Peach PRC is one of a handful of Australian acts that burst through the Taylor Swift bubble to top the ARIA Album Charts in 2023.

The viral pop star owes her meteoric success to TikTok, where she has over 2 million followers.

The 26-year-old Adelaide native born Sharlee Curnow was discovered on the hugely popular platform and signed to Island Records, a subsidiary of major label Universal Music Group (UMG).

However, Peach PRC is currently relying on a loophole to promote her next single.

"Y'all got like 2 weeks to learn the lyrics before UMG catches on and mutes this," she wrote in a TikTok video featuring an unreleased song.

She's "leaked" the single in two subsequent videos, lip-syncing to the track while cleaning her kitchen.

What is the Universal Tiktok ban?

Artists promoting their music on TikTok is nothing new, but these specific conditions are.

UMG and TikTok – two of the world's biggest music entities – are currently in a licensing stalemate, and musicians have been caught in the crossfire.

In case you missed it: UMG has begun pulling its music from TikTok after announcing late January that it would not renew its global licensing deal with the hugely popular social media platform, accusing TikTok of "bully" tactics and intimidation in a savage open letter.

TikTok, which has become the go-to app for music exposure, blasted back, accusing UMG of "putting their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters."

Music from UMG's biggest stars – including Taylor Swift, Drake, Bad Bunny, and Bilie Eilish – has been pulled from TikTok, resulting in millions of uploaded videos falling silent.

Hilltop Hoods, Middle Kids, Matt Corby, Mallrat, and The Avalanches are among the notable Australian acts under the UMG umbrella that have seen their music muted.

The move has also silenced award-winning First Nations artists Baker Boy, Barkaa, Kobie Dee, and Jada Weazal.

How are content creators adapting to the ban?

Faced with the world's biggest music label and publisher hitting the mute button, users have been employing royalty-free music to ironic effect.

One particular track, titled 'Fluffing a Duck' has become a viral choice, soundtracking everything from Taylor Swift fan edits to popular content creators.

Although the major disruption to the algorithm has blown up into a trending in-joke, for those musicians that depend on TikTok to promote and share their music, it's no laughing matter.

Australian acts fall silent

While the Lady Gagas and Ariana Grandes of the world have yet to publicly address the impact, several homegrown artists are not taking UMG's decision lying down.

Peach PRC was among the first to point out the hypocrisy and damaging ripple effects to the platform in a video synced to a popular clip of SpongeBob SquarePants: "Who do they think they are? I've given the best years of my life to this place, and they think they can just fire me like that? Like trash? I don't think so!"

Best known for his weepy, multi-platinum break-up hit 'Be Alright', singer-songwriter Dean Lewis seemed none too happy that UMG's TikTok exodus aligned with the release of his newest single 'Memories'.

"This is a very weird thing to post but I just found out that all my music … literally every song I've ever done is being taken down," Lewis told his 3.3 million followers.

"So, my music's getting taken down in five hours but I have a new song coming out in nine hours. So, my song's not coming out on TikTok."

Young Franco, a Sydney-based producer signed to UMG imprint Of Leisure, playfully addressed his music's removal by encouraging fans to use an a capella version of his 2017 track 'About This Thing'

Developing artists stand to lose the most

In UMG's open letter, the conglomerate argued they were fighting for artists and songwriters everywhere, negotiating for fairer royalty payments from TikTok and ethical concerns over the flood of A.I. content and harassment. But some musicians aren't buying it.

Tones And I slammed UMG in a video post underscoring the hypocrisy of the situation.

"Can we just talk for a second about the fact that Universal are pulling all their artists' music from TikTok, like they're not the original 'ripper-offers' of artists anyway," said the 'Dance Monkey' hit-maker (who is signed with Sony Music in Austraila).

"They're just trying to claim now that they're the beaten, broke-down, poor artist that doesn't get paid enough when they're the ones that take the most, let's be honest."

This breed of public backlash is rare – there's an unspoken sentiment among the local music industry that ruffling the feathers of either UMG or TikTok is a bad career move. Especially for emerging artists beholden to the former, whose catalogue spans millions of songs.

"If they wanted to make a statement, they should've just pulled the biggest artist from TikTok with their consent but to take up-and-coming artists that need this platform off the biggest music marketing platform in the world to me is a shame and makes their job and lives and careers even tougher."

She concluded: "Maybe I haven't looked at it enough but does anyone else have answers to this situation? At the end of the day the artists are the only ones suffering. Again."

TikTok has changed how the industry works

The app has become a fundamental metric for measuring artist success and, in turn, how record labels operate.

The entire industry has a close eye on TikTok's rapidly changing trends, popular sounds, and dances for insights into how younger fans are discovering and consuming music. There's no denying the platform's ability to launch careers and offer huge signal boosts to songs in the zeitgeist.

A recent case in point: Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Murder On The Dancefloor, which was used in the film Saltburn and enjoyed a cultural resurgence on TikTok.

The renewed interest brought the 2001 single back into the pointy end of the Australian, American and British charts. (Interestingly, in January, the British singer signed with UMG – her old label – to record new music).

These success stories have fuelled increased demands on musicians to self-promote on the platform. High profile artists like Charli XCX, Halsey and FKA twigs spoke out about pressure from labels to market themselves and their music on TikTok – a practise some hated (although UMG artist Florence + The Machine came around to the idea.)

Unlike those established names, developing artists looking for their big break don't have the privilege of ignoring TikTok.

it's so funny (depressing) to me that UMG and tiktok can't reach an agreement after like five years of major labels finding all their new artists on the platform and forcing their entire rosters into becoming TT creators ... like let's do some forward thinking maybe

— eilish gilligan (@eilishgilligan) February 2, 2024

"What do the small fish of the ponds [do]?" South Australian artist George Alice raised in a recent series of TikTok videos.

Alice won triple j's Unearthed High competition in 2019, the same year TikTok launched Down Under, and signed with Universal label Loma Vista Recordings.

"But what do we do now when the other artists do have access to TikTok, the largest social media app that we have, and Universal artists don't?" she asks.

"Where do we promote our stuff? Is there a loophole yet? Will there be a loophole? Will our music be returning? There's many, many questions…"

She's right, but TikTok users are a creative bunch and some artists have found a way to continue sharing their music.

Ways around the UMG ban

Sydney singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andy Hopkins makes music as Hauskey.

Signed to Universal label Neon Records, he's found TikTok success with musical parodies as much as his original music, including a smartphone-fuelled send-up of Rusted Root's 1996 song Send Me On My Way that's racked up over 15 million views. But the sound has since been muted.

After alerting his followers to the UMG removal, Hauskey shared a follow-up video promoting his upcoming single with the caption: "Test to see if TikTok will mute slowed-down versions of my music too. Are you hearing this?"

We could.

This led to another (since-deleted) video featuring the slowed down teaser and a revealing protest: "Don't mute my art."

Another musician who has found a loophole is Lupa J, a classically trained violinist turned maker of "ugly techno & shiny power ballads" according to their profile.

As a sign of UMG's extensive reach, Lupa J's music is tied to Ingrooves / Virgin Music Group, "a digital distribution company that is owned by Universal" they explain in a TikTok post regarding finding out the release of her new music had been affected.

"I released a cover of Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat on Friday, which was the day that everyone's music got taken down," they said in a video titled 'How to reupload your muted songs' (which has, also, since been deleted).

They continued: "Which was a nightmare considering that the whole reason I released it was because it did well on TikTok."

On the suggestion of somebody in the comments however, they discovered a workaround: "All you have to do is change the BPM of your song by a few notches and reupload it and it doesn't get detected by the copyright monsters."

The instructional video (and others like it) have since been removed, suggesting that somebody at UMG and/or TikTok has picked up on the loopholes. 

There's no end in sight for UMG and TikTok's stoush, and its far-reaching consequences are still very unclear. One thing is clear, however: emerging musicians aren't willing to let it impact their chance to reach a mass audience, and they'll continue to innovate to do so, with or without conflict resolution.

Courtesy: ABC News

Melbourne Demons player Joel Smith has been accused of trafficking cocaine.

Smith was provisionally suspended in October last year after a routine doping test returned a positive result for cocaine following Melbourne’s round 23 clash with Hawthorn.

In a bombshell statement on Tuesday night, the AFL confirmed further Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADVRs) had been lodged against Smith under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.

The national sporting watchdog, Sport Integrity Australia, notified Smith that three ADVRs for “Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking” of cocaine were “asserted against him”.

“Further, SIA has notified Smith that an ADRV for Possession of a Prohibited Substance (Cocaine) on 9 September 2022 is asserted against him,” the statement said.

These alleged rule violations come on top of the original one in October 2023 when he allegedly tested positive to cocaine.

Under the Anti-Doping Code, the trafficking violation is defined as “Selling, giving, transporting, sending, delivering or distributing a Prohibited Substance, by an Athlete … to any third party”.

“(But) shall not include actions involving Prohibited Substances which are not prohibited in Out-of-Competition Testing unless the circumstances as a whole demonstrate such Prohibited Substances are not intended for genuine and legal therapeutic purposes or are intended to enhance sport performance,” Article 1 of the code reads.

The AFL said Smith will “continue to be provisionally suspended” until all of the ADVRs are finalised.

This means Smith will be banned from partaking in Melbourne’s football program including its pre-season training.

“Under the Code, the new asserted ADRVs will be further investigated by SIA and these matters may ultimately be heard by an AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal in the coming months,” the AFL statement said.

“Due to the ongoing nature of the anti-doping process, the AFL and SIA are unable to make any further comment at this time.”

The Melbourne Football Club accepted the AFL’s provisional suspension back in October and said it would leave the matter to be resolved by the league and Sport Integrity Australia.

“As this matter is being investigated by Sport Integrity Australia, the Melbourne Football Club is unable to make any further comment at this time,” a statement read.

“The Club will continue to support Joel throughout the process and ensure our supporters are informed further when we are authorised to do so.”

Smith was potentially facing a two-year ban, but the additional ADVRs could see him face up to four years away from the game, according to the Herald Sun. 

Courtesy: Sky News

RIYADH: Saudi fighter Abdullah Al-Qahtani is getting used to winning over hostile mixed martial arts crowds.

The 24-year-old featherweight from Riyadh is one of two athletes from the Kingdom — alongside Mostafa Rashed Nada — that are part of the Professional Fighters League, the world’s second-biggest MMA brand after the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“When I fought in Madison Square Garden and other places, at the start of the fight the crowd was usually against me, they were cheering for my opponent,” Al-Qahtani said, referring to his win against the American David Zelner at PFL 18 in August.

His other win since joining the PFL came against Lamar Brown, also form the US, in June.

“But by the end of the fight they are with me because I give them the show that they want to see. I give them the violence they want, the excitement they want,” the fighter nicknamed “Reaper” added.

On Feb. 24, however, he will fight in front of a Saudi home crowd when he takes on Edukondala “Badger” Rao of India at PFL Champions versus Bellator Champions at Kingdom Arena.

He said: “This time, I’m in Saudi, among my family and fans. I’m proud to fight here and that the (local) fans will finally see me. So many people had been wanting me to fight in Saudi.

“I thank God this opportunity has come my way, and now I have to deliver to the people what they want to see. It’s a proud moment for me to fight here.”

Al-Qahtani noted that joining the PFL had been a major step up in terms of standards, both in and out of the cage.

“There is big difference in quality (to other organizations). With the PFL you get all the attention and care you need. They give you plenty of rest and preparation time before fights, to train or bring your weight down without any pressure.

“Also, fights take place in world-class venues, places that fighters dream about performing in. And of course, all the PFL matchmakers and fighters are of a very high standard. Everything about the fights is world class,” he added.

In November, the PFL bolstered its growing roster with the acquisition of Bellator, until then one of its rival brands.

Al-Qahtani said: “Of course we expect that the standards will rise with this (merger), there are more fighters, more champions. Having the Bellator fighters move to the PFL will only increase the level of competition.

“On a personal level, that could lead to more fights during the year. It’s exciting, and that means more training to reach the standard required.”

The Saudi Public Investment Fund-owned SRJ Sports Investments currently has a minority share in the PFL, and Al-Qahtani pointed out that the sport was at last taking off in the Kingdom.

“I expect more fighters to emerge from Saudi Arabia. Until a few years ago, it (MMA) was an ignored sport, not many people were engaged in it. But now, all eyes are on it, everyone is getting excited about it, everybody wants to be part of it. Having more events in Saudi Arabia will lead to stronger competitions.

“Many (potential fighters) could in the past hide behind the excuse that MMA did not get enough attention in Saudi Arabia, that it was not a sport you could aspire to. But now there are no excuses. The doors are opening for everyone,” he added.

Al-Qahtani is part of the KHK MMA Team — founded by Bahrain’s Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa — and trains at Riyadh Combat Club and Fight Club in the Saudi capital.

Ahead of a fight, his four- to six-week schedule consisted of at least two training sessions a day, a morning one and afternoon one separated by lunch and a brief rest period.

Al-Qahtani said he was in top fighting condition ahead of his bout on Saturday.

“The federation (Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation) has been very supportive and so have my coaches and other fighters in the clubs.

“Depending on the fight, I would usually have a training camp either at home or abroad. This time I stayed at home, and thankfully my preparations have gone as well as I could have expected, as you will see during the fight,” he added. 

Courtesy:- Arab News

DUBAI: British Moroccan model Nora Attal made an appearance at London Fashion Week, after hitting the runway in Paris and New York in recent weeks.

Attal walked in British luxury label Burberry’s Fall/Winter 2024 show.

The fashion house’s creative director Daniel Lee this week showed his third brief at London Fashion Week, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, with an ode to the brand’s outdoor heritage.

 

Set in a dark marquee in London’s Victoria Park where guests sat on big fluffy brown cushions, songs from late British singer Amy Winehouse set the mood for the night.

The 24-year-old model strutted down the star-studded catwalk in a cream-colored calf-length coat, accentuated with luxurious fur-like detailing on the knees, arms and neckline.

Attal hit the grass runway in an ensemble that was accented with black chunky-soled leather boots and a matching clutch.

Other models paraded leather and faux-fur coats in shades of muted green and brown, oversized stripy suit jackets and trousers with zipper detailing.

The show heavily featured outerwear and sporty silhouettes with bomber jackets and Burberry’s iconic trench coat that sat alongside flowy beaded and velvet dresses.

Burberry’s famous beige, black and red check was reimagined into a moody autumnal color palette and featured on the inside of floor-sweeping skirts with long slits down the side.

Accessories included checked umbrellas, large canvas, leather and faux-fur bags in cream, brown and green — often adorned with gold detailing — and paired with scarves worn over the head.

British models Naomi Campbell, Agyness Deyn and Lily Cole were among those sashaying on the catwalk.

The show was attended by Saudi film producer and CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation Mohammed Al-Turki, actress Olivia Coleman, model Jourdan Dunn and Irish actor Barry Keoghan among others.

This is not the first time Attal has modelled for Burberry. In September 2023, she wore low-waist tailored pants, a cropped printed blouse and a blazer with fur detailing around the sleeves from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection that was also showcased at London Fashion Week. 

Earlier this year, Attal walked the Chanel and Fendi shows during Paris Haute Couture Week. 

 

DUBAI: Egyptian actress Mona Zaki is set to star in a film portraying the life of legendary singer Umm Kulthum, which is the first film in a slate of productions as Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority announced the launch of a film fund named Big Time Investment, aimed at fostering the production of Arabic cinema.

The inaugural project under this initiative will be a biopic celebrating the life of Egyptian legend Umm Kulthum, who was referred to as “The fourth pyramid” by Arabs, as well as “The star of the East,” “Mother of the Arabs” and “Lady of Arabic Song.”

Egyptian filmmaker Marwan Hamed has been tapped to direct the film titled “El Set,” with acclaimed Egyptian actress Mona Zaki set to portray Umm Kulthum.

The announcement regarding the fund took place in Cairo, where Turki Al-Sheikh, the chairman of the GEA, disclosed that the authority would serve as the main sponsor of the approximately $130 million fund.

The Ministry of Culture will act as a co-sponsor, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. Several  Saudi companies will also contribute to the fund, including Sela Studio, SMC Company, Rotana Audio Visual Co., and Benchmark Company.

The fund aims to germinate roughly 20 Arabic titles a year.

Courtesy:- ARAB NEWS

Courtesy: ARAB NEWS

The second day of oral proceedings began on Tuesday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the legal ramifications of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.

Representatives from South Africa, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Belgium have presented preliminary arguments.

This is said to be the largest case at the ICJ with more than 50 countries providing arguments, and at least three international organizations are slated to address the judges at the United Nations' top court until February 26. A nonbinding legal opinion is anticipated following months of judge deliberations.

On Monday, Palestinian representatives articulated their stance on the legal repercussions of Israel's occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip. They asserted that the occupation is illegal and must cease immediately, unconditionally, and entirely.

Israel has abstained from attending the hearings but submitted a five-page written statement expressing concerns that an advisory opinion would hinder attempts to resolve the conflict, citing prejudiced questions posed by the UN General Assembly.

Belgium's legal expert, Vaios Koutroulis, has denounced Israel's settlement policy, highlighting its aim to create permanent demographic changes in Palestinian territories.

Koutroulis emphasized that Israel's settlement policy violates fundamental principles of international law, including the prohibition of acquiring territory by force and the right to self-determination.

He pointed out that the establishment of settlements leads to the creation of two separate systems, one for settlers and another for Palestinians, which exacerbates inequalities.

Belgium condemned violence against Palestinians and urged Israel to end settlement activities, restore expropriated property, and bring perpetrators of violence to justice.

Koutroulis called on third states to refrain from recognizing the legality of the situation, withhold support, and collaborate to end violations of international law.

Riaz Hamidullah, representing Bangladesh, emphasized that the principle of self-defense cannot justify prolonged occupation, addressing the ongoing situation in the Palestinian territories.

Israel's occupation contradicts three fundamental pillars of international law: the right to self-determination, the prohibition of acquiring territory by force, and the prohibition of racial discrimination and apartheid.

In adherence to international law, any occupation must be temporary, and territorial acquisition is illegal. Israel's extended occupation, coupled with territorial expansion, constitutes a violation of international law.

Hamidullah underscored that the right to self-defense cannot excuse breaches of international law, including the right to self-determination. Israel's denial of Palestinian self-determination has led to widespread condemnation and hinders prospects for peace.

He called for Israel to cease all actions hindering Palestinian self-determination, including discriminatory legislation and military presence, and to provide reparations for damages incurred.

Hamidullah urged all states to ensure the cessation of any legal barriers to self-determination and to refrain from recognizing or supporting Israel's illegal acts. Cooperation among states is essential to compel Israel to comply with international law.

He also urged the UN Security Council to consider further action to end the occupation and stressed the urgency of dismantling the apartheid system in place.

René Lefeber, representing the Netherlands at the ICJ, affirmed the court's jurisdiction and emphasized the universal right to self-determination as outlined in the UN Charter.

He highlighted how prolonged occupation undermines this principle and noted the conditions for the legitimacy of occupying foreign territory.

Lefeber concluded that an occupation failing to meet these criteria risks violating the prohibition against the use of force.

Occupying powers are prohibited from transferring populations in the territories they occupy, constituting a war crime under the Rome Statute, Lefeber said.

Once an occupation begins, the occupying power must protect civilians, he added.

Serious breaches of international norms should be addressed at the UN, and if necessary, states must cooperate to end unlawful situations, refraining from recognizing or supporting such breaches, Lefeber concluded for the Netherlands.

Ziad Al-Atiyah, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the Netherlands, has strongly criticized Israel for its actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, stating that they are legally indefensible.

Al-Atiyah emphasized the importance of holding Israel accountable for ignoring international law, particularly regarding its treatment of civilians in Gaza and its continued impunity.

Saudi Arabia expressed deep concern over the killing of civilians and rejected Israel's argument of self-defense, stating that depriving Palestinians of basic means of survival is unjustifiable.

Al-Atiyah accused Israel of dehumanizing Palestinians and committing genocide against them, calling for the international community to take action.

Regarding the jurisdiction of the court, Al-Atiyah asserted that the arguments against its jurisdiction lack merit, urging the court to issue an opinion on the matter.

Israel's ongoing disregard for ceasefire calls and provisional measures, as well as its expansion of illegal settlements and expulsion of Palestinians from their homes, were condemned by Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom highlighted Israel's violations of international obligations, including ignoring UN resolutions condemning its conduct and preventing Palestinians from exercising their right to self-defense.

Israel's intentions to maintain and expand illegal settlements, as evidenced by its 2018 Basic Law declaring Jerusalem as its capital, were also criticized for undermining Palestinian self-determination.

Algeria's legal representative, Ahmed Laraba, took the floor at the ICJ to present his country's stance on the enduring occupation of Palestinian territories. In his address, Laraba highlighted the intricacies surrounding the concept of prolonged occupation, shedding light on its legal foundations and historical context.

Referencing Article 42 of The Hague Convention of 1907, Laraba underscored the undisputed basis of the notion of occupation, as acknowledged by the court in a previous opinion. He emphasized the temporary nature of the occupation, originally conceived to manage post-conflict situations and facilitate peace agreements.

Laraba pointed out the discrepancy between the intended temporary regime and the reality of a prolonged occupation, noting that the drafters of the time did not foresee a peaceful coexistence between the occupier and the occupied. This incongruity underscores the complexities and challenges inherent in addressing the prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories.

Algeria's intervention at the ICJ serves to advocate for a comprehensive understanding of the legal, historical, and humanitarian dimensions of the occupation issue. Laraba's arguments contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding the quest for justice and resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Pieter Andreas Stemmet, Acting Chief State Law Adviser at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, announced South Africa's commitment to advocating for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.

Stemmet emphasized that the UN has repeatedly recognized the inalienable right of Palestinians to self-determination. He condemned Israel's expansion of settlement activity, stating that it violates Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory.

In addressing concerns about potential apartheid in Israel, Stemmet referenced the Namibia vs. South Africa case, where the court ruled that race-based exceptions and limitations constitute a denial of fundamental rights and violate the principles of the UN Charter.

Stemmet underscored the well-documented extent of Israel's violations and reiterated that the prohibition of apartheid applies universally, including to Israel.

Drawing parallels to South Africa's illegal presence in Namibia, Stemmet called for attention to the legal consequences of Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

South Africa's Ambassador to The Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela urged for an end to Israel's violations against Palestinian territories, emphasizing the critical importance of this advisory opinion for Palestinians.

Madonsela highlighted the prolonged occupation, spanning over 50 years, conducted in defiance of international law with little international intervention.

He questioned when Israel's impunity for rights violations and breaches of international norms would cease, particularly amidst ongoing attacks on Gaza and Israel's disregard for legal orders, indicating its belief in unrestricted actions against Palestinians.