Tinie Tempah Toasts U.S. Album Release, Plots Fashion Line

by Gary Graff, Detroit  |   May 24, 2011 2:30 EDT

After a chart-topping debut and six Top 15 hits in his native U.K., rapper Tinie Tempah says he was confident his debut set "Disc-Overy" would be well received on the other side of the pond.

"The world is just a lot more of a smaller place 'cause of the Internet and everything," Tempah, who put out "Disc-Overy" on May 17 in the U.S. after its British release in October, tells Billboard.com. "People know what they want. They know what they're into. They know what they want to hear, and it doesn't matter where it's from or who made it. For me over here, everything is still so new and so fresh. The singles have to do the talking for people to understand who I am as an artist and what I'm all about, to compel them to go out and buy the album. 'Written in the Stars' is doing so good; I couldn't have asked for a better start."

"Written in the Stars," "Disc-Overy's" first single, peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100 after topping the U.K. charts. Next up is "Till I'm Gone," a collaboration with Wiz Khalifa, who's "returning the favor" for Tempah's U.K. remix of "Black and Yellow." It's also one of three new songs, two produced by Stargate, that were added to "Disc-Overy" for its U.S. release.

"Because my music is as close to real-time as possible, and since so much has happened since ('Disc-Overy') came out in the U.K., I thought it as only right," Tempah, who was born Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, Jr. in London,  explains. "I'm going through a pretty interesting time in my life. I've just made that transition from being a teenager to becoming an adult... and at the same time just signed a record deal and I'm all over the world. I've met so many more people, done so many more shows, visited so many more countries and some amazing cities, so I thought people kind of need to know about that and hear a bit more of that in my music."

Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Tinie Tempah Win Big at Brit Awards

Other than supporting Usher in June at Los Angeles' Staples Center and an appearance at Chicago's Lollapalooza in August, North American fans will have to wait a bit to see Tempah live. He'll be playing Europe throughout the summer but is plotting "a little intimate tour in September, hopefully, in some of my favorite cities and states" -- a list that includes Seattle, Portland, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles. He's also developing a fashion line he's dubbed Disturbing London.

"It's as far away from the whole hip-hop mogul stereotype as possible," Tempa says. "I like to express myself with what I wear, and I always find I have to go to loads of different brands to achieve a specific look. So I thought, 'Wouldn't it be cool if I created a lifestyle clothing brand that created everything I want out of a brand.' It's currently a work in progress."

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Tim McGraw Files Countersuit Against Record Label

by Ray Waddell, Nashville  |   May 24, 2011 2:41 EDT

As expected, Tim McGraw has filed a countersuit against Curb Record in response to the breach of contract suit Curb filed May 13 relating to McGraw's "Emotional Traffic" album. McGraw's counter breach suit seeks advance payment and recording-fund reimbursement, unspecified damages, and a jury trial.

The suit also asks that "Traffic" be deemed McGraw's last album due the label and for McGraw to be "free to begin recording for himself or any other party as of July 23, 2011." 

Tim McGraw Sued by Label for Breach of Contract

Curb alleged in the May 13 complaint that McGraw's "Traffic" tracks were recorded too early prior to its delivery "in a transparent tactic to attempt to fulfill his contractual recording commitment to Curb prematurely in breach of the recording agreement."  Curb's position in the suit is that McGraw's recordings should be "topical and new" and that the artist had agreed that each new album be recorded "no earlier than 12 months and no later than 18 months" following the delivery of the previous album. The suit alleges McGraw began recording "Emotional Traffic" tracks "in 2008 or before," prior to the allowable period under contract, according to Curb.

In the expansive response filed May 23 in Davidson County Chancery Court in Nashville, McGraw says the material for "Traffic" was recorded and mastered in early 2009-2010 and Curb is holding the album "hostage from country music fans for the purpose of compelling Tim McGraw to serve perpetually under a contract that he has already fully and faithfully completed." The suit adds that Curb's "repeated serial releases of what it characterizes as greatest hits albums is obviously a naked attempt to create a perpetual recording contract, forcing Tim McGraw into a repressive environment of indefinite duration." 

Between 2006 and 2010, Curb put out six compilations or variations on hits packages, the latest being "Number One Hits" last November. Curb has released a total of seven compilations on McGraw.

Amid numerous charges of "bad faith," McGraw's response says that since 1997 Curb has never rejected any of the 108-plus master recordings McGraw has delivered, and that Curb's release of compilations extends the allowable delivery period to 24 months. The counter-suit also breaks down in great detail why the artist believes "Traffic" to be his final album due the label under contract. Among the allegations are that Curb "enticed agents for Mr. McGraw to present the unfinished rough mixes [of "Traffic"] under false pretenses....to avoid paying [McGraw] the advance" for delivering the album. In addition to the breach of contract charges, the countersuit charges intentional interference with business relationships, including with "various entities regarding his "Emotional Traffic" tour" and "created a void" of McGraw's music at radio. 

Curb attorney Jay Bowen of Nashville-based firm Bowen & Unger did not immediately respond to a request for comment. McGraw is represented by attorney Rusty Jones of the Nashville firm Harris, Martin & Jones, who made good on his comment to Billboard last week that "We are going to respond vigorously and promptly" to Curb's suit.

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U2 Takes Top Touring Artist at 2011 Billboard Music Awards

by Gary Graff, Detroit  |   May 22, 2011 11:50 EDT

U2 took a break from  the just-started second North American leg of its 360 World Tour to accept the Top Touring Artist Award -- for both the biggest tour of the year and of all-time -- at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards.

Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Eminem

Top 2011 Billboard Music Awards

After the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am introduced U2 as "the most important group in music, my friends and inspiration," frontman Bono said that, "Some of the greatest music is made so quietly, and you can make classic albums in your bedroom and you can play the greatest show of your life on a one-string guitar - but we don't do that." Drummer Larry Mullen, Jr., cut him short to thank the tour crew, acknowledging that "I don't know all of them, don't know all their names." Bassist Adam Clayton likened the 360 Tour stage to "a children's toy," while guitarist the Edge noted that the setting allows U2 "to feel like we've alone, surrounded by our audience completely."

2011 Billboard Music Awards Main

U2 surpassed the Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang Tour earlier this year as the most successful tour ever. By the time the trek ends on July 30 in New Brunswick, it's expected to top $700 million in ticket sales and play to nearly eight million people. The tour was extended when the current North American leg, originally scheduled for 2010, was postponed after Bono injured his back during rehearsals.

Billboard Music Awards:

15 Things You Didn't See on TV

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Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber Win Early at 2011 Billboard Music Awards

The 2011 Billboard Music Awards kicked off with a bang, as pop stars like Rihanna, Britney Spears and the Black Eyed Peas rocked the stage of Las Vegas' MGM Grand, while Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Taio Cruz and Lady Antebellum snagged the first awards of the night.

Britney Spears made a triumphant return to the Billboard Music Awards stage with a surprise performance alongside Rihanna on the latter's hit single "S&M." The pop star pairing featured stripper poles, jeweled handcuffs, sultry backup dancers and two iconic pop singers strutting their stuff.

Photos: 2011 Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet

Soon after, host Ken Jeong took the stage in a trim suit and injected some high-class comedy into the ceremony with a throwback song-and-dance number alongside Train's Pat Monahan and Nicki Minaj. "It's great to see you again in Vegas -- this time, with my clothes on!" Jeong told the crowd, nodding to his hilarious nude scene in the Sin City-set blockbuster comedy "The Hangover." Jeong and "Modern Family" star Eric Stonestreet later played dueling Elvis impersonators, and the host was later shown cruising around Las Vegas and taking in a Celine Dion show.

2011 Billboard Music Awards Main

"Glee" star Matthew Morrison presented the first award of the night -- the Billboard 200 Album Artist of the Year award -- to Taylor Swift, whose third full-length "Speak Now" topped the chart with over a million copies sold in its first week last year. "The impact of the album is all determined by the fans," the country star told the crowd, "and you've just given me another reason to be completely in love with you. Thank you so much!"

Justin Bieber took home the Digital Artist of the Year trophy, and embraced pop star girlfriend Selena Gomez when the award was announced. "I want to thank anybody who helped me get out of my hometown and live out my dream!" the pop star said.

Meanwhile, Taio Cruz, who topped the Hot 100 last year with "Break Your Heart" and "Dynamite," took home the Hot 100 Song of the Year trophy for "Dynamite," marking what the admittedly nervous singer described as "the first time I've ever received an award." Lady Antebellum followed by taking home the Country Song of the Year trophy for "Need You Now."

Beyonce Accepts Billboard Millennium Award,

Delivers Show-Stopping Performance

The Black Eyed Peas rocked the stage in futuristic attire with a high-octane medley of "Just Can't Get Enough," "The Time (Dirty Bit)," "Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling," which was highlighted by an elaborate dance routine and Fergie attacking some impossibly high notes. Keith Urban followed with a performance of his country hit "Long Hot Summer" as wife Nicole Kidman watched on smiling.

The 2011 Billboard Music Awards will continue on ABC from Las Vegas with performances by Nicki Minaj, Lady Antebellum, Cee Lo Green, Taio Cruz, Far East Movement and Ke$ha, among others, while Neil Diamond will take the stage to deliver a not-to-be-missed performance.

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Twitter Plays Huge Role at Radio Ink's Convergence 2011

At the 2010 Radio Ink Convergence gathering a seat-of-the-pants session was organized when it appeared as if many of the attendees were having trouble understanding how to use Twitter. It was a sort of unplanned Twitter 101. At the 2011 event, no such session was needed. We had a live Twitter feed rolling on a big screen in the Microsoft theatre and audience members were busy tweeting back to their markets and followers about the show and what they were learning.

Radio Ink created what's known as a hashtag for Tech Ink as well as Convergence. Whenever someone heard something they liked or wanted to share with their followers they would type it on their Twitter page and finish the tweet with #CONV11. The hashtag allows everyone using Twitter at the convention to see what everyone else is writing, whether they are following each other or not. And as you can guess, being around all of these people you may not have known leads to more followers.

If you're wondering why you should be using Twitter, it's more than just people following each other nosing into their lives. if you use it as a business tool, it's a great way to find article links and other helpful information to help you in your career. Information you may not have time to research. Radio Ink Publisher Eric Rhoads says "Twitter has become a significant communications tool for millions of people and its one of the distribution points radio needs to include." There are enough people out there digging, it makes life easy when they provide you with a headline and a link. Of course you have to be following the right people and not get caught up in the gossip and needless mind garbage.

Here are just a few of the tweets from the Radio Ink Conferences last week in San Jose California.

@jimthomas1: Thanks to Radio Ink for putting on #Conv11. Good information and great people. Be Untraditional and Connect.?
@reecemcgregor: great conference. Suggestions for next year. Open forum panel for brainstorming ideas, promotions, and concepts for digital.
@jimthomas1: Thanks to Radio Ink for putting on #Conv11. Good information and great people. Be Untraditional and Connect.
@Shayna_RRC: Thanks all for a fabulous conference! #conv11
@JessicaNorthey: I enjoyed having the opportunity to participate in #conv11 it was awesome!!! cc @RadioINK
@NikkiMarra: I had a great time at Convergence and Tech Summit. Thanks everyone for sharing. #conv11 #techsum

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AP Hires Gregory Peppers Away From WAMU

Peppers will manage all aspects of AP Radio's newscasts, special programming and daily audio cut feeds out of AP's Broadcast News Center in Washington. Peppers was senior editor at WAMU, an NPR affiliate in Washington. He was previously executive producer of newscasts at NPR's Washington headquarters.  AP serves more than 2,900 radio operations, with licensed stations in every Arbitron market.

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Slacker CEO: We Have 26 Million Listeners

May 20, 2011: Yesterday at the Radio Ink Convergence gathering in San Jose, Slacker CEO Jim Cady revealed some impressive numbers about his company that many people may not have previously known. Refusing to use the "P-word" during his 45-minute keynote presentation, Cady laid out details about the Slacker model that differentiate his company from Pandora. And, throughout, he consistently stated Slacker is not a playlist, but more of a radio station.

Cady said Slacker is about "curation and personalization." The company has 68 program directors, radio people, and their job is to create stations. Cady said the advangtage the programmers have with Slacker is, "They have no rules, just build the best radio station for the consumer. They are measured and monitored by how many people listen."

Slacker, which doesn't get as much attention as Pandora, has some pretty impressive numbers: According to Cady, Slacker has 26 million listeners and 8.5 million songs in its library, and licensing deals with all the major labels. Slacker captures 65 million pieces of data every day from the consumer and serves 1,400 songs every second, and Slacker programmers have curated 150 stations.

Cady said he spends the majority of his time talking to consumers; he's on the phone every day talking about the Slacker experience. He also said he rarely speaks at conventions, preferring to stay under the radar. In fact, he said he doesn't read any blogs or pay attention to whether Slacker is radio or others are radio -- that doesn't matter to him. "We believe priorities are changing," Cady said. "Location-based services are going to be the norm. The new radio should be able to give people more control of what they have."

(5/21/2011 9:40:34 PM)
I have been quite impressed so far. Iv only had two stream issues and that was when my Mobil was switching between WiFi n 3g in the city. Otherwise I'm very pleased with the option to block an artist or song. As well as caching stations so you can listen w/o streaming all day n killing your battery.
It's only been a week, so so far I haven't heard the same songs twice (like every radio station out there). But time will tell.
(5/20/2011 3:41:56 PM)
Hmmm...I've used and paid for Slacker for several years now for music. Now I not only can stream according to my tastes, but can download whole stations and albums for cached listening. Kind of a podcast for music.

Short of Podcasting, is traditional radio even trying to innovate?

(5/20/2011 12:01:44 PM)
Programmers does not a radio station make. If people simply wanted music that they liked, they would build playlists in their ipods and radio would be dead. But yet radio listenership still thrives...must be something more than just playing the right music in the right order.
(5/20/2011 7:38:43 AM)

Slacker may have 26 million listeners today but needs to realize that the number is dynamic and people are fickled.











These is just another fad that will go that will disappear like broadcast.com.
(5/20/2011 6:39:31 AM)
How many listeners does HD Radio have, and I don't mean over translators. LOL!

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