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. ‘I Run’ Has Now Been Ripped Down by Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. It’s Also Been Disqualified by Billboard and the UK Official Charts Company

   “I Run” by HAVEN became a fast-surging viral hit. Now, it’s quickly disappearing from DSPs for its alleged use of Suno AI to distort the vocals to sound like another artist. On TikTok, people were calling it the ‘Song of the Year’. But then it quickly vanished from Spotify and other streaming platforms amid claims […]

2. The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours Til Dawn Tour’ Surpasses $1 Billion in Gross Receipts — Becoming the Highest-Earning Tour by a Solo Male Artist In History According to Live Nation

   The Weeknd’s “After Hours Til Dawn Tour” has become the top-earning male solo artist tour in history, grossing over $1 billion across 153 shows, according to Live Nation. The Weeknd’s legacy reaches new heights as his “After Hours Til Dawn Tour” becomes the top-earning male solo artist tour in history, according to Live Nation. Following […]

3. UMG, SME, and WMG Ink KLAY Vision Licensing Deals, Say the AI Company Is Working ‘To Include All Independent Labels, Artists, Publishers, and Songwriters in This Framework’

   Another day, another AI deal – or more specifically deals, inked this time between KLAY Vision and the major labels as well as their respective publishing divisions. The majors confirmed those “separate AI licensing agreements” in a joint release today. As with other recently announced gen AI pacts – involving Udio and Stability, to name […]

4. UMG & WMG Are Reshaping Udio for 2026. Just One Question: Will Udio Still Exist In 2026?

   For those heralding the birth of a well-regulated, walled-garden Udio in 2026, a sticky question of survival emerges. On paper, it makes perfect sense. Wrap the proper licenses around AI-generated music, and voila: we have the birthplace of a flourishing music-creation ecosystem that credits and pays creators. “We’re approaching this new era with one priority […]

5. The Real Reason Music Teams Overcomplicate Their Workflows (And How to Fix It)

   Modern music isn’t made in isolation. Producers, songwriters, managers, and content teams can collaborate from anywhere in the world. Yet, for most, the actual process of creating, reviewing, and releasing music still feels surprisingly chaotic. This article was created in collaboration with DMN partner Pibox. If you’ve ever found yourself hunting through a dozen email […]

6. Suno Raises $250 Million at a $2.45 Billion Valuation, Says It’s ‘Proud to Be at the Forefront of This Historic Moment for Music’

   Suno is a lot of things – including a defendant in multiple music infringement suits – but it definitely isn’t strapped for cash. Now, the AI music generator has raised $250 million at a $2.45 billion valuation. Cambridge-headquartered Suno confirmed the quarter-billion-dollar Series C today, on the heels of October funding rumblings. Those rumblings, we […]

7. UK Government Reveals Much-Anticipated Plans to Ban Ticket Touting—AXS Applauds the Move While StubHub Balks

   The UK government unveils its highly anticipated plans to make it illegal to resell tickets to live events for more than their original cost. After days of speculation awaiting the official news, the UK government has announced plans to make it illegal to resell tickets to concerts, theatre, sports, and other live events for more […]

8. Explosively Viral Track ‘I Run’ by HAVEN Yanked From Spotify and Other Platforms Over AI ‘Artist Impersonation’ — Turns Out Suno Is Where It All Started

   A viral dance hit has been pulled from Spotify and other platforms over allegations that it uses AI-generated vocals that closely resemble those of another artist. Breakout dance hit “I Run,” which reached #11 on Spotify’s US charts, has been removed by Spotify and other major streaming platforms following allegations that the track used AI-generated […]

9. WMG CEO Robert Kyncl Goes Deep on AI Strategy Following Udio, Stability Deals

   Robert Kyncl shared WMG’s AI strategy mere hours after announcing deals with Udio and Stability, listing his non-negotiables in licensing talks. Hours after Warner Music Group (WMG) announced a settlement and licensing deal with Udio and a similar agreement with Stability AI, WMG CEO Robert Kyncl published a blog post giving a deep-dive on the […]

10. European Commission Reportedly Preps ‘Formal Warning’ About Universal Music’s Downtown Acquisition — Final Decision Still Set for February

    The European Commission is reportedly preparing to hand down a “formal warning” about Universal Music’s proposed $775 million Downtown buyout – albeit without blocking the deal outright. That reportedly imminent development surfaced in a recent Bloomberg piece. Additionally, IMPALA, which has from the get-go opposed the play on competition and market-concentration grounds, reached out with...

11. King’s Hawaiian Taps Bing Crosby’s ‘Mele Kalikimaka’ for Latest Branding Campaign

    Two holiday kings unite as King’s Hawaiian and Bing Crosby’s “Mele Kalikimaka” celebrate 75 years with a new remix of a classic Christmas favorite. King’s Hawaiian and Bing Crosby join forces for the holiday season in celebration of their 75th anniversaries: beloved bakery brand King’s Hawaiian’s sweet rolls, and Bing Crosby’s classic holiday hit, “Mele […]

12. Warner Music Inks Blockbuster ‘Artist-First’ AI Deals with Udio, Stability AI

    Warner Music Group signs landmark “artist-first” AI agreements with Udio and Stability AI, resolving the companies’ copyright infringement litigation. Warner Music Group (WMG) has announced the signing of two blockbuster AI deals with Udio and Stability AI. The former resolves the company’s copyright infringement litigation and establishes a clear framework for the development of Udio’s […]

13. beatBread Appoints Tracy Maddux as Interim CEO Following Tragic Passing of Peter Sinclair

    Former CD Baby and Downtown Music executive Tracy Maddux has been appointed interim CEO at beatBread, succeeding the late Peter Sinclair. Independent label and musician funding platform beatBread has announced that industry veteran Tracy Maddux has been appointed interim CEO. Maddux brings decades of leadership experience at the intersection of music, technology, and finance, and […]

14. Spotify Acquires WhoSampled, Expands Song Credits, and Confirms Early 2026 Launch Plans for SongDNA and About the Song

    Spotify has officially expanded its credits and unveiled SongDNA, a feature designed to shine a bit more of the spotlight on the many professionals who contribute to tracks. The streaming platform today got the credits-expansion ball rolling and confirmed About the Song as well as the already-spotted SongDNA. On the credits front, Spotify previously displayed […]

15. Nicki Minaj Calls for ‘Urgent Action’ on Christian Persecution In Nigeria

    Nicki Minaj was invited to address the UN on Tuesday, publicly backing Trump’s allegations that Christians face persecution in Nigeria. Rapper and singer-songwriter Nicki Minaj was invited to address the United Nations on Tuesday, delivering a warning about Christians being attacked and killed in Nigeria. The move publicly backs President Trump’s allegations that Christians face […]