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. 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...

2. Former Epstein Pal Ramsey Elkholy of Monotronic Issues Cease-and-Desist Against Digital Music News, Alleging ‘Implied Defamation’

   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 demand to Digital Music News following our reporting on Elkholy’s extensive communication and long-running relationship with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, asserting...

3. Apple Triumphs in Marathon Musi Legal Battle — Federal Judge Tosses the Complaint After a Multi-Year Wrestling Match

   Multiple years and depositions later, a federal judge has officially tossed the breach of contract lawsuit filed against Apple by playlist app Musi. Judge Eumi Lee just recently granted Apple’s motion to dismiss the complaint. We first covered the action way back in 2024, when the plaintiff accused the tech giant of unjustly removing its […]

4. 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 […]

5. Tencent Music Stock Slips Nearly 25% Despite Solid Q4 2025 Financials — Execs Anticipate ‘Short-Term’ Subscription Revenue Pressure Amid ‘Intense Competition’

   Despite posting seemingly solid Q4 2025 financials, Tencent Music (NYSE: TME) suffered a nearly 25% stock-price falloff today, when shares plummeted to a 52-week low. Technically, TME finished the day at $11.37 – or just above that 52-week low. But the closing price reflects an almost 25% decline from opening, an over 36% decrease from […]

6. American Law Institute’s ‘Copyright Restatement’ Project Faces Growing Opposition—500+ Sign Petition Staunchly Opposing New Rules

   A petition to bring awareness to the inaccuracies of copyright law in the American Law Institute’s Copyright Restatement has over 500 signatures. In opposition to the American Law Institute’s (ALI) Copyright Restatement and to highlight its “significant inaccuracies, omissions, and mischaracterizations of copyright law,” the Copyright Restatement Transparency Project (CRTP) has announced that...

7. 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 […]

8. ‘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 […]

9. 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, […]

10. 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. […]

11. 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 […]

12. 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 […]

13. 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 […]

14. 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 […]

15. 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 […]