‘Change-seeking robot’ Miquela signs with CAA

Miquela, a singer, model, influencer and robot, has become the first-ever virtual client to sign with Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

The CGI-generated avatar, who was previously signed to WME, will be represented by CAA in all areas, including music, TV, film, brand strategy and commercial endorsements.

Created by robotics and artificial intelligence startup, Brud, Miquela was introduced to the world via her Instagram account in 2016. The avatar now has 2.2 million followers on the platform and almost 600,000 on TikTok.

Miquela, or Lil Miquela, as she is also known, has released a number of singles, including a recent collaboration with (human) singer Teyana Taylor called ‘Machine’. Software and pitch-correction tools are used to create Miquela’s vocal performances. It is unknown who provides her voice.

Described as a “change-seeking robot”, Miquela is currently raising money for the MusiCares Covid-19 relief fund on her Instagram page.

“Over the last few years, we’ve watched the team at Brud create a true multi-hyphenate in Miquela”

Non-human artists have appeared in all kinds of forms in recent years. Japanese vocaloid Hatsune Miku, who takes the holographic form of a blue-haired teenager, has performed live in Asia, North America and Europe. The vocaloid was due to play this year’s Coachella festival, which has now been postponed to October due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Lil Mayo, an alien-meme-turned-Instagram-influencer, ranked in third place on IQ’s Radar Station chart in January. The alien puppet’s single ‘Be Gone Thot’ has almost 14m streams on Spotify and over 11m on YouTube.

“Over the last few years, we’ve watched the team at Brud create a true multi-hyphenate in Miquela,” says Adam Friedman, CAA global client strategy executive. “We are excited to jump in and help her navigate the world of television and film, and also see a unique opportunity for innovative, forward-thinking brands to align with a culturally relevant, icon-in-the-making.”

Founded in 2014, Brud has raised US$6.1m in funding from investors including Spark Capital, BoxGroup, Sequoia Capital and Founders Fund.

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Kaash Paige tops 2020’s first Radar Station

Rising R&B singer Kaash Paige tops the first Radar Station of the new decade, in a chart dominated by drill and rap artists and topped by two acts still in their teens– as well as an alien-meme-turned-Instagram-influencer…

Dallas-born Kaash Paige, 18, has climbed from fifth place to lead the Radar Station chart in January, following the release of her single ‘64’ and debut EP Parked Car Convos late last year.

The singer, who is represented by Cheryl Paglierani at United Talent Agency, is performing at Fortress Festival in Texas and the Miami edition of Live Nation’s Rolling Loud Festival in the coming months.

The remix of Kaash Paige’s most popular single, ‘Love Songs’, was released at the end of January, featuring Atlanta rapper 6lack.

In at second is the Kid Laroi, a 16-year-old Australian hip-hop artist that has stormed up the Radar Station chart over the past month. Releasing his debut EP aged just 14, the Kid has since appeared on stage with the likes of Manu Crook$, Tkay Maidza, Denzel Curry and Juice Wrld.

Dallas-born Kaash Paige, 18, has climbed from fifth place to lead the Radar Station chart in January

The Kid, who is represented by Niche Talent Agency, became the first Australian hip-hop artist to perform at Rolling Loud New York last year. His latest single, ‘Diva’, has amassed 3.5 million views on YouTube in just three days.

Lil Mayo becomes the first non-human entry to the Radar Station chart, as the three-foot-tall rubber doll – “the most savage alien on the ‘gram” – takes third place with his single ‘Be Gone Thot!’.

Created by US-based Alex Martyn, Lil Mayo emerged out of an extraterrestrial-themed page based on the ‘ayy lmao’ memes.

The Radar Station algorithm calculates the fastest-growing new artists by combining data across a number of online platforms, including Spotify, Facebook, Songkick and Last.fm. December’s number one was Coi Leray, who made history in securing the top spot for a third time.

See below for a Spotify playlist of last month’s top 20, plus the full chart with links to artists’ social media pages.

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