Illa J calls out artists looking to profit from his brother’s nameArtist and producer John Yancey, also known as Illa J, has called out “gross” artists in the music industry looking to profit from his brother’s name.
According to Illa J, people in the industry have been “using” him to get their name closer to his brother, J Dilla, who sadly passed away back in 2006.
Illa J shared the message in a video on his Instagram page, where he has been supported in the comments by users who have also shared their opinion that the music industry is “shady,” with others assuring him that he “deserves better.”
“I’ve been in this industry for almost 20 years now, and it’s just gross how people, not only do they use my brother, but they’re so gross that they literally use me to get to my brother,” he begins in the Instagram Reel.
“And they do it in such a gross way that it just makes me disappointed in this industry and in all these people that y’all think they love my brother so much, they just out here to make their name look closer to my brother but they really don’t give a fuck about him.
“You know what I mean? It’s kind of annoying and I’m sick of it. I’m sick of these fake-ass motherfuckers trying to act like they love my brother but they really don’t. They just care about their fucking pockets. All you motherfuckers [are] gross,” he concludes.
Illa J released his latest album, titled No Traffic, back in September which he performed, wrote and produced himself. A documentary about J Dilla was created by The New York Times and released on Hulu back in April this year. It was created with the knowledge and support from his family.

You can keep up to date with his latest announcements via the official Illa J website.
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Every member of Bandcamp United Union bargaining team was laid offAs news hit that about 60 of Bandcamp’s 118 employees had been laid off, one group was particularly affected – members of the Bandcamp United Union. All of the union’s. Continue reading
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Amazon AMP, Spotify Live failed. Will radio rediscover its roots? [MIDiA]As Amazon Amp, Spotify Live, and several other live audio platforms shut down, it became apparent that live audio is not an easy medium to conquer. Could radio finally rediscover. Continue reading
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Audio Modeling SWAM String Sections SWAM String Sections An innovative suite of four plug-ins, corresponding to the orchestra sections Violins, Violas, Cellos, and Double Basses. Emulate orchestras of all sizes... Read More

Outobugi Dynastia Multiband compressor. Another OTT clone, but with few more features: Mid/side compression. Zero latency. Distortion (2x oversampling). Stereo width. Read More

A Complete Glossary of Music Marketing TermsWhether you’re a independent musician, publicist, or just a curious fan, these music marketing terms are good to have under your belt so you can better understand the inner workings. Continue reading
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UMG and BandLab team up for “first of its kind” ethical AI collaborationUniversal Music Group and BandLab Technologies have partnered together to promote “responsible AI practices” for all UMG-signed artists and BandLab native creators.
This initiative, which has been newly announced today (18 October), will ensure that AI tech serves the creator community effectively and ethically.

READ MORE: Spotify launches personalised Merch Hub based on listening habits

BandLab is the “world’s first” music creation platform to pledge support for the Human Artistry Campaign (HAC) – a global coalition devoted to ensuring AI technologies are developed and used in ways that champion human creativity. The alliance will advance a shared commitment to the ethical use of AI and the protection of artist rights.
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group says of the partnership, “We welcome BandLab’s commitment to an ethical approach to AI through their accessible technology, tools and platform. We are excited to add BandLab Technologies to a growing list of UMG partners whose responsible and innovative AI will benefit the creative community.”
Michael Nash, EVP and Chief Digital Officer at UMG adds, “Meng Kuok and his team at BandLab Technologies, as well as the Caldecott Music Group network, have achieved impressive scale at the dynamic intersection of social music and creator technology innovation.
“At UMG, we constantly seek to empower and support both established and emerging artists. Given BandLab’s passion for music and their dedication to nurturing early-stage artistry at the nexus of ecosystem transformation, they are an excellent partner that is compelling for us on multiple fronts.”
Meng Ru Kuok, CEO and Founder of Caldecott Music Group and CEO of BandLab Technologies also says of the partnership, “BandLab Technologies and our wider Caldecott Music Group network is steadfast in its respect for artists’ rights and the infinite potential of AI in music creation and we believe our millions of users around the world share in this commitment and excitement.
“Though new technologies offer unbelievable possibilities to break down more barriers for creators, it’s essential that artists’ and songwriters’ rights be fully respected and protected to give these future generations a chance of success. As demonstrated by BandLab embracing the Human Artistry Campaign principles and this collaboration with UMG, we are committed to getting it right. Through our joint efforts, we anticipate a future of music that is innovative, rewarding, and endlessly inspiring.”
Find out more about Universal Music Group and BandLab Technologies.
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“We don’t have enough geniuses making records anymore”: Tony Visconti explains how the role of the record producer has changed in the modern ageProducer and composer Tony Visconti has shared his opinion on how he feels the role of the record producer has changed in the modern age.
Visconti, who has produced iconic records for artists such as David Bowie and Marc Bolan, has remarked that labels now “bypass producers” and sign artists who are simply a “whiz on the laptop and make their own stuff.”

READ MORE: “When he recorded Blackstar, when he knew that his time could be limited, it didn’t stop his sense of humour in any way”: Tony Visconti recalls David Bowie’s final years

The music industry is going through many tumultuous changes right now – the rise of AI, the impact of social media such as TikTok on how artists approach making music, and the various financial difficulties that come with low-royalty rates across streaming platforms.
The role of the artist has certainly changed, but Visconti feels the role of the producer is vastly different now, too. Speaking to Super Deluxe Edition in a new interview, he shares his thoughts on the matter.
“In my generation, the 70s was such a golden decade, because people were making real records and real studios, with great musicians and we didn’t have auto-tune, and the only way you got into the recording studio is by being great,” he explains. “Record labels signed people who were great, they didn’t sign a cute looking person and then fix the voice, fix the image, Photoshop the photos, which came later.
“With the record industry now, they almost bypass producers completely and go with some young person who is a whiz on the laptop and make their own stuff. They make their own videos. And I think that’s very admirable, but it has less dimensions in it than the organic music does.”
He later adds, “People are still making organic music, and I’m involved in a couple of groups that are doing that, but labels are frightened of that and the labels never had courage. Never ever, in a million years, did labels have courage to break new ground; it happened in spite of them.
“You get someone like Mark Bolan coming up, or a Bowie. The times now aren’t right for a new Bowie to come out. He would be too radical. You wouldn’t sound like the top 10. And why should he? Why should anyone sound like the top 10? We’ve got enough of those people. But we don’t have enough geniuses making records anymore, I’ll tell you that much.”
Learn more about Tony Visconti via Visconti Studio.
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LANDR Mastering Plugin announced LANDR's latest plug-in brings the power of their AI-powered online mastering engine directly to a user’s DAW.

Goldman Sachs CEO sachs off DJ hobby due to “media distraction”David Solomon, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, has decided to step back from his DJing career due to concerns raised by the bank’s board. Solomon had been actively involved in DJing, going under the alias DJ D-Sol.

READ MORE: Danny Tenaglia is auctioning off 50 years’ worth of studio and DJ gear

According to a story by The Guardian, the decision was made because there were concerns that Solomon’s DJing activities could potentially distract him from his primary role as the CEO of Goldman Sachs.
You could say the negative media attention from the DJ gigs was making investors ‘lose interest’ in the bank, as Solomon’s DJ side hustle was proving to be a “media distraction”, says Goldman spokesman Tony Fratto.
Solomon’s DJing had been a subject of scrutiny by Goldman’s board, with some expressing discomfort over his 2019 performance at Tomorrowland, apparently because the festival has been involved in drug-related issues in the past. He also apologised to the board in 2020 for DJing at an event in the Hamptons that faced criticism for ignoring COVID-19 social distancing rules.
Solomon’s last major DJ performance was at Lollapalooza in July 2022. Fratto also recently clarified that Solomon hasn’t publicly DJed for over a year, and the move was not due to music itself being a distraction from his work but rather the media attention surrounding it.

Solomon is not the only unexpected name to get behind the decks in recent times. Earlier this month, Step Brothers star Will Ferrell was spotted DJing at a frat party in California at his son’s university.
Comedian Chris Rock was also filmed talking about DJing as he escaped Burning Man in a pickup truck with Diplo in August. Apparently, he used to “follow Grandmaster Flash around” and play hip-hop in New York.
In the video, you can see Rock talk about his regrets towards retiring from the form: “[If there was a] time when DJs would have actually made money, I would have never told a joke,” he says, “I was like, This is fucking dead end. Turntables, backspinning, whatever…”
For more DJing news, head to MusicTech.
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Sonuscore release The Score all-in-one library Sonuscore’s latest sample library promises to provide aspiring composers with everything they need to create music of any genre in a single package.

Universal launches claims-free music and sound effects subscription service for content creatorsUniversal Production Music, a division of Universal Music, has launched a new music and sound effects subscription service for content creators.

READ MORE: “Both the beauty and the problem with hardware instruments is that you’re locking in those settings”: Producer Tycho on software vs hardware in recording

The service will give creators access to over 50,000 tracks and 200,000 sound effects claims-free, meaning that no further royalties are due to be paid once a subscription has been bought.
Plenty of similar subscription services exist, but this gives users access to Universal Music’s extensive catalogue for the first time, extending to archives of albums from different eras and live orchestral recordings.
“The platform offers thousands of quality music tracks for a competitively priced subscription, benefiting both musicians and creatives,” says Universal Music in a statement. “By championing artists and content creators, our music library is designed to take your career to the next level through the power of music.”
To ensure that claims clearance is easier, Universal Music has launched an additional feature called Content ID which can be added to a YouTube channel. This means that there is no risk of copyright claims infringing a video from being published.
Subscripts start from $5.99 a month for the Creator subscription giving access to one YouTube account and personal platforms, and extend up to $12.99 a month for the Creator Pro subscription which allows usage on all accounts, digital ads and up to five YouTube accounts.
You can find out more in the video below:

“We’re thrilled to become the first major publisher to offer production music to content creators as a subscription service and grow the accessibility of our music catalogue,” says Jane Carter, President of Universal Production Music in a statement. “With a brand heritage that signifies trust, quality and prestige, Universal Music for Creators will provide affordable, hassle-free music and sound effects for the most imaginative creators.”
For more information, you can head to Universal Production Music.
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Behringer announces that its VCS3 replica is ready for beta testingBehringer has shared that its replica of the EMS VCS3 synthesiser is currently entering its beta testing phase before manufacturing commences.
The brand had previously shared that “mechanical challenges” within the pin matrix caused a slight delay in its production.

READ MORE: Moog CEO “reached out to Uli Behringer” to try and sell company, Behringer claims

Writing on Facebook, the budget gear brand shared: “We’d like to give you some exciting updates about our VCS3. In our previous update we shared our mechanical challenges with the pin matrix, which have now been resolved. We’re very pleased to report that it has passed a stringent 100,000 lifecycle test.
“We’re now shipping units to our beta testers for final testing and comparison with the original synthesiser. Once passed, we will start manufacturing. We know this synth has taken much longer than we thought, but we’re sure the wait is worth it. Thanks for all your patience and support.”

We’d like to give you some exciting update about our VCS3. In our previous update we shared our mechanical challenges…
Posted by Behringer on Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Original versions of the EMS VCS3, which launched in 1969, are retailing online for over £20,000. The classic synth was one of the first portable commercially available synthesisers, and its small wooden case (as opposed to a large cabinet, typically used to house other popular synths at that time) made it much easier to move around.
Last year (2022), Behringer unveiled its AKS Mini Soul synth – a compact, scaled-down version of the EMS VCS3. At the time of posting, Behringer said that this mini offering came with the “exact same” oscillators, filters and other inner workings as the classic synth.
However, the VCS3’s famous 16×16 pin modulation matrix was missing from the mini synth, presumably due to size restrictions. This should now be present in the larger, full-scale replica. The final version of the AKS Mini was unveiled in January of 2023, and it was given a price of $99.
Details on pricing are yet to be revealed the Behringer VCS3. In the meantime, you can view all of its latest products via Behringer.
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Riot Games’ Brooke Rascoff: “Technology broke down the barrier to entry to music and democratised distribution – I think AI will do the same”On Day One of Digilogue Days 2023, a music and tech conference focused on bringing together music workers and artists looking to build their careers, a panel of executives from across various entertainment industries met to discuss the intersection of music with sports, fashion, and gaming.
Brian Desrosiers (Bashment Management/SossHouse Records), Brooke Rascoff (Riot Games), Gabrielle Gomes (Dinner Service NY), Jonna Valente (Gotham FC), and Shauna Alexander (SOUND x VISION) discussed how artists, agencies, and companies were connecting to serve their mutual interests in expanding their audiences through collaborations that help them tell their stories with different media.

READ MORE: Digilogue Days 2023 Highlights: Day One of the music tech conference

Rascoff, Riot Games’ Global Music Marketing & Streaming Lead, compared her company’s strategy to Marvel, if it had a music division.
“It’s not just a gaming company, it’s a massive media company,” she explained. “It’s taking IP from a very, very successful game, and characters that people are already in love with and want to see more of a story from, and then scaling that and truly intersecting that with music. Esports, is on the scale of a Super Bowl.”
One of Riot’s more innovative strategies at the intersection of music and tech has been its virtual K-pop girl group K/DA. While virtual artists aren’t necessarily new – Google Hatsune Miku or the disastrous launch of FN Meka, if you’re curious – Riot has managed to leverage the insanely popular characters from its game League of Legends to start a virtual group with a built-in fanbase, named Heartsteel.
Image: Respective Collective
“Obviously we’ve worked with real artists and writers and producers to create the music behind it,” Rascoff admitted. “But those are already beloved characters that are the face of this brand.”
It’s the same model the company used to create its wildly popular animated series Arcane, which draws its narrative from the backstories of some of its most popular champions. And everything down to the soundtrack they created for the show is rooted in the characters that already have their own stories – and crucially, their own fans.
When asked about the future of AI in music and gaming, Rascoff drew parallels to how the evolution of technology has already changed how we make, share, and listen to music.
“I think the most glaring thing is [technology] broke down the barrier to entry and democratised distribution, and I think that will be the same here,” she said.
“And I think companies like BandLab and Splice, which has been around for a long time, allowing people to be their own creators, and I think about fashion and different content industries and how that intersects with music, being able to learn a lot from how music has evolved and adopted technology. And I know we look, at Riot, for a lot of ways to jump on new technologies and allow our players to feel like they’re in the game.”
Learn more about Digilogue Days.
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“Both the beauty and the problem with hardware instruments is that you’re locking in those settings”: Producer Tycho on software vs hardware in recordingProducer and composer Tycho has weighed in on the software vs hardware debate when it comes to recording.
The artist – whose real name is Scott Hansen – has been releasing music since the early 2000s, and has shared how when he was first starting out, “everything was digital,” but overtime, hardware synths like the iconic Korg MS-20 allowed him to experience the other side of the coin.

READ MORE: Tycho: “If there’s a software equivalent of a tool or an instrument, I’m going to use that instead of the hardware, no matter what”

Tycho recently spoke with us at MusicTech for a special feature on the Korg MS-20 and MS-20 Mini surrounding the 45th and 35th anniversaries of each, respectively.
“I first came into contact with the MS-20 without knowing it, through Daft Punk’s track Da Funk,” he shares with us. “That sound resonated with me. I’d never even touched a musical instrument when I heard that song. I’m sure I’ve heard it in a bunch of other places as well, but hearing that, I was like, ‘Man. That’s a really cool sound’.

“When I started making music, everything was digital, everything was ‘virtual analogue’. I had Access Virus, the Novation Nova series, and all that stuff. I just thought that’s what a synthesiser was: massive polyphony, reverb built in… all that. So I just didn’t understand what the point of a monophonic synth was.”
One day, a friend of his gave him an MS-20. As it was his first experience with a hard synth, he “didn’t connect with it at first.”: “Over the years, I just kept messing with it and started really finding all its cool quirks, particularly the filters, and the resonance.”
Later in the feature, he explained that despite the magic of the Korg icon, soft synths remain his prime choice: “Software has just come so far,” he says. “Both the beauty and the problem with [recording] hardware instruments is that you’re locking in a performance, locking in those settings. I’ve been trying to make the album I’ve been working on lately a lot more dynamic in terms of automation: filters opening up or certain sounds changing over time. So whenever possible, I’ve been using software.
“UA makes this amazing Minimoog emulation, Arturia makes one of the MS-20. So there are these counterparts that I feel are just as good as the hardware, and I feel the same when I play them. And that’s really all that matters. The MS-20 is a pretty complex instrument, so it’s amazing to be able to go back and be like: ‘Oh, what if I’d done this? Or what if I’d patched this differently? What if the filter opened a little bit more here? So in that sense, it’s been amazing to be able to work with those software counterparts.”
View the latest projects from Tycho via his official website.
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