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. Latest Music Industry Hires: Range Music, Dynamic Talent, Downtown, AEG, More

   Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of May 9th, 2025. 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 […]

2. A 182,000% Streaming Boost? Pointer Sisters’ ‘Hot Together’ Takes Off After GTA VI Trailer Appearance

   Some four decades after its release, Pointer Sisters track “Hot Together” is taking off on Spotify and elsewhere thanks to a Grand Theft Auto trailer appearance. Both Spotify and the Pointer Sisters themselves are touting the sync-fueled streaming ascent of “Hot Together” (1986). According to the platform, that refers to an astonishing 182,000% play-volume boost […]

3. Winners Announced for 60th Academy of Country Music Awards

   The Academy of Country Music 60th awards ceremony took place last night—hosted by 16-time winner Reba McEntire. Here’s a peek at this year’s winners. The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM), presented by Prime Video and Dick Clark Productions, took place last night in Frisco, Texas to celebrate the year’s biggest accomplishments. The show […]

4. Diddy Attorneys Go On the Offensive Against Cassie, Accusing Her of ‘Domestic Violence’

   Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs plan to claim there was mutual violence between Combs and ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who is expected to testify as a star witness for the prosecution. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo told US District Judge Arun Subramanian during a hearing that he plans to show there was mutual violence between Sean “Diddy” […]

5. Snapchat’s Industry Embrace Continues—Kid Cudi Kicks Off Artist Performance Series & Debuts New Music

   Snapchat has announced ‘Under the Ghost,’ a new music performance series hosted at the company’s Santa Monica studio. The new series debuted with Kid Cudi and a timed release of his new single, “Neverland.” Snapchat says the new music performance series isn’t about polished perfection, but rather offers an unfiltered glimpse into the creative process. […]

6. Concord Acquires Broadway Licensing Global (BLG), Including Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts, and More

   Concord has officially acquired self-described “global leader in theatrical licensing and distribution” Broadway Licensing Global (BLG). The acquisition-minded Concord reached out with word of its latest purchase, the assets from which will become part of the seven-year-old Concord Theatricals unit. Most notably, this division will house BLG imprint Broadway Licensing, which licenses A Night...

7. Kendrick Lamar Catches Another Lawsuit On a Drake Diss Track, This Time For Future and Metro Boomin Hit ‘Like That’

   Kendrick Lamar is caught up in another Drake diss track lawsuit as Rodney O sues over allegedly unpaid royalties for Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.” Rapper Rodney O is suing Kendrick Lamar, Future, and Metro Boomin over allegedly unpaid royalties from the scathing Drake and J. Cole diss track, “Like That.” Rodney filed his […]

8. iHeartMedia Faces Class Action Lawsuit After Suffering Major Data Breach

   A recent class action lawsuit filed in New York’s Southern District Court has put iHeartMedia under scrutiny after a cyberattack in December 2024. The data breach allowed hackers to exfiltrate sensitive information that iHeartMedia did not keep secure including social security numbers, financial account details, and health insurance data. The complaint filed on behalf of […]

9. Universal Music Calls Drake a Hypocrite as Ugly Defamation Lawsuit Drags On—UMG Dismisses Latest Action as ‘Legal Blather’ and Full of ‘Wild Conspiracies’

   Universal Music Group has motioned to dismiss Drake’s amended defamation lawsuit. The label calls the action ‘legal blather’ and insists the nature of rap battles would forever be changed should the lawsuit proceed. UMG says Drake’s claims in the amended complaint are “astonishing” and that Drake’s lawsuit is an attack on the commercial and creative […]

10. Yamaha Announces Music Innovations Fund to Invest $50 Million in Next-Gen Music and Media Startups

    Yamaha announces the Yamaha Music Innovations Fund to begin investing in music and media startups with a dedicated $50 million fund. Yamaha has announced that its corporate venture capital fund, Yamaha Music Innovations Fund (YMIF), will begin to invest out of a dedicated $50 million fund this month. The conglomerate set up the VC fund […]

11. Intercept Music Announces $50 Million Catalog Partnership, Intends To ‘Begin Deploying Capital Immediately’

    Let the song rights purchases continue: Intercept Music has announced $50 million in fresh catalog funding, and “several initial acquisitions” are said to be in the works. According to the San Francisco-headquartered distributor and marketer, the sizable tranche resulted from a “private partnership.” Beyond this, Intercept Music didn’t provide too many details about the tie-up. […]

12. DOJ and FTC Launch Public Inquiry Into ‘Unfair and Anticompetitive’ Live/Ticketing Practices

    The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission have officially launched an inquiry into “unfair and anticompetitive practices” in the live entertainment space. The DOJ and the FTC formally announced this public inquiry today, a month and change after President Trump signed an executive order targeting “unscrupulous middlemen who sit at the intersection between artists […]

13. Foreigner Announces ‘Feels Like The First Time: The Foreigner Musical,’ Set for 2026

    Foreigner announces a collaboration with Tilles Center for the Performing Arts to develop the world premiere production of the Foreigner musical. Legendary rock band Foreigner has announced a new collaboration with Tilles Center for the Performing Arts and Long Island University’s Post Theatre Company to develop and stage the world premiere production of “Feels Like […]

14. Liam Payne Left $32 Million Fortune Without a Will, Court Documents Reveal

    Liam Payne, who died last year at age 31, left nearly $32 million in money, property, and possessions without a will. One Direction singer Liam Payne died last year in Argentina without a will, leaving over £24 million ($31.8 million) in money, property, and possessions, according to official records. Despite this, the 31-year-old’s former partner, […]

15. RØDE Parent The Freedman Group Acquires UHF Wireless Audio Leader Lectrosonics—US-Based Manufacturing Hub Takes Root

    RØDE parent The Freedman Group has announced the acquisition of Lectrosonics, a U.S. based pioneer in high-end wireless audio systems. Founded in 1971, Lectrosonics’ UHF wireless systems are used in film, broadcast, and theater applications. The company’s Digital Hybrid Wireless technology earned an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Achievement in 2017. This move marks […]