Dylan Smith

Department of Justice Refuses to Change 80-Year-Old ASCAP, BMI Consent Decrees

January 16, 2021

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially refused to change the roughly 80-year-old ASCAP and BMI consent decrees. Makan Delrahim, assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, commented ... Read More...

Warner Music Group CEO Stephen Cooper, Other Execs Receive WMG Shares as Stock Value Surges

Dylan Smith

January 15, 2021

Warner Music Group (WMG) CEO Stephen Cooper received 189,856 of his company’s Class A shares this month as part of a “long-term incentive plan,” while other higher-ups received a smaller number of shares, per... Read More...

Juice WRLD’s Last Music Video Is Finally Released

Dylan Smith

January 15, 2021

The final music video featuring Juice WRLD, whose full name was Jarad Anthony Higgins, has officially released. “Bad Boy,” one of the 2,000 tracks that Juice WRLD reportedly left behind, just recently became... Read More...

463 People Attended a Packed Concert as Part of a COVID-19 Study — No Infections Reported

Dylan Smith

January 15, 2021

Barcelona, Spain, where medical professionals recently conducted a concert-focused COVID-19 study. Photo Credit: Enes 463 individuals attended a packed concert as part of a COVID-19 study, and medical profess... Read More...

Tencent Music Drops $415 Million to Acquire Lazy Audio

Dylan Smith

January 15, 2021

Tencent Music has dropped over $415 million to acquire Lazy Audio, “a comprehensive audio platform providing entertainment in the forms of audiobooks, Chinese comedy, podcasts and other radio shows.” Shenzhe... Read More...

Latest Industry Gigs: RCA, Mint, Ingrooves, Primary Wave, Peloton, More

Dylan Smith

January 14, 2021

Music industry veteran Mark Pitts, RCA's new president. Photo Credit: RCA Here’s a recap of recent executive shuffles — including both hirings and in-house promotions — from across the music industry. If you... Read More...

Spotify Enters Settlement Talks With PRO Music Rights Founder Jake P. Noch

Dylan Smith

January 14, 2021

Back in November of 2019, Digital Music News was first to report that indie label Sosa Entertainment had filed a $1 billion lawsuit, centering on 550 million allegedly unpaid streams, against Spotify. Now, So... Read More...

UMG Inks Major Licensing Pact With Equinox-Owned Fitness App Variis

Dylan Smith

January 14, 2021

Universal Music Group (UMG) has inked a major licensing pact with Equinox-owned fitness app Variis. The Big Three record label and Equinox Media, a subsidiary of the 29-year-old Equinox Group, recently close... Read More...

Tencent Music Is Planning a Second IPO Valued at $3.5 Billion

Dylan Smith

January 14, 2021

Tencent Music, which operates the QQ Music, Kugou Music, and Kuwo Music streaming services (as well as the WeSing karaoke app) in China, is reportedly planning a second, $3.5 billion IPO. Higher-ups at the S... Read More...

BMG Acquires 300-Track Recorded Catalog of Mick Fleetwood

Dylan Smith

January 14, 2021

Mick Fleetwood performing live in 2018. Photo Credit: Raph_PH BMG has acquired the more than 300-track recorded catalog of Fleetwood Mac cofounder and drummer Mick Fleetwood. The Bertelsmann subsidiary annou... Read More...

Tidal Revenues Grew 13% In 2019, While Losses Exceeded $50 Million

Dylan Smith

January 13, 2021

Project Panther Bidco Limited, the parent company of Jay-Z’s Aspiro and Tidal, has released its 2019 earnings report. Digital Music News obtained an exclusive copy of the nearly 40-page-long document, which ... Read More...

Capitol Studios Shutters Its Mastering and Restoration Divisions

Dylan Smith

January 13, 2021

The 13-story Capitol Records Tower, which houses Capitol Studios, in Hollywood. Photo Credit: Downtowngal Universal Music Group’s Capitol Studios is officially shutting down its mastering and restoration divi... Read More...

This Is the Real Difference Between Rap and Hip Hop

What I’ve Learned About Live Streaming — 3 Musicians Share Their Hard-Learned Lessons

How to Make It In the Music Industry — Two Behind-the-Scenes Professionals Break It Down

Music in Advertising: Here’s How Industry Pros Select Songs for Placement

Sync Licensing: It’s Much Bigger Than TV, Film, and Commercials

Artist Image Is Everything — Here’s How to Build Yours on a Budget

“My Whole Source of Income Just Disappeared” — How Two Musicians Are Dealing With Cancelled Concerts

How to Protect Yourself From the Copyright Trolls — Our Latest Podcast

Meet the Artist Who Is Literally Saving His Fans’ Lives — Our Latest Podcast

How to Game the Billboard Charts (And Why You Shouldn’t) — Our Latest Podcast

Stop Chasing Playlists and Start Building a Music Career — Our Latest Podcast

Are Hit Songs Under Attack? What a Top Music Industry Attorney Thinks About the Rise In Copyright Trolling — Our Latest Podcast

‘Bone Conduction’ Headphones Don’t Go Over Your Ears — But Still Transmit Sound to Your Inner Cochlea

Now That the Music Modernization Act Has Passed, Who’s Gonna Run the Damn Thing?

Department of Justice Refuses to Change 80-Year-Old ASCAP, BMI Consent Decrees

Warner Music Group CEO Stephen Cooper, Other Execs Receive WMG Shares as Stock Value Surges

Juice WRLD’s Last Music Video Is Finally Released

463 People Attended a Packed Concert as Part of a COVID-19 Study — No Infections Reported

Tencent Music Drops $415 Million to Acquire Lazy Audio

Latest Industry Gigs: RCA, Mint, Ingrooves, Primary Wave, Peloton, More

Spotify Enters Settlement Talks With PRO Music Rights Founder Jake P. Noch

UMG Inks Major Licensing Pact With Equinox-Owned Fitness App Variis

Tencent Music Is Planning a Second IPO Valued at $3.5 Billion

BMG Acquires 300-Track Recorded Catalog of Mick Fleetwood

Tidal Revenues Grew 13% In 2019, While Losses Exceeded $50 Million

Capitol Studios Shutters Its Mastering and Restoration Divisions

Author Dylan Smith