Super Bowl Showdown, Sony's MJ Deal, Rock Hall Nominees

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Centrist Chronicle
February 13, 2024

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In an electrifying Super Bowl LVIII last night, the Kansas City Chiefs triumphed over the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 25-22, culminating in a thrilling overtime victory. This game marked only the second instance of a Super Bowl going into overtime and represented the first occasion of a team securing consecutive championships since the New England Patriots' victories in 2003-04.

The match highlighted the exceptional performance of the kickers from both teams, who collectively achieved seven field goals. Jake Moody of the 49ers impressed with the longest field goal in Super Bowl history at 55 yards, a feat subsequently surpassed by Harrison Butker of the Chiefs with a remarkable 57-yard field goal in the third quarter.

This win notches the fourth championship title for the Chiefs and their third in the last five years. Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs' celebrated quarterback, amassed 333 passing yards and two touchdowns, earning him the Super Bowl MVP title for the third time in his career.


Sony Music Group is in the process of acquiring a 50% stake in the recording and publishing rights of the late Michael Jackson for $600 million, following a year-long negotiation period. Should this acquisition be completed, it would set the valuation of the legendary pop star's music catalog at an unprecedented $1.2 billion, marking the highest valuation for a music catalog thus far.

The allure of classic music catalogs as resilient, long-term investments have grown, offering stability even during economic downturns. Owners of recording rights receive royalties whenever their music is purchased or streamed, and those holding publishing rights have the opportunity to license songs for movies, television, commercials, and more. This trend has seen an array of musicians, from Bruce Springsteen to Katy Perry, sell portions or the entirety of their catalogs for various reasons, including estate planning simplification, tax advantages, or securing financial security amidst uncertainties about their musical legacy.

Michael Jackson himself was an early investor in music catalogs, notably acquiring the rights to the Beatles' songs in 1985, an action that famously caused tension between him and Paul McCartney.


The nominees for the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame include the renowned Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige; the celebrated singer-songwriter Mariah Carey; the enduring pop superstar Cher; the beloved roots rock ensemble Dave Matthews Band; hip-hop trailblazers Eric B. & Rakim; the anthemic stadium rock group Foreigner; the guitar virtuoso and talk box expert Peter Frampton; the alternative hard rock band Jane’s Addiction; the influential funky R&B group Kool & the Gang; rock luminary Lenny Kravitz; the emblematic Britpop band Oasis; the alternative pop pioneer Sinéad O’Connor; heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne; the refined R&B act Sade; and the alternative hip-hop innovators A Tribe Called Quest.

For the 2024 induction, two-thirds of the candidates are appearing on the Rock Hall ballot for the first time, despite many years of being eligible for induction, with notable mentions including Cher, Frampton, and Foreigner. This year represents the second time being nominated for Mary J. Blige, Eric B. & Rakim, Jane’s Addiction, and Dave Matthews Band, while A Tribe Called Quest sees its third nomination.