Fighting for a Cure: HIV/AIDS

As I went through all the incredible TED speakers, I came across one of the most talented artists out there, Annie Lennox. Annie Lennox’s first glimpse of stardom is when she became apart of a group called the Eurythmics , which was formed back in the early 1980s.  Annie is known for her unique and powerful voice. What many people do not realize is, that Annie Lennox is an activist. Lennox has become a strong voice in fighting for a cure and raising awareness of HIV/AIDS.

In 2003, Annie Lennox joined Nelson Mandela’s 46664 Foundation. The organization provided a concert series of famous “musicians, artists, and sportsmen and women as ambassadors” according to 46664: Global Campaign. The name 46664 came from Mandela being sent to prison in 1964 as the 466^th prisoner to arrive during that year. Mandela wanted to pass on his prison number to the 46664 Foundation to prevent HIV/AIDS as a reminder to all of the people of what Mandela had sacrificed while being imprisoned for 38 years. After joining forces with Mandela, Annie Lennox created the SING Campaign in 2007 to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. While watching this TED speech, Annie had pictures and spoke of a little girl named Avelile. Avelile was 7 years old and was born with the HIV virus in which her mother contracted while she was pregnant with Avelile. Avelile’s mother had passed away, leaving Avelile orphaned. Avelile was starved of nutrition and had the weight of a one-year old baby. At the time, she was also fighting pneumonia. Annie Lennox returned to South Africa five months later – not knowing if Avelile survived. Thank goodness she did! Doctors and nurses at the local hospital cared for this little girl by giving her the proper nutrition and medicine she needed. The pictures of the transformation are amazing.

I have always seen the infomercials on television late at night asking for donations to help raise awareness and fight HIV/AIDS. I often wondered if the money would really help find a cure or if it were a scam. Knowing that an artist who is talented and is well respected in the music industry, like Annie Lennox is, makes me feel that this isn’t some charity case that Lennox needs to slap her name on. By Lennox’s speech to raise awareness and funds to directly support the Treatment Action Campaign, I know Lennox is genuinely trying to be proactive and make a difference in the world. HIV/AIDS affects 35 million people daily around the world. Innocent children are affected. According to AIDS.gov, “3.2 million children worldwide are living with HIV. Most of these children were infected by their HIV-Positive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.” (AIDS.gov, 2015)

I always feel when a celebrity’s name is associated with an organization the audience level grows. In some ways, this could be detrimental. Meaning, people will only fight for a cause if someone famous is endorsing the organization. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be like that. I am guilty of this. It is more believable to me if a celebrity’s name is attached to the organization. We need to make changes in the world and start by being more proactive. I will start with myself and donate money to the SING Campaign. Every child deserves a chance to dream.

 Resources:

HIV/AIDS
Nelson Mandela
TED Speech: Annie Lennox
Treatment Action Campaign
46664: Global Campaign

Wait, I Can’t Make a Copy of Music I Legally Purchased?

On October 1^st, a new law was passed in the UK where avid music fans who copy music onto multiple devices were considered to be dabbling into copyright infringement– even if the music was purchased legally. I know what you are thinking, “I purchased the music so why is it considered copyright infringement if it was not downloaded illegally?” Good question! Here is my take on it.

Let’s take iTunes for example. I recently purchased a song for $1.99, but I have multiple devices in which I play music on. I have an iPad, work iPhone, Samsung Galaxy personal device, and a MacBook Pro. I am still old fashion and prefer to make a physical copy of the song onto a CD so I can listen to in my car on the way to work. iTunes will allow you to copy a purchased song up to 5 times. This is not considered infringement in the states. You are paying for the song, so technically you have not done anything wrong or illegal. So, why is it considered infringement in other parts of the world? The real reason? Royalties. 

If you are purchasing a song or an album, the artist will be receiving royalties only once which is at the beginning of the “transaction”. Across the pond, making copies of purchased music for personal use has been recently legalized; however, with the exception of compensating the artists. According to The Guardian, “The Musicians’ Union, the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and industry body UK Music are taking legal action over the government’s new copyright legislation”.  All of these composers in the music industry are lobbying to fight for their cut of the deal. In all honesty, I can’t blame them. Artists barely make money when they release an album, it’s the truth. They earn the majority of their “salary” on tour by selling out venues and fans buying their awesome merchandise.  Vick Blaine, the CEO of The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors stated on UK Music : “We have sought judicial review because of the way the government made its decision not to protect the UK’s creative industries – in stark contrast to other countries that have introduced copyright exceptions. We fully support the right of the consumer to copy legally bought music for their own personal and private use, but there must be fair compensation for the creators of the music. The exception also represents a transfer of value to the tech sector, by favouring international technology companies over our own creative industries, namely the musicians and composer communities. The new law has been sold as a measure which will bring clarity, yet if anything the inclusion of Cloud locker services will increase confusion amongst consumers.” 

It is still not clear as to what the outcome will be for musicians, songwriters, and composers in the UK. I personally feel they should all be compensated for their work. Think about it this way, artists receive performance royalties when their song is played on a radio station. If these songs are registered through a performance rights organization before getting airplay or used as background music, then why can’t there be a way to register or track these songs when being transferred onto multiple personal devices?

As an artist manager, I would personally fight to get my artist compensated for their work. If my artist is not happy, I’m not happy. My goal is to do what is best for my client. If that means arguing in court on behalf of my artist’s rights, then to court I will go!

For more information on copyright infringement in the UK, check out Out-Law.

Spotlight on Mary Lambert: Mary Lambert Has Heart

Many listeners have heard of Mary Lambert who was featured on Ryan Lewis and Macklemore’s song “Same Love”.  “Same Love” was nominated for a Grammy in 2013 for song of the year, but lost to “Royals” which is performed by Lorde. After reading The Observer, Mary Lambert will be gaining a whole new audience, me included.

Mary Lambert literally wears her “Heart On My Sleeve” which is the title of her newest album. This album includes tracks that released a deepened pain that Mary needs to share with the world. No matter if you are straight, gay, heavy, or thin, the connection one would feel while listening to Mary belt out her feelings is unlike any other.

In today’s society, people hide their true emotions. Opinions mean everything to the career of an artist. They are judged for every move they make. Mary Lambert’s song “Secrets” shows that she doesn’t care if the world knows her true self.  The pre-chorus of this song states:

“They tell us from the time we're young

To hide the things that we don't like about ourselves

Inside ourselves

I know I'm not the only one who spent so long attempting to be someone else

Well I'm over it”

It becomes very tiresome to pretend you are someone that you are not. All lies that are to cover up who you really are eventually turn into a bigger lie. The deeper the hole of lies, the harder it is to dig yourself out.

Mary has proved that writing about your childhood memories and deep-dark secrets is not only what sells an album, but also how one conveys their message. Lambert’s cover of “Jessie’s Girl” gives the listener an idea of “what if the girl got the girl in the end instead” per The Observer. How would today’s society react? In my honest opinion, who cares! I think it is critical for any artist that plans to emerge into the music scene to listen to Mary’s record.  Her lyrics are so meaningful, deep, and full of power.  To me, Lambert’s lyrics are not just lyrics – they are words of inspiration to being true to who you are.

“I want to know who ever broke you

I want to know how you can grow bigger

Don't go looking for some kind of rescue

You are the only one who can save you”

That last line says it all: “You are the only one who can save you”.  Never change who you are and never give up on where you wish for your career to take you.

Thank you, Mary. You have now gained a new fan and I hope you gain millions more.