London, United Kingdom | AFP | Worldwide music sales rose by nearly 10 percent in 2018, a fourth consecutive year of growth fuelled by online streaming, according to figures released on Tuesday by an industry body. Revenues reached $19.1 billion last year, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, which …
Read More »‘Hip hop music changes cheese taste’
Cheesy listening: study says tunes change Emmental’s taste Bergdorf, Switzerland | AFP | It may be grating for some, but hip-hop is music to the ears of Switzerland’s most famous cheese. According to research on the musical tastes of Emmental, the holey cheese changes flavour depending on the melodies played …
Read More »Will artificial intelligence be the future of music?
Austin, United States | AFP | They may never be able to fill a stadium for a rock concert, but computers are making inroads in the music industry, capable of producing songs — and convincingly so — as illustrated at the South by Southwest festival in Texas. Already, an album …
Read More »Three arrested after rapper Gravity Omutujju shot
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Three people have been arrested in connection to the shooting of Gilson Wabuyu alias Gravity Omutujju, a popular rap artist. The artist was shot at LK Pump Fuel station around 10pm on Wednesday night in Bukuya town in Kassanda District. Amon Mukasa, a resident …
Read More »‘Gov’t regulations on music not aimed at Bobi Wine’
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The proposed regulation on artists and music is not in any way targeting Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, according to the Gender, Labor and Social Development State Minister. Recently, government published a set of regulations targeting artists and the music industry. The proposed …
Read More »Zuma’s plan to record album angers S.Africa opposition
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Former South African president Jacob Zuma’s plan to record an album of apartheid-era struggle songs sparked off a political row Thursday as opposition politicians slammed the project as a taxpayer-funded waste of money. Zuma, ousted from power last year amid multiple fraud scandals, is …
Read More »Historic UK music retailer HMV collapses for second time
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British music retailer HMV, which was launched by English composer Edward Elgar in 1921, has collapsed into administration after weak Christmas sales and amid a declining market for CDs and DVDs, its owner said on Friday. His Master’s Voice (HMV), which is known worldwide …
Read More »Austria celebrates 200 years of beloved carol ‘Silent Night’
Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria | AFP | Austria has something special to celebrate this festive period as it marks 200 years since the first performance of one of the world’s most beloved Christmas carols, “Silent Night”. Celebrations of the anniversary will culminate with a special December 24 performance of “Stille …
Read More »Music promoters, Event managers petition Kadaga over Bobi Wine’s concerts
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Music promoters and events managers have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga to intervene in the suspended music concerts of Bobi Wine. The petitioners say they have incurred huge losses for failing to host concerts involving the Kyadondo East MP and artist, Robert Kyagulanyi …
Read More »Uganda’s popstar MP ‘hiding’ from police after raid: lawyer
Kampala, Uganda | AFP | Ugandan popstar turned opposition lawmaker Bobi Wine is in hiding after police raided a hotel he was staying in ahead of a concert, his lawyer said Sunday. Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, had been due to perform at a concert in Jinja, …
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