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. More Details Trickle In On Britney Spears’ $200M+ Catalog Sale

   Multiple reports claim Britney Spears sold her entire catalog to Primary Wave for $200 million—but that may be an overstatement. Here’s what we know so far. This week, multiple reports surfaced that Britney Spears sold her entire catalog to Primary Wave in a deal amounting to approximately $200 million. However, that statement may not be […]

2. Live Nation Litigation ‘Must Continue Despite Possible Interference,’ Says NCL

   Recent DOJ turbulence and reports of Live Nation looking to cut a deal have the NCL concerned about the status of the government’s antitrust case. The National Consumers League (NCL) said it is “deeply concerned” about the impact of various disruptions at the Department of Justice Antitrust Division on the ability to pursue antitrust enforcement […]

3. TikTok US Launches Opt-In Local Feed Using Your Precise Location

   TikTok launches an opt-in local feed in the US, leveraging users’ precise location information to display content related to travel, events, and more. On Wednesday, TikTok’s U.S. joint venture announced a new Local Feed to leverage users’ precise location information and display content related to events, dining, shopping, travel, news, and more. The move confirms […]

4. Spotify Goes All In On AI Coding, Says Co-CEO

   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 […]

5. Scott Borchetta Exiting HYBE America to Reacquire and Launch Big Machine Records

   Scott Borchetta exits 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 Big Machine […]

6. 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, […]

7. 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 […]

8. 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 […]

9. 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 […]

10. 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 […]

11. 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 […]

12. 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 […]

13. GOP Congressmen Call for Investigation Into Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Performance

    Several Republican congressmen have called for an investigation into Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show for what they call an indecent performance. A group of GOP congressmen have called for Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show to be investigated over what one called an “explicit and indecent” performance. The move echoes […]

14. Shakira Joins the Brazilian Mega-Show Express: Will Her Copacabana Beach In Rio Performance Shatter New Records?

    Shakira is the headliner for this year’s public concert on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, following Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga in 2025. On Wednesday, Colombian star Shakira was selected as this year’s headliner for the third edition of the public concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, “Todo Mundo no Rio.” Rio’s […]

15. First Bandcamp Friday of 2026 Raises $3.6 Million for Independent Artists

    Bandcamp Fridays have raised over $150 million for independent artists since 2020, with the first edition of 2026 alone raising $3.6 million. On Friday, February 6, the first Bandcamp Friday of 2026 kicked off, raising a whopping $3.6 million in direct support for independent artists and labels in just 24 hours. This year’s first edition […]