Label:Life

TVT Records have just signed the Ying Yang Twins to TVT Records. Meanwhile, TVT’s Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz’ album ‘Kings Of Crunk’ has gone gold.

Jono Kohan, former head of A&R for Michael Jackson’s record label, Mjj Music/Sony, and now President of 1st Born Entertainment has teamed up with amazing producer, S7evon Daze. Together they have produced some incredible, hard hitting, R&B/Hip Hop tracks which are available to be written to. If you are interested in hearing them, please send an e-mail request to: jono@1stborn.net
(1stborn.net).

On May 29 – 31, music industry professionals from around the world will gather for the first international dance music conference in Northern Europe – Stockholm Electronica. All dance music labels and booking agencies should now send information about artists/DJ’s available for promotion gigs on Stockholm Electronica. More info at stockholmelectronica.com.

ISC received almost 7,000 entries in its inaugural 2002 year, with the Grand Prize going to the song “Skeletons” by Andy Schmidt and Kevin Gagnepain from the band Stir
stirband.com. This winning song was entered into the Rock category. ISC is now accepting entries for the 2003 competition. For more information, please go to
songwritingcompetition.com.

Word has it that AOL will launch its MusicNet-based online music subscription service, called MusicNet, by the end of this month or early next month. Insiders suggest that there will be three tiered options all featuring a streaming service plus either limited downloads, unlimited downloads or unlimited downloads plus burning with the top tier costing $18
(musically.com).

Universal has acquired Vivendi Universal Net for Mobile from parent Vivendi Universal, Universal now has a wholly owned mobile music brand (umusic.com).

The PAN Network introduces ‘Digital Interactive Fingerprinting’ (DIF) as a solution to online music piracy (mi2n.com).

Ringo Starr and Mark Hudson launch a new label called Pumkinhead. It will be marketed and promoted by S Curve/EMI records.

Michael Jackson cancelled a concert in New York a couple of years back, which would potentially lose him millions in refunds. So Jacko personally sent a refund cheque to each fan, with his official signature on the cheque, which ensured that rather than cashing the cheque, fans kept hold of them as priceless keepsakes. Almost all of the cheques remain unbanked!
(Popbitch.com)

Universal achieved incredible results from their revolutionary mobile marketing campaign for the chart-topping Nelly. Nearly 30,000 messages were sent to Nelly’s opt-in fans who provided their cell phone numbers on his website. A whopping 67.8% of these fans converted over to call the SMS provided number and listen to Nelly’s voice message. Of these conversions, over half (58.5%) pressed ‘1’ on their phones to vote for his video. The video went to no.3 within days of the campaign, deeming it a major success. If you want more info on mobile marketing contact Seth@YourRelease.com or call +44 (0)117 9250100.