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. Germany’s GEMA Posts 2025 Income Bump, Operating Costs Decrease as Distributions Top $1.3 Billion

   Germany’s GEMA has posted a small collections increase for 2025, when live performance growth helped offset a broadcast slip en route to delivering nearly €1.15 billion (currently $1.32 billion) in composer, songwriter, and publisher distributions. Berlin-based GEMA shed light on its full-year financials today, pointing, at the top level, to a 0.4% year-over-year (YoY) income […]

2. Snoop Dogg to Headline Long Beach Amphitheater’s Grand Opening

   Snoop Dogg takes the stage on June 6 to kick off the inaugural season of Long Beach’s new waterfront venue in a historic grand opening. The Long Beach Amphitheater, South California’s newest open-air live music venue, today announced that Long Beach native, rapper, and icon Snoop Dogg will headline the venue’s grand opening celebration on […]

3. Wu-Tang Reunion Tour Goes Sour in Australia, Fans Issued Full Refunds

   Fans in Australia have been offered refunds after multiple members of the Wu-Tang Clan were revealed not to appear at the Australian leg of the tour. Not all members of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan were slated to appear on the Australian leg of the group’s tour, which has been billed as their full-lineup farewell run. […]

4. Lisa of Blackpink Becomes First K-Pop Artist with a Vegas Residency

   Lisa of K-pop girl group Blackpink announces a Las Vegas residency, becoming the first K-pop artist to secure such a run. Blackpink sensation Lisa has announced her first residency in Las Vegas, VIVA LA LISA, coming to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in November for a limited run. The news makes Lisa the first K-pop […]

5. Epic Records Names New CEO—Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Lewis New Chairman & CEO

   Epic Records has appointed Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Lewis as its new Chairman & CEO, marking a new chapter for one of Sony Music’s flagship labels. The announcement comes as Sylvia Rhone stepped down last year following a six-year tenure that saw the label achieve consistent chart success across multiple genres. Lewis, who previously served as President […]

6. UMG Announces ‘First-Ever Share Buyback Program’ Amid Sagging Stock Price, Intends to Deploy Over $570 Million

   Universal Music Group (UMG) has teed up its “first-ever share buyback program”– to the tune of as much as €500 million (currently $573 million) worth of anticipated stock repurchases. The major label formally disclosed its inaugural buyback today, attributing the move to “confidence in UMG’s strategy and long-term growth” on the part of the board […]

7. Artists Fight Back Against AI Slop, But Are DSPs Doing Enough?

   Numerous artists have seen AI slop try to cut in on their streaming royalties. But is the matter being taken seriously enough by major streamers? It’s not a new problem, but it’s going to get worse before it gets better. British artist Benedict Cork told TIME that after uploading a clip of himself playing a […]

8. Time for Another Supreme Court Battle? Major Labels (and BMG) Move to Take Over Vetter v. Resnik Copyright Recapture Case, Spearhead Appeal

   Looks like it’s time to kick the Vetter v. Resnik copyright termination battle up a notch. Now, the major labels have taken a stake in the relevant work, moved to step in as defendants, and disclosed plans to seek a higher-court appeal. The noteworthy developments just recently emerged in a pair of fresh filings, two […]

9. Universal Music Group Torches Drake’s Defamation Appeal Over Kendrick’s ‘Not Like Us’ — As Another Dismissal Looms

   UMG argues that any claims against Drake in Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track “Not Like Us” are protected hyperbole in the context of a rap battle. Drake’s appeal seeking to revive his lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s incendiary diss track “Not Like Us” hits a snag as the music giant argues […]

10. Fat Joe Accuser Suddenly Drops Heinous Sexual Assault Claims in Legal About-Face

    Fat Joe’s former employee, who sued the rapper with serious allegations of sexual abuse, is now walking back those claims in an amended complaint. Rapper and emcee Fat Joe can breathe a sigh of relief in his legal back-and-forth with a former employee, who amended their initial complaint to remove allegations of child sexual abuse. […]

11. DOJ Faces Continued Criticism Over Live Nation Settlement — As States’ Ongoing Trial Reveals Exec’s Concerns About ‘Fundamental’ Ticketmaster Issues

    With over 30 state attorneys general continuing to battle Live Nation at trial, antitrust officials are still facing scrutiny over their settlement – including allegations of “improper lobbying.” Those allegations are the latest example of post-settlement turbulence for Live Nation and the DOJ. As we previously covered, the states’ ongoing trial is certainly factoring into […]

12. Deezer Licenses AI Detection Tech to Hungarian Rights Body EJI

    Deezer has announced it has licensed its AI detection technology to the Hungarian rights body, the Bureau for the Protection of Performers’ Rights (Előadóművészi Jogvédő Iroda Egyesület, EJI). Deezer tells Digital Music News that the volume of AI uploads it deals with on a daily basis has reached 39% of its daily uploads. That’s an […]

13. Major Labels and Spotify Seek ‘Extremely Conservative’ $322 Million Damages Payment from Anna’s Archive — Including $300 Million for Violating the DMCA

    Spotify and the major labels are seeking a cool $322.2 million in damages from Anna’s Archive over its alleged “brazen theft of millions of music and other files.” The majors and Spotify jointly requested that sizable sum in a motion for default judgment. Three months later, many are already familiar with the alleged scraping scheme […]

14. Shakira Frantically Adds Madrid Residency Dates After Selling 500,000+ Tickets In A Few Hours

    Shakira has broken sales records by selling over 500,000 tickets in just a few hours for her Madrid residency this fall. She’s added two additional dates in October to accommodate the demand, for a total of 11 dates this fall. Produced by Live Nation Spain, the European residency will take place at Shakira Stadium, a […]

15. BTS Global ‘Arirang’ Tour Tacks on Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, & Chilean Dates

    BTS have revealed the venues and on-sale details for the Latin America leg of their upcoming world tour, ARIRANG. The LATAM leg is co-promoted by Live Nation and will kick off on October 2. The tour will kick off with back-to-back shows in Bogotá, Colombia at Nemesio Camacho El Campin before continuing to Estadio San […]