A weekly update on all things music, advertising, and technology coming straight to you from Anthony Vanger at MassiveMusic. #TWIM
ARTIST OF THE WEEK: BOBI WINE
It’s not every day that a pop star runs for president. But that is exactly what Ugandan pop sensation Bobi Wine is doing. On January 14th, 2021, the 38-year-old singer challenged Yoweri Museveni, 76, one of Africa’s longest-serving politicians (34 years) in one of the world’s youngest countries. Robert Kyagulanyi, known by his stage name Bobi Wine, says he represents the country’s younger generation, while Mr Museveni says he is standing for stability. As of January 15th, the race is too close to call, but there’s still a chance that Wine can pull off an upset. I hope Wine’s run for office and the news coverage coming out of Uganda is enough to spike his streaming numbers. I love the way he bounces between French, Ugandan, and English. The track below, Kyarenga, is classic Wine, catchy and full of humanity. He reminds me of Alpha Blondy and Youssou N’Dour, the way he manages to insert political lyrics into his confection of reggae, dancehall, and afrobeat without it sounding preachy. “See our mentors become our tormentors,” is one of my favorites. Music is a universal language and the events in Uganda mirrored those in the US and all over the world.
Bobi Wine Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YMu55BN3Ns
Another great video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgMZrz2dysA
#bobiwine
AD OF THE WEEK: JIF GLADIATOR
Publicis’ PSOne brings an over-the-top cinematic style to an everyday product
I have respect for an ad so loony that when you watch it you think to yourself, “How did someone come up with that idea, persuade the client to buy it and then find a cast and crew to shoot it? (OK, the shooting part is not so hard to believe). So Jif Created a Sword-and-Sandal Gladiator Epic as an Ad for Squeezable Peanut Butter. Does it work? Yes, when all logic says that it should fail. Mainly because it takes the silliness all the way and the fight sequence is well shot. When so many ads are focussing on the terrible events around us, it is comforting to see that some brands remember that despite the misery, we still have our sense of humor.
MF DOOM’S STREAMS UP 870% IN THE US AFTER NEWS OF HIS DEATH
News of the rapper’s death became public on December 31
Streams of MF DOOM’s music increased by 870 percent following news of his death, according to MRC Data. On December 31, it was revealed that the rapper and producer had passed away on October 31. A cause of death is yet to be revealed publicly. Last week, MRC Data reported that US listeners streamed MF DOOM’s tracks 25.4million times in the week between December 31 and January 5. 8.8million of those streams reportedly occurred on January 1 alone.
The late rapper’s music had been streamed 2.6million times in the US during the six days prior. MF DOOM’s song downloads and album sales also increased significantly from December 31 to January 5, growing 2,879 percent and 1,264 percent, respectively, compared to figures recorded from December 25-30.
UK ‘REJECTED OFFER’ OF VISA-FREE TOURS BY MUSICIANS IN EU, DESPITE BLAMING BRUSSELS FOR PERMIT BLOW
‘Standard’ proposal to exempt performers for 90 days was proposed, but ‘the UK said no’
The UK rejected an offer of visa-free tours by musicians to EU countries, despite blaming Brussels for what the industry is calling the devastating blow of them requiring permits.
A “standard” proposal to exempt performers from the huge cost and bureaucracy for 90 days was turned down, The Independent has been told because the government is insisting on denying that to EU artists visiting this country.
“It is usually in our agreements with third countries, that [work] visas are not required for musicians. We tried to include it, but the UK said no,” an EU source close to the negotiations said. The revelation comes after the shock threat of visas sparked protests that future tours will have to be abandoned, at a time when musicians are already reeling from the impact of Covid-19.
It sparked calls for ministers to reveal exactly what took place in the negotiations after they insisted Brussels was responsible for the damaging new red tape.
SWEDISH LIDL RELEASED AN ALBUM OF FIELD RECORDINGS FROM THE SUPERMARKET
An album of field recordings released by supermarket brand Lidl last year is doing the rounds on Twitter.
Released in 2019 and titled ‘Allt annat är olidligt’, which translates to ‘Everything else is unbearable’, the 21-track compilation features noises of checkout beeps, bags being packed, and tannoy announcements.
Perfect for when you want to close your eyes and imagine you’re within the aisles, listen to the self-released field recordings below.
THIS NEW ULTRASONIC RECORD CLEANER CLEANS AND DRIES YOUR VINYL WITH SOUNDWAVES
Spotless records
Chinese company Happywell is releasing a new ultrasonic record cleaner, called HumminGuru.
Ultrasonic cleaning uses soundwaves to “create cavitation bubbles in a liquid bath of water that requires zero contact with the record during the cleaning process,” explains the company.
The HumminGuru has been designed with simplicity of use, with quick clean, and deep clean options, as well as a five-minute drying cycle that utilizes its two fans.
As well as being easy to use, it has also been designed to be lightweight – weighing 3kg, and compact – measuring 13.5” x 6” x 11”. Retailing at £260, HumminGuru aims to create “a new standard of affordable luxury (cleaning) that every vinyl record enthusiast can enjoy.”
Head here for more info.
Written by Anthony Vanger
Additional reporting by Adam “Badger” Woolf
Artwork by Gustav Balderdash
To join This Week In Music please send me an email: anthonyvanger@gmail.com