CHANGES
SOCAN Reports Record
Revenues in 2017, Raises
Concerns About
Streaming Rates
DMC World Celebrates
35 th Anniversary
SOCAN has reported record revenues accumulated
and distributed in 2017 for its songwriter, composer, and music publisher
members. The organization adds, though, that the vast majority of members
who received payment for their streamed music in 2017 earned an average
of only $38.72 despite a growth of 46 per cent in internet-based revenues
over 2016.
“If original music is to thrive or even survive in Canada, overall remu-
neration for digital music must be corrected to be commensurate with the
contributions of music creators and publishers as well as its importance to
music fans from coast to coast to coast,” says SOCAN CEO Eric Baptiste.
SOCAN reports that total performing rights revenues in 2017 were more
than $350 million, a 6.4 per cent increase over 2016, and total distribution of
royalties to SOCAN members was more than $300 million for the first time
in its history. Domestic revenue was $274 million, an increase of 4.5 per cent
over last year’s record, and a 35 per cent increase since 2012. There was a 46
per cent increase in internet audio streaming revenues compared with 2016,
with $49.3 million realized. Royalties from non-Canadian sources were more
than $75 million, which makes it now the number one revenue stream for
SOCAN members and marks a 60 per cent increase since 2012.
Final figures will be determined following the March 2018 meeting of
SOCAN’s board of directors.
For more information, contact SOCAN: 416-445-8700, www.socan.ca.
JOHN MANN
Canadian Stars Record Charity
Single to Help Spirit of the
West’s John Mann
A wide array of prominent Canadian artists have come together
to cover Spirit of the West’s “Home for a Rest” to support front-
man John Mann and his battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Among those heard on the charity single are Alan Doyle, Jim
Cuddy, Sarah McLachlan, Ed Robertson, Colin James, and Barney
Bentall.
Performing and recording as part of a benefit in Mann’s
honour at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom in November
2017, the resulting video and song sit at the helm of a GoFund-
Me campaign to assist the 55-year-old singer in his extensive
care. All the proceeds from the sales and streaming of the new
release will go to the John Mann Trust Fund.
To donate or share to support the care of John Mann, go to
www.gofundme.com/john-mann-home-for-a-rest.
This year marks the 35 th anniversary of the DMC
World organization and the eighth year since
the reboot of DMC Canada. DMC’s Canadian
branch is in the process of scheduling its 2018
Canadian DMC Battleground, which will see
Canadian DJs compete to represent Canada at
the DMC World Championships.
DMC was founded in the U.K. in 1983 by
Tony Prince as the first legal, members-only
remix pool that serviced DJs worldwide with
cassettes and vinyl featuring the latest sounds
from across the globe. In 1986, the DMC
World DJ Competition was established as an
DJ VEKKED
annual global event that continues to provide a
high-profile stage for DJs to test their skills against their peers. Some of the world’s most notable DJs have competed in the DMC World DJ Cham-
pionships, including A-Trak, Q-Bert, Mix Master Mike (Beastie Boys), DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill), Carl Cox, and Roger Sanchez.
After a few years of dormancy in Canada, Hamilton, ON’s Amir Prince took on the responsibility of rebooting the Canadian Branch of the DMC.
Since then, Canada has produced a multi-title DMC World Champion in DJ Vekked of Waterloo, ON, who joined the esteemed ranks of A-Trak and
DJ Dopey as Canadians holding a world title. Most recently, Montreal’s DJ Brace returned to the competition to capture a DMC World Online title
in 2016.
DMC Canada plans to hold a variety of educational events this year featuring special guest instructors and speakers. These seminars will focus
on a variety of topics including turntablism, mixing, beat production, and the business side of the profession.
For more information, contact DMC Canada: [email protected], www.dmcworld.com.
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