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. Former Epstein Pal Ramsey Elkholy of Monotronic Issues Cease-and-Desist Against Digital Music News

   Los Angeles-based musician Ramsey Elkholy has now tapped New York-based firm Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins to lead his legal offensive against Digital Music News. An Aidala attorney has now issued a cease-and-desist letter to Digital Music News following our reporting on Elkholy’s extensive communication with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, asserting implied defamation. After suing...

2. Kid Rock Snaps at Trump Over Live Nation Capitulation, Calls DOJ Settlement ‘A Joke’

   Kid Rock blasts the Trump DOJ for surrendering in its antitrust case against Ticketmaster and Live Nation for a mere $280.4 million settlement. Longtime Trump ally Kid Rock is furious that the president’s Department of Justice essentially surrendered in its antitrust case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, settling for a pittance of $280.4 million. The […]

3. Standoff Over Wasserman’s LA 28 Olympic Committee Leadership Continues — As Silence Sets In on ‘The Team’ Sales Process

   As the Los Angeles City Council overwhelmingly pushes to oust Casey Wasserman from the Olympic Committee, LA28 seems unbothered by the hubbub. The Los Angeles City Council continues to rattle the cage on Casey Wasserman’s role atop the upcoming LA28 Olympic Games. But the LA28 committee itself seems largely unbothered. The Council voted last week […]

4. Spotify Announces Exclusive BTS SWIMSIDE Event in NYC

   Spotify announces an immersive experience for BTS ARMY Spotify users, Spotify x BTS: SWIMSIDE, in NYC to celebrate the release of BTS’ new album. Spotify is holding a special event for BTS ARMY Spotify users in New York City on March 23. The immersive experience celebrates the release of BTS’ highly anticipated comeback album, ARIRANG, […]

5. ‘Trump Kennedy Center’ Officially Shutting Down for Two Full Years After Naming New President

   Trump’s hand-picked Kennedy Center board has voted to shut down operations for two years for renovations, following July 4 celebrations this summer. In a move surprising to no one, the Kennedy Center’s board of directors voted on Monday to shut down operations for two years, following this summer’s July 4 celebrations. The news comes on […]

6. Live Nation Begins Doling Out Multimillion-Dollar Payments to States Following the DOJ Settlement — Initial Recipients Include Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Iowa

   Thirty states are charging forward with antitrust claims against Live Nation, though six other states have officially accepted the Justice Department’s settlement. Now, legal documents shared with Digital Music News reveal that many states negotiated multimillion-dollar payouts from Live Nation as part of their settlement agreements. We broke down the remaining state plaintiffs’ action...

7. YouTube Music CEO Echoes the Company Line on Embracing AI—But Draws the Line at Likeness Rip-Offs and ‘Slop’

   YouTube’s Global Head of Music reaffirmed the company’s stance on embracing AI, but doubled down on building guardrails for likeness detection and fighting the spread of “low-quality” AI slop. On Monday, YouTube’s Global Head of Music, Lyor Cohen, released his first newsletter of the year, reaffirming YouTube CEO Neal Mohan’s earlier remarks on generative AI. […]

8. American TikTok Investors Paid a Cool $10 Billion to the US Government—With Trump Demanding the Vig

   Investors in TikTok’s US business will pay the Trump administration around $10 billion for the privilege of gaining control of the lucrative platform. The Trump administration is set to receive around $10 billion from investors in the deal to take control of TikTok’s U.S. business, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi investor MGX. The […]

9. Roughly 30 States Double Down on Live Nation Antitrust Claims — High-Stakes Trial Resumes Following DOJ Settlement

   Following Live Nation’s DOJ settlement – and evidently fruitless resolution discussions between the Ticketmaster parent and many attorneys general – roughly 30 states are plowing ahead with their antitrust claims. We covered those claims in detail last week, when multiple states confirmed plans to continue litigating against Live Nation on the heels of its Justice […]

10. Apple Announces Its Long-Awaited AirPods Max 2 — Just $549 a Pop

    Apple unveils the AirPods Max 2, the long-awaited successor to the original model, for $549. The new model is available to order starting March 25. Years after the original AirPods Max were introduced, the long-awaited successor is finally here. The AirPods Max 2 will cost $549 and be available to order starting March 25, before […]

11. UMG’s Thailand Expansion Continues With What the Duck ‘Strategic Investment’ — Founder Moy Samkwan Tonsompong Signs on as Universal Music Thailand MD

    Universal Music Group (UMG) has taken a stake in What the Duck (WTD) and added the Bangkok-based indie’s founder as MD of Universal Music Thailand. UMG disclosed the investment and the appointment today, on the heels of multiple high-profile moves in the nation of about 72 million. For the major label, that refers in part […]

12. Too Lost Secures 9-Figure Strategic Investment Led by GoldState Music and TA Associates

    Too Lost has announced a strategic investment led by GoldState Music and TA Associates, alongside a senior credit facility from Pinnacle Financial Partners. This capital significantly expands Too Lost’s ability to invest in artist advances, catalog acquisitions, and the continued development of its proprietary technology platform. Too Lost’s founders and management team will continue to […]

13. Spotify Introduces An ‘Edit’ Button for Your Algorithm—Yes, You Can Finally Remove Your Kids’ Music From Your Recommendations

    Spotify announces a new beta feature that allows Premium subscribers to review and edit their music preference algorithm via AI-based prompts. On Friday at SXSW, Spotify co-CEO Gustav Söderström announced a new feature allowing users to review and edit their Taste Profile, Spotify’s algorithmically generated model of a listener’s music preferences. Initially launching in beta, […]

14. Elton John AIDS Foundation Raises $10.6 Million During Its Latest Academy Awards Viewing Party

    Elton John’s annual Oscars viewing party, a fundraiser for his AIDS Foundation, raised an impressive $10.6 million on Sunday night. On Sunday night, the 34th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party brought together Hollywood’s biggest stars and advocates in West Hollywood, raising $10.6 million for the cause. The Elton John AIDS Foundation […]

15. US Recorded Music Revenue Hit $11.54 Billion in 2025 — As Paid Streaming, Vinyl Growth Offset an Ad-Supported Slip, RIAA Data Shows

    Thanks in large part to 7% paid streaming growth, the US music industry generated all-time-high recorded revenue of $11.54 billion during 2025. However, both ad-supported and paid non-Premium streaming slipped. These and other stats come from the RIAA’s newly released 2025 year-end report, which, like the H1 ’25 breakdown, calculated for wholesale revenue as opposed […]