Parler confirms Kanye West deal is off as rapper says "I see good things about Hitler"
Kanye West is no longer buying Parler. The company that operates the often controversial social media platform confirmed that the deal is off last night.

That company, Parlement Technologies, previously announced in October that it had agreed a deal that would see West take ownership of the platform. That announcement came as the rapper found himself locked out of other social media services after making a flurry of increasingly controversial statements.

Originally founded in 2018, Parler promotes itself as the "premiere global free speech platform", though critics see it more as the place online where people can share outrageous, usually right-wing opinions without the risk of being filtered or banned.

Confirming the October deal to buy Parler, West said at the time: "In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves".

However, it seems the big deal was off the table within a month. In a tweet yesterday Parlement Technologies said it "would like to confirm that the company has mutually agreed with Ye to terminate the intent of sale of Parler. This decision was made in the interest of both parties in mid-November".

Ten days after the Parler/West deal was announced, Elon Musk completed his acquisition of Twitter and immediately started relaxing that platform's content moderation rules. Given that ultimately allowed West and his controversial statements to return to the Twitter platform, there was plenty of speculation that the rapper's interest in Parler would quickly wane.

That said, Parlement Technologies' interest in West may also have waned. After all, the rapper has only continued to ramp up his controversial and increasingly dangerous racist and anti-Semitic rhetoric in recent weeks.

As a result, his brand has arguably become sufficiently tarnished that its problematic even for a service like Parler, which is all about courting controversy and the expression of more extreme right-wing opinions.

The statement from Parlement Technologies came on the day West appeared on far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's 'Infowars' show and declared: "I see good things about Hitler ... Every human being has something of value that they brought to the table, especially Hitler".

And shortly after that he was suspended from Twitter again, this time at Musk's intervention. The new suspension followed the posting by West of an image showing a swastika over the star of David, ie the symbol of Nazism over the symbol of Judaism. Musk wrote: "I tried my best. Despite that, he again violated our rule against incitement to violence. Account will be suspended".

Even Jones felt the need to push back against West's remarks on his 'Infowars' programme, while Donald Trump has been busy this week trying to distance himself from the rapper, following that recent dinner at the former President's Mar-a-Lago resort where West was accompanied by white supremacist Nick Fuentes.

It's both hard to see and concerning to think about where West goes next with all this. In the ideal world into obscurity, though while his remarks continue to capture the headlines - including here - that's unlikely to happen anytime soon.

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Freeplay sues CNN over music used in news reports
CNN has been sued by production music firm Freeplay over allegations that the former used tracks from the latter's music library without licence.

According to a lawsuit filed in the US courts, the news broadcaster used Freeplay music to soundtrack at least 283 segments that aired on its CNN Philippines, CNN Indonesia and CNN Chile channels.

Freeplay states in its lawsuit, Billboard reports: "As high-profile news media companies which strive to provide the best news product all across the world, CNN and the international parties know they must obtain a licence to use other's intellectual property. Despite this, they willfully and consciously did not do so here on a breathtaking scale".

The music firm is seeking damages of at least $17 million, stating that only a significant damages pay out will "get the attention of these media goliaths that continue to commit widespread infringement of FPM's intellectual property".

CNN is yet to comment on the litigation.

Freeplay previously sued Ford over its unlicensed use of the production music firm's tracks in its promotional videos online. Ford hit back by arguing that Freeplay's name and marketing was deliberately confusing, implying that music in its libraries could be used for free. For its part, Freeplay said Ford's arguments were "disingenuous" and "frivolous".

The Freeplay v Ford case was seemingly settled last year.

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BBC execs defend local radio cuts to MPs
BBC execs yesterday defended the incoming cutbacks to the broadcaster's local radio output in England, although they said that some of the specifics of those changes may as yet evolve based on feedback from staff and listeners.

The BBC is planning to reduce the amount of local programming that is aired on its network of local stations around England. As a result, for big chunks of the day local stations in each region of the country will broadcast the same programmes, while at 10pm each weekday the same late night show will air across the whole network.

From a music perspective, there has been particular concern about what those changes will mean for the BBC Music Introducing initiative that has always been built upon the various local BBC Introducing programmes, each of which is focused on supporting and championing new talent and the wider music community in its local area.

The BBC's Director Of Nations Rhodri Talfan Davies and Director Of England Jason Horton were questioned about the cutbacks by MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee in the UK Parliament yesterday.

According to Radio Today, Talfan Davies was keen to stress that the changes to the BBC's local output were more about shifting focus than cutting back, with budget being moved from live and local radio programmes to online news.

He told MPs: "We are keeping 39 local stations across England. We are keeping local bases of at least 25 staff in each of our local bases and strengthening the size of our local news teams. This is fundamentally not about a reduction in services. It's about making sure our portfolio of local services that we deliver across radio, television and online keep pace with the way audiences are changing".

Both Talfan Davies and Horton stressed that BBC bosses are listening to internal and external feedback about the changes, particularly in terms of how local stations in any one region share programmes, or indeed which local stations should be in any one group.

Horton told MPs "there are very active discussions going on internally about programme sharing and I think we can potentially make those proposals better", while Talfan Davies added: "Do I think the exact model we've announced will be the one we implement? I doubt it, because you live and you learn".

That said, Talfan Davies also indicated that any alterations to the changes already announced won't be major, stating: "We are looking at some aspects of the programme shares at the moment but I don't think there will be significant changes".

In terms of the possible impact on BBC Introducing, the host of that programme in Sussex and Surrey, Melita Dennett, previously urged music fans and the music community to formally express their concerns via the BBC's online complaints page.

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Kid Koala announces new album and accompanying board game
Kid Koala has announced that he will release a new album, titled 'Creatures Of The Late Afternoon', next year.

"This is the most playful and dynamic album I've done to date", says the DJ. "It was a fun time in the studio, exploring the writing/recording process in this way. There is a wide range of moods on the tracks in terms of both energy and emotion and I'm excited about how the music has turned out. Now I can't wait to get working on the stage production!"

The album itself features 20 new tracks. However, if you buy the vinyl edition, you'll also get a board game designed by Kid Koala himself, along with eight extra tracks designed to soundtrack the playing of the game.

According to the press release, the game is "centred around a cast of creatures who band together through the power of music to save their habitat from destruction. Built integrally into the vinyl gatefold jacket, the board game is set at a communal hub of DIY recording studios where various bands of creatures collaborate to explore different ways of expressing and enjoying music".

The album is set for release on 14 Apr next year - pre-order the vinyl and board game package here. Tracks will be released as four EPs at regular intervals in the lead up to the release date. The first collection is out now, and you can watch the video for one track, 'Jump & Shuffle', here.

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Elton John to play final UK date on his farewell tour at Glastonbury Festival
Elton John will headline Sunday's proceedings at next year's Glastonbury Festival in what will be the very final UK date on his current farewell tour.

That long-running grand finale - aka the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour - includes a plethora of UK dates next year as part of a wider European run of shows that finishes in Stockholm on 8 Jul.

But his performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury on 25 Jun will be the very final - absolutely last ever - one that occurs within the borders of this United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland.

Well, his very final performance as part of a tour. Manager David Furnish recently confirmed that John plans to continue performing at ad hoc shows or short residences once the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour is finally over.

"It's really important to make a distinction between Elton retiring from touring but Elton not playing his very last public performance for the very last time", Furnish told Billboard as the final US date on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour took place.

"Will Elton return as a live performer? I hope so", he went on. "I know for a fact he will not be touring in any capacity. What you're going to see is the possibility of a special one-off or a small residency in one venue for a limited period of time".

Still, Sunday night at Glastonbury 2023 will definitely be the very final - absolutely last ever - performance to occur in the UK as part of an Elton John tour. Well, as part of an Elton John tour involving a human Elton. Some sort of VR come avatar Elton show seems an inevitability, and as the tech for that evolves a touring version seems likely too.

Anyway, if you're happy to ignore all these footnotes, next year's Glastonbury Festival will host Elton John's final ever UK performance. Good times!

"I couldn't be more excited to be headlining the Pyramid Stage. As the end of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour comes into view, there is no more fitting way to say goodbye to my British fans", says John. "They have been beyond brilliant, and have supported me through all the highs and lows of my career ... I can't wait to embrace the spirit of the greatest festival in the world".

"We will be closing the festival and marking this huge moment in both of our histories with the mother of all send offs", adds Glastonbury's Emily Eavis. "We are so very happy to finally bring the Rocket Man to Worthy Farm".

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Both Little Simz and Knucks take Best Album prize at this year's MOBO Awards
The MOBO Awards took place in London on Wednesday night with not one but two albums being presented with the Album Of The Year prize. Any why the hell not? Awards for everyone, I say.

Both 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert' by Little Simz and 'Alpha Place' by Knucks were considered to be sufficiently magnificent to be presented with the 2022 MOBO for best album. Elsewhere, Central Cee won both the Best Male Act award and the prize for Video Of The Year, while Burna Boy was declared both Best International and Best African music-maker.

In the categories focused on career-long achievements rather than music-making in the last twelve months, Nile Rodgers got the Lifetime Achievement Award, Craig David the Outstanding Contribution Award, and SBTV founder Jamal Edwards was posthumously presented with a Paving The Way Award.

Commenting on this year's event, MOBO founder Kanya King said: "What an incredible night it has been celebrating the 25th MOBO Awards with our family of artists and talent. It has been a night of legends and the hottest stars, an absolutely glittering array of talent".

"Huge congratulations to all the winners tonight, with special mention to the incredible trailblazer, Jamal Edwards MBE, the posthumous recipient of our Paving The Way award, as well as our Lifetime Achievement recipient Nile Rogers and Craig David for his Outstanding Contribution. Huge thanks also to our headline partner Lucozade and everyone else who has supported us on our journey".

"Just take a look at all the myriad of genres covered by the show, it is unprecedented", she went on. "None of this would be possible without the incredible diversity of the black music scene and culture, significant both to the community and the economy".

And here's the full list of winners…

Best Male Act: Central Cee
Best Female Act: PinkPantheress
Best Newcomer: Bru-C
Best International Act: Burna Boy
Best Producer: Inflo

Best R&B/Soul Act: Mahalia
Best Grime Act: D Double E
Best Hip Hop Act: D Block Europe
Best Drill Act: K-Trap
Best Alternative Music Act: Bob Vylan
Best Electronic/Dance Act: Nia Archives
Best Gospel Act: Still Shadey
Best Jazz Act: Ezra Collective
Best African Music Act: Burna Boy
Best Caribbean Music Act: Skillibeng

Album Of The Year (Joint Winners):
Knucks - Alpha Place
Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

Song Of The Year: Dreya Mac, Felixthe1st & Finch Fetti - Own Brand (Baddie)
Video Of The Year: Central Cee - Doja

Best Performance: Kane Robinson (Kano) as Sully in 'Top Boy'
Best Media Personality: Nella Rose

Lifetime Achievement Award: Nile Rodgers
Outstanding Contribution Award: Craig David
Paving The Way Award: Jamal Edwards

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APPOINTMENTS

Live giant AEG has filled five leadership roles at its UK division. Jacqui Harris is now Vice President and General Manager for AEG Presents UK; Lucky Thompson is Senior Director, Events And Operations; Connie Shao is Vice President and General Manager for International Touring; Leonie Wakeman is Director Of Commercial Operations; and Stuart Dorn is Group Venue Operations Director. "It's an exciting time for our business as we break new ground and, in turn, build out a people structure that powers the successful delivery of our growth plans", says AEG Presents UK CEO Steve Homer.

ATC Management has recruited three new managers for its new New York office, Brandon Sanchez, Jordan Alper and Ben Rafson. "We are THRILLED to launch our east coast presence with such a stellar team", says ATC North America CEO Jonny Dawson. "Ben is a huge talent with a formidable roster, and Brandon and Jordan are true rising stars who have done a phenomenal job representing Yaeji's meteoric rise. We are really excited about the future of ATC - we believe there is no better home for culturally defining art".

The UK's Association of Independent Music has promoted Nina Radojewski to Head Of Membership. "The new Head Of Membership position draws together all the strands of services that AIM delivers to members more holistically", she says. "I'm really excited to step into the role and to continue to work and build strong relationships with our incredible community of independent music businesses, artists and entrepreneurs".

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RELEASES

Lewis Capaldi has released new single 'Pointless', an ode to the BBC One gameshow. No, not really, it's the song he wrote with Ed Sheeran. It's about love and that. "Ed had that lyric, 'I bring her coffee in the morning, she brings me inner peace'", he says. "And pretty much every other line of that opening [verse] was just banging". That's not how he told it a couple of months ago.

Russ Millions has released new single 'One Of A Kind', featuring French The Kid and A1 & J1.

Pnau have release new track 'You Know What I Need', featuring Troye Sivan.

Tom Walker has released new single 'The Best Is Yet To Come'. He's also announced UK tour dates in March next year, finishing up at Koko in London on 31 Mar.

Los Bitchos have released the video for 'Los Chrismos', taken from their festive EP, which is out now.

Teri Gender Bender has released new single 'The Slow Lean', from her new EP 'State Of Fear', which is out on 16 Dec.

Jen Cloher has released new single 'Being Human'. "Of all the songs on this album I am most nervous about, 'Being Human' is the one", she says. "It's earnest and basic and raw. Reclaiming your culture is an awkward and messy business. I can see why so many people shy away from it. When you're not living on your own lands you have to seek it out and find the people who can support you". That new album, 'I Am The River, The River Is Me', is out on 3 Mar.

Jehst has released new track 'One Horse Town', featuring Confucius MC and Eva Lazarus.

Emmeline has released new single 'Sabrina'. She says: "'Sabrina' is a film I used to watch with my grandmother, and therefore has a particularly nostalgic significance for me. I suppose a lot of the music I'm writing at the moment is coming from that place of nostalgia; the first EP was made after I had moved away from home to London, and part of that transition for me now is reflecting back on childhood, and relating to this image of a young woman on the precipice of change".

New PC Music signee Holly Waxwing has released new single 'Sister Species'.

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GIGS & TOURS

Matt Goss has announced a UK and Ireland tour next spring, which will seen him perform songs written by Cole Porter with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and a fifteen-piece big band. Fancy. There will also be an accompanying album recorded at Abbey Road. Tickets for the tour are on sale now.

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

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Radio 2 to switch to censored version of Fairytale Of New York this Christmas
BBC Radio 2 has this year, for the first time, joined the group of radio stations that have decided to play an edited version of 'Fairytale Of New York', the popular festive classic from The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl.

There has been increasing controversy around the inclusion of the word 'faggot' in the lyrics of the song in recent years.

On one side, there are people who think that a homophobic slur such as that shouldn't really be heard on daytime radio in this day and age - regardless of whether or not it's delivered as the words of an unsympathetic character within the context of the song.

On the other side, there are those who think it's been in the song for years now and people are just being overly sensitive - given that it's delivered as the words of an unsympathetic character within the context of the song.

Anyway, we have this conversation every year, even though everyone involved seems to have agreed that the song should be edited and the original should not be played on the radio anymore. Last year people got upset because Warner Music created a new radio edit, which replaced the line "you cheap lousy faggot" with "you're cheap and you're haggard".

The new line was lifted from a live performance by Kirsty MacColl, who herself had begun censoring the song before her death in 2000. You'd think people might be happy with that, given that it's less disruptive to the song than simply cutting or bleeping the offending word. It seems like a reasonable compromise. People who complain about this sort of thing tend not to like reasonable compromises though, do they?

Anyway, last year the BBC decided that Radio 1 would air the updated version, while Radio 2 would play the original - deeming that its older listeners would be more likely to realise the context in which the word was delivered, or just really like hearing homophobic slurs in the run-up to Christmas.

But this year, Radio 2 will join Radio 1 in playing the censored version, as it turned out that the assumptions the BBC made about its listeners last year weren't entirely correct.

"On Radio 2 we are reflecting what we are hearing back from many of our listeners who love the song, but find some of the lyrics jarring in 2022, and playing an alternative version provided by the record company," a spokesperson tells the Huffington Post. "We know the song is considered a Christmas classic and will continue to play it this year, with our radio stations choosing the version of the song most relevant for their audience".

We know that Kirsty MacColl began changing the lyrics of the song more than 20 years ago, and more recently Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan also agreed - albeit reluctantly - that it would probably be better to stop playing the original version of the song.

"The word was used by the character because it fitted with the way she would speak and with her character", he said in 2018. "She is not supposed to be a nice person, or even a wholesome person. She is a woman of a certain generation at a certain time in history and she is down on her luck and desperate".

"Her dialogue is as accurate as I could make it but she is not intended to offend", he went on. "She is just supposed to be an authentic character and not all characters in songs and stories are angels or even decent and respectable. Sometimes characters in songs and stories have to be evil or nasty in order to tell the story effectively".

"If people don't understand that I was trying to accurately portray the character as authentically as possible then I am absolutely fine with them bleeping the word, but I don't want to get into an argument", he concluded.

MacGowan said all that four years ago. He was happy with it being bleeped. And now we have the updated version where the change maintains the spirit of the original version of the song and is basically imperceptible. The original still exists, and you can sing whatever words you like over the top of any version. Merry Christmas.

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