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. Sunset Fest Cabo Rescheduled Due to Hurricane—After Numerous Artist Drop-Outs

   Sunset Fest Cabo, dubbed the “Woodstock of Yacht Rock,” has been rescheduled due to flooding from hurricanes Lorena and Narda. The news comes on the heels of several artist drop-outs. Sunset Fest Cabo has been rescheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 22 through 24, 2026. The festival was forced to reschedule as a result of […]

2. Verzuz Roars Back With a Cash Money vs. No Limit Records Battle

   ComplexCon sees the return of music battle series “Verzuz,” with Cash Money and No Limit Records pitting their artists and hits head to head. Get ready for the return of Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s music battle series Verzuz, due to return this October 25 and 26 at ComplexCon Las Vegas. The event will feature Cash […]

3. Federal Judge Dismisses Drake’s Billion-Dollar Defamation Lawsuit Against UMG — Potentially Ending the Biggest Rap Battle In History

   Drake’s defamation lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” has been dismissed by a federal judge. The headline-grabbing defamation lawsuit Drake launched against Universal Music Group (UMG) was tossed out this week by a federal judge. Judge Jeannette A. Vargas deemed that the lyrics in Kendrick Lamar’s scathing diss track “Not […]

4. MLC Demands Jury Trial in Revived Spotify Lawsuit — Case Management Conference Set for November

   Will an amended complaint and a jury trial demand change the trajectory of the MLC’s bundling-focused Spotify lawsuit? We should have an answer sooner rather than later, as the updated action is quickly ramping up. The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) just recently submitted the amended complaint, which received a green light from the presiding judge […]

5. PRS for Music Faces Renewed Admin-Cost Criticism from Paul McCartney, Elton John, Thom Yorke, and Others

   PRS for Music is facing another round of criticism – this time from Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, who are calling out the entity’s admin costs. Those professionals and 15 other well-known songwriters aired their expense-focused grievances in a letter last week. And the pushback – which follows a “black box” […]

6. Spotify Wrapped 2025 is Coming—Spotify Offers Pro Tips for Artists Looking to Stand Out

   Spotify’s end-of-year Wrapped promotion is fast approaching. The streamer releases some tips for artists who want to stand out with a custom clip. Last year, Spotify says its Wrapped promotion was checked out by 245 million people—more than 36% of its total userbase at the time. Now, the streaming giant is encouraging artists and their […]

7. Rush Quickly Expands ‘Fifty Something’ Tour, Extra Dates Added in NYC, LA, Cleveland, Toronto, Ft. Worth

   Rush adds more dates to their “Fifty Something” tour following incredible demand, with additional shows in most cities. Rush co-founders Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson recently announced their return to the stage for a special 2026 headlining tour, “Fifty Something,” in celebration of the band’s music, legacy, and the life of late drummer and lyricist […]

8. Oasiz Raises $2.5 Million In Seed Round Funding—But Will ‘TikTok Meets Roblox’ Fly?

   Oasiz, a new social creation platform based in San Francisco, has closed a $2.5 million seed round. The platform targets the intersection of gaming, social sharing, and virality—think TikTok meets Roblox. Leading technology investors participated in the funding round, including Andreessen Horowitz Speedrun (a16z Speedrun) and The Venture Reality Fund. Notable executives Tabish Ahmed and […]

9. Spotify Faces $10 Million Lawsuit Over ‘Jam’ Social-Listening Feature — DSP Says the Claims Have ‘No Factual or Legal Basis’

   Did Spotify rip off the idea for its Jam social-listening offering? Five former VCU Brandcenter students believe so, and they’re suing for $10 million as a result. Meanwhile, Spotify is adamant that the claims “have no factual or legal basis.” Those plaintiffs recently submitted the straightforward action to the Richmond Circuit Court, though their allegations […]

10. Rebellion Records Secures Seven-Figure Investment from Too Lost to Power Growth & New Signings

    Rebellion Records, the independent label co-founded by artist and CEO Michael Turner (PLVTINUM) and manager/COO Daniel Nall, has entered into a multi-million dollar partnership with music technology company Too Lost. This article was created in collaboration with DMN partner Too Lost. The deal will combine a significant capital investment with Too Lost’s distribution and rights […]

11. ROXi Brings the First AI Presenters to Music TV in US Sinclair and Gray Markets

    AI-generated TV presenters will host ROXi’s music TV channel, launching today in markets in the US, UK, and Ireland. FastStream Interactive has announced the introduction of the first AI-generated virtual TV presenters to host a TV music channel on its free interactive TV music channel, ROXi. The new virtual hosts will introduce music videos on […]

12. Warner Music in Talks With Netflix for Artist-Related Films, Says Bloomberg

    Warner Music is close to an agreement with Netflix to create films based on the label’s artists and songs, according to a new report from Bloomberg. Warner Music Group has been in talks with Netflix to create an array of movies and documentaries based on the label’s artists and songs, according to sources close to […]

13. Goldman Sachs’ Spotify Stock Downgrade Isn’t Curbing Other Analysts’ Enthusiasm — $830 and $900 Targets Arrive Ahead of Q3 Earnings Release

    Closer to October’s start, Goldman Sachs settled on a neutral Spotify stock (NYSE: SPOT) rating and a reduced target price. But the high-profile downgrade – and the forthcoming exit of Daniel Ek as CEO – hasn’t stopped other analysts from voicing bullish forecasts. Technically, Goldman’s $770 SPOT target marks only a $5 decrease and, perhaps […]

14. OpenAI’s Likeness Protections Don’t Apply to Dead Celebrities — Including Tupac Shakur, Michael Jackson, and Kurt Cobain

    OpenAI’s Sora 2 includes likeness protections for celebrities who don’t opt in, but that doesn’t apply to “historical figures” and dead celebrities. Here’s what we’re learning on this copyright vulnerability. OpenAI’s Sora 2 has launched the company back into the headlines since it backpedaled on its earlier announcement that rights holders would have to opt […]

15. Warner Chappell Inks Australian Songwriting Phenom Sam Hales to Global Publishing Deal

    Warner Chappell Music signs Australian songwriter Sam Hales, along with a global publishing deal with label Rico O Muerto. Warner Chappell Music announces the signing of a global publishing deal with one of Australia’s most acclaimed songwriters, Sam Hales. The agreement will encompass Sam’s entire catalog and future works. “I am thrilled to welcome Sam […]