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. Spotify Prompted Playlist Beta Expands to the UK, Ireland, Sweden, and Australia — But Diehard Users Still Aren’t Over the Whole AI Slop Avalanche

   Spotify has once again expanded its Prompted Playlist beta, which is now live for Premium users in the UK, Ireland, Sweden, and Australia. The DSP reached out with word of Prompted Playlist’s enhanced availability today, two months and change after bringing the feature to New Zealand. That limited launch made way for a pilot in […]

2. Is Sony Overstating Its AI Detection Capabilities? Signs Point to Yes

   Just after Sony announces an AI detection tool, dance music platform Traxsource puts forth a policy that seems to call such tools into question. Artificial intelligence in music continues to be a hot watercooler topic. That’s especially true as major companies continue playing whack-a-mole against—and then getting into bed with—AI companies that may or may […]

3. Live Nation is Still Battling a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over 2023 Shooting at Beyond Wonderland—Here’s the Latest

   A judge has denied Live Nation’s bid for summary judgment in the wrongful death suit derived from 2023’s Beyond Wonderland shooting. On February 13, a Washington state judge denied Live Nation’s push for summary judgment in the wrongful death lawsuit tied to 2023’s mass shooting tragedy at the Beyond Wonderland music festival. Filed in King […]

4. Salsa Giant Willie Colón Passes Away Aged 75

   Salsa legend and multi-hyphenate musician Willie Colón passed away on Saturday, his family and record label confirmed over the weekend. He was 75. Multi-talented salsa legend Willie Colón—a trombonist, composer, arranger, vocalist, producer, and bandleader—passed away on Saturday at the age of 75. His family confirmed the news on social media, as did his record […]

5. AI Sample Generator Just 4 Noise Closes $1 Million Round: ‘We Are Scaling the Future Foundation Model for AI Instrument Generation’

   Now boasting approximately 4,000 users, AI-powered sample generator Just 4 Noise has closed a $1 million round. Berlin-headquartered Just 4 Noise reached out with word of the raise, which didn’t have a lead but drew support from BADideas.fund, Sound Hub Denmark, and others. Founded by Max Shafer and Henning Nobmann in 2024, the startup deals […]

6. Ramsey Elkholy’s Monotronic Sues Pangea Entertainment and A&R Worldwide Over Alleged Breach of Contract

   Indie band Monotronic is suing Pangea Entertainment for alleged breach of contract that resulted in a lack of distribution for the band’s music. Los Angeles-based musician Ramsey Elkholy’s band Monotronic has filed a lawsuit against A&R Worldwide’s Pangea Entertainment Group, alleging breach of contract that led to the band’s work not being adequately marketed or […]

7. Steve Perry Rejoining Journey? Band Says Maybe, Fans Won’t Stop Believing

   Journey floats the idea that Steve Perry might join them on their farewell tour, but Perry quickly responds in a social media post. Journey fans have been waiting faithfully to find out if former frontman Steve Perry would really be joining the band with open arms on their farewell tour. But Perry says you can’t […]

8. Imagine Dragons Officially Exit Wasserman as the Artist Mass-Exodus Intensifies

   Imagine Dragons is now the latest act to leave Wasserman — though efforts to sell the agency are also ramping up. According to details emerging this morning, the Wasserman has now tapped a leading investment bank to oversee its impending sale. Wasserman is feeling the thunder. As of this morning, Imagine Dragons has left the […]

9. Latest Music Industry Hires: Culture Wave, Warner Chappell, Qobuz, Hybe, KHS America, Secretly Distribution, More

   Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of February 20th, 2026. If you have a job shuffle to share, we’re all ears. Send us a note to news@digitalmusicnews.com. If you’d like to post a job on our Job Board, just send us a request to noah@digitalmusicnews.com. And, keep track of all the […]

10. 14 Months Later, UMG’s Virgin Officially Wraps Its Downtown Buyout — Pieter van Rijn Shifts to COO, Justin Kalifowitz Steps Away

    14 months after announcing its Downtown Music Group acquisition – and about one week after gaining EU regulatory approval – UMG’s Virgin Music Group has officially wrapped the $775 million buyout. Universal Music today confirmed the deal’s long-awaited close alongside a few executive shifts. First, Downtown head Pieter van Rijn has become Virgin Music’s COO […]

11. Taco Bell Taps Myke Towers In a Multi-Million Dollar Ad Push Across the US, Latin America, and Spain

    Taco Bell teams up with Latin star Myke Towers for its latest ad spot in Latin America, Spain, and the US including Puerto Rico. Taco Bell has now disclosed a new partnership with Latin musician Myke Towers for the United States, Latin America/Caribbean (LA&C) region, as well as Spain. As part of that partnership, Towers’ […]

12. Live Nation Attorney Says the DOJ’s Case Against Them Is Now Weak Sauce—’It’s Time to Move On’

    As the DOJ’s case against Live Nation gets ready to move forward, a top attorney at the concert giant calls the government’s case weak and unsubstantial. Live Nation’s bid to convince a federal judge to toss the U.S. government’s antitrust lawsuit against the company didn’t quite pan out. But the judge did toss out some […]

13. Los Angeles County Files a Major Lawsuit Against Roblox—’Breeding Ground for Predators’

    Los Angeles County officials are suing Roblox with allegations that the company failed to meaningfully protect children from predators on the platform. Roblox is facing another lawsuit, this time from Los Angeles County. On Thursday, Los Angeles County officials announced filing a lawsuit against the gaming platform, alleging the company provides “an unsafe online environment […]

14. Viggo Mortensen, Edward Norton… and Bad Bunny? Get Ready for ‘Porto Rico’

    Bad Bunny is set to star in an ‘epic Caribbean western’ directed by rapper René “Residente” Pérez Joglar as a love letter to Puerto Rico. The film, ‘Porto Rico’ will also star Viggo Mortensen, Edward Norton, and Javier Bardem. The development of Porto Rico was first announced back in 2023, with Residente and screenwriter Alexander […]

15. U.S. Senators Are Officially Throwing Their Weight Around In the FTC v. Live Nation Lawsuit — With the BOTS Act Taking Center Stage

    U.S. Senators from both sides of the aisle are officially throwing their weight around in the FTC’s high-stakes BOTS Act lawsuit against Live Nation — a suit that’s now gaining greater steam alongside the DOJ’s concurrent litigation. Those federal lawmakers – Senators Blackburn (R-TN), Blumenthal (D-CT), Cornyn (R-TX), Hawley (R-MO), Kennedy (R-LA), Luján (D-NM), and […]