Artists

Artists and Tenants at Atlantic Mills Mobilize to Protect Cultural Hub as Ownership Change Looms

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Providence, RI — Concerns are mounting among the long-standing tenants of Atlantic Mills, a pivotal cultural and artistic center in Providence’s Olneyville neighborhood, as they brace for potential displacement due to the impending sale of the building. The tenants, many of whom are artists and small business owners, fear the new owners could increase rents and evict those who are currently behind on payments, threatening the existence of a historic hub that has supported cultural and artistic endeavors for decades. Atlantic Mills, known for its rich history of nurturing notable artists like Shepherd Fairey and … Read more

New Scam Alert in North Carolina: Jury Duty Con Artists Use a ‘Helpful’ Tactic to Fool Victims

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Greensboro, N.C. — A new variation of a well-known phone scam is circulating, where the caller, posing as a law enforcement officer, attempts to exploit the victim’s fears about missing jury duty but adopts a seemingly helpful approach to manipulate targets into paying fictitious fines. Local resident Phillip Oakley reported his experience with this sophisticated scam. According to Oakley, the scammer, who claimed to be a deputy from the sheriff’s office, initiated the call by questioning if Oakley had received prior communications from the district attorney’s office or a legal notice in the mail. The … Read more

Plies’ Attorney Clarifies: Lawsuit Over ‘Wanna Be’ Track Focuses on Fair Compensation from Music Label, Not Artists

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Rapper Plies, represented by attorney Aaron J. Thornton, has initiated a lawsuit targeting major figures in the music industry, including Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, Cardi B, and Soulja Boy. The core of the legal dispute centers on the claim that the 2024 song “Wanna Be” unlawfully samples Plies’ 2008 chart-topper “Me & My Goons.” The assertion has not only sparked legal actions but also triggered a considerable backlash among fans who perceive the lawsuit as unfairly pointed towards prominent Black female artists. Addressing these concerns, Thornton underscored that the legal action hinges on rights and … Read more

California Sets Groundbreaking AI and Performer Rights Laws: New Measures to Shield Artists from Unauthorized Digital Replicas

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Sacramento, CA – California has positioned itself at the forefront of safeguarding performers in the era of generative artificial intelligence. Governor Gavin Newsom signed two landmark bills into law on September 17, 2024, strengthening the rights of both deceased and living performers against unauthorized uses of their digital likenesses or voices. These groundbreaking legislations, Assembly Bill 1836 and Assembly Bill 2602, address the increasing use of AI to create eerily realistic digital replicas in film, music, and television, which could potentially exploit performers’ likenesses without their consent. The new laws, which are scheduled to take … Read more