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U.S. Copyright Board Dramatically Increases Streaming Royalty Rates By 44%

“The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) announced that songwriters will get a pay raise from streaming services for the next five years, increasing their rate from 10.5 percent of revenue to 15.1 percent, a 43.8 percent increase.” – Micah Singleton

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4 years ago

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The U.S. Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) approved a 43.8 percent increase in streaming royalties paid to songwriters and their publishers over the next five years, the largest gain the CRB has ever approved. Moreover, the overall percentage of the streaming services’ revenue paid to songwriters will increase from 10.5 percent to 15.1 percent. Those companies are also now subject to late fees, which may “dramatically alter” how digital music is licensed, according to the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA).

“The decision represents two years of advocacy regarding how unfairly songwriters are treated under current law and how crucial their contributions are to streaming services,” said NMPA Executive Director David Israelite in a statement. “While the court did not grant songwriters a per-stream rate [which they had wanted], the increases in overall rates and favorable terms are a huge win for music creators.”

“CRUCIALLY, THE DECISION ALSO ALLOWS SONGWRITERS TO BENEFIT FROM DEALS DONE BY RECORD LABELS IN THE FREE MARKET. THE RATIO OF WHAT LABELS ARE PAID BY THE SERVICES VERSUS WHAT PUBLISHERS ARE PAID HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED, RESULTING IN THE MOST FAVORABLE BALANCE IN THE HISTORY OF THE INDUSTRY.” DAVID ISRAELITE, NMPA

The three CRB royalty judges appointed by the Librarian of Congress decision came after publishers and streaming services were unable to resolve their disputes.

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Politics

DeAndre Arnold, Teen Told To Cut Dreadlocks, Gets Invited To The Oscars + $20,000 College Scholarship.

Ellen DeGeneres and Grammy Award Winning Singer Alicia Keys surprised the high school student with a $20,000 to put towards college.

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2 years ago

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January 31, 2020

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What a month it has been for Deandre Arnold. A senior at Barbers Hill High School in Southeast Texas, Arnold was suspended and told he would not be able to walk at graduation in three months unless he cut his hair.

The school has a long standing policy that limits the length of a students hair.

Arnold refuses to cut his hair because his hair is part of his identity and Trinidadian culture. Many members of Deandre’s family grow their dreads to below their waist. Arnold has been growing his hair since the 7th Grade and has been enrolled at Barbers Hill High School since 9th grade. He maintains good grades and has never had any behavioral issues.

Deandre’s story reflects a hair discrimination problem affecting the workplace and school systems. For now Deandre has not been going to school, he may not be able to attend his senior Prom, and he may not be able to walk across the stage with his friends at graduation.

“There is no dress code policy that prohibits any cornrow or any other method of wearing the hair. Our policy limits the length” — Superintendent Greg Poole

Texas is one of the states where the Crown Act was passed. The Crown Act prohibits discrimination based on hairstyles and hair textures. The problem with the Crown Act is that a persons hair has nothing to do with their ability to perform their job efficiently, especially in an academic setting.

Ellen DeGeneres heard Deandre’s story and brought Deandre on The Ellen Show this week to help him advocate against hair discrimination. Ellen gave Deandre a $20,000 scholarship with guest Alicia Keys, courtesy of Shutterfly, to kickstart his dream of becoming a Veterinarian because someone’s goal to graduate should not be stopped due to their culture.

“I am begging you. This is a good kid. He deserves to graduate.” — Ellen DeGeneres

Director Matthew A. Cherry, whose “Hair Love” is one of the front-runners for the Best Animated Short Oscar, invited Deandre and his Mother Sandy to the Academy Awards with the help of Dwayne Wade, Gabrielle Union, and Dove.

Cherry’s film follows a black father who is attempting to do his daughter’s hair for the first time. He launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2017 to get the film made. It went viral, and he has a “Hair Love” children’s book with illustrations by Vashti Harrison.

“We think his hair is beautiful and this is the least we could do to support him and show him love,” — Matthew Cherry

“It’s truly an honor to have the platform to be able to invite Deandre and his family as our guest to the Oscars next Sunday,” Cherry told CNN. “Deandre is such a good kid, and he shouldn’t be punished for his hair. And we love that he didn’t bend to the pressure to cut it.”

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Politics

Police Captain That Called For Boycott After Beyoncé’s Super Bowl Performance Now Says He Identifies As Black

A Miami Police Captain tried to change his race in an attempt to receive a job promotion. He has been suspended indefinitely with pay.

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2 years ago

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January 28, 2020

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“I’m a Black male,” Police Capt. Javier Ortiz said after the president of Miami’s Community Police Benevolent Association noted that he’d identified himself as Black on several police promotional exams. “Yes, I am,” Ortiz continued. “And I am not Hispanic. I was born in this country. That’s how I feel.”

Miami Police Captain Javier Ortiz is alleged to have changed his race in order to obtain a promotion. Ortiz’s exchange has gone viral on social media, sparking serious criticism. His story heightens beliefs that the Miami Police Department is racist and has fostered discrimination.

Ortiz oversaw Miami police’s SWAT division, even with a history of racist behavior and brutality against the city’s Black citizens.

According to The Miami New Times, he pointed a gun at former NFL player Jonathan Vilma during a 2009 traffic stop and arrested him for a bogus reason. In 2017, he falsely accused New York Jets player Robby Anderson of shoving him and took the athlete into custody. Charges in both cases were dropped.

Online, Ortiz has also made several offensive comments.

When 12-year-old Tamir Rice was killed by police for playing with a toy gun in a Cleveland park, Ortiz wrote “act like a thug and you’ll be treated like one.”

In February 2016, Ortiz tried to organize a boycott of a Beyoncé concert because she payed tribute to the Black Panther Party during her Super Bowl performance.

On Jan 17, he insisted that he was a Black man during a Miami City Commission meeting. When challenged by commissioners, Ortiz doubled down on his statement.

“Well, I learned that there’s people in my family that are mixed and that are Black,”

“Let’s not talk about the degree of blackness,” commissioner Keon Hardemon, who is Black, cut in.

“Oh no, you’re blacker than me, That’s obvious.”

Ortiz proceeded to launch into an explanation using the “one-drop rule.”

The “one-drop rule” is a social and legal principle of racial classification that was historically prominent in the United States in the 20th century. Any person with one ancestor of sub-Saharan African ancestry would be considered black. The definition is reflective of the long experience with Slavery and later with Jim Crow segregation.

“If you know anything about the one-drop rule, which started in the 20th century, which is what identifies and defines what a Black male is, or a Negro, you would know that if you have one drop of Black in you, you are considered Black,” Ortiz said. “You’re probably Black too, Joe,” he informed Joe Carollo, a white commissioner.

Ortiz was suspended indefinitely with pay on Wednesday, the Miami Herald reported. The suspension is “pending an investigation” 

Ortiz put out a single tweet. “This isn’t news. People love making stereotypes,” he wrote. “It’s actually refreshing to be who you are, like an American.”

The Fraternal Order of Police plans to back him. 

“I am embarrassed and saddened by Javier’s public comments,” said union president Tommy Reyes. “He can identify however he’d like, but I do not believe he is a black male. Ultimately, when the time comes it will be up to our members if he will receive representation.”

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Entertainment

YG Brings Fan On Stage To Yell “F**k Donald Trump,” Fan Refused

“I spotted you out of the crowd, I asked you if “you F* with Donald Trump?” and you said “You don’t know”….

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2 years ago

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October 27, 2019

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YG invited a fan on stage to yell out “F**k Donald Trump,” last night at Mala Luna Festival in San Antonio, Texas.

YG had spotted the fan in the crowd after asking the audience if they “F* with Donald Trump” to which the fan responded “He didn’t know.”

Onstage, YG asked the fan to publicly announce that he did not endorse Donald Trump by saying “F* Donald Trump”, the chorus of YG’s 2016 Protest song featuring the late recording artist Nipsey Hussle Tha Great.

He reminded him that his family would be able to see the recording via. social networking and the fan was not able to commit the act.

YG promptly kicked him offstage.

“Another example of the tolerant left,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham sarcastically told Fox News on Monday.

Donald Trump is currently under impeachment inquiry.

Check back with us for more updates!

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