CMU Daily 04.04.16: Kesha says she could leave Dr Luke contracts if she drops rape claim, LAPD to investigate Heathcliff Berru

Kesha claims she could be free of Dr Luke contract if she drops rape allegations
Kesha has alleged in a new Instagram post that she has been told she could be cut free from her contractual obligations to Dr Luke, but only if she drops all of the allegations she has made against the producer.

As much previously reported, Kesha Sebert accuses Lukasz Gottwald of plying her with drugs and alcohol and raping her as a teenager. He denies all of those allegations, and has sued both the singer and her mother for defamation, saying that the accusations were invented in a bid to force his hand in a contractual dispute.

In the most recent chapter of the legal battle between the two, Sebert was unsuccessful in her bid to secure an injunction allowing her to release music with another producer and label while the former collaborators' wider litigation continues to go through the motions.

Sebert is signed to Gottwald's various companies, including his Sony Music label Kemosabe. Arguing against the injunction, the defence claimed that Sony had already offered to allow Sebert to record with another producer and label within the major music group.

Writing on Instagram this weekend, Sebert said: "So, I got offered my freedom IF I were to lie. I would have to APOLOGIZE publicly and say that I never got raped. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS behind closed doors. I will not take back the TRUTH. I would rather let the truth ruin my career than lie for a monster ever again".

The 'freedom' Sebert mentions is presumably the freedom she wants from her contractual obligations to Gottwald, the suggestion being that the singer has been told she can walk away from the producer's companies, including his Sony label, providing she withdraws her allegations against him.

Meanwhile, the singer's reference to not lying "ever again" possibly refers to a previous testimony she gave, prior to this dispute, actually defending Gottwald, which he is now using as part of his defence in this case.

Although an unnamed source speaking to Rolling Stone says that a deal similar to that outlined by Sebert this weekend was floated during ongoing negotiations between the singer and the producer - though it's not clear how formal that proposal was - a spokesperson for Gottwald has nevertheless denied the latest claims.

Said spokesperson instead refers back to the aforementioned offer made in court - that the singer could record with another Sony label - before hitting out at Sebert in possibly blunter terms than in the past.

"Kesha's Instagram posting is false", the spokesperson insisted. "The court repeatedly stated Kesha is already free to record without Dr Luke, and that she had not presented any facts supporting her claims. That's because all the evidence - including Kesha's own videotaped sworn testimony - show her allegations are false".

The statement went on: "The only thing Kesha is not free to do is to continue to lie about Dr Luke through publicity stunts and outrageous smears, ignoring the fact that by her own free will she went to work and entered into new contracts with Dr Luke years after this 'incident' supposedly happened. Her goal all along has been solely personal enrichment by seeking to break contracts that brought her success and millions so she can enter into more lucrative ones. We look forward to our day in court holding Kesha accountable for her lies".

And so the dispute continues.

Yasmine Kittles reports former music PR Heathcliff Berru to the LAPD
Former music PR Heathcliff Berru - who was forced to shut down his agency Life Or Death PR after a number of women came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and assault earlier this year - is now facing a criminal investigation over his past conduct, after Yasmine Kittles of electronic duo Tearist reported the publicist to the LA police.

Kittles confirmed on Facebook last week that she had now made a formal complaint to police in relation to an incident that occurred at her LA home in 2011, during which Berru allegedly assaulted the musician, who is also a member of the band Former Ghosts. She says the PR man then assaulted her again in a New York bar later the same year.

Kittles writes: "As some of you may know, yesterday I filed criminal charges against Heathcliff Berru for sexual battery. After seeing how many women came forward after us, I knew I had to do something more than just comment about it. He has to be stopped and others like him have to know that women will report them. We have to stop the cycle. It will not be easy, and it's scary as hell. But we have the power to change things... if we want to".

As previously reported, back in January, Dirty Projectors' Amber Coffman tweeted about a "very popular music publicist" who had "RUBBED my ass and BIT my hair at a bar a couple years ago". Hours later, she named Berru as the man in her story, which prompted many others to come forward with reports of the PR man's past actions. Berru subsequently resigned as CEO of his company and said he was seeking help for his addictions, while his staff all quit and formed a new PR firm with no ties to their former employer.

A spokesperson for the LAPD confirmed to Billboard that it will now investigate Kittles' complaint and decide whether to pass the case on to the local District or City Attorneys, who could then respectively press felony or misdemeanour charges against Berru.

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Universal Zulu Nation responds to molestation allegations against Afrika Bambaataa
A spokesperson for Afrika Bambaataa's Universal Zulu Nation organisation has issued a statement responding to allegations made against the hip hop pioneer last week.

The allegations were made by one Ronald Savage, whose career to date has included an active role in the Democratic Party in New York State, and who claims that in the late 1970s, when he was aged twelve to fourteen, he was sexually assaulted by Bambaataa. Savage seemingly made similar allegations in a book back in 2014.

According to AllHipHop, Savage says: "It took me this long to actually get this out and to really to be able to talk about it freely. Back when I was younger, I was a kid when this happened, I wanted to be down with the in-crowd, not really understanding that what Bambaataa was doing to me was actually molesting me. I didn't understand that. I knew it was wrong. I just had feelings that was like 'yuck'".

Savage says he never reported the alleged crime at the time, or since, because he feared reprisals from the Zulu Nation group. But a spokesperson for that organisation has denied all the allegations made by Savage, while threatening legal action over the claims.

In a long statement, Zulu Nation's spokesperson implies that Savage may be motivated by malice after being eased out of Bambaataa's organisation. The statement says: "Over the past few years, we at the Universal Zulu Nation have cancelled the membership of individuals within our organisation due to inactivity, impropriety and violation of policies and bylaws. Unfortunately, these individuals chose to respond to their ousting with false, negative, slanderous, defaming and accusatory allegations, including referring to our wonderful and peaceful organisation as 'a gang'".

The statement goes on: "The credibility of the Zulu Nation will not be tarnished by a few who choose to join the ranks of magazines, radio shows and gossip columnists whose sole purpose is to give legs to rumours and falsehoods with salacious headlines and stories".

The spokesperson then says that "Universal Zulu Nation vehemently denies any and all current or former claims made against any of our members from former disgruntled members or otherwise. As our organisation grows and nears its 42nd anniversary, and as membership rises, we understand deflectors will take any opportunity to gain notoriety or fame, while attempting to discredit the Zulu Nation".

The hip hop group concludes by saying that it is now taking legal advice on Savage's allegations. It remains to be seen if any defamation action is subsequently taken.

Iron Maiden to sell Ed Force One model kits
Fancy owning your own Ed Force One tour plane - just like Iron Maiden - but a little light on cash? Well, help is at hand. You can now buy a 1:144 scale model of the 747 jet. Why not buy two, so that you can recreate the accident and subsequent repair that took Maiden's own 747 out of action last month?

The model Ed Force One is being sold by model aeroplane kit maker Revell, thanks to a deal brokered by Global Merchandising Services.

"As soon as we knew that Bruce would be piloting the plane for Iron Maiden's world tour, we knew that we had to do something special to celebrate the occasion", says GMS's Jens Drinkwater, according to Licensing.biz. "Revell are an obvious partner for this fantastic collaboration. Their model kits have been a synonym for plastic modelling for over 60 years, and this detailed model of Ed Force One will appeal to both traditional builders and hobbyists as well as the dedicated Iron Maiden fanbase".

Adds Revell's Thomas Randrup: "Our 1:144 scale model of Ed Force One will bring something new, as well as fun, to the 'civil aviation model kit' genre and we are looking forward to a successful co-operation with Global Merchandising and Iron Maiden on this 2016 new product release".

And, if nothing else, you've now learned that 'Civil Aviation Model Kit' can be considered a genre.

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Charli XCX signs on as make up ambassador
Make Up For Ever - which manufactures make up for "professional stage artists, makeup artists and makeup enthusiasts" - has announced a partnership with Charli XCX to launch a new line of make up designed specifically for performers.

"I love the creative energy of Make Up For Ever", says Charli XCX. "They create products that allow me to experiment and be free. When I wear makeup I can feel sexy, demure, classic, futuristic... so many different things. Make Up For Ever is vibrant, energetic and diverse. I can play with the products to suit my mood. That's what I love the most".

The first product released under the new range is the Aqua XL Eye Pencil, which promises not to come off when you're all dancing around and that.

Bookings open for CMU's summer seminars and masterclasses
Bookings are now being taken for CMU Insights seminars and masterclasses due to take place in June and July this year.

The CMU Insights 'How The Music Business Works' programme returns from 6 Jun, with two-hour sessions each Monday afternoon at 4pm. This seminar programme usually runs in the evening, but the summer edition is shifting after numerous people requested the same sessions within the working day.

The eight week programme explores the various revenue streams open to artists, the key deals they do, how new talent can use social and music media to build a fanbase, and how the artist/label relationship is evolving, plus three sessions consider in some detail how music rights and licensing work. You can attend standalone sessions for just £49.99, while a place on the full programme is just £299.

The next two CMU masterclasses, presented in association with Lewis Silkin, put the spotlight on brands and digital. The former is aimed at those who work at or advise brands who are active in the music space, and explains how the music industry is structured, how that impacts on band/brand partnerships, and what brands need to know before dabbling in the music world. The second is a repeat of last year's acclaimed masterclass 'Navigating The Digital Market', providing an overview of digital music in 2016, and an explanation of how streaming services are licensed by labels and publishers.

CMU Business Editor Chris Cooke leads all the sessions, and says: "In an industry in flux, it pays to understand how the wider music business works. It's a fragmented sector, meaning many people know the ins and outs of their strand, but aren't so certain on what is happening elsewhere in the music industry".

"But", he goes on, "everyone is working with the same artists, and ultimately has a vested interest in those artists successfully identifying and pursuing the best revenue opportunities in this streaming, direct-to-fan age. The CMU Insights seminars and masterclasses are user-friendly sessions that allow music industry professionals to get up to speed and up to date on all aspects of the industry in a short space of time".

Details about the CMU Insights seminar programme are here. More info on the brands masterclass is here, and the digital masterclass here. CMU premium subscribers gets a 20% discount on both the seminars programme and the masterclasses using the discount code featured in this morning's CMU Digest.

One For The Boys announces black tie rave
Male cancer charity One For The Boys has announced a fundraising club night later this month. The black tie 'Masquerave', as it is named, will take place at the Troxy in London on 30 Apr, with DJ sets from acts including Jamie XX, Seth Troxler, Faithless and Groove Armada.

Says the charity's Chairman, one Samuel L Jackson: "Music is one of the best ways of bringing together and connecting people and helping to start conversations, conversations that may save lives. Having the support of some of the best dance DJs for a cause like this, as well as our new partners Fiat, will help us reach an even bigger audience and drive the conversation about male cancer".

The full line-up announced so far is Jamie XX, Seth Troxler, Faithless, Groove Armada's Tom Finlay, Catchment, Eats Everything, Jillionaire and Patrick Topping, with more still to be revealed.

Tickets for the event are available here, with 100% of the face value going to the charity.

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White Denim announce UK tour
White Denim are going on a tour of the UK, which sounds lovely, doesn't it? All that touring and music and stuff. More bands should do it. The run will include their biggest UK show to date, at The Roundhouse in Camden. Not taking place until October, the shows come off the back of the band's recently released new album 'Stiff'.

The latest single - 'Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)' - recently got itself a video, of which director Jonatán López says: "When we initially heard the song, we envisioned a choreographed dance. Around the same time, we'd been watching deleted scenes from Jackie Chan's golden era, and somehow those deleted scenes led us to a particular one with John Travolta from Urban Cowboy. We muted the video, played the song, and thought, 'yeah, this is it'. Travolta was relentless. He kept trying to nail the dance take after take, and we loved that energy. So we built a video around that moment".

So, yeah, watch it here.

And don't go thinking I'd forgotten those tour dates:

5 Oct: Glasgow, ABC
6 Oct: Leeds University Union
7 Oct: Manchester, The Ritz
8 Oct: Bristol, Academy
10 Oct: Nottingham, Rock City
11 Oct: London, The Roundhouse

Universal Music Publishing Australia, Chase & Status, Boys Noize, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• Universal Music Publishing Australia MD Bob Aird has announced his retirement. "After almost 40 years in the music business I have decided that it's time to pass over the reins", he said.

• Have yourself a little listen to Chase & Status's new single 'NRG', featuring Novelist.

• Boys Noize is releasing a new album called 'Mayday' on 20 May. Here's 'Starchild', featuring Poliça.

• Aesop Rock will be releasing his new album, 'The Impossible Kid', on 29 Apr. From it, this is 'Blood Sandwich'.

• Here's a new Sneaky Sound System track, 'I Ain't Over You'.

• The Hot 8 Brass Band are touring the UK and Ireland in May and June. It's a long old tour, you'd best check their website for dates.

• Is Capital FM playing Justin Bieber right now? Time was, the only way to know would be to tune in. But such risky tasks are no longer required, because now there's a handy website to let you know.

Naughty Boy pleased about Zalik Malik's success, despite falling out
Naughty Boy might have found himself on the outside of Zayn Malik's solo career, after they fell out last year, but he's not bitter. He's totally happy that Zayn has been able to go forward and become the artist he wants to be. Not that he's listened to the former One Direction star's album to check if that's what actually happened.

"I haven't [heard the album, but] that's not a bad thing because I've heard it's really good", Naughty Boy told Preeya Kalidas on the BBC Asian Network. "I think it's more testament to him that he's gone away and made, finished the album and done other stuff and it's not about my involvement or anything. It's more about him being the artist that he wants to be and I feel like he's in that place so good luck".

"In terms of a voice, yeah he's got an incredible voice", he added. "And he is talented so you can't really ... knock that at all".

I'm sure you're all glad to know there are no hard feelings. Maybe Naughty Boy should change his name to Thoroughly Nice Chap. Malik offered no comment on any of this, except for sending his album to number one in the UK charts, which I guess is something.