| CMU Daily - on the inside Thursday 2nd October |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Apple threaten iTunes closure in publishing royalty debate
- Sony complete Bertelsmann buy out
- Coldplay, Kylie and Radiohead win at Digital Music Awards
- Rick Astley gets MTV best act ever nomination
- Dirty Pretty Things split
- Limp Bizkit reunion rumoured
- Phish announce reunion
- Kurt's ashes to go up in smoke
- Pink set to beat Oasis in chart battle
- Single review: Keane - The Lovers Are Losing (Universal/Island)
- Usher gets into underwear
- Death Cab reissue debut
- Sony boss rather likes new Beyonce album
- Jay-Z to gig in support of Obama
- Hot Chip to headline Moshi Moshi birthday party
- Judas Priest announce feast
- Album review: Madlib - Wlib AM: King Of The Wigflip (Barely Breaking Even Records)
- AIM appoint new vice chair
- Imeem has a refresh
- Sister Ray bought as going concern
- Classic Rock launches record label
- Shortlist gets new editor
- Global appoints new group marketing chief
- New controller for BBC4
- ITV announce job cuts in local news
- Gallagher clueless about his online marketing
- Fucked Up man talks bleeding
- Britney to buy sex tape, if there is one
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SAME SIX QUESTIONS: PLASTIC LITTLE
Plastic Little self-released their first US album, 'Thug Paradise 2.1', in 2004. The first six tracks were then repackaged as an EP of the same title by aNYthing Records, which received high praise. Album number two, 'She's Mature', was released in 2006. The group release their first UK album, 'Welcome To The Jang House' on 29 Sep. The album features collaborations with Ghostface Killah, Spank Rock, Herve and Amanda Blank. You can catch them live all around the UK in October.
We got in touch to find out, well, something, certainly.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
By accident. We originally wanted to be a dance troupe. We were working on the sequel to 'Stomp 2: Judgement Day', but somehow ended up rapping. Whodathunk?
Q2 What inspired your album?
Personal flaws, memorable parties, poverty, and not living up to our potential.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
It really depends, sometimes we have concepts for a song and we find a beat that fits, or sometime the beat dictates the theme of a song.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
MC Skat Kat.
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
I said this once: "Well Mom, um... just ignore the drug references and the many allusions to cock and I think you'll really enjoy our album".
Q6 What are your ambitions for your album, and for the future?
A gold monkey, a gold revolver, a gold wife, and a platinum house with ruby windows.
MORE>> http://www.myspace.com/plasticlittlerap
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SNAP OF THE DAY: RAPHAEL SAADIQ
Not a new proposition, but with Raphael Saadiq's album 'The Way I See It' creeping into the US top 20 last week it seems just the right time to tip the retro soul revivalist for big things next year. The producer and performer has long mixed in the right circles, but with this record he's brought the heavyweights on board, including Stevie Wonder, Joss Stone and Jay Z, in turn creating an album that's influenced equally by the repertoire of classic labels like Stax and Motown as it is by neo soul artists Amp Fiddler and Jamie Liddell. Lead single 'Love That Girl' is a good place to start exploring, and it's streaming on his MySpace, which we've helpfully linked below.
http://www.myspace.com/raphaelsaadiq
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APPLE THREATEN ITUNES CLOSURE IN PUBLISHING ROYALTY DEBATE
A bit of deja vu here I reckon. The US Copyright Royalty Board will today vote on a squabble between download firms, record labels and music publishers, a squabble that centres on the publishing firms' demands for a bigger slice of the digital pie. It's a debate that rumbled on over here for several years, and which was sent to our equivalent of the CRB, the Copyright Tribunal, though right at the last minute most interested parties reached an out of court settlement.
In the US, the publishers want to increase the royalty they receive for every download sold from 9 cents to 15 cents. The download stores, whose margins are pretty small already, don't want to give anything up to the publishers, and neither do the record companies, even though they currently get 70% of the 99 cents paid for each download, and all the big record companies also own publishing companies. If the CRB did side with the publishers and award them the royalty hike, it will be interesting to see if they force the download firms and record companies to reduce their cut, or whether it will result in an increase in the price consumers pay for downloads. Though that would mean an end to the consumer friendly 99 cents price point.
Not only do the download firms and record companies not want the publishers to get a bigger share, they are proposing a cut and restructure of the publishing royalty. The download firms are proposing cutting the publishing royalty to as little as 4.8 cents, while both they and the labels, presumably eyeing a download price war on the horizon, suggest the publishers should take a percentage rather than fixed royalty. The labels suggest 8%, while the download firms are proposing 6%.
If the CRB does side very much with one side or the other you can expect the losing parties to be very vocal, especially if the publishers get their way. There are many reports circulating this week about Apple's submission to the CRB, which reportedly threatened the closure of iTunes if the publishers' royalty is increased. Such threats are presumably just Apple being the drama queen again, but the fact that they are willing to say such things suggests they don't plan to accept any CRB ruling that goes against their interests without a fight.
The last time the CRB ruled on digital royalties, of course, was in relation to the royalties paid by webcasters and streaming services. The Board found very much in favour of the content owners, leading to webcasters large and small claiming they'd go under if the proposed royalty was enforced. Although the Board refused to review its decision, out of court negotiations have continued ever since, and will continue until next February following the US Congress's decision to extend the deadline for the agreement of a voluntary royalty deal earlier this week.
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SONY COMPLETE BERTELSMANN BUY OUT
So, another seismic shift in the music business yesterday, of sorts. Sony Corp completed its acquisition of Bertelsmann's half of SonyBMG, meaning we'll no longer have to call it SonyBMG, or debate whether we should be writing it as Sony BMG. The whole company is expected to rebrand as Sony Music Entertainment. It also means the second biggest record company in the world is now owned by a single entity.
Sony paid $600 million in cash to buy out Bertelsmann, and gave their former business partners the $600 million that was sitting in a SonyBMG slush fund. Half of that was already theirs though, so in reality Sony paid $900 million for the BMG half of the company. Yesterday's transaction completes Sony's takeover of Bertelsmann's stake in the record company, which was first announced in August, and means the German media conglom now has no interests in the music business, except for the small licensing business it plans to operate using the BMG name, it having previously sold its BMG music publishing company to Universal.
In the same way we might celebrate a completed business deal by going out and buying something nice for tea, Sony Music celebrated by buying an independent record label. Well, half of one. Sony yesterday took a majority stake in one of Denmark's biggest indie labels, Kick Music, which has enjoyed success in the country with both local talent, like Backstreet, Powersolo and Ida Coor, as well as representing international acts in the territory, including Gogol Bordello and Eva Cassidy.
Confirming the deal, Kick MD Michael Quvang told reporters: "With SonyBMG's comprehensive distribution network for physical and digital releases, our artists and releases will be in a stronger position in the future".
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COLDPLAY, KYLIE AND RADIOHEAD WIN AT DIGITAL MUSIC AWARDS
The BT Digital Music Awards took place at the Roundhouse last night, and Coldplay and Kylie both won two awards each, making it a good night for EMI's Parlophone, though neither act made it to the event to pick up their gongs. Coldplay won Best Rock/Indie Artist and Best Official Website for coldplay.com, while Minogue, who sent a recorded message, got Best Pop Act and Best Innovation for Kylie Konnect. The Artist Of The Year Award, however, went to a no-longer-with-EMI artist, Radiohead.
Other winners included Vampire Weekend, who got the Breakthrough Artist Award, Wiley, who got Best Urban Artist, Hadouken!, who got Best Electronic Artist, iTunes UK, which was given Best Music Store, and We7, which was awarded the gong for Best Digital Service.
Performances on the night came from the likes of Sugababes, Iglu and Hartly, British Sea Power and Sam Beaton. The ceremony, hosted by Fearne Cotton and Rufus Hound, is scheduled to be screened on ITV2, this Saturday night at 11.15pm.
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RICK ASTLEY GETS MTV BEST ACT EVER NOMINATION
Rick Astley is one of the publicly selected nominees for best act ever at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards, and will battle it out with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, Tokio Hotel and U2.
It's the result of that previously reported internet meme 'rickrolling', which you no doubt know about anyway, as you've possibly been the 'victim' of it. For anyone living under a web-rock, this is the practice of providing a link purporting to lead to something good, which actually leads to a clip of Astley performing 'Never Gonna Give You Up'. Not that I'm saying he's not good, I've always been a closet Astley fan myself. An estimated 18 million Americans have been 'rickrolled', and the phenomenon has spread to other media and into pop culture in general. Anyway, we'll see how he gets on.
Hang on, though, let's see what MTV have to say about it. Richard Godfrey, Senior Vice President, Music And Production and Executive Producer of the MTV Europe Music Awards says this: "The audience has spoken and MTV has been well and truly 'Rickrolled'. This surprise nomination truly demonstrates that the MTV Europe Music Awards is the most democratically selected awards show there is. Rick's fans have obviously decided that he deserves recognition as a pop icon and no doubt they are determined to make sure he wins on the night".
As previously reported, other acts up for awards this year include Duffy, Coldplay, Amy Winehouse, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys and Metallica. The event will take place at the Liverpool Echo Arena on 6 Nov.
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DIRTY PRETTY THINGS SPLIT
Dirty Pretty Things have split up, and all four members will now pursue new musical projects (none of which will be called The Libertines, before you ask).
In a statement issued to the NME, the band said: "It is with some sadness we announce the farewell of the Dirty Pretty Things. It's been a glorious three years which we all would gladly live out again, but it is time for us to try new things (not The Libertines). We are reluctant to give up touring but will give the last waltz everything. We have and are determined to go out as we came in, after which we all have other ventures to be getting on with and splendid future plans. Heartfelt thanks to all who made it what it was, much love and we'll see you on the road".
And so, here are the band's very last tour dates ever:
4 Oct: Glasgow, ABC
5 Oct: Edinburgh, Old Picture House
7 Oct: Manchester, Academy 2
8 Oct: Leeds, Metropolitan University
9 Oct: Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall
11 Oct: Keele University
12 Oct: Cambridge, Junction
13 Oct: Norwich, UEA
14 Oct: London, Roundhouse
16 Oct: Oxford, Carling Academy
18 Oct: Southampton, Guildhall
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LIMP BIZKIT REUNION RUMOURED
Nu-metallers Limp Bizkit are rumoured to be preparing to reform, after pictures that appeared to show rehearsals appeared online, which I seem to remember they did once before, when Wes Borland rejoined the band. However, Borland probably won't be a part of any reunion this time around, having just joined Marilyn Manson. Instead, Fred Durst and co have reportedly drafted in Evanescence guitarist Terry Balsamo, who appears in some of the pictures with bassist Sam Rivers. Although a source 'close' to Balsamo told Metal File that the pair were in fact working on an unnamed side project.
In a post on the band's official MySpace blog last month, Durst told fans: "Yes, it has been a while. But a while worth the wait. It is getting very close to time to drop the Bizkit on the universe. I say this with the absolute best intentions and motivation. We, Limp Bizkit, are excited about the future for us and for you. LBF is the way. LBF is for life. Let's stir some shit up my friends".
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PHISH ANNOUNCE REUNION
More reunions. Phish have said that they are planning a reunion tour for next year, after performing last month at their former road manager's wedding. The band announced the news via their website, and revealed that three dates in Virginia are already scheduled. Details of more dates will be available soon, and tickets will go on sale on 18 Oct.
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KURT'S ASHES TO GO UP IN SMOKE
As the CMU Weekly's crack team of researchers discovered last week, Kurt Cobain is still dead. And if you needed proof of that fact, you'll get it when German artist Natascha Stellmach smokes his ashes later this month.
The artist claims to have "acquired" the ashes and will smoke them in a joint as the climax of the 'Set Me Free' exhibition at the Wagner & Partner Gallery in Berlin, which ends on 11 Oct. A bit like when Mark McGowan ate a dog on Resonance FM, but, er, different.
Stellmach says she hopes Cobain will disappear "into the ether from the media circus" after she smokes him. As for how she came by Cobain's remains, she told Artworld: "That's confidential and kind of magic. They came to me. And I am setting him free".
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PINK SET TO BEAT OASIS IN CHART BATTLE
Pink's new single, 'So What', is reportedly outselling Oasis's 'The Shock Of The Lightning' in the race to number one in this Sunday's singles chart. Both were released physically this week. However, 'So What' debuted at 38 on the chart last Sunday, after the single's digital release.
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SINGLE REVIEW: Keane - The Lovers Are Losing (Universal/Island)
I would ordinarily be the first in the queue to rant about how painfully dull Keane are. But after the brilliant Bowie-esque 'Spiralling' with its addictive, screeching guitar riff and thrashing beats, I was under the impression that they had finally got good. Sadly though, this was a misapprehension. The Lovers Are Losing' is a return to Keane's boring piano-soaked ballad-y style and suddenly Tom Chaplin's voice is once again too annoying for words. It's so middle of the road and naff, and such a disappointment after 'Spiralling'. I don't know where they pulled that song from, but they definitely pulled 'The Lovers Are Losing' out of their arses. DH
Release Date: 20 Oct
Press Contact: Island IH [RP, RR, NP, NR], Wild PR [CP, CR]
Buy from iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/4fd68b
Buy from Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/43ng65
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USHER GETS INTO UNDERWEAR
According to reports, Usher is planning his own line of underwear. He's quoted as saying: "I'm launching a lingerie line for men and women," adding that "comfort and intimacy" will be his design aim. So there you go. He's not the only one going into underwear either. Janet Jackson is launching her lingerie line in November.
It does seems de rigueur these days if you're a successful US pop star to launch a line of shoes/clothes/perfume/other doesn't it? Can I just appeal to you all right now? Don't buy this rubbish. Those people are rich enough as it is, and you can get better and cheaper elsewhere.
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DEATH CAB REISSUE DEBUT
Death Cab For Cutie are to reissue their debut album 'Something About Airplanes', originally released back in 1998. The limited edition deluxe package, which marks the LP's tenth anniversary, is out in the US on 25 Nov, and includes a bonus disc featuring a recording of the band's first ever Seattle show, which took place in February of 1998. On the same day, they'll also release a deluxe vinyl edition of their May 2008 album 'Narrow Stairs', which will be packaged with a 7" single featuring demo versions of album tracks 'No Sunlight' and 'The Ice Is Getting Thinner'.
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SONY BOSS RATHER LIKES NEW BEYONCE ALBUM
Here's what Sony US boss Rob Stringer has to say about the upcoming Beyonce album, which will be released by the major's Columbia division later this year. He told the New York Daily News: "She has an enormous number of very talented people doing whatever they can to make it the best record possible. Normally I would lie low, but we think the first two singles will be utterly huge. They're two of the best songs of her career. BeyoncŽ is incredibly hardworking, and [the album] is 97%-98% done. It'll be out before Nov. 20. Frankly, we think the whole record is going to be huge". Those two singles,
'If I Were a Boy' and 'Single Ladies', are set to be revealed next week.
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JAY-Z TO GIG IN SUPPORT OF OBAMA
Jay-Z has announced that he will play two gigs in support of Barack Obama this weekend. On Saturday he'll appear at a free concert at the Cobo Arena in Detroit, and on Sunday will play a show at Bayfront Park in Miami. Both events are part of an attempt to get people to register to vote ahead of a 6 Oct deadline in both Michigan and Florida. Tickets are available for fans aged eighteen and over to pick up from at Obama's campaign offices in the two states.
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HOT CHIP TO HEADLINE MOSHI MOSHI BIRTHDAY PARTY
Moshi Moshi have unveiled the 'secret' headliners for their previously reported 10th anniversary party at Matter on 18 Oct. Hot Chip, whose debut EP and album Moshi Moshi released back in 2004, will join Kate Nash, Florence & The Machine, Tilly & The Wall, Slow Club, The Wave Pictures and James Yuill in celebrating ten years of the influential label.
Moshi co-founder Michael McClatchley told CMU: "When we first started talking about doing a 10th birthday show Hot Chip were the first name to go on the list. They have defined Moshi Moshi more than any other. Musically and culturally they encapsulate what we want Moshi Moshi to be about. And they were the first band we worked with to cross-over to mainstream success".
Moshi will be holding the party in support of Shelter with £1 from each ticket price going to the charity. Tickets for the night cost £16 in advance, available from www.ticketweb.co.uk and include a boat ride across the Thames to Matter.
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JUDAS PRIEST ANNOUNCE FEAST
Judas Priest have announced UK tour dates with Megadeth and Testament, which they are dubbing the 'Priest Feast' tour.
Tour dates:
13 Feb: Sheffield, Arena
14 Feb: Birmingham, NEC
16 Feb: Glasgow, SECC
17 Feb: Manchester, MEN Arena
18 Feb: Nottingham, Arena
20 Feb: Cardiff, International Arena
21 Feb: London, Wembley Arena
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ALBUM REVIEW: Madlib - Wlib AM: King Of The Wigflip (Barely Breaking Even Records)
Spinning hot off the slipmat and into your aural channels, this highly anticipated epilogue to 2007's 'BeatKonducta Vols: 3 and 4' is the latest installation from the influential beat smith Madlib, aka Otis Jackson. Known for his ability to orchestrate multi-layered compositions, Jackson's latest body of work solidly testifies to this. Cuts such as 'Parklight' immediately grasp the ears by virtue of the 12 second sound clip that's been incongruously grafted to its introduction: a segment that echoes the retrogressive stylings of 80's urban culture. Unlike previous volumes however, 'Wlib AM' boasts a varied track list with songs averaging roughly three minutes in length. It seems from the outset that Jackson's current opus aims to yoke myriad stylistic forces by presenting them in a more prolonged and mature fashion; a strategy that contrasts starkly with the method that spawned the two minute bites of multi-instrumental fusions found on prior 'BeatKonducta' releases. As far as collaborations are concerned, his penchant for conflating deep funky melodies with basslines rendered in asphalt vividly prevails. Cuts such as 'Yo Yo Affair Pt. 1 & 2' showcase soulfully expressed vocals by Frezna, where meandering vocal incantations are dextrously coalesced with ethereal jazz piano; much akin to the futuristic constructions of Flying Louts. In sum, 'Wlib AM: King of the Wigflip' is a solid exhibition of intelligent rhyme schemes set against an aural landscape that is multi-textured in nature. Standing alongside the accomplishments of Nujabes and J-Dilla in the corridor of hip-hop history, this album delivers a fast-track education in urban theory by propagating Mind//Altering//Demented//Lessons//In//Beats. SG
Release Date: 30 Sep
Press Contact: Outpost Digital [O]
Buy from iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/3kpc8l
Buy from Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/4t8mtt
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AIM APPOINT NEW VICE-CHAIR
The Association Of Independent Music has just elected Doug D'Arcy of music management and investment consultancy Songlines to the post of Vice Chairman, taking over from Chrysalis' Jeremy Lascelles who stood down back in June.
Confirming his appointment, D'Arcy said: ''I'm particularly happy to be the Vice Chairman of AIM going into its 10th year. I think at this time of challenge and change the independent community's willingness to offer a commitment to creativity and radical strategies is more relevant than ever".
AIM boss Alison Wenham added: "I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work closely with Doug. He has been an active and steadfast member of the board over the life of the organisation and brings much wisdom and experience".
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IMEEM HAS A REFRESH
Following the revamp of MySpace's music proposition last week, that other social networking website which has music at its heart, Imeem, has had a bit of a refresh, with an overhaul of artist profiles, plus new chart-based browsing and some of that peer-recommendation whatnot going on.
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SISTER RAY BOUGHT AS GOING CONCERN
London indie record shop Sister Ray has been reportedly bought by another unnamed indie retailer, or so says Music Week. This follows comments last month by the administrator overseeing the liquidation of the indie store to the effect that two people were interested in buying the shop as a going concern, one of which had a retail background. The deal means that Sister Ray should continue as normal in its current Berwick Street shop, and that the people who work there's jobs are safe. Which is unusual - a happy story from the world of music retail, hurrah!
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CLASSIC ROCK LAUNCHES RECORD LABEL
Classic Rock magazine is launching its own record label dedicated to "high voltage rock music", whatever that means. It's part of Future Publishing's plans to expand the Classic Rock brand on its tenth anniversary. The label's first releases will come from Welsh rock band Lethargy, California's Endeverafter and Vancouver's Pride Tiger.
Confirming the label venture, Classic Rock Publisher Chris Ingham told reporters: "Over the years we've discovered an amazing raft of new hard rock talent at Classic Rock. It's always been a huge frustration that nobody at traditional labels seemed to notice all of these great bands and give them the support and backing they need. Powerage will give our readers the chance to get their hands on some great music from bands who deserve to be heard".
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SHORTLIST GETS NEW EDITOR
The editor of the rather fab ShortList magazine is stepping down to spend more time on his writing projects. Ross Brown, who oversaw the launch of the free blokes' mag title, will continue to advise as an Editor At Large though. The editor role will be taken on by former Maxim Deputy Editor Terri White, who has been Executive Editor on ShortList so far.
Brown says this: "Over the last 16 months we have turned a brilliant idea into a phenomenal reality and I am proud to have played my role in the magazine's success".
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GLOBAL APPOINTS NEW GROUP MARKETING CHIEF
More media appointments, and Global Radio has announced that Nicola Thomson, previously head of marketing for its Heart, LBC and Galaxy stations, and before that marketing exec at rival station Magic, will take on the Marketing Director job for the whole group which now, of course, includes all the former GCap stations.
Global's Executive Director Richard Park told reporters: "Nicola's track record at Magic speaks for itself, and as Global moves forward to build significant radio brands in the commercial sector she is the ideal person to have in this key position".
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NEW CONTROLLER FOR BBC4
And one more media appointment. The BBC have announced Janice Hadlow, currently Controller of BBC 4, is about to become the Controller of BBC 2, taking over from incumbent Roly Keating who is off to play with the BBC archive. BBC Vision boss Jana Bennett just said this: "Janice is an outstanding original thinker who has led BBC4 from strength to strength. She has demonstrated a passion for intelligent television across the different genres, with an eye for making an impact, whether that is in serious factual programming, mould breaking comedy or authored drama".
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ITV ANNOUNCE JOB CUTS IN LOCAL NEWS
ITV has announced about 430 jobs will go following the decision by media regulator OfCom to let it cut back on local news programming. The cut back in local news will see its 17 local news divisions reduced to nine, each with a much bigger area to cover. Added to the 425 jobs already cut in the broadcaster's PR, finance, commercial and global content divisions, that means ITV will have nearly 900 less employees by next February, when the latest cuts are expected to be completed. ITV COO John Cresswell said this: "We are committed to a self-help, self-funding solution to securing ITV's future. In order to sustain our investment in UK content, we have to keep on top of our cost base".
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GALLAGHER CLUELESS ABOUT HIS ONLINE MARKETING
Noel Gallagher has said that he wasn't aware that the new Oasis album 'Dig Out Your Soul' was being streamed via the band's MySpace ahead of its 6 Oct release. Gallagher told 6Music that he only finds out stuff like that when he reads it in the paper (and even then he doesn't really seem to get it), adding: "I don't have any opinion on that sort of thing. I don't get involved. I've done a little bit for the website in the past. Are people streaming it on Myspace? Good luck to them. Somebody texted me today with it all and a load of jargon that I don't understand and I was going, 'Yes, I don't know what that means...but yes'".
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FUCKED UP MAN TALKS BLEEDING
Fucked Up frontman Father Damian has responded to criticism of his tendency to appear on stage with a bleeding head. He told Xfm: "People have forgotten that blood-letting in rock n roll is a tradition. I feel like it's a baton that we seemed to have dropped in this modern era of rock n roll. If Fucked Up is doing nothing else, we're picking up that baton for rock n roll again. It's sad that I do it because it's really pathetic, but it's also a point of pride. I'm willing to bleed for the kids out there".
Asked if the blood thing would put off more mainstream rock fans, he pointed out he's not in a band who've ever gone out of their way to make people like them. He continued: "I'm a 300 pound hairy bald man, we're a band of ragamuffins, I scream and we're called Fucked Up. Mass appeal is something we've never aimed for".
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BRITNEY TO BUY SEX TAPE, IF THERE IS ONE
Britney Spears is apparently hoping to buy the sex tape that ex-lover Adnan Ghalib is reportedly trying to sell.
The fact that she's willing to do so might convince interested parties who haven't been bidding on it so far that there's something in it worth spending serious money one. But, hey, what do I know, I've never been to Mexico or been filmed naked wearing only a pink wig. I do suspect, though, that the $5 million one porn website is reportedly offering would be conditional on the tape existing.
And while Britney's people are reportedly busy trying to get their hands on the sex tape, Ghalib has now denied there it exists. Talking to Star magazine in the US, he said: "There is no sex tape and I've never claimed there is one. I don't know where these quotes I'm supposed to have said have come from. What I do know is they certainly didn't come from me and they are completely false. I'm extremely upset and distressed and I'm taking legal action... This story has caused a lot of hurt to my family and people close to me. There is no sex tape. That is the end of the matter".
Before he gave that interview, a "friend" of Britney told the Sun: "Her lawyers have been working overtime. They've been told to do whatever it takes to stop the video making it onto the internet". That, it seems, either means finding $5 million, or doing absolutely nothing, depending on which tabloid or magazine you read.
