Music Business Worldwide

The latest music news from Music Business Worldwide, News, jobs and analysis for the global music industry and on artists new releases and where to get new mp3 songs.

1. Concord forms strategic venture with Steven Victor’s Victor Victor Worldwide, expands hip-hop footprint

   VVW has launched the careers of artists including Pop Smoke and Ski Mask the Slump God.

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2. Former UMG Nashville chief Cindy Mabe launches Joan of Arc Music, strikes distribution deal with Warner Records Nashville

   Joan of Arc Music operates across artist management, label services, publishing, TV/film production and philanthropy, with a distribution deal plugging into WMG's global network.

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3. UK collection org PPL’s revenue grew 4.75% YoY to $415m in FY 2025; paid out $102m to performers & rightsholders in Q1 2026

   In 2025, PPL paid royalties to more than 182,000 performers and recording rightsholders, including 16,000 who received payments for the first time.

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4. Larry Mestel to receive City of Hope’s 2026 Spirit of Life Award

   Founder & CEO of Primary Wave Music recognized for industry leadership and commitment to advancing cancer research through partnership

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5. Tim Miles appointed EVP of BMG’s global SYNC+ division

   BMG taps Warner Music Group veteran to drive its SYNC+ strategy, strengthening its global sync and music-for-media operations.

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6. Meet the Swiss distro company banking on agentic AI to power the ‘next generation’ of indie labels.

   Dennis Hausammann was a rising rapper before setting out to build AI-powered tools for indie label founders.

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7. Canada’s SOCAN paid out USD $366m to rightsholders in 2025, warns AI is ‘placing mounting pressure’ on livelihoods

   Canadian performing rights society SOCAN generated revenues of CAD $587.1 million ($420m) in 2025, up 5% compared with 2024.

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8. BTS label BigHit Music asks US court to unmask X user who leaked ‘ARIRANG’ before release

   The HYBE-owned label is targeting an X account that allegedly distributed unreleased songs and other album assets before ARIRANG dropped.

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9. Ticketmaster launches app within ChatGPT, bringing event discovery to OpenAI’s chatbot

   For Ticketmaster, the app enables discovery and paid marketing as OpenAI is also testing sponsored ad placements in ChatGPT.

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10. HYBE moves to crack down on bootleg BTS merch ahead of US tour dates

    Legal filing arrives ahead of BTS's performances at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa in April

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