Geraes claims Adele’s melancholic tune mirrors his 1995 samba classic Mulheres (Women), a song immortalised by Martinho da Vila on the album Tá Delícia, Tá Gostosa. This injunction demands Sony and Universal Music halt the song’s reproduction across all platforms, with noncompliance threatening fines of $8,000 (£6,300 ) per infraction. The decision currently remains open to appeal.

Fredimio Trotta, Geraes’ lawyer, called the decision a victory for Brazilian music, a genre often preyed upon by international creators seeking inspiration. “This landmark ruling sends a message to producers and artists who might view Brazilian compositions as easy targets,” he told AFP according to the Guardian. The case is aiming to both protect Brazilian musicians as well as set a clear stance on musical appropriation on an international stage

The stakes are high. Geraes is suing for $160,000 (£126,000) in damages, lost royalties, and songwriting credit. The case rests on the claim that the melodies reveal an “undisguised symmetry,” an accusation Adele’s team has yet to address.

This marks the second time Adele has faced plagiarism claims for this particular track. In 2015, Turkish music fans accused it of resembling Acilara Tutunmak (Clinging to Pain) by Kurdish singer Ahmet Kaya. The controversy then fizzled without legal action after Kaya’s widow decided it was unlikely that any similarity was an intentional act of appropriation by the megastar.

Brazil’s adherence to the Berne Convention, a cornerstone of international copyright law, lends weight to Geraes’ claim, embedding it within a legal framework designed to protect the creative commons across borders. As Sony and Universal deliberate on the potential for an appeal, the ultimate fate of ‘Million Years Ago’ remains uncertain, suspended in the liminal space between accusation and adjudication.

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Adele’s decision to pause her career after the crescendo of her Las Vegas residency finds her unexpectedly drawn into a legal maelstrom. The dispute underscores the migratory nature of melodies, whose origins and influences often transcend the confines of time and geography. It is a testament to the enduring entanglements of cultural production, where artistic echoes can resonate in ways both celebratory and contested.

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The Liverpool teen went viral earlier this month with his verse on a BlackBox u-18 cypher; the jumpy flow and memorable lyrics made the verse a perfect fit for social media sites such as TikTok and went viral overnight with the rapper being urged to release the full track.

 

 

 

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The rapper’s popularity surged when he was quickly snapped up by music giants Sony Music, home to Headie One, J Hus and Russ Millions. From signing the deal, it was a matter of a week before the freestyle became a full track titled “Packs and Potions” alongside a video shot in the rapper’s home city, Liverpool, at a number of spots including the mural of another young Liverpool star, Trent Alexander Arnolds.

Football references were sewn throughout the rapper’s freestyle with lines such as “I’m on the block like Werner”,” Them olders are washed like Sami Khedira” and “When they need more I’m right back like I’m Trent”. Within a matter of weeks of releasing his freestyle and signing with Sony, Music Hazey was meeting with his Liverpudlian idol, Trent Alexander Arnold.

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The audio for Hazey’s “Packs and Potions” was released last Thursday on the 13th of January and currently sits on just under half a million Spotify streams, while the video was released a day later on the 14th of January sits on 1.3 million views on Hazey own channel, which prior to “Packs and Potions” had two previous uploads from 2020 titled “If Rap Don’t Work” and “Glitch In The Game”.

Hazey’s “Packs and Potions” is available to watch here:

The song has made a massive global impact, having entered the US hot 100 earlier this month and number 20 on Billboard’s global 200 chart. It has also charted high in other countries such as Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Croatia and Australia.

MusicWeek has reported Sony/ATV UK president and co-MD David Ventura to of said, “I remember our first meeting when they played us some incredible songs, and it was evident that they have the absolute ‘full set’ as writers, topliners, producers and singers. Collaborations and opportunities for them are limitless and they have incredible music coming as both artists and songwriters. We couldn’t be happier and there is a true feeling of euphoria to welcome them at Sony/ATV!”

Newley appointed head of A&R for Sony/ATV UK commented on the duo in an interview with MusicWeek, “Dan and Johnny have an endless supply of creative energy and their hard work and versatility has deservedly paid off with Head & Heart. This is just the beginning and I am excited we are a part of their next chapter and beyond.”

. @sonyatvpubuk signs @KOLIDESCOPES to global dealhttps://t.co/rEuSe0EIai pic.twitter.com/qyhNcBCZoH

— Music Week (@MusicWeek) November 24, 2020

Courtidis, from Melbourne Australia, had his first hit with the single with ‘Can’t Get Better Than This.’ The song made Number 1 in nine countries, with more than 50 million streams which earnt him platinum sales. Dan Dare from London has also had success as a song writer, having collaborated with artists such as Charlie XCX, Marina & The Diamonds and Giggs amongst others.

The duo have recently released their much anticipated debut single ‘Torn,’ in the UK under the major label Atlantic Records. They spoke to Variance Magazine about the making of the video saying, “We wanted the music video to feel really British, inspired by the movies ‘Snatch and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. We shot the video the week when everyone was able to come out of lockdown and so we got together a load of our friends to take part. The story plays on the idea of love lost and being ‘Torn’ between two different lives. We hope our fans will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed shooting it.”

The powerhouse team have recently collaborated with artists such as Sigala, MNEK and Raye. There is no doubt that following the success of their latest hit, many more will be cueing up to work with them. They said to Music Week on their signing to Sony/ATV, “We are beyond excited to begin this new chapter with David, Daniel, Sarah and the entire team at Sony/ATV. They are the kind of music publisher every songwriter would be proud to have in their corner and we can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.”

Cowell, best known for creating the X Factor in 2004 and Got Talent in 2006, sold his share of Syco Music and Syco Television to Sony Music Entertainment but stayed involved until now. In a statement, Simon spoke about the decision, saying; “The shows we created have found so many amazing artists over the years and so many of the various Sony labels all over the world have enabled so many of those artists to fulfil their dreams. We have all shared some incredible achievements, and importantly we have had lots of fun.”

He added: “I won’t say this was an easy decision to make, however sometimes you have to personally support something you are so passionate about. I’ve always believed it’s important to take on new goals in order to drive new ideas and creativity so I’m very excited to be taking an independent and creatively-led Syco Entertainment into the future.”

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#Repost from @OneDirection – Throwback to the guys with Simon Cowell following their epic @TheXFactor Final performance of ‘History’!

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Syco Records has previously represented huge acts like Little Mix, One Direction and Leona Lewis, who have all left since, some even saying how they felt they were being held back by the label. Following their split in 2015, Louis Tomlinson was the only One Direction member who signed back up to the label.

An insider has spoken to The Sun about the news saying; “This deal is huge. Simon has had to pay a massive amount to regain control of Syco Entertainment. That has meant he is no longer involved in Syco Music but it’s not in great shape right now. Leaving it now makes sense for him because he can instead focus on his Got Talent shows, as those are his money-makers now.”

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Fans don’t seem surprised, given that the artist hadn’t recorded any of her own music since 2018 song ‘Yes’, besides featuring on other artists’ tracks, such as One Bit, Sigma and Steve Void. Teasing the song and music video with the single cover photo and a clip of her modelling her new range of sportswear while the chorus of ‘Like I Love Me’ played in the background, her followers were excited to hear the full song.

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So much fun doing this w the people I love. check out my collection, link in bio!

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Since its release, it has gained over 100,00 streams and views on Spotify and YouTube and, despite not reaching chart level, this song is more personal and of a higher quality than any of her previous work. This is likely due to Johnson’s new found sense of self; as she puts it. ‘Like I Love Me’ follows in the footsteps of many artists, from Madonna to Little Mix, with a message encouraging positive body image and self-love. Singing “Appreciate every mark, every scar, every imperfection” and the title taking from the lyric “Do you love me like I love me?”, Johnson inspires many with her relatability and message which carries over into the video.

pic.twitter.com/onalOKv0UI

— Louisa (@louisa) January 16, 2020

Johnson auditioned for the X Factor in 2015 at the age of only 17, receiving a standing ovation for her rendition of ‘Who’s Loving You’ by The Jackson 5. Her talent got her through to final, which she won, going on to sign with Syco Entertainment (Simon Cowell’s record label) and Ministry of Sound. She then went on to work with Clean Bandit and Olly Murs, while also writing four singles, including debut ‘Forever Young’ and hit collaboration with 2 Chainz ‘Yes’.

The artist’s recent work with USA Pro to create a new line of gym clothing was used to promote ‘Like I Love Me’. Currently her only plans for this year involve a show on 26th February 2020 at 100 Wardour Street, where she will perform a set of her original songs. Tickets are available on the venue’s website and on Ticketmaster.

Releasing under Sony’s Black Butter Record label, ENDORPHINS is due to showcase Octavian’s continued versatility. Managing to effortlessly merge the sounds of U.K drill, American trap and jumpy house melodies into a single body of work, making him a perfect listen for any setting.

Octavian is not one to shy away from fashion either, appearing in Nike’s Tailwind sneaker campaign earlier this year and walking at Louis Vuitton’s SS19 catwalk show back in 2018. So, alongside the new mixtape he has assigned Louis Vuitton’s artistic director and most renowned designer of recent times, Virgil Abloh to create exclusive ENDORPHINS merchandise.

With guest appearances from U.S artists Smokepurpp and ABRA, and a production cameo from Atlanta’s very own London On Da track, Octavian’s unique sound has garnered the attention of American fans and artists alike. Other notable appearances come from Theophilus London, Jessie Ware and J.Rick, an Essie Gang affiliate and producer of Octavian’s ‘Party Here’ track which acquired global recognition.

Featured on a solo interlude following track 9 is Rocko Smiles – Octavian’s alter ego. Speaking to The Face magazine earlier this year about this new character Octavian says, “He’s more of a rockstar, the dark side of Octavian.”

Keeping with his current aesthetic of psychedelic-smiley faces and nude women, Octavian called upon Paris-based artist, Courtney MC to design the mixtape’s colourful cover art. Uploaded onto his Instagram are a personalised, hand-painted Louis Vuitton duffle bag and buttoned shirt covered with the mixtape’s artwork, created exclusively for Octavian by Courtney MC to commemorate ENDORPHINS’ release.

ENDORPHINS tracklist below:

1. Gangsta Love Intro
2. King Essie
3. Molly Go Down
4. Take It Easy (Ft. Smokepurpp)
5. Bet (Ft. Skepta & Michael Phantom)
6. Feel It (Ft. Theophilus London)
7. Risking Our Lives >> AAA+ Interlude
8. No Weakness
9. Walking Alone (Ft. J.Rick & Jessie Ware) >> Rocko Smiles Interlude
10. My Head (Ft. ABRA)
11. Lit (Ft. A$AP Ferg)