Less than a year into his signed contract with Columbia Records as a solo artist, Steve Angello is taking the financial plunge to choicely detach from the label contract and approach his forthcoming album as an indie release. Though his decision comes to most as a surprise and perhaps on the surface seems a shocking choice to make, Angello has reportedly felt a lack of support from the label in regards to his most recent releases. “Wasted Love,” a festival-primed summer hit, never managed to break through to the top of Billboard’s esteemed Hot 100 list – a surprisingly lackluster result from a major-label backed track.

Furthermore, Wild Youth, his first official solo project following the end of Swedish House Mafia, has allegedly long been completed and remains caught in disagreements between the artist and Columbia Records concerning a release date.

Though financially, Angello’s decision will cost him, Wild Youth and his forthcoming projects have plenty of potential to thrive unaffected by his decision to go independent. Earlier this spring, Dancing Astronaut sat down with the acclaimed producer as he unknowingly alluded to a difference in mentality behind his own imprint, Size Records, that could have played into his future negotiations with Columbia Records: “We do everything ourselves instead. It’s just more space to be creative, it gives us more speed when we need to move fast… There’s a different creative control when you don’t have to link up with other people. My biggest goal has always been creativity, and sometimes creativity gets lost in communication.”

Posted by Zel McCarthy (via thump)
Photo by Rukes

We are now nine and a half months into 2014, and the sales numbers for the music industry are looking particularly grim. While the fourth quarter is typically when the most sales occur, things have never been quite so bad.

In 2014, not a single artist’s album has gone platinum. Not one has managed to cross that million sales mark.

One album has managed to sell over a million copies so far this year, but it’s a soundtrack. The ever-popular Frozen soundtrack may slowly be working its way down the charts, but it is by far the best selling collection this year. Though it doesn’t have any marquee names on it—those that are usually expected to sell the best—the soundtrack has managed to move 3.2 million copies so far, and with winter coming, that number is sure to rise.

By this time last year, five different CDs had hit one million units sold or more, with Justin Timberlake’s comeback LP The 20/20 Experience in front. By the beginning of Q4 in 2013, that album had moved 2.3 million copies, which is still far behind the success of Frozen.

In fact, album sales this year are so bad, you have to look all the way down to number four on the list of best-sellers to even find something that was released in 2014. The number two and three sellers are Beyonce’s surprise self-titled album and newcomer Lorde’s Pure Heroine, respectively. Both of those have moved in the area of 750,000 so far this year. Both albums were released in 2013 and moved the bulk of their numbers then, but have continued to enjoy commercial success.

Number four on the list is country star Eric Church and his album Outsiders, which is only 20-something thousand behind Lorde. Immediately behind him is Coldplay, whose Ghost Stories isn’t trailing by much.

Comparatively, 60 songs have sold one million (or more) copies, something not unusual in a world where loving a single no longer means having to purchase an entire album. While 60 is surely better than…one…when it comes to million-plus sellers, it’s not all good news. Last year, 83 songs went platinum, so digital single sales are sliding as well, but not as quickly.

We are now in Q4, and the time for record sales to spike is upon us. As more and more shoppers look for the perfect gift for loved ones, the record industry is hoping that they turn to albums, as so many have in the past. Sadly, the rest of 2014 doesn’t have many huge chart toppers left. We are not expecting albums from Adele, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars or the handful of others who still have the power to move millions of albums. While anything is possible—especially in a post-Beyonce, drop-an-album-at-anytime kind of world—it is unlikely that anyone is coming to save 2014’s lackluster record sales.

Posted by Hugh McIntyre (via Forbes)

Do you know what’s better than the party? It would have to be that special After Party, but just that one-on-one private party. Club Killers presents “The After Party” with model Ceci. You can see her wearing the new Club Killers tank “Music Is My Life” because it just is. I mean what would life be without music? Certainly we wouldn’t be having any parties or maybe you could, but what’s a party without music. Heck! what’s a party without a dope DJ setting up the vibe. So just sit back and enjoy “The After Party.” and after worths go ahead and check out our online shop.

Miami’s DJ Obscene returns to drop another proper set on Club Killers Radio, he’s always been a fan favorite & once again he brings you another high energy amped up mix from South Beach.

Don’t forget, all you DJs out there log in to the site & check out his hot picks chart, if you’re looking for his full track list, continue reading Continue reading →

Take an amazing inside look at the world’s youngest superstar DJ as he travels from Balaton Sound in Hungary to Croatia for Ultra Music Festival Europe.

Posted by David Miller

As pop superstar Kesha lobbed a bombshell lawsuit alleging disturbing sexual abuse on the part of her producer, Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald was filing his own lawsuit against Kesha, her mother Pebe and her reps at Vector Management.

Dr. Luke’s complaint, filed in New York Supreme Court, paints the dispute as arising out of a repudiation of Kesha’s longstanding record deal.

Read Kesha’s Lawsuit Against Dr. Luke

Kesha and Dr. Luke both agree that in 2005, she was discovered. But whereas Kesha says it was the beginning of a one-sided relationship that would result in rape and devious manipulation, the producer says that he took her from being a complete unknown to the prominent platinum-selling artist that she is today.

Dr. Luke, who has worked with artists like Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Kelly Clarkson, says that the terms of Kesha’s exclusive agreement meant that she would engage Dr. Luke for at least six recordings and that he would be provided with a specified percentage of the sales of each recording that he produced. Amendments to the contract were made, but maybe not to Kesha’s full satisfaction.

“As part of the effort to get out of the Gottwald Recording Agreement, Kesha and Pebe have also orchestrated a campaign of publishing false and shocking accusations against Gottwald to extort Plaintiffs into letting Kesha out of the Gottwald Recording Agreement,” states the complaint.

The lawsuit doesn’t mean Kesha’s own lawsuit filed Monday per se, but rather communications in the run-up to the filing of the lawsuit. That includes letters sent by Kesha’s mother in October 2013 that claimed abuse along with threats to send the accusations to a blogger who was running the website Free Kesha.

Dr. Luke’s attorneys say that a third party later saw a “draft complaint” of Kesha’s lawsuit, which Dr. Luke’s side says “contained false and scurrilous accusations,” although that third party wasn’t able to retain it. Dr. Luke’s side tells THR they still haven’t seen it.

His lawsuit doesn’t go into much detail about exactly which statements were false, and how they were made, but it does say that the defendants have published defamatory statements of physical and mental abuse “that Kesha and Pebe have themselves admitted are false.”

Dr. Luke is suing for defamation, plus he’s alleging breach of contract, saying that the terms of the agreement and subsequent amendments are valid. To those at Vector Management, hired by the singer in 2013, he’s asserting tortious interference as part of the firm’s alleged effort to gain a larger share of her profits from records. Dr. Luke is represented by Christine Lepara at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp.

“It’s a despicable thing of what he is doing,” responds Kesha attorney Mark Geragos. “It reminds me of Ray Rice threatening to sue his wife for ruining his career. [Dr. Luke] thinks that because he has got more money than he knows what to do, he can do whatever he wants. Our complaint is accurate and supported by evidence and witnesses.”

Posted by Eriq Gardner (via billboard)

Kesha is suing longtime producer Dr. Luke for emotional abuse and an instance of sexual assault, according to a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Kesha is looking to be freed of her contract with the producer.

“This lawsuit is a wholehearted effort by Kesha to regain control of her music career and her personal freedom after suffering for ten years as a victim of mental manipulation, emotional abuse and sexual assault at the hands of Dr. Luke,” Kesha’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, tells Billboard via a statement. “The facts presented in our lawsuit paint a picture of a man who is controlling and willing to commit horrible acts of abuse in an attempt to intimidate an impressionable, talented, young female artist into submission for his personal gain. Kesha is focused on moving her life and her career beyond this terrible time.”

TMZ, who broke the news, reported this startling allegation from the lawsuit: “Kesha claims after forcing her to drink with him, Dr. Luke gave her what he called “sober pills.” Kesha claims she woke up the following afternoon, naked in Dr. Luke’s bed, sore, sick… and with no memory of how she got there.”

The lawsuit cites an instance of alleged physical abuse as well, saying Dr. Luke was “violently thrashing his arms at her” at one point.

TMZ also reports Dr. Luke filed an immediate countersuit, alleging Kesha is lying in order to get out of her contract.

Earlier this year, Kesha checked herself into rehab for an eating disorder. Kesha’s mother, Pebe Sebert, publicly blamed Dr. Luke for her daughter’s low self-esteem.

Posted by Joe Lynch (via TMZ)

The club formerly known as Pure now has a new identity: Omnia. Set to open in spring 2015, the 75,000-square-foot club at Caesars Palace is a nightlife experience dedicated to the savvy Las Vegas visitor who knows what they want. Hakkasan Group, which owned the space as Pure and now Omnia, knows that the departure of the legendary nightclub left a big void in Vegas nightlife, but they’re ready to create a new story and legend with the new space.

“Pure was really the first ‘celebrity’ venue to exist in Las Vegas, which traded on our desire to be in the proximity of famous people,” says Nick McCabe, president of Hakkasan Group. “Now that social media offers us almost unfettered access to celebrities, nightclubs have moved in a different direction and our customers seek valuable experiences in the form of performances. Omnia will be a very performance-focused venue.”

The multi-level club, designed by the esteemed Rockwell Group, will feature not only the massive main room, but a sexy ultra-lounge, mezzanine and rooftop garden with spectacular views of the Strip. Hakkasan Group worked with Caesars Palace to expand into the former poker room space, which has high-vaulted ceilings, a hidden gem of the property that will allow Omnia to create new visual elements for the scene.

And although Vegas nightlife is fueled almost entirely by EDM and DJs these days, Omnia seeks to be more democratic about what they will deliver as far as who entertains throughout the night.

“Las Vegas is obviously a very EDM-driven market right now, and so we will certainly be featuring some top tier electronic talent,” McCabe admits. “Ultimately though, our goal is to provide our customers with whatever they tell us they want, and so whether it’s a DJ, a live performance or a celebrity host, our programming choices will be driven by what our customers get excited about.”

And why the name Omnia?

“In its simplest form, Omnia means ‘all,'” explains McCabe. “Which epitomizes the approach we have taken with this venue, to create an experience that everyone can savor. From our fans on the dance floor to our VIP clients, we have tried to ensure that every one of our guests will perceive Omnia as being designed just for them.”

Posted by Grace Bascos (via USA Today)

Eagle Slipmat still available on our store, which is a item that every Dj must have. From beginner to intermediate, every Dj had an old crusty slipmat that was faded and worn. Well those are the days of the past, and todays standards are much higher. Club Killers does not only represent what the elite means, but also shows it with spirit.

Special guest of the week DJ Presto One, Las Vegas veteran who recently opened up his own DJ school here in Las Vegas called “Blend DJ institute” & current resident DJ for the Palms Casino & 33 Group. For more info on Blend Las Vegas check out the official website: www.blendvegas.com

Check out Presto Ones full track list after the jump! Continue reading →

We did an exclusive photo shoot for a brand new ClubKillers.com campaign. With many new updates to the website, we decided to do a shoot to promote our community. So keep on checking our website for more future projects.

A couple weeks ago we had a couple minutes to sit down with Steve Aoki inside his MGM Grand suite & enjoy some time getting to know him a little better. Special thanks to Steve Aoki, Dim Mak Records, Phil Nieves @ Ultra Records, DJ CO1 @ KLUC, Dirty Lou, & Jon Que.

Posted by John Cha