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. After Federal Funding Cuts, NPR Scores $113 Million In Private Donations to Keep the Lights On

   NPR has received a pair of charitable donations totaling $113 million, enabling it to continue operations after federal funding cuts. Public broadcasting organization NPR has announced a pair of charitable donations that totaled $113 million, which will enable it to continue operations after federal funding cuts earlier this year. Former NPR Foundation board member Connie […]

2. One of Three Men Charged in 2002 Killing of Jam Master Jay to Plead Guilty

   One of the three men charged in the killing of Run-D.M.C.’s Jam Master Jay in 2002 plans to plead guilty, court records reveal. Jay Bryant, who was indicted in 2023 in connection to the 2002 killing of Run-D.M.C.’s Jam Master Jay, pleaded not guilty to murder, but his lawyer told the court that they were […]

3. Kanye Concert in Poland Nixed by Stadium Managers Amid Furor Over Antisemitism

   The Polish stadium where Kanye West was set to perform in June has cancelled his appearance, after he postponed a show in France amid public outcry. Kanye’s concert at a stadium in Chorzów, Poland, has been cancelled by stadium managers, just days after the controversial rapper postponed a show in France. French authorities were reportedly […]

4. Universal Music Kicks Off Major Jazz Push With ‘Everything Jazz’ Digital Platform Launch, Crowded ‘Verve Vault’ 2026 Reissue Series

   Universal Music Group’s betting big on jazz with a slate of reissues as well as the official debut of an Everything Jazz digital platform and online store. Specifically part of the major’s Global Classics & Jazz division, the newly expanded Everything Jazz counts longtime Universal Music higher-up Tina Poyser as its vice president. Developed “in […]

5. Cue Sheets Ain’t Just for Film & TV Anymore — How Cuetrak Simplifies and Accelerates Cue Sheet Delivery for Today’s Productions

   In the complex world of music reporting and rights management, cue sheets remain the backbone of tracking song usage. They help ensure that composers, publishers, performers, and rights holders each get paid according to their split. Now that function is expanding beyond its traditional role in film and TV to other audio-visual and non-AV sectors—like […]

6. Multiple State Attorneys General Demand Live Nation-Ticketmaster Split Following Trial Win: ‘A Breakup Is Absolutely on the Table’

   It’s time to break up Live Nation and Ticketmaster once and for all – at least according to multiple state attorneys general, who are demanding, among other things, an end to “Live Nation’s hold on the live entertainment industry.” We highlighted the earliest of these demands yesterday, when covering the jury verdict in favor of […]

7. D4vd Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Whose Body Was Found in His Car Last Year

   Singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murdering the 14-year-old girl whose body was found last year in the trunk of his abandoned car. Los Angeles police have confirmed the arrest of 21-year-old singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, on suspicion of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Rivas Hernandez’s decomposed body was […]

8. Tennessee’s Live Music Support Act Abruptly Shut Down After Garnering Encouraging Bipartisan Support

   The Tennessee House Finance, Ways and Means Committee voted 11-15 to block the state’s Live Music Support Act, despite strong bipartisan support. Tennessee’s House Finance, Ways and Means Committee has blocked legislation in an 11-15 vote that would have provided funding to independent music venues in the state. The bill, titled the TN Live Music […]

9. Lana Del Rey Finally Does a Bond Track—Video Game ‘007: First Light’ Features a Title Track by the Singer

   Lana Del Rey sings the title track to the new James Bond game, years after she recorded a song for the franchise that was ultimately passed over. Fans of the James Bond franchise have long suspected that Lana Del Rey had a hand in the latest video game, “007: First Light,” since she registered a […]

10. Pershing Square Plots Up to $10 Billion IPO Amid UMG Takeover Attempt — Proceeds Would Be ‘Fully Invested in a Matter of Weeks,’ Bill Ackman Says

    As Universal Music’s board considers Pershing Square’s unsolicited $64 billion takeover proposal, two Pershing entities are moving forward with plans to launch an up to $10 billion combined IPO. We first highlighted those plans earlier this week, when Pershing unveiled the IPO (which technically consists of two offerings) in SEC filings and a presentation from […]

11. Coachella and Stagecoach Now Generate a Staggering $700 Million Annually for California, Latest Data Shows

    Each year, Coachella and Stagecoach generate a staggering $700 million for California’s local economy, according to Governor Gavin Newsom. As California continues to lead the nation as a global hub for culture and live events, Governor Gavin Newsom has highlighted the significant economic impact of the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals. Together, the two events […]

12. YouTube Now Lets You Turn Off Shorts Completely

    YouTube expands its time management settings to include a zero-minute time limit on Shorts, effectively letting you disable them in your app. YouTube has read the room, and now allows you to put a zero-minute time limit on Shorts from the app’s time management settings. This essentially means you can remove them from your app […]

13. You Can Now Buy Physical Books in the Spotify App (Not That Anyone Asked)

    Spotify teams up with Bookshop.org to enable readers to purchase physical books through the Spotify app, pairing well with Spotify’s Page Match. In the latest move to broaden its horizons and expand into book territory, Spotify has announced a collaboration with Bookshop.org that allows readers to purchase physical books through the Spotify app. The feature […]

14. Laufey Enters the Pantheon of Fortnite Festival Headliners

    Hot off her Coachella set, Laufey has been unveiled as the Fortnite Festival Season 14 headliner as the artist’s star keeps ascending. It’s been a busy year for Laufey. The Grammy-winning artist just played Coachella, and that’s on top of a major Lexus tie-up concert on Amazon Music/Twitch. Now, the Icelandic singer-songwriter has officially been […]

15. Is ‘K-Pop Coachella’ on the Way? Hybe, SM, YG, and JYP Eye Global Growth With ‘Fanomenon’ Mega-Festival Collaboration

    Is “K-pop Coachella” on the way? Possibly, as rival agencies Hybe, SM, JYP, and YG have moved to collaborate on a global music festival showcasing their signed acts. Reports out of South Korea shed light on the forthcoming event, which is said to be in its early stages amid a push for regulatory approval. But […]