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. Distro Consolidation Ahead? GEMA Offloads Zebralution to Major DistroKid Investor

   German collection society GEMA is selling Zebralution, the digital distributor it acquired a stake in back in 2019, to key DistroKid investor Insight Holdings Group. After acquiring a majority stake in digital distributor Zebralution in 2019 and taking complete ownership in 2023, German collecting society GEMA is already selling it—to a major DistroKid investor, the […]

2. Kid Rock to Testify Before the US Senate on Concert Ticket Sales Practices and Scalping Concerns

   Kid Rock will testify with Live Nation on a panel at the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee’s hearing on ticket sales practices and scalping concerns. On Wednesday, January 28, at 2:30 PM ET, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy will hold a public hearing entitled, “Fees Rolled on All […]

3. Latest Music Industry Hires: Primary Wave, BMG, Alliance Entertainment, Atlantic, BMI, RCA UK, More

   Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of January 23rd, 2026. If you have a job shuffle to share, we’re all ears. Send us a note to news@digitalmusicnews.com. If you’d like to post a job on our Job Board, just send us a request to noah@digitalmusicnews.com. And, keep track of all the […]

4. Spotify Releases AI-Powered ‘Prompted Playlists’ in the US and Canada

   Spotify announces AI-powered Prompted Playlists for Premium subscribers in the US and Canada after an initial test run in New Zealand. On Thursday, Spotify announced the beta rollout of its new AI-powered Prompted Playlist feature for Premium subscribers in the United States and Canada. The company first tested the feature in New Zealand last month, […]

5. NVIDIA, A UMG ‘Responsible AI’ Partner, Accused of Training Its AI on Anna’s Archive

   Amid a push to cement its place as an AI pioneer, chip-making giant NVIDIA is accused of training AI on the controversial “shadow library” Anna’s Archive. Despite securing a deal with Universal Music Group (UMG) earlier this month to cement its place as a “responsible AI” partner, chip-making giant NVIDIA has been accused of training […]

6. Goldman Sachs Abruptly Changes Its Tune on Spotify’s Stock — Rating Upgraded Back to ‘Buy’ With a $700 Target

   Four months later, Goldman Sachs has changed its tune on Spotify stock (NYSE: SPOT) by shifting back to a buy rating. But in keeping with a wider trend, the investment bank has also reduced its SPOT target price. Goldman’s Eric Sheridan just recently upgraded Spotify stock from neutral to buy – besides settling on a […]

7. Slipknot Withdraws Lawsuit Against Owner of slipknot.com As Site Goes Blank

   Slipknot withdraws their lawsuit against the owners of slipknot.com after alleging trademark infringement. But the website now appears to be offline. On Thursday, Slipknot voluntarily dismissed their patent infringement lawsuit against the owners of the slipknot.com web domain. The band filed the suit three months ago under the federal Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act. But now,...

8. Universal Music Launches a New Livestreaming Channel on Twitch — ‘Extending the Reach of Live Events Far Beyond Their Physical Locations’

   UMG’s in-house creative division °1824 announces a new livestreaming channel on Twitch to amplify standout moments from music-focused events. °1824, the in-house creative division of Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced a new livestreaming channel on Twitch, Universal Music Live. The channel will amplify standout moments from music-focused events, conversations, performances, and culture to...

9. Now That ‘TikTok USA’ Is Finally Here, What Comes Next? New Privacy Policy and Terms of Service Preview the Standalone App’s Changes

   Nearly two years after the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act became law, the long-awaited US-based TikTok app has officially landed. But now that the standalone platform is finally here, what comes next? At present, that question is receiving relatively little attention amid a focus on the actual debut of TikTok USA. Confirmed […]

10. Drake Files 117-Page Appeal Against Universal Music Group Over Kendrick ‘Defamation’

    Drake files a massive 117-page appeal against Universal Music Group over the alleged defamation committed by promoting Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Back in October, Drake’s legal team told Digital Music News that an appeal would be forthcoming, after a federal judge tossed his $1 billion defamation suit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick […]

11. ElevenLabs Collaborates with Liza Minnelli, Art Garfunkel to Launch AI-Generated ‘Eleven Album’

    ElevenLabs launches a first-of-its-kind collaborative AI album with Liza Minnelli, Art Garfunkel, and more singers, songwriters, and producers. Artificial intelligence voice generation company ElevenLabs has announced the release of a landmark AI-generated album made with permission and involvement from human artists that include Liza Minnelli and Art Garfunkel. The Eleven Album was released on...

12. It’s Official: US-Based TikTok Version Sets Sail; Trump Heralds Newly-Split App After China Approves Divestiture Deal

    After multiple years and seemingly endless twists and turns, the long-awaited debut of a US-based TikTok is now here. According to an official announcement shared late Thursday (January 22nd), ‘TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC’ is now setting sail. One day ahead of a deadline imposed by President Trump, the long-awaited US-based TikTok spinoff has landed. […]

13. Nearly 800 Creatives, Including Jason Aldean and One Republic, Sign Responsible AI Declaration — ‘Stealing Our Work Is Not Innovation’

    Nearly 800 creatives – including Common, MGMT, Cyndi Lauper, Jason Aldean, and One Republic – have signed a responsible AI declaration calling on developers to take the “ethical route to obtaining the content and materials they wish to use.” Dubbed “Stealing Isn’t Innovation” and organized by the Human Artistry Campaign, the fair-training project formally kicked […]

14. Live Nation Majority Invests in Bizarro Peru—Lima Pegged as ‘Increasingly Important’ Global Touring Stop

    Live Nation announces a majority investment in leading regional promoter Bizarro Peru. The move comes amid Live Nation’s broader South American push. Live Nation has announced an agreement to make a majority investment in Bizzaro Peru, a leading concert promoter in the country. The investment expands Live Nation’s presence in Peru and reinforces the company’s […]

15. The Eagles’ ‘Greatest Hits’ Crosses a Record 40 Million Sales—Becoming the First ‘Quadruple Diamond’ Album in History

    The Eagles continue to soar as ‘Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975’ becomes the first album to be certified quadruple platinum, with 40 million units sold. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has announced that the Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 became the first album in RIAA history to be certified quadruple platinum, marking 40 million […]