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. Could TikTok U.S. Land in South Dakota? Governor Endorses Multibillion-Dollar Offer Amid Divestment Uncertainty

   TikTok could operate out of South Dakota if its U.S. sale closes – at least according to numerous reports coming from the Mount Rushmore State. Local outlets covered the interesting possibility on the heels of a related Facebook post from South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden. While it probably goes without saying, the outcome hinges on […]

2. Rotterdam-Based Ticketing Platform Stager Scores Spotify Integration Partnership

   On the heels of a partnership announcement involving Amsterdam-headquartered Eventix (now Weeztix) and Spotify, Rotterdam’s Stager has scored an integration deal of its own. 13-year-old Stager, which bills itself as an “all-in-one tool for event organizers,” took to LinkedIn to disclose its Spotify tie-up. Besides dealing in ticketing, the former business develops event-planning software,...

3. Music Industry Says Goodbye to Legal Heavyweight Joel Katz

   Powerful longtime music attorney Joel Katz, whose clients included James Brown, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, and the Recording Academy, has passed away. He was 80 years old. Joel Katz was the founding chairman of the entertainment and media practice at top law firm Greenberg Traurig, and was heavily involved in the Recording Academy and Country […]

4. Atlantic Records, Hard Rock Curate Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix — Kygo, Pitbull, Tiësto, Kaskade, Sofi Tukker, Cedric Gervais Topping the Bill

   Atlantic Records and Hard Rock International are curating the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix with chart-topping EDM artists heading the bill. South Florida Motorsports (SFM), organizers of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, have announced along with founding partner and music lineup curator Hard Rock International and Atlantic Records, a weekend filled with live […]

5. Diddy Says Cassie Hotel Video Was ‘Manipulated’ and Should Be Excluded From Courtroom Proceedings

   Diddy requests the video footage of him brutally beating Cassie Ventura to be excluded from evidence at his trial, claiming it has been manipulated. Sean “Diddy” Combs has requested the hotel video footage that showed him beating ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura be excluded from evidence at his trial. The disgraced music mogul and his team claim […]

6. Infinite Reality Outdoes $207 Million Napster Acquisition with $500 Million AI Company Touchcast Purchase — Are These Guys Just Adding Zeros at This Point?

   Hot on the heels of its jaw-dropping $207 million Napster acquisition, Infinite Reality has announced the acquisition of AI company Touchcast for $500 million (i.e., half-a-billion dollars) in a combination of cash and stock. The acquisition is Infinite Reality’s largest yet, and the transaction agreement technically values the company at $15.5 billion. Touchcast’s agentic AI […]

7. TikToker Sues Roblox Over ‘Apple Dance’ Emote — ‘Confident’ Company Says It ‘Looks Forward to Responding in Court’

   A copyright infringement battle over dance moves? TikToker Kelley Heyer has named Roblox Corporation in a lawsuit centering on its emote for the viral “Apple Dance.”   The self-described artist and creator Heyer submitted the straightforward complaint to a California federal court, naming Roblox as the sole defendant. As laid out in the eight-page suit, the […]

8. Alesso Headlines Free Downtown Miami Concert for Miami Worldcenter Grand Opening in May

   Downtown Miami’s cultural landscape is about to reach new heights as Miami Worldcenter celebrates its grand opening. The $6 billion mixed-use destination will celebrate with a free, star-studded concert and block party on May 22. The event is a showcase of international talent and a testament to Miami’s growing stature as a global music and […]

9. GoldState Music Scores $500 Million Raise, Eyes Investments in Additional Song Rights and ‘Emerging Music Technology’

   About five months after acquiring a reported $200 million worth of catalogs, GoldState Music has announced a $500 million strategic-capital raise. West Palm Beach-based GoldState disclosed that half-billion-dollar round in a formal release today. The Charles Goldstuck-founded company attributed part of the sizable sum to a “structured capital facility” co-led by Northleaf Capital Partners and...

10. SXSW Is Softening, Music Biz Is Getting a Transplant — Is the NMPA’s Israelite Is Cooking Up the Music Industry’s Next ‘It’ Conference In NYC?

    Changes are afoot in the music industry conference circuit. You’re probably too young to remember the decadent days of MIDEM in the South of France, though these days, look no further than SXSW for shifts in the modern-day music conference landscape. Suddenly, South-by — once an obligatory time- and budget-drainer — looks to be shedding […]

11. TikTok Exodus Continues: US Head of Policy Steps Down Amid Ongoing Negotiations

    TikTok’s U.S. Public Policy Chief Michael Beckerman is stepping down from his role to transition to a global advisory position. The departure comes amid the second extension of the U.S. deadline for ByteDance to divest from TikTok — and follows a number of high-profile departures at the app. The Information reported the departure on Wednesday, […]

12. Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Minimum Cost Emerging Artists $47 Million During 2024, Industry Exec Estimates — Spotify Fires Back With Its Own Math

    By one industry exec’s estimate, Spotify’s 1,000-play monetization minimum cost emerging talent close to $50 million during 2024. Now, the platform is defending its controversial royalties approach. As many know, that approach sees Spotify pay recording royalties only for tracks with at least 1,000 annual streams. Implemented (along with other changes) at the behest of […]

13. Online Video + Podcast Revenue Surged in 2024 — Ad-Supported Streaming Music, Not So Much

    Online video and podcast revenue surged in 2024 with the strongest gains since 2021. But for ad-supported streaming music, the future isn’t as bright. Ad revenue online showed strong revenue growth overall in 2024, increasing 14.9% year-over-year. The IAB/PwC Internet Advertising Revenue Report found internet advertising revenue hit $258.6 billion in 2024, its highest since […]

14. OneRepublic Ex-Bassist Tim Myers Running for House Seat In California — “It’s Time for a Change”

    Former OneRepublic bassist Tim Myers announces his run for the US House seat occupied by Rep. Ken Calvert in Riverside County’s 41st District. Tim Myers hopes to oust a long-standing Republican in the Los Angeles area as the Democratic party aims to regain control of the House under Donald Trump’s second presidential term. He announced […]

15. Blowback Against Katy Perry & Crew Continues After Blue Origin Trip

    Celebrities and the hoi polloi are laying into the all-female space tourist crew that Blue Origin sent on an 11 minute journey this week. Katy Perry has been a particular target of ire due to her comments before and after takeoff. Celebrities including Olivia Munn, Emily Ratajkowski, Olivia Wilde, and Amy Schumer all took their […]