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Music News: Prince estate worth $200 million, court filings indicate

Prince performs onstage during the 2007 NCLR ALMA Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 1, 2007 in Pasadena, California.
Prince performs onstage during the 2007 NCLR ALMA Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 1, 2007 in Pasadena, California.Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NCLR

by Jay Gabler

November 30, 2016

Court filings have now placed a value on Prince’s estate: $200 million. That's twice the value of David Bowie’s estate, with Prince's estate earning $25 million in 2016 alone.

Interestingly, that means that Prince still made less this year than the perennially profitable Elvis Presley, whose estate has brought in $27 million this year — while Michael Jackson’s estate bagged an astonishing $825 million, due to the sale of Jackson's stake in the Sony/ATV music publishing catalog. (MPR News)

Dave Grohl and Questlove cameo in Alexander Hamilton Drunk History

The Drunk History you've been waiting for is here: the story of Alexander Hamilton as told by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. In addition to a handful of movie and TV stars, Comedy Central recruited Dave Grohl and Questlove to appear in the episode. (Consequence of Sound)

Marvin Gaye miniseries coming

The Hollywood Reporter has spilled the news that Jamie Foxx is producing a limited-run TV series about the life of soul great Marvin Gaye. "This project will be a powerful and definitive telling of Marvin Gaye's life story," says the singer's son Marvin Gaye III. Motown founder Berry Gordy has also signed off on the project, which is the first biopic to earn approval from the Gaye family. No word as of yet on where the series will be seen, or when it will be out.

Iggy and Danger Mouse go "Gold"

Iggy Pop and Danger Mouse have recorded the title song for a forthcoming film called Gold. "Inspired by a true story," writes Pitchfork, "Gold stars Matthew McConaughey as Kenny Wells, a man looking for gold in the jungles of Indonesia."

Pop says, "This beautiful and unpredictable film spoke to me of violence, desire, destiny, lust and the inescapable twists of fate." Gold hits theaters Jan. 27.

Primavera lineup is stacked

Festival-announcement season is getting earlier and earlier every year, and Primavera Sound is out of the gate with a killer lineup for their 2017 festival, which takes place in Barcelona from May 31 to June 4. Topping the bill: Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean, the xx, Aphex Twin, Grace Jones, Slayer, Solange, and — wait for it — Van Morrison. (Pitchfork)

Today's vinyl news

The Smiths are releasing a 7" single with unreleased music on both sides. Morrissey has designed new cover art for the single, which will feature a "demo mix" of "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" backed with an unissued version of "Rubber Ring." No release date has yet been announced. (Billboard)

Childish Gambino will release his forthcoming album "Awaken, My Love!" will be released on limited-edition "virtual reality" vinyl. What does that mean? Who knows (maybe it will have a hologram?), but right now you can watch a VR video of a live performance of "Me and Your Mama." Details at Pitchfork.

Canadian drunk drivers sentenced to Nickelback

Kensington, Canada is getting tough on drunk drivers. Offenders busted for driving under the influence this holiday season will face, in addition to other penalties, a ride to the police station while listening to Nickelback. According to a post on the local authorities' Facebook page, they hope they won't have to make good on their threat: "Please, let's not ruin a perfectly good unopened copy of Nickelback. You don't drink and drive and we won't make you listen to it." (Billboard)