SEARCH DATE RANGE

SEARCH TERM OR WORD

Up Next Short Shot on iPhone Debuts Exclusively on Apple Music Today

Watch the trailer HERE

Apple Music today announced Puerto Rican reggaetón singer-songwriter Jay Wheeler as the latest addition to its Up Next program, Apple Music's monthly artist initiative geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent. 
 
Jay Wheeler grew up in a musical family, and what was a hobby took a new turn in 2016 when a video of him singing "Querida Ex (Love Yourself Justin Bieber Rap Cover)" in a car went viral after his best friend published it on social media. 2019 marked a new milestone in Jay's career. After performing for the Puerto Rican intercollegiate sports competition Las Justas, the audience surprises him by singing his song "Mejor" back to him, and video of his tears of happiness sparked another viral moment. In 2018, Wheeler released "Por Tu Culpa" catching the attention of reggaetón pioneer and legend DJ Nelson. The renowned producer saw in Jay a raw and organic talent, and took him under his record label, Flow Music. Their alliance led to two albums, 'Platónico' and 'Platónicos.' 
 
In the summer of 2020, Wheeler's song "La Curiosidad" feat. Myke Towers became an instant smash streaming upwards of 760 million streams and earning him triple platinum certification in the United States and Spain. Across Apple Music, the song peaked at #1 on the Daily Top 100 chart in 9 countries, spent over 6 months on Shazam's Global Latin chart and hit No. 1 in the Shazam Top 200 Colombia and Venezuela. Wheeler also earned two nominations for Premios Tu Música Urbano 2020 and his first nomination for Premio Lo Nuestro 2021 as "Best New Artist." The music sensation is currently promoting two remixes of his song "La Curiosidad" — the "Blue Grand Prix Remix" with Myke Towers and Rauw Alejandro feat. Dj Nelson, Jhay Cortez, Lunay & Kendo Kaponi, and the "Red Grand Prix Remix" with Myke Towers and Becky G. featuring DJ Nelson, Arcangel, Zion & Lennox, De La Ghetto & Brray — both of which trended globally on the day of their release. Wheeler was recently featured in Apple Music's 'Las Voces Del Mañana' original short and 'Supernova' playlist, as part of 2021's Latin Heritage Month, and recorded an exclusive version of Marc Anthony's "Me Voy a Regalar" for Apple Music's 'Carols Covered 2021' exclusive holiday collection.
 
"Being part of 'Up Next' means a lot for me and my career," said Jay Wheeler. "The film represents myself as an artist but also tells the story of that young man who not long ago dreamt of having a music career. Honestly, this is a film that is true to who I am and to be the first 'Up Next' artist of Apple Music for 2022 is an honor, something that I never imagined and definitely a unique experience."
 
"Jay Wheeler hit the scene right before we all got sucker punched with confusion and a massive strain on life," said Apple Music 1 host Sandra Peña. "Yet, we still found our way to his real world romantic words and embraced him and his music no matter how lost we felt. Just a confirmation of how real his talent and connection with his fans is."
 
In his Up Next film out today, Jay Wheeler shares his journey facing bullying as a child and the importance of having a supportive family, believing in your better self, and love. He tells Apple Music, "I used to be in school, get bullied... And when I went to my grandma's house, she was like, 'Oh, don't worry about that. You're amazing. You're going to do great things.'" Jay also explains how being a good person, the person his grandmother told him he was, influenced his music and career. "I worked on myself and I became this better person," he continues. "Everything started getting, piece by piece, together. It's going to be tough. It's going to be rough. I'm going to cry. I'm going to suffer. I'm going to fall. I'm going to get up. And I'm going to always love, and I will never stop loving."
 
Additional Up Next campaign moments include a Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance tonight, and a sit down interview with Apple Music 1's Sandra Peña, where he discusses his career and rise in Latin music. 
 
Watch the Apple Music Jay Wheeler Up Next film HERE
 
Check out his Apple Music 1 interview with Sandra Peña HERE

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

IMPF launches 4th edition of Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing

IMPF has launched the fourth edition of the Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing.Available here and sponsored by Musixmatch, it is the only report that looks exclusively at the independent music publishing industry and its international impact and position....more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

IMS Business Report 2024

Dance Music industry now firmly in its post-pandemic growth phase with 17% revenue growth in 2023 and a total industry valuation reaching $11.8 billion.Independent labels increased their market share for the fourth consecutive quarter, reaching 31%.The annual study of the electronic...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Pulse Music Group and hit songwriter/producer/artist Jon Bellion form publishing venture

  First signing between Beautiful Mind & PULSE Music Group is Elijah Noll PULSE Music Group Co-CEO’s Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham along with President/Head of Creative, Ashley Calhoun announced today that they have formed a music publishing creative joint venture...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Record Store Day, The Music Business Association and Luminate announce new partnership regarding physical music sales data across independent retail sector in the US

Luminate Now Receiving Independent Sales Data from StreetPulse Billboard Rebranding “Tastemaker Albums” Chart To Better Recognize Impact of Independent Store Sales Today, Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS), Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), and Department of Record Stores (DORS), who work together as Record Store Day, The Music Business Association,...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Absolue inks deal with Capitol Records Italy for Jack Savoretti album

  Absolute Label Services will handle release of Savoretti’s first ever Italian language LP in UK & Ireland. Absolute Label Services has agreed a deal with Universal/Capitol Records Italy for the release of Jack Savoretti’s first ever Italian language album. The deal covers...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music opens at the British Library

Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music opens at the British Library     First exhibition to document the 500-year musical journey of African and Caribbean people in Britain opens at the British Library and in local libraries across the UK  Soul...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

YolanDa Brown OBE DL becomes University of Kent’s new chancellor

  The University of Kent is delighted to announce that double-MOBO winning musician and broadcaster YolanDa Brown OBE DL has been appointed to the role of Chancellor, succeeding Gavin Esler who has retired from the position after almost 10 years in the role. Having...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Festivals unite to extend fundraising prize draw closing date

WIN TICKETS TO OVER 60 OF THE UK & EUROPE’S MOST BELOVED FESTIVALS IN SUPPORT OF WAR CHILD AND MAP BOOMTOWN, LOVE SAVES THE DAY, PARKLIFE, ALL POINTS EAST, TRUCK, THE LONG ROAD, WIDE AWAKE AND MANY MORE   OVER £10,000 RAISED SO...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

TuneCore Expands Music Publishing Services and User Experience to Aid Independent Songwriters

TuneCore, the leading independent development partner for self-releasing artists—owned by Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies—has rolled out a comprehensive suite of music publishing services to help independent songwriters increase their earnings in over 200 countries.   Andreea Gleeson,...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Radio 2 in the Park 2024 to land in Preston

  Radio 2’s flagship annual live music event, Radio 2 in the Park, will take place this year in Moor Park in Preston, Lancashire on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September, as revealed this morning by Gaby Roslin on the Radio...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Como No – The UK’s Leading Latin Music Promoter – Announces New Director Amid Major Changes To Organisational Structure

Elena Beltrami is appointed as new Director of Como No & La Linea Festival as Founder Andy Wood steps back and becomes a Non-Executive board member   Como No, one of the world’s foremost Latin music promoters, today announces a significant change...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Liana Flores signs to Verve (US) and partners with Fiction (UK)

Releases highly anticipated new song ‘I Wish For The Rain’ Today, British-Brazilian artist Liana Flores is proud to announce that she is now signed to the iconic Verve Records (The Velvet Underground, Astrud Gilberto Kurt Vile, Arooj Aftab). Fiction Records (The...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Amazon Music returns to Primavera Sound to exclusively livestream the festival to audiences around the world

Amazon Music and Primavera Sound join forces for the third consecutive year Music fans around the world will be able to tune in to the event from 30th May – 1st June Primavera Sound will be broadcast in Spanish and English on the Amazon...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Black Lives in Music - Government ‘Falling Short’ in Helping to Protect Women in the Music Industry

UK Government ‘Falling Short’ in Helping to Protect Women in the Music Industry Harassment and Discrimination Allowed to Continue After Government Rejects Recommendations of the Misogyny in Music Report BLiM & CIISA amd more respond to the Government’s inaction CIISA cite BLiM's new...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Symphonic Distribution Hires Stephen Nightingale to Lead A&R and Business in Canada

  Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, has hired music industry veteran Stephen Nightingale as Vice President, A&R and Business Development, Canada. Reporting to Symphonic’s Chief Creative Officer, Randall Foster, Nightingale will bring his...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Rock icon Dan P Carter joins Spinefarm as Director of Artist Development

Key appointments also made across UK Marketing Team Spinefarm Music Group, one of the most successful and best-known rock labels in the world, has announced a major global hire alongside a new UK marketing team. Dan P Carter, the longtime curator of...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Park Avenue Artists Expands Booking Division

New York multihyphenate agency signs new talent, brings on booking co-director in ongoing push to create a new model for arts agencies and management.  Park Avenue Artists has expanded both its artist roster and its executive team in its booking division....more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Meet Unisound: The ultimate matchmaker between sample buyers and sellers

  The market for sample packs is more saturated than ever–forcing modern sample libraries to make and market their sounds and leaving buyers to sift through endless sounds to find exactly what they are looking for.  That’s why Unisound created a platform that lets...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Universal Music France and Binetou Sylla, founder of leading independent label Wèrè Wèrè Music partner to lead Def Jam Africa across French-speaking Africa

Universal Music France and producer Binetou Sylla form strategic relationship to lead Def Jam Africa, focusing on further developing French-speaking regional artists globally    Universal Music France (UMF), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

BPI CEO calls on music industry and government to unite around 5 key priorities to support human artistry and sustainably promote British music

  Focus on talent & education, fan engagement & innovation; and sustainability; Keynotes from Ed Newton-Rex, Fay Milton, Louis VI, and Thangam Debbonaire MP, Shadow Secretary of State for DCMS. Panel contributions including by Rebecca Allen (EMI Records), Elton Jackson (Sony Music UK), Vabyanti Endrojono-Ellis...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Independent and Music Venue Trust launch major new initiative to support UK grassroots music venues

Main Stage will be led by Music Editor Roisin O’Connor alongside the Music Venue Trust 12 venues around the UK to be recognised over the next yearEach venue to receive editorial coverage and a free ad campaign on The Independent The Independent...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

Sony Music Publishing Nashville Signs Randall King to Global Deal

  Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced the signing of West Texas native Randall King, celebrated by Holler as “the genre's neo-traditional figurehead,” to a global publishing agreement.  King has emerged as one of today’s most promising new voices in country music, amassing over...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

Nominations announced for the Ivors with Amazon Music 2024

Sampha and Yussef Dayes lead the way with two nominations each Composer Daniel Pemberton also receives two nominations across the screen categories  RAYE, CMAT, Yussef Dayes, Lankum and Sampha in the running for Best Album Jungle, The Japanese House, Jazzy and Kenya Grace...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Great Escape announces full conference line-up and schedule

NEW SPEAKERS INCLUDE WIRE'S COLIN NEWMAN, IZZY BEE PHILLIPS (BLACK HONEY) AND APPLE MUSIC HOST DOTTY    Today The Great Escape has announced the full line-up and schedule for its UK-leading music industry conference, returning to Brighton from Wednesday 15th to Saturday...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

FAC boost their community with 20 new Artist Ambassadors

FAC boost their community with 20 new Artist Ambassadors including Duran Duran, Nia Archives, Girli, Elkka, English Teacher, Guvna B, OneDa and Alt-J's Gus Unger-Hamilton The new cohort means more than 140 artists have agreed to act as Ambassadors for the...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

Fairground Attraction partners with Absolute for first album in 35 years

The band’s 1988 hit Perfect was a chart topper in the UK and around the globe.   Eighties neo-skiffle band Fairground Attraction have partnered with Absolute Label Services after reuniting for the first time in 35 years. Absolute will power the marketing, promotion,...more

22 Apr 2024 | Press release

BPI to host ‘In Tune With Tomorrow’

Monday 22nd April 2024, Waterloo Leake Street  Future-facing conference on how the recorded music industry can support talent and enable creativity for a more sustainable future * * * * * * * YolanDa Brown OBE DL in conversation with BRIT School’s Stuart Worden...more

22 Apr 2024 | Press release

AIM and the BPI appoint Creative Zero’s Roxy Erickson to lead next phase of Music Climate Pact

Funding provided through partnership between AIM and creative industries climate charity, Murmur Erickson to work closely with Pact’s stakeholders to deliver outcomes to benefit the entire music industry AIM (The Association of Independent Music) and the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) have appointed...more

22 Apr 2024 | Press release

Leading European PR agencies unite to form PR:E

- an innovative network providing consultancy for popular culture clients & brands   PR:E is a brand new network of award-winning PR agencies from Belgium (ABCommunication), France (Cartel), Germany (Kruger Media), Italy (Goigest), the Nordics (PR Nordic), Spain (Blanchón), and the UK...more

22 Apr 2024 | Press release

Bella Figura Music acquires Rak Publishing

Agreement Includes Classic Songs by Hot Chocolate, Suzi Quatro, Steve Harley, Kim Wilde, Joan Jett & more   Bella Figura Music, the independent music publisher and record label founded by Alexi Cory-Smith and Neelesh Prabhu in 2022, has announced the acquisition of...more

25 Apr 2024

  • Spotify talks growth, bundle royalties and short-video plans (see Digital)

24 Apr 2024

  • BPI CEO calls on music industry and government to unite around 5 key priorities to support human artistry and sustainably promote British music (see News)

23 Apr 2024

  • Hipgnosis Song Management fires back at Songs Fund board (see Business)

22 Apr 2024

  • Blackstone bid for Hipgnosis receives backing from board (see Business)

  • Taylor Swift’s new album breaks Spotify records (see News)

  • Independence - what’s up with that BPI press release about 2023 music consumption? (see Comment)

19 Apr 2024

  • Creator Remuneration Working Group meet for the first time (see News)

  • Concord's takeover of Hipgnosis (see Analysis)

18 Apr 2024

  • Concord set to acquire Hipgnosis Songs Fund (see Business)

17 Apr 2024

  • Is the music industry gaslighting artists? (see Comment)

16 Apr 2024

  • BPI’s new Yearbook highlights an independent sector growing for a sixth consecutive year (see Reports)

  • Can’t cross the moat? Walk around it. (see Comment)

15 Apr 2024

  • The conversation around Fandom needs to change (see Opinion)

  • Viagogo: Carrying on ticketing, despite the controversy (see News)

12 Apr 2024

  • Taylor Swift songs return to TikTok (see Digital)

  • Spotify plans new remixing tools for the TikTok generation (see Digital)

  • Is Spotify plotting a largescale push into short-form video? (see Digital)