Dylan Smith

Halsey: Brought to You by Budweiser

October 14, 2020

Halsey in 2019. Photo Credit: Toglenn Budweiser and Halsey have unveiled a massive sponsorship centering on the 26-year-old’s rags-to-riches story. Halsey, whose full name is Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, rec... Read More...

Nipsey Hussle Estate Sues ‘Crips LLC’ for Stealing Trademarks

Dylan Smith

October 14, 2020

The estate of Nipsey Hussle has filed a lawsuit against "Crips LLC," a company founded in 2018 by factions of the namesake street gang, purportedly to spearhead peaceful community initiatives. Nipsey Hussle’... Read More...

Google has won its Supreme Court case against Oracle.

Stream-Ripping Giant FLVTO.biz Officially Petitions the U.S. Supreme Court

Dylan Smith

October 14, 2020

The Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Photo Credit: Joe Ravi Late last month, Digital Music News was first to report that the copyright infringement battle between the RIAA and Tofig Kurbanov, owner ... Read More...

Hipgnosis Snags L.A. Reid’s 160-Song Catalog — Including Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Bobby Brown Hits

Dylan Smith

October 14, 2020

London-based Hipgnosis has acquired the 162-song catalog of veteran record exec Antonio “L.A.” Reid, including publishing and writing credits on hits from Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Bobby Brown, and many o... Read More...

Despite Looming Shutdown Threats In the US, TikTok Inks a Major Licensing Deal In the Netherlands

Dylan Smith

October 14, 2020

Photo Credit: Kon Karampelas Despite the ever-present threat of a stateside shutdown, TikTok is continuing to make major moves on the world stage. That includes a recent licensing agreement with the Netherlan... Read More...

Troy Carter, Scooter Braun, Jared Leto, Sequoia Drop $1.5 Million on Latest Livestreaming Startup

Dylan Smith

October 13, 2020

Photo Credit: TCDisrupt / CC by 2.0 High-profile investors including Troy Carter, Scooter Braun, Jared Leto, Forerunner Ventures, and Sequoia Capital have dropped $1.5 million on Moment House, a Los Angeles-b... Read More...

Ford Accuses Freeplay of Deceptive Music Licensing Practices — Freeplay Fires Back

Dylan Smith

October 13, 2020

Ford's Dearborn, Michigan, headquarters, commonly known as the Glass House. Photo Credit: Dave Parker Back in April, Digital Music News was first to report on Freeplay Music’s $8.1 million copyright infringem... Read More...

Turkey Demands Upfront Broadcast Licensing Fees from Spotify — Within 72 Hours

Dylan Smith

October 13, 2020

Istanbul, Turkey's most populous city. Photo Credit: Anna The Turkish government agency that oversees TV, radio, and on-demand broadcasts, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), has demanded three m... Read More...

Get Ready for Joe Rogan to Interview Kanye West

Dylan Smith

October 13, 2020

Rap mainstay and 2020 presidential hopeful Kanye West has expressed interest in appearing on the Spotify-exclusive Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) podcast. The 43-year-old artist recently noted on Twitter that he... Read More...

Livestreaming Concert Startup Mandolin Raises $5 Million In Seed Capital

Dylan Smith

October 12, 2020

Photo Credit: Pien Muller Mandolin, a livestream concert startup backed by software as a service (SaaS) venture studio High Alpha, has raised $5 million in seed capital. Mandolin recently announced the succe... Read More...

Hip Hop Super-Agent Brent Smith Officially Out at WME Over ‘Bullying Behavior’

Dylan Smith

October 12, 2020

Last month, Digital Music News first reported that William Morris Endeavor (WME) had suspended hip-hop super-agent Brent Smith. Now, the Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Tyler, The Creator representative has offici... Read More...

Universal Music Is Rolling Out ‘Music-Based Experiential’ Hotels — First Three Properties Announced

Dylan Smith

October 12, 2020

Universal Music Group (UMG) is preparing to roll out a collection of “music-based experiential hotel properties,” and the first three locations have already been announced. Universal Music detailed its plans... Read More...

Author Dylan Smith