New sex abuse allegations against R Kelly made in BBC documentary
New allegations have been made against R&B star R Kelly in a BBC documentary. These include that he sexually abused a girl from the age of fourteen, later boasting to another woman that he had "trained" the girl to be his "pet".

Numerous sexual abuse allegations have been made against Kelly over the years, of course, including accusations involving underage girls. He has always denied any wrongdoing and when specifically charged over claims he had filmed the sexual abuse of an underage girl, he was acquitted in 2008.

However, the musician has nevertheless been on the receiving end of numerous civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse, most of which have been settled out of court. American journalist Jim DeRogatis has been prolific in documenting the various accusations and litigation, most recently in a piece for Buzzfeed last year.

The new BBC Three documentary features Kitti Jones, a former girlfriend of Kelly who also gave an interview to Rolling Stone magazine last year. In the new programme she alleges that Kelly groomed her over two years, forcing her to have sex with him and others in a "sex dungeon" at least ten times.

According to The Guardian, she then says: "I was introduced to one of the girls that he told me he [had] 'trained' since she was fourteen; those were his words. I saw that she was dressed like me, that she was saying the things I'd say, and her mannerisms were like mine. That's when it clicked in my head that he had been grooming me to become one of his 'pets'".

She then claims that Kelly made the unnamed woman "crawl on the floor towards me and perform oral sex on me, and he said, 'this is my fucking pet, I trained her - she's going to teach you how to be with me". The documentary doesn't make it clear how old the unnamed woman would have been at the time of the described incident.

After last year's Rolling Stone article was published, a rep for Kelly stated: "Mr Kelly is aware of the repeated and now evolving claims of [Ms Jones]. It is unfortunate that Ms Jones, after public statements to the contrary, is now attempting to portray a relationship history with Mr Kelly as anything other than consensual involvement between two adults".

The rep continued: "As stated previously, Mr Kelly does not control the decision-making or force the actions of any other human being, including Ms Jones, by her own admission. Any claim of wrongdoing of any kind or of mistreatment of any woman by him is false, ill-motived and defamatory".

The documentary also includes an interview with Rocky Bivens, who previously worked with Kelly, and who discusses attending the secret wedding ceremony in 1994 between the singer and his then fifteen year old musical protégé Aaliyah. The status and even existence of that wedding and marriage have been questioned over the years, with both Kelly and, before her death, Aaliyah, at various times denying any wedding took place.

The new BBC Three documentary 'R Kelly: Sex, Girls & Videotapes' - which will also air on BBC One next Tuesday night - is online here.

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New collecting society launched in Polynesia
French collecting society SACEM has announced the launch of a new rights body in Polynesia. Called, well, SACEM Polynesia, it will license song rights to broadcasters and public places using music in the region, as well as representing the performing rights of songwriters and music publishers from that part of the world.

SACEM says that it will provide the new society "with expertise and infrastructure to enable new creators and publishers to join, register their works, and collect and distribute royalties and payments to creators and publishers in Polynesia".

The new organisation will be run by Virginie Bruant, who says: "After working alongside Polynesian artists for several years, I am delighted with this new page that we are turning with SACEM Polynesia. Together, we will co-develop this creative house that will allow our members to be paid for their work and to support local creation".

Meanwhile SACEM CEO Jean-Noël Tronc added: "The creation of SACEM Polynesia demonstrates once again that SACEM is mobilised more than ever to improve the collection of the royalties of songwriters, composers and publishers and thus enable culture and creativity to flourish. SACEM is proud to accompany the launch of SACEM Polynesia and contribute to the influence of Polynesian culture".

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OfCom confirms its new definition of 'new music'
UK media regulator OfCom has confirmed its new definition of 'new music' as applied when assessing whether BBC stations Radio 1 and Radio 2 are fulfilling their new music obligations. The new definition is twice as long as the old one, so that's progress, right?

As part of its new regulatory remit over the BBC, OfCom is now responsible for setting each station's 'operating licence', which sets out public service requirements. The respective operating licences of Radio 1 and Radio 2 include an obligation to ensure a "significant proportion" of music output is 'new music'.

When the two stations' new operating licences went into effect last year the question was raised as to what exactly it was about 'new music' that made it 'new'. In this context, new music had previously been defined to include both tracks that were unreleased and those which had been available in physical form for less than a month.

However, that definition seemed increasingly out-dated, partly because it was linked to physical releases, and partly because the shift to streaming has seen label marketing campaigns grow in length.

Also, some labels now put whole EPs or albums online in one go, but then subsequently put the spotlight on certain tracks as if releasing them as a singles. Streaming being a sustained listening game, labels need to encourage fans to keep revisiting tracks, so that overtime sufficient royalties are earned.

All of which sounded like a fine excuse for OfCom to have a consultation. That consultation has now consulted, and OfCom has confirmed its super new definition: "A music track is to be considered 'new music' for a period of either: (a) twelve months from first release (whether by physical, radio, download or streaming means), or (b) six weeks from the date it first enters the Top 20 of the UK Official Singles Chart, whichever is sooner".

Commercial radio stations that inputted into OfCom's consultation argued that that definition gave Radio 1 and Radio 2 far too much flexibility to keep tracks in rotation for a year and still count them as 'new music'. Meanwhile, record industry trade group the BPI said that some labels continue to market new releases for up to eighteen months, so there should actually be some flexibility on the twelve month restriction.

OfCom rejected the proposal from the commercial radio sector to cut the 'new music' window to six months, reckoning that doing so would "limit the ability of the BBC to discover and support emerging UK artists and of the artists to build audience familiarity with airplay over a more extended period".

Meanwhile, on the BPI's point, it said that - while some new tracks maybe marketed for eighteen months - it felt that most commercially successful recordings would have gained momentum within twelve. Plus Radio 1 and Radio 2 could still play slightly older 'new' tracks, it's just that doing so wouldn't count towards the respective station's new music quota.

OfCom also discussed the chart element of the new definition, which is designed to ensure that massive hits from ten months ago are not being counted as new music. Commercial stations welcomed this addition but suggested a 'one month in the Top 40' limitation rather than six weeks in the Top 20, but OfCom stuck with the latter. Either way, at least this extra element gives the chart another reason for existing, so that's nice.

Finally, beyond all this new defining of the newness of new, OfCom has also increased Radio 1's new music quota from 45% to 50% in key time slots. Radio 2's quota is 20%.

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Simian Mobile Disco cancel tour dates, after Jas Shaw diagnosed with rare condition
Simian Mobile Disco have announced the cancellation of their upcoming UK tour, after the duo's Jas Shaw was diagnosed with the rare condition AL amyloidosis.

A statement reads: "[Shaw] is receiving treatment but unfortunately this means he is not able to tour, and we have reluctantly decided that SMD's live performances will have to be put on hold for at least a few months. We are hopeful that following treatment, he will be able to return to a full work schedule but we're currently not in a position to confirm when this will be".

AL amyloidosis is caused when plasma cells in a person's bone marrow begin to produce abnormal proteins, which cannot then be broken down when they enter the bloodstream. There is no known cure, but there are a number of treatments that can be effective in managing the condition.

The duo's upcoming performance at the Barbican in London will go ahead as planned on 4 Apr. Although they say that this will be "the final SMD show for a while". Profits from the event will be donated to the UCL Amyloidosis Research Fund.

Simian Mobile Disco's new album with the Deep Throat Choir, 'Murmurations', is set for release on 11 May.

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Una Healy announces new solo single and tour dates
The Saturday's Una Healy has announced a new single, 'Never See Me Cry', and UK tour dates.

Speaking about the new single, which is set for release this Friday, Healey says: "I wrote 'Never See Me Cry' as an empowerment anthem for anybody who's ever had someone walk all over them. It's a big 'f you' to a lover, a boss or a friend that's ever made you feel small or worthless. It's a fight song for everyone out there who are sick of being dominated - the tides are turning out there and it's clear that it's our time to take back control'".

It's sort of sounding like a Brexit anthem now. And maybe that's what we need. I'm not sure if her music will sort out the Irish border problem, but the six dates on her tour are equally split between Ireland and the UK. And that's no worse than any other idea that's been put forward so far.

Here are the dates:

15 Jun: Killarney, INEC Acoustic Room
16 Jun: Galway, Roisn Dubh
17 Jun: Dublin, Grand Social
19 Jun: Glasgow, King Tut's
20 Jun: Manchester, Deaf Institute
21 Jun: London, The Lexington

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Hologram Roy Orbison to perform live with son Alex in London
Roy Orbison is to perform with his son Alex at an upcoming London show. Yes, despite being dead. Being dead is no barrier to live performance anymore. Orbison Sr will play in hologram form - as he will be around the UK throughout April.

Alex Orbison and country duo Ward Thomas will join the hologram on stage at the Hammersmith Apollo on 19 Apr to perform 'I Drove All Night'.

"I always dreamed it would be someday possible to join my father live on stage at one of his concerts", says Alex Orbison. "To now have this opportunity is something I am very grateful for. And it will, without a doubt, be the very emotional performance".

Appearing throughout the tour is the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, which reworked Orbison's songs for an album last year.

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Kelly Lee Owens announced winter London show
Kelly Lee Owens has announced a one-off London show at Village Underground on 15 Nov.

The announcement comes as Owens releases a new remix of Björk's 'Arisen My Senses', of which she says: "I felt a standard techno remix wouldn't do all the juiciness of the track justice. This is one of the first times I used almost only the parts from the original artist, as they were too good not too!"

She goes on: "I wanted to try to extract even more joy - if it's possible - out of the sounds than when I first heard them - which is why the final 'chorus' is so bright and shiny - full crescendo!"

Björk adds: "I am floored that there are musicians curious enough to take my music on. Couldn't be more excited about watching [them] in the coming years".

Listen to the track on Spotify here.

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The Posies announce 30th anniversary tour
The Posies have announced a 30th anniversary tour, which just made me do a bit of sick in my mouth. 30th? I'm fine with bands from my youth doing 20th anniversary things, but 30th? No.

I mean, 30 years of what, anyway? They're saying "30 years of making music", but core members Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow started writing songs together in 1986. So that's 32 years. And they're touring with the line-up that recorded their 1993 album 'Frosting On The Beater', so that's only 25 years. That line-up actually came together in 1992 though, so it's 26.

Anyway, those are some extra options for you if you're not keen on the number 30. Pick whichever one makes you feel the least like you're on the verge of death. Here are the UK dates of the tour:

19 Oct: London, The Garage
20 Oct: Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
21 Oct: Glasgow, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
23 Oct: Manchester, The Deaf Institute

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Wiley, Astralwerks, Coalition Agency, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• You can now receive a brief summary of what's in each day's CMU Daily - and read up on the stories that interest you - via Facebook Messenger. Click here to get started.

• Wiley has signed to UTA. Agent Billy Wood is "THRILLED". As you would be.

• Toby Andrews is now General Manager of Universal's Astralwerks label in the US, where he will be charged with "renewing the label's historic strengths in the dance and electronic music genres". He is both "honoured" and "excited".

• While we were super accurate in telling you about the three new people joining the Coalition Agency in yesterday's CMU Daily, it's possibly possible we then allocated those people's new job titles incorrectly. So, just to be certain, Anthony Norris and Owen Kent have joined the Coalition Agency as Managing Director and Creative Director respectively. Claire Horseman is joining as a non-executive director. Read more here.

• The BBC is getting itself its first Commissioning Editor For Podcasts. Isn't that exciting? Well, it's exciting for Jason Phipps, who is joining the Beeb in the new podcasting role from The Guardian.

• 2 Chainz has released the video for 'Proud'.

• Five Seconds Of Summer have released the video for their new single, 'Want You Back'. "We've been rehearsing a lot", say the band.

• Natalie Prass has released another song from her upcoming 'The Future And The Past' album. Here's 'Sisters'.

• Leon Bridges has released the video for 'Bad Bad News'. His new album, 'Good Thing', is out on 4 May.

• Mark Pritchard has released the video for 'Glasspops'. The track is taken from his new min-album, 'The Four Worlds'.

• Sloan have released new single, '44 Teenagers'. Their new album '12' is out on 6 Apr.

• Frankie Cosmos have released the video for new single, 'Jesse'. They're touring the UK in May, finishing up at the Scala in London on 31 May.

• Seinabo Sey is back with new single, 'I Owe You Nothing'.

• Cocoa Futures have released new single 'Sink In The Water'. "Getting older doesn't always feel like growing", says frontman Greg Sanderson. "It can feel a bit like sinking. There's nothing inevitable about becoming a better person as you grow up and learn more. But maybe sinking is pretty good. Anyway, to keep things peppy, 'Sink' includes a nice happy major shift at the end!"

• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.

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Aylesbury's David Bowie statue vandalised
Well, that didn't last long. Just 48 hours after it was unveiled on Sunday, a new statue of David Bowie in Aylesbury has been vandalised.

Parts of the statue were painted over with spray paint, while "feed the homeless first" was written on the floor in front of it. Presumably to stress that they had no specific beef with Bowie himself, the vandal then also sprayed "RIP DB" on the adjacent wall.

However, money to build the statue was raised through grants and a crowdfunding campaign, rather than any public money. With that in mind, one of the people tasked with cleaning the statue up yesterday noted the irony of the slogan the vandal had left.

Helen Light told the BBC: "Vandalising it is awful. Tax payers will now be paying for the clean-up so it is the vandal who will ironically be taking money away from the homeless".

Marillion frontman Steve Hogarth, who unveiled the statue at the weekend, said in a statement: "It's with a heavy heart and despair I hear that within 48 hours someone has defaced Andrew Sinclair's breathtaking David Bowie double statue".

He added: "When I pulled the cord to unveil the memorial on Sunday morning I was knocked out by it. Andrew has really caught the essence of David Bowie as a human being, as well as a phenomenal chameleon of a stage performer".

Meanwhile promoter and artist manager David Stopps, who organised the campaign to erect the statue, said that he was confident that it could be restored. He added that a webcam filming the statue will have recorded whoever vandalised it.

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