Oh, Canada… New fees implemented for bringing international musicians to the Great White North
Booking agents and promoters are now looking at increased fees for bringing non-Canadian musicians to venues across Canada, where music is not the primary focus, such as bars and coffee shops. As the Calgary Herald reported, Canada’s Ministry of Employment, Social Development & Multiculturalism have come up with a legislation that will force owners or promoters to submit a $275 application fee, per band and crew member. In addition, there will be a $150 charge for each approved musician and crew member’s work permit. Should the application be rejected, the fees are non-refundable and will be charged with another application. Having taken effect on July 31, the new rules are supposed to “ensure that owners and managers of those types of establishments look to hire Canadians first before hiring temporary foreign workers,” according to the government agencies involved in the changes.
Timbaland and Michael Jackson to collaborate
Timbaland isn’t about to let death be a factor in his music production. In an interview with Revolt TV, the super-producer mentioned a project in the works to blend his music with Michael Jackson’s vocals. The project was reportedly initiated by Epic Records CEO, L.A. Reid.
Previously this summer, the LA Times reported Timbaland also spoke about producing music featuring the late Aaliyah’s vocals, while saying that he wasn’t a fan of the work made by other musicians. “Chris Brown got a record, it won’t work. Drake can go do a record with Aaliyah, it ain’t gonna work. ’Cause Aaliyah music only work with its soulmate, which is me,” he said.
Sean Kingston on trial for rape
The “Beautiful Girls” singer has been accused of raping an inebriated teenager in his Seattle hotel room in July 2010, following a Justin Bieber concert. TMZ is reporting the now 22-year-old woman says she was forced into sex with Kingston, a member of his band and his bodyguard. The girl was allegedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol before she was invited back to the hotel room for a meet-and-greet, where she says Kingston was lying naked on his bed as she entered the room. The woman is said to have been rescued by a friend and then taken to the hospital where she was treated for injuries “consistent with rape.” Kingston has denied the allegations of rape but has said that the sex was consensual. The woman is asking for $5 million.
Justin Timberlake is seeing green
Superstar Justin Timberlake might soon be adding super-villain to his resumé. In a radio interview with New York station Fresh 102.7, the singer/actor said he has no interest in playing a superhero, but wants to play a villain in Batman vs. Superman, with Ben Affleck in the lead role. Timberlake has ruled out playing Robin, but says he would love to play his childhood favourite villain, the Riddler. “The Riddler is my favorite villain. The Riddler was like a sociopath. He was proper crazy. So if I’m gonna play crazy, I wanna play proper crazy,” he said in the interview. The Riddler was last played by Jim Carrey in Batman Forever.
