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. FireAid Update: California Congressman Kiley Acknowledges Receipt of Financial Documents—But Now What?

   California Rep. Kiley says he has received hundreds of financial documents from FireAid detailing the allocation of over $100 million in funds. Last week, California Congressman Kevin Kiley released a statement acknowledging the receipt of “hundreds of documents” from FireAid detailing how it allocated the more than $100 million it raised to support wildfire victims […]

2. Smokey Robinson Sexual Assault Accusers Allowed to Remain Anonymous

   Smokey Robinson’s four sexual assault accusers are allowed to stay anonymous, a judge ruled last week. The women filed a sexual misconduct suit in May, and Robinson filed a countersuit. The four women who accused Motown mainstay Smokey Robinson of sexual misconduct in a lawsuit filed in May are permitted to remain anonymous, at least […]

3. Ed Sheeran Debuts New Album Tracks on TikTok Live as In-App Album Hub Launches

   Ed Sheeran’s TikTok Live performance on Saturday night at Domino Park in Brooklyn marked the release of his new album, Play. The set featured performances of new tracks and news of an upcoming US stadium tour. To mark the release of his latest album, Play, Ed Sheeran returned to TikTok Live with a dazzling performance […]

4. Behind the Ticket Resale Curtain, Part 2: Bots, Scripts & Loopholes—How Grey Market Resellers Beat the System

   Digital Music News launched a deep-dive investigation into the secretive world of ticket flipping, pulling back the curtain on the technology-driven operations that dominate today’s secondary ticketing market. While millions of fans are left scrambling for tickets—often at outrageous prices—a parallel industry hums quietly in the background, where resellers exploit cutting-edge tools, stealth...

5. Luxury Brand Chrome Hearts Files Trademark Suit Against Neil Young Over New Backing Band Name

   A Chrome Hearts legal battle is officially underway: The luxury goods company has accused Neil Young of infringing on its trademarks with his new backing band of the same name. LA-based Chrome Hearts just recently submitted the straightforward action, naming as defendants the members of Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts as well as Young’s […]

6. ISPs Rally in Cox v. Sony Supreme Court Battle — As the ACLU, EFF, U.S. Government, and Many Others Submit Briefs of Their Own

   Amicus briefs are still rolling in as part of the Cox v. Sony Supreme Court battle. Now, different ISPs are among the many parties posing questions ahead of the high-stakes ruling. Grande Communications and Altice USA just recently submitted briefs of their own, joining the U.S. government, all manner of tech giants, Twitter/X, the ACLU, […]

7. David Bowie Centre Archive of 90,000+ Artifacts Opens in London

   With a cornucopia of over 90,000 artifacts spanning David Bowie’s illustrious career, the David Bowie Centre opens in London this weekend. The David Bowie Centre in London promises to provide a veritable goldmine of treasure for devoted fans and newcomers alike. Opening at the new Victoria and Albert Museum’s East Storehouse on September 13, the […]

8. NewJeans Refuses to Work for ADOR/Hybe As Latest Court Mediation Collapses

   NewJeans still refuses to work for ADOR/Hybe, with mediation falling apart. The K-pop group’s fate is to be decided in a court ruling next month. The Seoul Central District Court held a second closed-door mediation session yesterday (September 11) in the ongoing legal battle between Hybe imprint ADOR and K-pop girl group NewJeans. But the […]

9. Shaboozey Releases Amazon Music Original ‘Let ’Em Know’ — New ‘Anthem’ Leads Into Thursday Night NFL Football Programming

   Amazon Music is once again expanding its exclusive-music reach – this time with an original Shaboozey track that’s set to factor prominently into Thursday Night Football (TNF) coverage moving forward. The Amazon-owned DSP formally announced the release and football-programming tie-in today. When it comes to straight on-demand streaming, the work, “Let ‘Em Know,” is available […]

10. Farm Aid Warns of Cancellation if Local Worker Strike Continues—’The Financial Impact Could Be Devastating’

    Farm Aid warns its annual festival could be cancelled if the University of Minnesota and striking workers cannot reach a deal by next week. Organizers of Farm Aid’s annual festival, which raises money for farmers across the country, have warned that the event may be relocated or even cancelled if striking workers and administration at […]

11. Google, Amazon, and Microsoft Urge Supreme Court to Reverse Cox’s $1 Billion Infringement Ruling

    Tech giants unite with the U.S. government, urging the Supreme Court to reverse the piracy liability ruling against ISP Cox Communications. Back in December 2019, internet service provider Cox Communications was ordered to pay a billion dollars in damages to a group of major record labels spearheaded by Sony and Universal. The jury determined that […]

12. ‘Bob Marley Hope Road’ Expands to Seven Days Per Week In Vegas; Adds Pre-Show DJ Sets Amid Growing Demand

    Nearly eight weeks after premiering in Las Vegas, Bob Marley Hope Road is capitalizing on “growing demand” with an expanded schedule as well as pre-show DJ sets from two of the reggae legend’s granddaughters. Co-produced by Primary Wave and FiveCurrents, the “75-minute guided journey” formally announced that expansion today. Now, the multi-stage experience – which, […]

13. Federal Judge Slashes Legal Fees in Napster Class Action Settlement — New Award Totals Just 1.4% of the Initially Sought Sum

    Back in June 2023, an appellate court rejected a $1.7 million legal-fees award in a copyright suit filed against Rhapsody International/Napster. Now, a district judge has officially slashed the total to just over $86,000. Judge Jeffrey White just recently awarded that comparatively modest sum plus another $13,162 in costs to the songwriter plaintiffs’ counsel, Michelman […]

14. Which Music Orgs Received FireAid Money, And How Much Did They Get?

    This week Latham & Watkins—the law firm retained by FireAid—released a full investigative report into how the $75 million in funds was distributed so far ($25 million of the $100 million remains undistributed). The report includes full figures and recipient names in an appendix, so we can see which music organizations received funding support. In […]

15. Bad Bunny Says He Didn’t Tour Mainland US Because of Possible ICE Raids

    Bad Bunny elaborates on why there isn’t a Mainland US leg in his 2025-26 tour, citing concern over possible ICE raids. As his lucrative Puerto Rico residency draws to a close, Bad Bunny opened up to I-D in a recent interview about his decision to omit the United States mainland from his upcoming tour. The […]