face backlash from artists over its record deals, and Bun B made a surprising revelation about UGK. Despite complaints from chart-topping artists who warn of predatory contracts, every year, more and more dreamers sign their lives away, hoping to become the next big star. Recently, Bun B visited B High ATL and shared that UGK still owes money to their label.

“So, UGK was signed before, we were right there. But we took an advance on the last two albums, so we had to wait,” Bun expressed. “Because we took the advance in ’07, I think, we have to wait seven years after we hit that. There was a seven-year period when we took money after 2000. So, once we hit 2027, I believe our balance is clear.” He calls the whole cycle “balling in debt.”

ORLANDO, FL – AUGUST 06: UGK members Pimp C (L) and Bun B attends the First Annual Ozone Awards at the Bob Carr Auditorium August 06, 2006 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)
Read More: Bun B Shares Reaction To Jay-Z Using His Lyrics On “99 Problems”

“UGK has never made one dollar in royalties from the selling of our music. And we didn’t have our own publishing for about 17 years.” The startling truth of Bun B and the late Pimp C’s legendary career is a sobering reality. While fans see their favorite artists flex cash, jewels, and cars on social media, many of them also harbor similar debts. Additionally, Bun B admitted that having a good team—especially an attorney—can help artists figure out who owes what to whom. These are lessons that the Rap mogul continues to learn all these years later.

“Because I think UGK is still at least $2 million in the red with that label,” Bun added about Sony. “It’s built on a percentage. This thing is never built on how much money your art makes. It’s about how much money you make of what your art makes. So, with us having a 15 percent deal, that 15 percent has never gotten close to paying back the debt. Whereas their 85 percent, they profit very easily.” He further explained, “If you sign from 10 percent and your album sell a million records, your 10 percent is 100,000, and theirs is [900,000].

Read More: Bun B Shares Tribute For Pimp C 15 Years After His Death

“They made your money back from you, but you still probably owe them money because you probably took an advance,” the rapper continued. Up-and-coming rappers are often enticed with advances that help them afford the finer things in life. Bun B warns against the temptation because, in the long run, that money needs to be paid back. “You shot videos, you had to record an album. So, you owe them 55, that’s on the low side.”

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