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Major Artists Declined Music Licensing to ‘Melania’ Documentary over Ties to Trump
Producer Marc Beckman said multiple artists and estates declined music licensing for 'Melania' due to political concerns despite the film not being political, using a mix of licensed and original music.
- On Monday, Marc Beckman, producer and advisor to Melania Trump, told Variety that several Black artists flatly denied clearance requests for songs, though Melania, the documentary included licensed tracks.
- Declining licenses came largely from political objections, as Beckman said, `There was a song that we wanted to use from Grace Jones; obviously, also a tremendous amount of respect for her`, with Prince's estate and Guns N' Roses also refusing over political concerns.
- The soundtrack included familiar hits such as 'Gimme Shelter,' 'Billie Jean' and Aretha Franklin's 'Amazing Grace,' while filmmakers used a cue from 'Phantom Thread,' prompting criticism from Jonny Greenwood and Paul Thomas Anderson.
- Legal and licensing fallout continued, as the documentary surprised at the box office in its opening week despite wide critical panning and the Isaac Hayes estate settled a lawsuit earlier this week.
- The episode shows ongoing artist refusals and estate demands, like Prince's estate, may lead to increased scrutiny of soundtrack licensing practices, reflecting a broader industry pattern.
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The Rolling Stones Didn't Want "Gimme Shelter" in the "Melania" Movie But They Had No Say: Song Is Owned by the Beatles' Enemy
Everyone’s asking how a Rolling Stones song wound up in the “Melania” documentary. “Gimme Shelter,” written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, isn’t owned by them unfortunately. Previously, the pair complained about Donald Trump using “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” at his rallies. They are not fans. But all the Stones songs pre-1971 […] The post The Rolling Stones Didn’t Want “Gimme Shelter” in the “Melania” Movie But They Had No Say: Song…
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution70% Left
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources lean Left
70% Left
L 70%
C 20%
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