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. The 67th Grammy Awards: Unforgettable Performances, Speeches, and Dedications to LA Wildfires

   The 67th Grammy Awards, an evening that would crest on several high notes, featured heartfelt tributes to the individuals who fought the devastating California wildfires. On the biggest annual night in music, the stars descended at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The following comes from Open On Sunday, a company DMN is proud to be […]

2. Is a Concert Slowdown Afoot? Live Nation Earnings Details, Continued Event Cancellations Prompt Discussion

   Is the concert and festival space facing a major slowdown? The question is taking center stage despite Live Nation’s record 2024 revenue and soaring stock price. We covered that all-time-high revenue ($23.16 billion) and other performance particulars yesterday, when Live Nation shares (NYSE: LYV) cracked $157 apiece for the first time. Following the outwardly positive […]

3. Spotify Expands Support for AI-Narrated Audiobooks As Bundling Controversy Continues

   Still plowing ahead with an aggressive spoken-word buildout, Spotify has expanded its support for audiobooks narrated by artificial intelligence. The diversification-minded platform disclosed this enhanced support in a brief release, about three months after equipping certain audiobooks with video content. As most know, these maneuvers arrived against the backdrop of a highly controversial...

4. 9 Out of the Top 10 Biggest Global Singles in 2024 Were From American Artists, IFPI Data Shows

   What globalization? Nine of the Top 10 biggest global singles in 2024 came from American artists, IFPI’s data reveals, with Benson Boone leading the charge. The IFPI Global Single Award is presented to the artist with the world’s best-selling single of the year across all digital platforms — and 2024 was Benson Boone’s year. His […]

5. Diddy Attorney Abruptly Drops Out — ‘Under No Circumstances Can I Continue to Effectively Serve as Counsel for Sean Combs’

   Sean “Diddy” Combs attorney Anthony Ricco files a motion to withdraw from the disgraced mogul’s defense team without explanation. New court documents reveal one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense lawyers is quitting his legal team in the disgraced producer’s criminal sex-trafficking and racketeering case. Attorney Anthony Ricco filed a motion yesterday (February 20) to withdraw […]

6. ‘Dystopian’ Drake Tour Photo Showing Fans Begging for Money Goes Viral

   “Dystopian” photos from Drake’s recent concert in Sydney are going viral, showing fans with signs begging the Toronto artist for money. Drake hasn’t been having a great year, but fans still love him — or at least they love his wallet, that is. The “Hotline Bling” singer and rapper has been known to dish out […]

7. Lady Gaga Announces Monumental Performance at Copacabana Beach in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

   Lady Gaga is returning to Brazil for the first time since 2012, with a monumental performance at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. On May 3, Lady Gaga will make a triumphant return to Brazil for the first time in over a decade. The landmark free concert takes place on a custom stage designed to […]

8. YouTube Launching Premium Lite—How Will This Impact Music Subscriptions?

   A new report suggests YouTube’s pared down ‘Premium Lite’ subscription offering is arriving soon. The option would de-couple the YouTube Music subscription, offering those who purchase it ad-free YouTube (but not music). How will this impact music subscription numbers going forward? YouTube’s strength this year was revealed to be its offering of video podcasts. The […]

9. Live Nation Confirms ‘Super-Premium’ Ticketing Talks With Spotify and Other DSPs, Says Pre-Sale ‘Is a Very Valuable Asset’

   Spotify isn’t alone in looking to add exclusive concert-ticket access for diehard fans. Per Live Nation head Michael Rapino, his company’s discussing the possibility with Amazon Music and Apple Music as well. The Live Nation president and CEO disclosed that interesting detail during the promoter’s latest earnings call, which followed an outwardly solid full-year report. […]

10. Ole Obermann Ditches TikTok — Does He Know Something We Don’t?

    Topping the music industry’s shuffles this week is Ole Obermann jumping ship from TikTok to Apple Music. Is this merely the rumble before the earthquake? The timing of Obermann’s move is eyebrow-raising, to say the least – and raises more questions on whether TikTok will survive after the “ban” shifts to the next stage in […]

11. Live Nation Reports Record-Setting Revenues of $23.16 Billion in 2024 — Rapino Says ‘2025 Is Shaping Up To Be Even Bigger’

    Live Nation reports record-setting revenues in 2024, with its fourth-quarter revenue clocking in at $5.68 billion — more than consensus estimates of $5.67 billion. Everything is coming up Live Nation. The company reported its fourth-quarter earnings for 2024, putting its year-end revenue at a record-setting $23.16 billion. Live Nation’s stock price closed at $152.32, up […]

12. T-Pain Sells His Entire Publishing Catalog Plus ‘Select Masters’ to HarbourView

    T-Pain cuts a deal to sell his entire publishing catalog and select masters to asset management company HarbourView Equity Partners. HarbourView Equity Partners, the alternative asset management company focused on investment opportunities in sports, media, and entertainment, made the announcement today (February 20). T-Pain is a six-time Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, songwriter,...

13. Meta Announces $50 Million Meta Horizons Creator Fund for Mixed Reality Development

    Meta has announced a new $50 million Creator Fund alongside the release of its Meta Horizon Worlds desktop editor. The social media giant is hoping to find developers to build experiences for its mixed reality headsets—much like Roblox’s worlds. Meta says by investing in mobile content, the company can reach people who don’t yet own […]

14. NetEase Cloud Music Reports Modest Revenue Growth, Double-Digit Subscription Gains for 2024

    NetEase Cloud Music has reported modest overall growth – and a more than 20% subscription-revenue expansion – for 2024. The 12-year-old streaming service posted its full-year financials today, with rival Tencent Music set to shed light on its own 2024 showing next month. All told, NetEase Cloud Music generated $1.10 billion (CNY 7.95 billion) last […]

15. Korean Music Groups Call for Anti-Tampering Law Amid Ugly NewJeans v. Hybe Contract Battle

    What’s stopping K-pop sensations from nixing agency contracts, rebranding, and setting out on their own? Not too much, according to Korean music groups, which are warning that the ongoing NewJeans/NJZ controversy “threatens the entire industry.” Five organizations (including the Korea Management Federation and the Recording Industry Association of Korea) recently voiced this concern and...