Platform Wants to Expose Violence and Abuse of Power in Music Business
Starting as «DeutschrapMeToo», the project shifts to make violence and abuse of power visible in the German music business.
Two years ago, activists started to collect reports of sexual violence in the German rap music business. Since then, the «deutschrapmetoo» project has gathered a database of 70 artists accused in said reports—some of them multiple times.
The recent news and allegations against Rammstein and their frontman Till Lindemann sparked the project's expansion. Under the new name «Music MeToo», they now expand their work into all of Germany's music business.
After a review, they want to publish the testimonials anonymously on a new website and their Instagram channel.
Further down the road, they plan to offer education and information on discrimination and corresponding contact points. The activists also want to make other experiences—such as racist discrimination or transphobia—visible.
Fight Against Discriminating Structures
Behind the project is an alliance of «deutschrapmetoo», the awareness agency «Safe the Dance», the community «Queer Cheer», the networks «Music S Women*», «Music TH Women*» and other activists.
«It's not just one genre, not just one band, not just one industry. The grievances are overarching, and sexism and sexualised violence are present everywhere,» they write on their Instagram.
Furthermore, they highlight the structural issues around the topic:
«It is not only individual perpetrators or individual acts that constitute the problem. It is deeply rooted structures that run through every public and private sector of society that urgently need to be changed.»
In a report by German «Tagesschau», the project founders state that the protection of offenders is a big topic in the music business. Many people work for the artists at festivals and concerts—from management to stage builders. That's a lot of people who could witness potentially abusive behaviour. «What you can say in any case: These assaults can only happen because very, very many people look away, deliberately look away, again and again.»
Universal Music Halts Collaboration with Rammstein
Universal Music stops collaboration with Rammstein, according to reports.
According to a report from «Süddeutsche Zeitung», the label Universal Music stopped the collaboration with Rammstein after allegations against the band‘s frontman Till Lindemann.
«We are convinced that a full clarification of the allegations, also by the authorities, is absolutely necessary and must also be in the interest of the entire band. After the allegations became known, we have suspended the marketing and promotion activities for the band's recordings until further notice,» a Universal spokesperson told the newspaper on Thursday.
Further, the company said: «The accusations against Till Lindemann have shocked us, and we have the greatest respect for the women who have spoken out so courageously in public in this case.»
The label's announcement is significant. Universal Music Group, the world's biggest major label, has been working with Rammstein since their 1995 album Herzeleid.
Janosch TroehlerNegative White
On Wednesday, it was reported that the public prosecutor’s office in Berlin had initiated preliminary proceedings against Till Lindemann.
According to the public prosecutor’s office, the investigation was initiated ex officio and based on several reports by third parties that were «not involved in any of the offences». There were allegations «in the area of sexual offences and the distribution of narcotics».
The public prosecutor’s office did not provide any further information concerning the personal rights of the potentially injured parties and the accused.
Till Lindemann rejects the accusations against him, his lawyers announced legal steps.
Artificial Intelligence Helps Creating «The Final Beatles Record»
Sir Paul McCartney told the BBC that he used AI to create a «final Beatles record» scheduled to release this year.
The BBC reports that Sir Paul McCartney has employed artificial intelligence to create what the artist calls «the finale Beatles record». In an interview with BBC Radio 4, he explained that the technology had been used to «extricate» John Lennon's voice from an old demo.
«It's kind of scary but exciting, because it's the future. We'll just have to see where that leads,» he told BBC Radio.
He explained that they just finished it and would release the song later this year. Although McCartney didn't reveal the song's title, it's speculated that it will be Lennon's 1978 composition Now And Then.
The song was previously considered a possible «reunion song» for the band back in 1995 when the remaining band members compiled their career-spanning Anthology series.
According to the BBC, McCartney received the demo in 1994 from Yoko Ono. It was part of an array of songs on a cassette labelled «For Paul», created by Lennon shortly before he died in 1980.
Janosch TroehlerNegative White
The release of new material isn't a precedent for the Beatles, who parted ways in 1970. In 1995 and 1996, they released Free As A Bird and Real Love—cleaned up by producer Jeff Lynne. Both tracks were on the mentioned cassette.
While McCartney attempted to release the song Now And Then later, he never succeeded and has repeatedly talked about his desire to finish the song. It seems that with the help of AI, he finally made it.
Negative White interviewed Paul McCartney in 2012. Read it here in German.
Negative White presents Dennis Kiss on Album Tour
Dennis Kiss will release his debut album on the 6th of October. Negative White presents the subsequent tour of the Swiss-German artist. Here are the dates.
On October 6, the Swiss-German artist Dennis Kiss will release his debut album, Norddeich Mole. With his tristesse-filled indie sound, Kiss reflects on living in a postmodern society but still finds ease within the heavy-heartened.
One of the singles announcing the album, Bordeaux, has been featured in Weekly5. It's an exciting foretaste of the upcoming debut.
Bordeaux is shaped by forward-facing indie rock and a portion of postmodern sadness in the realm of artists like Betterov. However, the song reaches its unforgettable climax when the sax kicks in.
Experience The Album Live
With the release of Norddeich Mole, Dennis Kiss also kicks off an album tour through Switzerland and Germany—presented by Negative White.
- 06.10.2023 – St. Gallen (CH), Grabenhalle
- 07.10.2023 – Zurich (CH), Werk21
- 11.10.2023 – Cologne (DE), Stereo Wonderland
- 12.10.2023 – Hamburg (DE), Astra Stube
- 13.10.2023 – Bremen (DE), Bürgerhaus Weserterassen
- 19.10.2023 – Bern (CH), Stellwerk
- 20.10.2023 – Basel (CH), Sommercasino
- 21.10.2023 – Lucerne (CH), Treibhaus
- 07.12.2023 – Munich (DE), Glockenbachwerkstatt
Closed: 1x2 Tickets for Thumpasaurus
US band Thumpasaurus play their first gig in Switzerland on June 10 at KiFF, Aarau. We're putting your name on the guest list.
Imagine a blend of rock, punk, funk, and jazz—that's what you can expect from Californian outfit Thumpasaurus. The band, formed at USC Thornton's Division of Contemporary Music, plays a sound that defies conventions.
«There are no two songs on this album that sound alike, and yet they all THUMP. These guys are eclectic and often swing in unpredictable directions,» Music-Survival-Guide writes about their album Thumpaverse. But Thumpasaurus also pair their exuberant playfulness always with a truckload of fun—best demonstrated in their hit Struttin'.
With their musical sophistication, Thumpasaurus quickly became a cult indie band that convinces with energetic, escalating live shows. They fill big venues in California, and their first gigs in the UK and Paris were sold out.
Experience Thumpasaurus' first Swiss show
On Saturday, June 10, Thumpasaurus will play their first concert in Switzerland. At KiFF, Aarau, they will deliver an unforgettable and unpredictable experience.
In cooperation with Good News Entertainment, we raffle off 1x2 spots on the guest list. So you and a friend can witness Thumpasaurus' eclectic sound for free.
Here's what you need to do:
- If you receive this post as an email: Just hit the 👍 at the end, and you're participating in the contest.
- If you read this post on the web: Write «I'm too funky» in a comment down below.
Deadline for entries: Friday, June 9, 12:00 am. The winner will be informed by email.
