Digital Music News – studio recording, publishing, streaming, live concerts, talent development

The latest music news from Digital Music News, affecting recording industry, music publishing, mp3 streaming, concert industry, talent development, venture capital, and music technology, with reporting on artists new releases and where to get new mp3 songs.

1. Verizon Moves to Stay Major Label Infringement Suit Pending Supreme Court’s Cox Communications Ruling

   As the Supreme Court prepares to hear a marathon copyright case involving Cox Communications, Verizon is looking to stay the separate infringement action it’s fending off from the major labels. Verizon just recently asked the court to pause the process pending the Supreme Court ruling. By now, many are familiar with the long-running showdown between […]

2. Spotify Reportedly Threatens Turkey Exit Amid Intensifying Government Dispute

   Looks like the Spotify situation is souring in Turkey – so much so that the streaming platform is reportedly considering exiting the nation of 85 million. That’s according to a new round of regional coverage, which follows last week’s reports of the overarching dispute. Not Spotify’s first public dust-up with the Turkish government – 2020 […]

3. Let the Fourth Trial Begin: T.I. and Tiny Formally Reject Massive Award Reduction in Marathon OMG Girlz Suit

   Multiple years and three trials later, the marathon legal battle between T.I. and MGA Entertainment is poised to receive yet another trial, this time to redetermine punitive damages. The presiding judge confirmed as much earlier this week, and the appropriate litigants yesterday took the first step towards scheduling the fourth trial. As some know, the […]

4. Kobalt Snags a Piece of Derrick Southerland’s Catalog Alongside Broader Publishing Deal

   Kobalt has inked a global publishing deal with Nashville songwriter Derrick Southerland, which includes acquiring a portion of his extensive catalog. Southerland is widely recognized for writing Ingrid Andress’ “More Hearts Than Mine” which was named the 2020 MusicRow Song of the Year. His credits also include “Lady Like” and “Seeing Someone Else.” Beyond these […]

5. After Scary Mid-Air Mishap, Beyoncé Swaps Flying Cadillac for Gold Horse

   Beyoncé swaps the flying Cadillac for a flying gold horse, following a scary mid-air stage mishap in Houston last month. Beyoncé has made a noticeable change to her Cowboy Carter Tour after the recent mishap that saw her flying Cadillac tilting mid-air with her aboard. In the closing moments of her July 10 show in […]

6. T.I. Quickly Barred From Using ‘Situationships’ Movie Title by a Federal Judge

   A federal New York judge has issued an injunction preventing T.I. and his team from using the title “Situationships” for their upcoming film. T.I. has quickly been barred from using the title “Situationships” for his upcoming project after a trademark battle ensued with another production company. A federal judge has issued an injunction preventing the […]

7. Love Island User Playlists Spike 6,300% on Spotify—Streams of Janelle Monae Hit From Official Playlist Jump by 2,000%

   Peacock’s “Love Island” is defining the soundtracks of the summer as user-generated Spotify playlists see a 6,300% increase in streams. It seems like Peacock’s “Love Island” is everywhere this summer, and Spotify is no exception. Since the show’s premiere on June 3, streams of the Season 7 theme song, “Make Me Feel – EDX Dubai […]

8. SBA’s SVOG Crackdown: Around 650 Music Venues Pursued Over Suspect COVID Rescue Funds

   The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently sent a wave of Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) rescission letters. A new update from the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) suggests more than 91% of venues that received funds are in the clear. According to NIVA, the SBA has assured that 91.7% of SVOG grantees—those who completed paperwork […]

9. SoundCloud Taps elasticStage to Offer On-Demand Vinyl Production — Though Artists are Understandably Cautious

   SoundCloud has announced a new partnership with elasticStage, aiming to make vinyl production accessible for artists through on-demand printing. Artists are understandably wary of on-demand vinyl outfits, though. The collaboration introduces a print-on-demand model that enables creators to offer vinyls to their fans without upfront costs, minimum orders, or inventory management. SoundCloud...

10. DSW Fires Back Against the Majors’ Social Media Infringement Claims: ‘This Case Is About the Labels’ Greed’

    It turns out Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) isn’t thrilled about being sued for social media copyright infringement. Amid a courtroom confrontation with Warner Music, the retail chain’s parent is now seeking a declaratory judgement against Universal Music, Sony Music, and BMG.   Designer Brands (NYSE: DBI) submitted its own complaint yesterday, after Warner Music Group […]

11. Republic Swoops in on the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Action With Visva Records JV — Savan Kotecha-Founded Label Also Debuts the ‘Greatest Indian Boy Band’

    Republic Records is getting in on the fictional-artist action in a big way as the soundtrack for Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters continues to climb the charts. The Universal Music-owned label underscored that soundtrack’s showing in a formal release this week, after the 100-minute film itself premiered on June 20th. Evidently, the animated work is resonating […]

12. Hybe Responds As Criminal Case Moves Forward Against Bang Si-hyuk, Says It Will ‘Demonstrate That the IPO Was Carried Out in Full Compliance With Laws and Regulations’

    Hybe has responded to the reportedly imminent fraudulent-trading charges against Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, maintaining that its “IPO was carried out in full compliance with laws and regulations.” The K-pop giant addressed the much-publicized subject in a statement provided to DMN. We’ve been covering the overarching financial-regulator investigation (besides a related-but-distinct police probe) for...

13. OneRepublic Sign New Global Recordings Partnership with BMG

    OneRepublic sign a new global recordings partnership with BMG, marking the group’s first new label home in nearly 20 years. Multi-platinum selling band OneRepublic have signed a new global recordings partnership with BMG to release their upcoming seventh studio album. The first single, “Beautiful Colors,” is set to be released on July 25. The deal […]

14. Who Else Was Involved? After Leiweke’s Indictment, the DOJ’s Moody Center Bid-Rigging Case Could Reveal More Co-Conspirators

    The recent indictment of Tim Leiweke, Co-Founder & CEO of Oak View Group (OVG), has cast a spotlight on the intricate network of organizations and individuals behind Austin’s Moody Center. As the legal process unfolds, the industry is scrutinizing not just the alleged bid-rigging allegations but also the broader roster of entities that shaped the […]

15. Will The Velvet Sundown Soon Face a Streaming Crackdown? DSP Hiccups Raise Questions As Spotify Monthly Listeners Top 1.18 Million

    Millions of streams – and an avalanche of publicity – later, is “synthetic music project” The Velvet Sundown facing a streaming crackdown? The question is front of mind following a few curious developments on DSPs. We noted one of those developments yesterday, when The Velvet Sundown’s release countdown for Paper Sun Rebellion – the AI […]