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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. IMPALA, AIM, and Others Respond to the EU’s Universal Music-Downtown Deal Approval: ‘UMG Must Now Fully Respect Labels and Artists Freedom to Leave Without Incentive or Penalty’

   After spearheading a concerted effort to block the Universal Music-Downtown deal, IMPALA, AIM, and others are reacting to the European Commission’s approval of the purchase. The mentioned entities, having voiced competition-related concerns from the get-go, reached out with responses to the long-running investigation’s outcome. And as we broke down this morning, the Commission expressed the...

2. Bard College President Leon Botstein Isn’t Resigning After a Trove of Incriminating Epstein Emails Surface—Including Some Uncomfortable Details About Epstein’s Private Island

   Longtime Bard College president and classical conductor Leon Botstein is now feeling the heat as a trove of emails connecting him to Jeffrey Epstein come to light. Here’s what we know. Bard College has long been associated with its president, Leon Botstein, whose tenure and influence in higher education have been celebrated for decades across […]

3. European Commission Hands Down Long-Expected Approval of Universal Music’s $775 Million Downtown Acquisition — Albeit With Some ‘Conditions’

   As expected, the European Commission (EC) has signed off on Universal Music’s Downtown deal – albeit with some “conditions.” That long-awaited decision surfaced in a brief release today, a couple weeks ahead of the Commission’s self-imposed February 27th deadline to approve or block the buyout. And for those who’ve been following the $775 million purchase […]

4. More Details Trickle In On Britney Spears’ Catalog Sale — Let’s Separate Some Fact from Fiction, Shall We?

   Multiple major media outlets are reporting that Britney Spears has sold her entire catalog to Primary Wave for $200 million—though sources to DMN are pointing to some wild overstatements. So what’s really being bought and sold? Here’s what we know so far. This week, multiple reports surfaced that Britney Spears sold her entire catalog to […]

5. Live Nation Faces Growing Pushback for Reportedly Working the Trump Administration Behind-the-Scenes

   Recent DOJ turbulence and reports of Live Nation looking to cut a deal have the National Consumers League (NCL) concerned about the status of the government’s antitrust case. It’s all part of a growing pushback against the possibility of a backroom deal — and scuttled DOJ trial. The National Consumers League (NCL) said it is […]

6. TikTok US Launches Local Feeds Using Your Precise Location — What Does This Mean for Local Music?

   TikTok has just launched an opt-in local feed in the US, leveraging users’ precise location information to display content related to travel, events, and more. That raises a hopeful question for the music industry: could this shift TikTok’s promo in favor of local artists and scenes? On Wednesday, TikTok’s U.S. joint venture announced a new […]

7. Spotify Says Its Developers No Longer Write Code — It’s All AI at This Point

   Spotify shared during its Q4 earnings call that the company’s developers have relied on AI to write the lion’s share of its code since December. Spotify held its fourth-quarter earnings call this week, revealing the many ways the company has been relying on artificial intelligence to accelerate the platform’s development. According to Spotify co-CEO Gustav […]

8. This Country-Kpop Remix Is Over — Scott Borchetta Officially Exits HYBE America, With Big Plans for ‘Big Machine 2.0’

   Scott Borchetta is now exiting HYBE America to reacquire and launch Big Machine Records, while HYBE America will retain assets, distribution, and publishing. On Thursday, HYBE America announced that Scott Borchetta is departing the company after serving as the CEO of Big Machine Label Group since HYBE’s purchase of Ithaca Holdings in 2021. Borchetta founded […]

9. More Artists Drop Wasserman Amid Epstein Files Fallout—Here’s the Fast-Growing List

   A slew of celebrities have called it quits with the Wasserman Agency over its CEO’s connections to Ghislaine Maxwell in the released Epstein files. Casey Wasserman’s talent agency is hemorrhaging its talent, as a growing list of celebrities have walked away amid the CEO’s connections in the released Epstein files and emails. As a result, […]

10. Grammy Winner Carvin Winans Reflects on His Solo Success — And the Deep Faith That Drives Him

    During a bustling Grammy Week in Los Angeles, gospel and R&B veteran Carvin Winans took a moment away from the industry chaos to reflect on a personal milestone. The five-time Grammy winner recently claimed his first solo chart-topper with “God Still Working On Me,” marking a fresh and deeply personal chapter in his storied music […]

11. Bella Figura Scores Catalog Deal With The Drums’ Jonny Pierce: ‘Some of the Most Enduring and Influential Songs in Modern Indie Pop’

    Bella Figura’s stateside dealmaking push isn’t letting up: Now, the London-based company has acquired the publishing catalog of The Drums’ Jonny Pierce. Weeks removed from its purchase of a “significant portion” of Jeepster Recordings, Bella Figura Music (BFM) reached out with word of the newer investment today. As described by the company, the transaction “covers […]

12. Ex-Ador Head Min Hee-jin Scores Nearly $18 Million Verdict in Marathon Hybe Dispute — And Preps Her New Label’s Launch

    A Seoul court has handed ex-Ador CEO Min Hee-jin a nearly $18 million win in her put option sub-dispute with Hybe. Regional outlets shed light on that sizable verdict – the newest byproduct of a years-long contract confrontation between Min and the K-pop giant – today. Numerous headlines later, many are familiar with the marathon […]

13. ClicknClear Inks Universal Music Deal Following ‘Minions’ Winter Olympics Licensing Debacle

    One Winter Olympics rights debacle later, choreographed-sports licensing specialist ClicknClear has inked a deal with Universal Music Group (UMG). ClicknClear founder and head Chantal Epp took to LinkedIn to unveil that pact on the heels of much-discussed (at least in figure-skating circles) Olympics licensing headaches. To bring the uninitiated up to speed, closer to February’s […]

14. Hear Ye New Yorkers! From This Day Forth, West 8th Street Shall Be Named ‘Jimi Hendrix Way’

    New York City will officially co-name West 8th Street ‘Jimi Hendrix Way’ to celebrate the block where the legend’s Electric Lady Studios still stands. On February 24 at 11 AM, New York City will officially co-name West 8th Street “Jimi Hendrix Way” in honor of the legendary rocker. The naming also marks the storied block […]

15. In Focus Episode 5: ‘The Sky’s the Limit’ on How Artists and Labels Can Get Creative to Support War Child

    Downtown’s Director of Media & Partnerships, Emma Cordell, in conversation with War Child UK’s Music & Events Manager, Feedy Frizzy. They explore how artists, labels, and music companies can support humanitarian work and build creative, values-driven partnerships. “At the end of the day, as long as we all do something to support children affected by […]