Bill Ackman confident he’ll win over UMG shareholders to $64 billion bid, says Bolloré response was ‘music to my ears’The transaction requires the support of UMG's board and a two-thirds vote of shareholders who attend a meeting called for the purpose
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KRK Kreate 5 Monitors Elevate Miami’s 555 Studios Creative SpaceSome studios are built for recording. Others are built for content. 555 Studios, tucked inside Miami’s ever-electric Wynwood Arts District, is chasing something bigger—an ecosystem where creativity doesn’t just happen, it collides.

Inside the 10,000-square-foot labyrinth, it’s not unusual to find a podcast being tracked upstairs while a fashion shoot unfolds down the hall and a live performance pulses below. It’s organized chaos in the best way—exactly how Studio Manager Cristian “Cris” Castro envisioned it.

“I always wanted a place where independent artists could record their music, shoot their videos, take photos, and perform—all under one roof,” Castro says. What started as an idea now feels more like a living, breathing organism—one that “blends the energy of a live venue with the precision of professional production suites.”

That balance—between vibe and technical polish—is where KRK’s Kreate 5 monitors quietly earn their keep.

Originally brought in as playback speakers for the podcast studio, the Kreate 5s didn’t stay put for long. In a space that refuses to sit still, neither could they. “The Kreates were initially chosen to be playback monitors in our podcast room,” Castro explains, “but now they move all around the building.” And that mobility isn’t a compromise—it’s the point.

Compact enough to travel from room to room but still packing the punch of a larger system, the monitors have become a kind of sonic glue across wildly different creative setups. Whether it’s dialing in dialogue for a podcast, setting the mood during a shoot, or filling the lobby with clean, balanced playback, they’ve become a constant in a space defined by change.

“From recording to playback, consistency is everything—and that’s why KRK is part of the workflow at 555 Studios,” says Castro—and it’s a sentiment that’ll resonate with anyone who’s ever chased a mix across multiple environments. “555 blends the energy of a live venue with the precision of professional production suites. The KRK Kreate K5s give us a trusted clarity in a more flexible form factor. Whether we’re fine-tuning a podcast or setting the tone during a photo shoot, the monitors deliver a balanced, reliable sound that translates across real-world listening environments. Plus, the portability and Bluetooth make it easy to bring that quality into any room instantly, which is key in a space as dynamic as ours.”

And in a studio where one day’s workflow might look nothing like the next, that kind of dependability matters. A lot.

There’s also something refreshingly unpretentious about how the gear is used here. No sacred control room. No precious “don’t touch” setups. Just tools that move as fast as the ideas do—Bluetooth-enabled, easily repositioned, and always ready to adapt.

If 555 Studios proves anything, it’s that today’s creative spaces don’t live in neat categories anymore—and neither should the gear.The post KRK Kreate 5 Monitors Elevate Miami’s 555 Studios Creative Space first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Pearl Jam's Mike McCready on His New Graphic Novel, Classic Grunge, and His Heavy Metal RootsGuitarist, songwriter, and now author Mike McCready talked to AllMusic about his new graphic novel "Farewell to Seasons" which imagines an alternate history to the Seattle music scene.

FILM - TV - THEATER - GAMES: PROPS AND OPPS FOR APRIL '26PROPS

The LA Philharmonic will open its 104th season at the Hollywood Bowl this summer, with performances at the Hollywood Hills amphitheater running from June through September 2026. The season will kick off on June 20 with Opening Night, benefiting the LA Phil's Learning and Community Programs. The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins, will salute the stars and legacy of Broadway with a program spanning beloved ballads and show-stopping dance numbers in celebration of American musicals. The night is set to culminate in a fireworks display. For tickets and a rundown on all the programming in store at Hollywood Bowl this season, visit hollywoodbowl.com.

The Game Music Festival will return to London in June 2026 with five live concerts across two major venues—Royal Festival Hall and Fairfield Halls. The festival will open on June 6 with The Infernal Symphony, a sweeping orchestral tribute to three decades of Diablo soundtracks, followed by concerts celebrating 40 years of Hitoshi Sakimoto’s work on soundtracks, as well as the music of Hades, Hades II, Persona and more. Special guests will include original composers and performers. Alongside the concerts, an educational program of masterclasses, panel discussions, and other industry sessions will offer something for any aspiring game music composer. For more information, visit gamemusic.net/events.

Dance Against Cancer will bring the global arts community together once again for its annual, one-night-only benefit performance set for May 18. Proceeds will support the American Cancer Society's lifesaving mission to end cancer, building on the organization's record of raising more than $4.5 million to date. The stage will feature celebrated stars from the worlds of ballet, contemporary dance, hip-hop, and Broadway in continuation of a tradition of collaboration among top dance talent. Past performers have included Misty Copeland, Tiler Peck, Ayodele Casel, Alex Wong, and many more. Find all the details and purchase tickets at nycitycenter.org/pdps/2025-2026/dance-against-cancer.

OPPS

Calling all young filmmakers: The All American High School Film Festival—the largest student film festival in the world—is accepting submissions for the October 16-18 event. Though the free deadlines have passed, submit by April 27 for $20, with entry fees increasing up until the final, July 3 deadline. There are a dozen categories, including for music videos, with more custom categories to be announced. Learn more at hsfilmfest.com/submit.

If you want to be a part of Showstopper, America’s first and most prestigious dance competition, register by May 4 for the May 22-25 event in Anaheim, California. Information on registration, the competitions, and more are at goshowstopper.com/competitions_cpt/anaheim-ca-3.

There’s still time to submit your film score to Cleveland’s 2026 Horror Hotel Film Festival, with the late registration deadline falling on April 17. The 15th annual event—slated for June 18-21 this year—is inviting composers to score a trailer that the festival provides. Learn more about the festival and how to submit your work at instagram.com/horrorhotelfilmfest.The post FILM - TV - THEATER - GAMES: PROPS AND OPPS FOR APRIL '26 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Pepsi and Diageo withdraw sponsorship of UK’s Wireless Festival as Kanye West booking sparks backlash"We have informed the organizers of our concerns, and as it stands, Diageo will not sponsor the 2026 Wireless festival," said a company spokesperson.
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A folk musician had her voice cloned by AI – and her recordings claimed by a copyright troll. Welcome to 2026.Gamma-owned Vydia caught in controversy over musician whose videos were claimed against
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Yale Law School scholars back UMG in Drake’s ‘Not Like Us’ defamation fight, arguing rapper ‘consented’ to Kendrick Lamar’s lyricsTwo amicus briefs filed on Friday (April 3) in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit have backed UMG Recordings in its defense against Drake’s defamation appeal over Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us. Both briefs support the dismissal of Drake’s lawsuit and urge the appeals court to affirm the October 2025 ruling … Continued
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Ear Candy: Get Up and Go!Happiest of Fridays, my frequency friends!

If the snooze button has been winning recently, this week's Ear Candy is here to rescue you. It's Get Up and Go! Think of it as your personal soundtrack to shake off the grogginess, stretch out the yawns, and actually step out the door with a little spring in your step.

Whether you’re heading out for work, squeezing in a quick morning run, or just trying to get yourself moving after a night that didn’t go quite as planned, this playlist is the soundtrack that refuses to let inertia win. It’s energy you can’t help but catch, a spark that spreads from your headphones to your toes, and before you know it—you’re up, you’re moving, and you’re ready for whatever the day throws at you.

So go ahead and take your sonic shot of espresso.

Click HERE to access this week's Ear Candy.

While you're there, please "Like" the playlist and "Follow" Music Connection's profile so you'll never miss the chance to listen along with MC!The post Ear Candy: Get Up and Go! first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

UMG and Believe settle lawsuit that alleged ‘industrial-scale’ copyright infringement of Universal’s musicUniversal Music Group and Believe have settled the copyright infringement lawsuit filed against the Paris-headquartered music company and its distribution platform TuneCore in late 2024. A Joint Stipulation of Dismissal With Prejudice was filed today (April 3) in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, confirming that all claims in the … Continued
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FILM - TV - THEATER - GAMES: DROPS for April '26

Wuthering Heights (Original Motion Picture Score) is out now via Milan Records featuring original music by composer Anthony Willis. This is the accompaniment to director Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of the classic novel. The album marked Willis and Fennell’s third feature-film collaboration. Willis crafted a score built around a restrained, plaintive theme reflecting the longing between the story’s two leads, played by Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Willis’ approach moved away from traditional musical interpretations of the story, instead blending rustic textures with delicate instrumentation that complemented original songs by Charli xcx. The Warner Bros. Pictures film hit theaters in February. For more information, contact Sarah Roche at sarah@whitebearpr.com.

WaterTower Music released the soundtrack for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Season 1, featuring an original score by composer Dan Romer for the HBO series set in the world of Game of Thrones. The show follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire, Egg, across Westeros nearly a century before the events of the original series. Romer’s score departed from the sweeping grandeur associated with the franchise, instead embracing a more intimate, grounded sound. Using small ensembles of guitars, fiddles, and whistling, he crafted a folky score reflecting the story’s focus outside castle walls and on dusty roads, among common people. Contact Christian Endicio christian@whitebearpr.com for additional details. 

GRAMMY award-winning artist Raphael Saadiq performed a one-night-only set at Los Angeles’ famous Blue Note Cafe in March, following the sold-out summer run of his critically acclaimed one-man show. The evening featured two showings and spotlighted his celebrated career, including a performance of the Oscar-nominated song “I Lied to You” from the highly praised film Sinners. The track previously won Outstanding Original Song honors at both the Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards and the Black Reel Awards. Saadiq also performed classics from his days with the musical group Tony! Toni! Toné! as well as his solo career. He also received the Guild of Music Supervisors 2026 ICON Award. Learn more by contacting Grace Jones at grace@theoriel.co.

Clika, the debut film from celebrated music producer Jimmy Humilde’s production company Rancho Humilde is now available on digital platforms and was released on DVD. Directed by Michael Greene and inspired by musician JayDee, the story follows Chito, an aspiring small-town musician played by JayDee himself, whose viral performance clip launches him into the new wave of Mexican-American music and brings him into a world of unexpected danger. The cast also includes DoKnow, Laura Lopez, Concrete, Nana Ponceleon, Percy “Master P” Miller, Peter Greene, and Eric Roberts. Contact Jordan Kaiser at jordan_kaiser@spe.sony.com for more information. 

Subtext, a U.S. independent film company launched in January 2026, has acquired the North American rights to Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul, which will be the company’s inaugural release. The full-length documentary, directed by GRAMMY and Golden Globe Award-winning filmmaker James Keach and produced by Michael Lehman, explore the life and work of Allman Brothers Band co-founder Gregg Allman. The film features never-before-seen interviews, rare performances from the archives, and concert footage capturing the band at their creative peak. Made in association with Rolling Stone Films, the documentary takes a look at Allman’s personal tragedies, battles with addiction, and lasting cultural impact. A theatrical release is planned for summer 2026. For details, contact Ken Weinstein at weinstein@bighassle.com. 

Oscar-winning sound editor and re-recording mixer Skip Lievsay recently appeared on the podcast “The Making Of,” where he discussed his early career, his longtime collaboration with filmmakers the Coen Brothers, and his creative approach to crafting sound in post-production. Lievsay’s extensive filmography includes renowned works like Blood Simple, Fargo, No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski, The Silence of the Lambs, Gravity, Birdman, Roma, and, most recently, Marty Supreme, among many others. He was also honored this year with the Cinema Audio Society Career Achievement Award in Los Angeles. Learn more by visiting themakingof.substack.com/podcast. The post FILM - TV - THEATER - GAMES: DROPS for April '26 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Dialled In Records launches in London focused on South Asian music in partnership with The Collective, part of Universal Music UK’s Island-EMIDialled In Records launches with two acts: Pakistan-born producer and DJ Ahadadream, and Excise Dept, an India-based multidisciplinary collective.
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Cirkut Wins 2026 JUNO Award for Producer of the Year, Cementing Global Hitmaker StatusWhen it comes to shaping the sound of modern pop, Henry Walter—better known as Cirkut—has long been operating at an elite level. Now, the iconic producer has another major accolade to add to his already stacked résumé, taking home the 2026 “Jack Richardson Producer of the Year” honor at the JUNO Awards in Hamilton, Ontario.

The award, named after legendary Canadian producer Jack Richardson, recognizes excellence at the highest tier of music production—fitting for someone whose fingerprints are all over some of the biggest records of the past decade.

Originally from Halifax, Walter’s path to global success took shape after studying Audio Production at the Harris Institute in Toronto, where he later returned to teach. From there, he relocated to Los Angeles and quietly became one of the most in-demand producers in the industry, working with an A-list roster that includes Britney Spears, The Weeknd, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West, among many others. It’s the kind of client list that reads less like a collaboration history and more like a playlist of modern pop’s biggest moments.

If the JUNO win wasn’t enough, 2026 has already proven to be a banner year. Walter also secured three GRAMMY Awards, including Producer of the Year, thanks to his work on Mayhem by Lady Gaga, “APT.” by Bruno Mars and ROSÉ, and Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd. Across his career, he’s amassed multiple nominations in top categories like Album, Song, and Record of the Year—plus a Best Dance Pop Recording nod—underscoring both his versatility and consistency.

And the hits? They speak for themselves. With 10 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, Cirkut currently sits at No. 3 on Billboard’s “Top Producers of the 21st Century” list—a ranking that reflects not just chart success, but cultural impact.

His story also serves as a strong endorsement of the institution that helped launch his career. The Harris Institute continues to tout impressive outcomes, including a 100% graduate employment rate in its Arts Management Program for a second consecutive year. In a landscape where post-secondary results are often mixed, those numbers stand out—especially alongside the school’s rare streak of zero percent student loan default rates.

That pride is shared at the top. As John Harris, President of the Harris Institute, put it: “Henry is having a remarkable career and we are proud to have contributed. He has produced and written many of the biggest hit records of the 21st century.”

For Walter, though, the latest recognition is simply another milestone in a career defined by momentum. Whether crafting chart-topping pop anthems or shaping the sonic direction of global superstars, Cirkut isn’t just participating in the industry—he’s actively steering it.

The post Cirkut Wins 2026 JUNO Award for Producer of the Year, Cementing Global Hitmaker Status first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

HYBE to inject $100M into US subsidiary, HYBE AmericaCapital injection was approved by HYBE's board on March 31
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Classical Highlights for March 2026We're back with classical music reviews! Thank you all for the kind and supportive messages after the passing of James Manheim last October; they were very appreciated. We've brought on a couple of new writers, and among their first pieces is an evaluation of Hans Zender's orchestration and elaboration of Schubert's Winterreise, sung by tenor Allan Clayton (pictured) with the Aurora Orchestra.

Kevin Mayer, former TikTok CEO and Disney veteran, joins HYBE board of directorsMayer's appointment comes amid significant changes at HYBE America.
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