Universal Music Group (UMG), on behalf of UMG Recordings Inc. and Capitol Records LLC, and plaintiffs’ attorneys representing clients in class action lawsuits regarding digital download royalties today submitted a settlement for preliminary court approval.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs (including the estate of Rick James, Chuck D of Public Enemy, and others) alleged that UMG failed to pay proper royalties to certain artists when consumers bought MP3 files from digital music retailers.

Under the proposed terms, UMG will contribute a maximum of $11.5 million to supplement payments to class members for past digital download activity, cover attorneys’ fees and administrative costs, and also increase digital download royalties by approximately 10% going forward to class members who submit a claim. Class members can learn more about the settlement, including how to submit claims, at www.umgsettlement.com.

In the settlement agreement, UMG specifically denies the plaintiffs’ claims, and states that it agreed to settle the claims rather than continue to litigate the matter to avoid the associated legal expenses.

In a statement, UMG commented, “Although we are confident we appropriately paid royalties on digital downloads and adhered to the terms of contracts, we are pleased to amicably resolve this matter and avoid continued legal costs.”

Len Simon, one of the lead plaintiffs’ attorneys, said, “This settlement is a fair resolution of this controversy over how to compensate artists for their valuable work in a new medium which we believe was not contemplated by their contracts, many drafted in the 1970s or 1980s. And it compensates these artists now, rather than after additional years of litigation and uncertainty.”

About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the global music leader, with wholly owned operations in 60 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry’s premier music publishing operations worldwide.

Universal Music Group’s labels include A&M Records, Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note Records, Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol Records, Capitol Records Nashville, Caroline, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, EMI Records Nashville, Fonovisa, Geffen Records, Harvest, Interscope Records, Island Records, Machete Music, Manhattan, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Republic Records, Universal Music Latino, Verve Music Group, Virgin Records, Virgin EMI Records, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world’s most popular artists and their recordings. UMG’s catalogue is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes Global Digital Business, its new media and technologies division and Bravado, its merchandising company.

Universal Music Group is a fully owned subsidiary of Vivendi.

Thursday, July 2 – What Now? Tour featuring Kevin Hart. Other Mainstage performers: Trey Songz and Lecrae.

Friday, July 3 – Mainstage: Charlie Wilson, India.Arie, Kem, plus the soon-to-be announced return of a New Orleans fan favorite. Superlounges: Adrian Marcel, Avery*Sunshine, Doug E. Fresh, Goapele, Kelly Price, Kindred the Family Soul, Luenell, Nico & Vinz and Slick Rick.

Saturday, July 4 – Mainstage: Usher, Missy Elliott, Erykah Badu, Common, Beenie Man & The Zagga Zow Band. Superlounges: The Bangas, Bilal, Elle Varner, Esperanza Spalding Presents: Emily’s D+Evolution, Kool Moe Dee, Mali Music, Mystikal, Raheem DeVaughn, Sevyn Streeter, Tank and Tonya Boyd-Cannon.

Sunday, July 5 – Mainstage: Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Floetry. Superlounges: Andra Day, Dee-1, Dumpstaphunk, Eric Roberson, Jeff Bradshaw, Lianne La Havas, Mase, Robert Glasper, SZA, Teedra Moses and Tweet.

Nephew Tommy from the Steve Harvey Morning Show will return as the Mainstage host with Doug E. Fresh providing special DJ moments. Single-day tickets go on sale today (www.essencefestival.com).

As far as Hip Hop is concerned… Run the Jewels rocks Saturday

With a name like Crunchy Black… no need to write anymore… I will anyway because this is a bit humorous…

Darnell Carlton… Yup thats Crunchy’s real name… was arrested Tuesday in Las Vegas for possession of methamphetamine along with several other charges.

According to Billboard… Local law enforcement stopped Carlton early Tuesday on the strip when he walked into an intersection while the “do not cross” signal was flashing. They found methamphetamine on him, but according to the police report, he’d meant to buy cocaine and told police, “Oh damn. I was trying to buy that powder, not meth.”

The Oscar-winning rapper also gave two false names to the police officer before offering up his real name and had two domestic violence bench warrants. He was arrested for those charges, as possession of a controlled substance and failing to obey traffic control devices.

Wale sits in the # 1 spot ahead of Ludacris’ “Ludaversal”

If your in the music biz… and get money from entertainment sources… remember they typically don’t take taxes out of their checks for you… You get the entire amount and therefore must pay Uncle Sam yourself… Hope you have a good tax person…

After the tragic murder of homicide victim, Walter Scott, by an alleged racist act from South Carolina police officer, Michael T. Slager, the Scott family stated they didn’t want Rev. Al Sharpton involved in their quest for justice for Walter Scott. A source close to the family stated “We don’t want another Ferguson type of circus here.” This brings to mind something I’ve stated previously in years past. Whenever there is an injustice to a Black person in America, it seems as if Sharpton (According to the general media) is the automatic go-to person and maybe Jesse Jackson is the runner-up. It’s as if they are the ONLY Black people who fight for the rights of our people. Of course, they are widely respected for the work and time put in over the years, to make sure that the equal rights that we purportedly have, are, somewhat met. I respect all that they have done and will continue to do, no doubt.

But, my issue isn’t with them at all, it’s the perception that out of millions of Black people in this country, the reliance, specifically, on Al Sharpton, to be the voice of Black people and the one who has all the solutions, is not only, unfair, but, just plain dumb! It’s as if we, as a race, have all the same views, opinions and viewpoints of one or two of our ‘leaders.’ It also places a very broad stroke of the ‘racial paintbrush’ that white America has of us, based on anything Sharpton says or does.

In their eyes, we, as Black people, are all the same. We eat the same food, watch the exact same shows, listen to Hip-Hop and we aren’t really educated and all come from a single family home. Ok, I may be exaggerating a little, but, not really. I have to say that based on my experience of dealing with Black people, we are probably the MOST diverse race as we are even in conflict with ourselves at times, because of, not only outside perception, but, inner ones as well.

I write all this to say that we need new Black voices to speak for us, not that we need someone to speak for us, but, in the bigger picture, the representation, no, the perception from the outside is that there are only a few voices/faces that know what we want and/or need as Black people. Now, we, as Black people KNOW that that is the farthest from the truth, but, I know I am sick of hearing the same voices and/or seeing the same faces because, although I may agree with the work they are doing, it doesn’t mean I always agree with them. Example? Protesting. I honestly feel like doing so in these days and times is actually a waste of time as, recent history shows, it doesn’t change the perception of the racists people out here who are causing and committing the injustices Blacks suffer often. If it were solely up to me, I would encourage more Black people to become involved in politics and in other decision-making roles to have a say in how, not only the law is interpreted, but, in the passing of legislation and anything that continues to keep the power in the hands of people who have no inclination to see us succeed.

But, I also have to say that, we, as Black media, have to give the voices we need, the forum we have, so this way, we can be truly represented. As in the tag line of FUBU, For Us, By Us.

(CEDitor’s Note: I used Talib Kweli‘s photo because he is one of the new Black voices I feel represents me more than the current voices allowed to speak for us.)

Maybach Music Group/Atlantic Records artist Wale has made a stellar chart debut with his highly anticipated new album. “THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING,” which includes the new single, “The Matrimony (Feat. Usher),” makes an overall impressive debut this week at #1 on both Billboard “Top 200 Albums” & “Top Current Albums” charts. What’s more, the acclaimed collection also sits atop Billboard’s “Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,” “Current Rap Albums.” This marks the second consecutive chart-topping album for Wale.

“The Album About Nothing’ Is Wale’s Most Personal & Best Work”

– Billboard

“Wale Finds New Meaning in Old Material on ‘The Album About Nothing’”

– XXL

“Wale Puts Out His Most Personal Project to Date With ‘The Album About Nothing’”

– Complex

Wale celebrated the long anticipated arrival of “THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING” with a wide range of appearances and live events. Highlights included a spectacular performance of the album’s “The Girls On Drugs” on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (streaming now at www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/segments/116911) and a free pop-up concert at New York City’s famed S.O.B.’s. The latter event – which included surprise appearances by frequent collaborator J. Cole, as well as his MMG label mate Meek Mill – was met by lines of eager fans surrounding the legendary venue within minutes of Wale’s surprise announcement via Twitter. Adding to his list of appearances, Wale sat for an intimate interview with Larry King and opened up about his relationship with Jerry Seinfeld, Rick Ross, depression and more http://www.ora.tv/larrykingnow/wale-0_1t7hcwwmo7fj.

As if that wasn’t enough, Wale also headlined an intimate show for select fans at NYC’s iHeart Radio Theatre, presented by P.C. Richard & Son and streamed across all of iHeart Media’s Urban and Rhythmic radio websites. Clips of Wale’s spectacular performance, along with other video-on-demand content, are streaming now at http://www.power1051fm.com/features/iheartradio-live-9/articles/15/489531/watch-wale-performs-at-his-iheartradio-13441918/.

Closing out what was an already incredible week, Wale returned to his hometown of Washington, D.C. to perform as part of the “We DC” celebration. “We DC” is a compilation of D.C.-based artists, tech and business leaders, and residents who influence the world through innovative thinking, design, processes, building, education, and culture. In collaboration with D.C. Events & H Street, a pop up concert transpired bringing out over 2.2 thousand eager fans. Wale’s set lasted about 90 minutes, including songs from the new album, his past projects and some of DC’s gogo favorites. A recap of the event is available online now https://youtu.be/z5b_sqFeY2E.

Hailed by Entertainment Weekly as “a pretty spectacular hip-hop ballad,” “The Matrimony (feat. Usher)” premiered last month via a blockbuster partnership with iHeart Media that saw the song played on all iHeart media Urban Mainstream stations and their websites, every hour on the hour. Rave reviews followed, with Billboard applauding “The Matrimony (Feat. Usher)” as “a gem for the ladies.” “The Matrimony (feat. Usher)” is streaming now at https://youtu.be/A0PUGSh0GUU; a companion video is now in production with a premiere date to be announced soon.

“THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING” also includes the powerful track, “The White Shoes,” now accompanied by an equally potent companion video. The clip – directed by Walu premiered exclusively at REVOLT.tv and is streaming now at Wale’s official YouTube channel, https://youtu.be/FMdgPJSlAQ4. In addition, “THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING” features the recent hit single, “The Body (Feat. Jeremih),” which peaked at #2 on Mediabase’s Urban chart. That song’s companion video clip now has over 4 million individual page views at http://youtu.be/zQMMI8itli8.

Available now with three unique covers (see above), “THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING” sees Wale continuing his famed “ABOUT NOTHING” mixtape trilogy with his most eclectic, entertaining, and extraordinary album to date. As its title suggests, the album sees the GRAMMY®-nominated rapper continuing to express the inspiration of his favorite TV show, Seinfeld – a relationship that has since blossomed into a real life friendship between Wale and Jerry Seinfeld himself. The legendary comedian is prominently featured on “THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING,” contributing skits and segments which fuel Wale’s one-of-a-kind raps. The two superstars recently sat down at New York City’s Remedy Diner for an exclusive cover feature in the December 2014/January 2015 issue of Complex (www.complex.com/covers/wale-seinfeld-interview-2014-cover-story)

* * * * *

Grammy-nominated rapper Wale is one of the most idiosyncratic talents in hip-hop. The Washington, D.C. native began unleashing his distinct mixtapes in 2005, with his debut album, “ATTENTION DEFECIT,” arriving in 2009. After signing with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group imprint in 2011, he released his breakthrough sophomore album, “AMBITION” – which spawned the Grammy-nominated hit single “Lotus Flower Bomb (feat. Miguel)” – followed by 2013’s “THE GIFTED,” which debuted atop Billboard’s “Top 200 Albums” chart. Wale released his highly-anticipated fourth studio album, “THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING,” on March 31, 2015, which is his most eclectic, entertaining and personal album to date, and features the hit single “The Matrimony (feat. Usher).”

The album sees Wale continuing his famed “About Nothing” mixtape trilogy, inspired by his favorite TV show, Seinfeld – a relationship that has since blossomed into a real life friendship between Wale and Jerry Seinfeld himself. The legendary comedian is prominently featured on “THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING,” serving as the album’s conscience, according to Wale. In addition to being one of the most prominent figures in music today, Wale has become a thriving entrepreneur. He serves as the CEO of hat & accessory line, WRKNG TITLE, as well as also recently being named creative ambassador for the Washington Wizards.

For more information on Wale, visit www.walemusic.com, www.facebook.com/waleofficial, https://twitter.com/Wale, www.youtube.com/user/walemusic, & http://instagram.com/wale.