The newly released trailer for The United States Vs. Billie Holiday features the song "All Of Me." The upcoming film stars Andra Day and premieres February 26, only on Hulu.
This has been an astoundingly difficult year for everyone. Music is a healer. We at PEN Music Group are so grateful to have an amazing roster of talent who wrote, recorded, and released beautiful music during a year when people needed it the most. Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season.
Listen to the PEN Top 20 of 2020 on Spotify
PEN congratulates our writers who have garnered 2021 Grammy nominations!
BEST R&B SONG: “Collide” by Tiana Major9 and EARTHGANG (from ‘Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack’) • Co-written by Sam Barsh
BEST LATIN POP OR URBAN ALBUM: ‘3:33’ by Debi Nova • featuring the songs “xtraGlow” and “Sunrise,” co-written by Dennis Hamm
BEST PROGRESSIVE R&B ALBUM: ‘It Is What It Is’ by Thundercat: featuring the songs “How Sway” and “Funny Thing,” co-written by Dennis Hamm
For a full list of the 2021 nominees, please visit: https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2021-grammys-complete-nominees-list
Read the new Music Connection 'Copright Infringement in Plain Language' article written by Bobby Borg and PEN's Michael Eames:
Canadian poet, novelist, and teacher Margaret Atwood once said, “Human beings make art, that’s just what we do.” Atwood’s statement beautifully captures the natural inclination for self-expression, collaboration, and communication. But how well do you think the author’s statement would hold up in a world where art could be legally used by everyone at his or her own discretion for free? It wouldn’t. And that is exactly why there are copyright laws. Copyrights give artists just like you an incentive to create beyond just the pure pleasure of it.
But even when there are copyright laws and registration processes in place, there will be cases where people use your music without your permission, knowledge and payment (this is called infringement). Sometimes this is done out of ignorance, sometimes it is done by mistake, and sometimes it is done intentionally. Just be clear that registration does not stop stealing, it only makes it easier to sue people that do rip you off. That is why understanding the very basics about copyright infringement is extremely important. It can help you to feel more confident about the rights in your works, and it can help stop you from infringing others, too.
In any case, let’s take a quick look at the definition of infringement and end with a series of famous cases.
Michael Eames and PEN Music Group were awarded the AIMP (@aimporg/LA Chapter) Indie Publisher of the Year award last night at BMI (@bmi)! Our entire team and several clients and friends were there to celebrate this prestigious distinction with us. As we continue to celebrate our 25th year in the music industry, we are very humbled and extremely excited to move into 2020 and beyond with all of you!
PEN congratulations our 2020 Grammy-nominated artists and writers!
Best Contemporary Blues Album by @sugarayrayford (produced by @ericcorne on @40belowrecords)
“Elevate” by @djkhalil ft. @ybncordae @trevrichhd @swavay @denzelcurryp (co-written by @chiefseeff @sambarsh @didiercohenofficial), from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media
Excited to announce the release of the new @jasonderulo song #talkwithyourbody, which contains an interpolation of the iconic #christinaaguilera hit #genieinabottle, co-written by @pamsheyne). Listen now on the new album #2Sides on @warnerrecords!
Congrats to our talented writers, Sam Barsh and Daniel Seeff for landing a placement for their song “Rise” on the new American drama series, Godfather of Harlem on EPIX!
PEN's own Mikey Wax has co-written Alli Fitz’s brand new single "Company.” Alli is a rising pop artist with 5.3 million followers to date on TikTok and a major social media presence across IG, Twitter, and YouTube. Co-produced by SYML and Mikey, “Company” is now available for streaming on SoundCloud, YouTube, and Spotify.
Additionally from Mikey Wax, the Freeform network’s Siren recently featured the song "Before You Do It Again,” feat. vocalist LIIV, co-written by Mikey, and produced by Gold Brother. More information on the single here.
This week’s episode of NBC’s America’s Got Talent: The Champions feat. Aloe Blacc’s “The Man”
Tonight’s episode of Dynasty on the CW features the new single BACKROOM by ShyBoy!