Lucian Grainge Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, MusicYou wouldn’t know it from Sir Lucian Grainge’s tone in today’s Universal Music Group Q1 earnings call, but the chairman of the world’s biggest music company confirmed what had long been expected, but never to be announced: that Drake has entered into an expansive, multi-faceted deal with the company that encompasses recordings, publishing, merchandise and visual media projects.Such “expanded portfolios,” as Grainge noted in the call, spanning multiple creative lanes and revenue streams, also include the recently-announced extension and expansion of the Weeknd’s deal with UMG, which aligns him — like Drake — with Republic Records.Of course, the nagging question is: how big is Drake’s bag? One insider describes the arrangement as “Lebron-sized,” without putting a number on it. Drake himself has seemingly referenced such a deal in the lyrics to “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” (off of his “Scary Hours 2” EP), which includes the lyric, “Three-sixty upfront, it all comes full circle” — or $360 million.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorUniversal Music Group has announced a long-term partnership with the Weeknd encompassing recorded music, publishing, merchandise and video, the company has announced.The deal further builds upon the artist’s relationship with UMG’s Republic Records, which has been his label home and partner since 2012 and “will remain his label partner for future recorded music releases,” according to the announcement. It also will see Universal Music Publishing administer all of the Weeknd’s future works and songwriting catalog in a new long-term deal, upon expiration of his existing commitment with Kobalt. Bravado, UMG’s brand-management and merchandise company, will continue to work closely with the Weeknd and XO to expand and develop global merchandising, branding, ecommerce and retail licensing opportunities around future projects and releases.

Lionel Richie has spoken! And the American Idol judge is markedly less judgmental when it comes to his baby girl’s new man!

Keeping Up With the Kardashians spin-off Flip It Like Disick, has watched not one, but two, of his exes get engaged in the past six months. To people who are not him. After an on-again, off-again relationship that spanned nearly 11 years, Kourtney moved on for good.

OMG! Huge congrats are in order as Sofia Richie just dropped the news that she is ENGAGED!

Sofia Richie has announced her engagement to boyfriend Elliot Grainge and showed off her huge engagement ring.The model, 23 - who previously dated Scott Disick - announced her engagement to entrepreneur boyfriend Elliot, 27, after one year together with the couple sharing sweet photos of the moment to social media. Sofia shared a snap of her husband-to-be getting down on one knee with the caption “forever isn’t long enough”, as the couple were surrounded by a picturesque sunset.The star also shared a photo of the couple kissing as she showed off her giant engagement ring, as friends and followers flooded the post with comments.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorMushroom, Australia’s largest independent label group, and Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, a division of Universal Music Group, have announced a multi-layered global partnership to support and distribute Mushroom artists’ releases worldwide, outside of Australia and New Zealand.Under the terms of the agreement, VLMAS will provide promotion, marketing and audience label services to Mushroom’s existing US and UK infrastructure. In addition, selected Mushroom artists’ releases will be issued through UMG’s major label network, when agreed by both parties.Mushroom’s Chief Executive, Matt Gudinski said “Mushroom has been a market leader for decades in Australia and today we take another huge step in building Mushroom into a truly global brand.

Artist: Miley Cyrus Accolades: A feature on 2021’s “Without You,” a duet with the Kid Laroi, was Cyrus’ first No. 1 song since 2013Out: Adam Leber, who represented the artist for a decade, during which she had a No. 1 album, “Bangerz,” which yielded two massive singles (“We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball”); major hosting gigs (VMAs, “SNL”) followed.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe world’s largest music company, Universal Music Group, posted a record $9.4 billion in revenue for 2021, the company announced in its earnings report on Thursday. That marks a 14.4% increase over 2020, although comparisons with the pandemic year are obviously skewed.Recorded music revenues were up 14.3% to around $7.52 billion, while streaming soared nearly 17% to just under $5 billion.

Neil Diamond has sold his entire songwriting and recording catalogue to Universal Music Publishing Group for an undisclosed amount.In addition to his publishing and masters, the deal includes 110 unreleased tracks, an unreleased album, and archival video footage.According to Rolling Stone, UMG will also handle any future Neil Diamond music if the musician decides to record any new music.“After nearly a decade in business with UMG, I am thankful for the trust and respect that we have built together and I feel confident in the knowledge that Lucian, Jody, Bruce, Michelle, and the global team at UMG, will continue to represent my catalog and future releases with the same passion and integrity that have always fueled my career,” Diamond said in a statement about the sale.Lucian Grainge, UMG’s chairman and CEO, added: “Neil Diamond is by definition, a truly universal songwriter. His immense songbook and recordings encompass some of the most cherished and enduring songs in music history.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorCity of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., will honor Republic Records founders Monte and Avery Lipman (pictured above, R-L) at its 2022 Spirit of Life Gala in the fall. The prestigious award will be presented to them at a gala dinner — the first Spirit of Life Gala since 2019.According to the announcement, the Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious honor and is presented to an esteemed community of industry leaders around the world who have made a significant commitment to improving the lives of others through the advancement of research and clinical innovation and the delivery of personalized, compassionate care.

Universal Music has acquired the full recordings and publishing catalogue of Neil Diamond, expanding on their existing relationship with the musician.“After nearly a decade in business with UMG, I am thankful for the trust and respect that we have built together and I feel confident in the knowledge that the global team at UMG will continue to represent my catalogue, and future releases, with the same passion and integrity that have always fuelled my career”, he says.Universal CEO Lucian Grainge adds: “Neil Diamond is, by definition, a truly universal songwriter. His immense songbook and recordings encompass some of the most cherished and enduring songs in music history.

Neil Diamond, whose decades-long career has spawned hits like “Sweet Caroline,” has sold his song catalog to Universal Music Publishing Group.

K.J. Yossman Universal Music Publishing Group  has acquired Neil Diamond’s entire song catalog, as well as the rights to all recordings from his career, the company announced Monday.The deal covers songs, masters and videos and includes 110 unreleased tracks and an unreleased album.

Sting’s only gone and sold his entire songs catalogue to the good old Universal Music Publishing Group. All of it. Police and solo.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAfter seeing her song “Fingers Crossed” become a TikTok smash, Vancouver Island singer/songwriter Lauren Spencer-Smith has partnered with Universal Music Group’s Island Records and Republic Records. According to the announcement, “The innovative partnership, structured with manager and business partner David Ehrlich (pictured above, right, with UMG chief Lucian Grainge, left, and Spencer-Smith), allows Lauren Spencer-Smith to keep her independent spirit via her own imprint while tapping into premium services from both labels.”After breaking through on TikTok, “Fingers Crossed” garnered over 100 million streams hitting the Top 50 on Spotify in 23 countries and peaked at No.

Johns Hopkins University. The 23-year-old LA native dressed down in grey sweatpants, Ugg boots, and a striped knit sweater for their low key outing.

Mark Sutherland It’s been another tumultuous year for the U.K. music business.

Mark Sutherland London’s awards season is in full swing – but one event should be more of a rave than any other this year. That’s because the Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) for outstanding contribution to the U.K.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn its first post-IPO earnings report, Universal Music Group posted 17.4% year-over-year revenue growth in the third quarter of 2021, with recorded music subscription and streaming revenue up 15.2% and adjusted EBITDA up 20.7%.Lucian Grainge, UMG’s Chairman and CEO, said, “Our operational and financial performance this quarter – our first as an independent, publicly traded company – demonstrates both why UMG is the world’s most successful music company, as well as

The members of BTS are making a big move.

Abba are back then. A whopping 40 years after their last album, ‘The Visitors’, all four members of the group have reunited for new LP ‘Voyage’.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLegendary rapper Snoop Dogg has joined Def Jam Recordings as executive creative and strategic consultant, “a new role that will allow him to strategically work across the label’s executive team and artist roster,” according to the announcement.

Sofia Richie‘s new boyfriend Elliot Grainge has received the seal of approval from dad Lionel Richie. The 22-year-old daughter of the American Idol judge is dating the son of Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge. Lionel has released several albums under UMG’s label so it would only make sense that Sofia and Elliot’s relationship is a match made is music paradise.

Sofia Richie is confirming her relationship on social media.

Model Sofia Richie is reportedly off the market again after embarking on a romance with music executive Elliot Grainge. Sofia split from Scott Disick, who has three children with his ex Kourtney Kardashian, last summer after a three-year relationship.

Passed the test!

Bhaskar Menon, the founding chairman and CEO at EMI Music Worldwide who is widely credited for breaking Pink Floyd in the U.S. and presiding over one of Capitol Records' most successful eras, died Thursday at his home in Beverly Hills.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorUniversal Music Group has elevated Ethiopia Habtemariam to chairman & CEO of Motown, reporting directly to UMG Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge. She had been president of the label since 2014.According to the announcement, in connection with Habtemariam’s promotion, Motown will have “greater creative and commercial independence to advance its mission of artistic, social and entrepreneurial empowerment.”Since joining Motown, Habtemariam — a regular honoree on

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorVivendi plans to list 60% of its share of Universal Music Group on the Euronext market in Amsterdam by the end of the year, according to announcements from the companies in the early hours of Saturday.