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. Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Reportedly Set to Divest Remaining Universal Music Shares Following Failed Takeover Attempt

   On the heels of its failed Universal Music Group (UMG) takeover attempt, Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square is reportedly preparing to sell off its remaining interest in the major label. That’s according to an early release from Bank of America, which pointed to Pershing’s imminent divestment of approximately 80.6 million shares. Via various Pershing funds, Ackman […]

2. AXS Strikes a Bevy of Independent Venue Deals, Including the Troubadour, First Avenue, and the Marathon Live Portfolio

   AXS strengthens its position in the independent venue space with new and renewed partnerships spanning some of the most iconic clubs in the nation. Today, AXS bolstered its place in the independent venue market with a fresh round of partnerships spanning iconic clubs across the United States. The ticketing and live event company announced new […]

3. So Who’s Gonna Make It Big in 2026? YouTube Music Unveils Its Top Picks

   YouTube Music unveils its 2026 picks for its Foundry program, which has worked with over 250 artists since 2015 to help them build sustainable careers. What platform has the greatest ability to break new artists? TikTok, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and more have all been instrumental in helping budding artists make a big splash into […]

4. Is Garth Brooks Next? $2B Catalog Sale is on the Table, WSJ Reports

   Garth Brooks is reportedly exploring his options for the sale of his extensive music catalog in a deal that could be worth a whopping $2 billion. On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that country music star Garth Brooks is looking into selling his vast music catalog, with valuations ranging from $1 billion to over […]

5. Suno Unveils $400 Million Series D, Tees Up the Release of Its ‘First Music Model Developed in Partnership With the Music Industry’

   Suno has officially wrapped a $400 million funding round at a $5.4 billion post-cash valuation – thereby upping its six-month raise total to a staggering $650 million. Though Suno’s Series D was all but confirmed last month, the AI music platform formally disclosed the round today. Bond Capital (which counts early Spotify investor Mary Meeker […]

6. The National Symphony Orchestra Is In Very Serious Trouble

   Ben Folds explains the challenges now facing the National Symphony Orchestra amid Trump’s recent overhaul of the Kennedy Center in an open letter. Musician and former National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) artistic advisor Ben Folds released an open letter outlining the challenges now facing the orchestra in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s recent overhaul of the […]

7. Appeals Court Reverses 2 Live Crew’s Copyright Termination Victory Based on a Bankruptcy Detail

   2 Live Crew have lost their prior copyright victory in appeals court, based on a technicality that affects artists’ rights under federal bankruptcy law. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit overturned the previous October 2024 jury verdict that saw iconic rap group 2 Live Crew regain control of their copyright. The three-judge […]

8. Udio Joins Suno Fight to Redact Core Training Data In Court — What Are These Guys Hiding?

   Suno isn’t alone in pushing to keep its “training data number” – or a tally of the tracks used to train its models – out of the public view. Now, amid a legal battle with Sony Music, AI music rival Udio is also attempting to seal the figure. Still fending off copyright litigation from Universal […]

9. FÉLIN’s ReDisco Vinyl Recycling Tally Hits 1.2 Million Records Ahead of Planned Expansion ‘Across Europe and Internationally’

   IMPALA has unveiled a collaboration with FÉLIN’s ReDisco, a vinyl recycling initiative that’s said to have “given a second life to 1.2 million unwanted records” since launching three years ago. France’s National Federation of Independent Labels and Distributors (FÉLIN) established ReDisco in 2023, after a law in 2022 prohibited labels and distributors from trashing excess vinyl. […]

10. Cypress Hill’s Sen Dog Documentary Moves Forward with Will.i.am, Pitbull, DMC, and More

    A new documentary chronicling the life and career of Cypress Hill co-founder Sen Dog is underway, with participation from numerous hip-hop icons. A documentary about the life and career of Cypress Hill co-founder Senen “Sen Dog” Reyes, entitled Mi Familia: Sen Dog and the American Dream, is now in production. Among the film’s participants are […]

11. Amazon Prime Music Benefits Now Include Ads—In India

    Amazon Prime informs users that ads will start playing for subscribers of Amazon Music in some markets, after introducing them in Prime Video in 2024. Amazon Prime has been a subscription service loaded with benefits for years, including free shipping, premium video content, music streaming, and even gaming. But just two years after the company […]

12. Black Crowes Singer Berates Florida Fans Over ‘USA’ Chants — As Politics Ruins Yet Another Good Time

    The Black Crowes were booed after frontman Chris Robinson berated fans for chanting “USA” — then things truly went south. Atlanta blues-rock veterans the Black Crowes played the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Sunday night as part of their Southern Hospitality tour. But after displaying their crow logo dressed as Uncle Sam, the crowd started […]

13. I Survived 50 Years of ‘Disruptive’ Tech Cycles. Stop Panicking About AI

    When it comes to AI panic, perhaps some perspective helps. Enter BubbleUp founder and tech veteran Coleman Sisson, whose company has been working for over 20 years with some of the largest acts in the world (Luke Bryan, Khruangbin, Avett Brothers, BTS, Eagles, Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney, Doechii) to boost their earnings, deepen superfan engagement, […]

14. Sabrina Carpenter Granted Restraining Order Against Super-Creeper Who Repeatedly Tried to Enter Her Home

    An LA County court has granted Sabrina Carpenter a temporary restraining order against a man she said has been stalking her and tried to enter her home. On Monday, a Los Angeles County court granted pop princess Sabrina Carpenter a temporary restraining order against a man she alleges has been stalking her and tried to […]

15. BTS, Benson Boone, Cardi B, Snoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson to Headline Next iHeartRadio Music Festival

    iHeartMedia announces the lineup for this year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival, featuring BTS, Benson Boone, Cardi B, Snoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, and more. The lineup for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival has been announced, taking place on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Presented by Capital One and hosted […]