Dylan Smith

Round Hill Music Acquires Collective Soul’s Catalog, Closes Futures Deal with Ed Roland

January 19, 2021

Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland, who closed a futures deal with Round Hill Music. Photo Credit: John Colden Round Hill Music has acquired the back catalog of Atlanta-based rock band Collective Soul, in add... Read More...

Warner Music Group Earnings Call Slated for February 1st — Here’s What to Expect

Dylan Smith

January 19, 2021

Photo Credit: Unsplash Warner Music Group has scheduled its Q1 FY 2021 earnings call (covering the three months ending on December 31st, 2020) for Monday, February 1st. Here’s a brief rundown of what to expec... Read More...

Kanye West Is Suing His Former Intern for $500,000

Dylan Smith

January 19, 2021

Kanye West and his Yeezy apparel line are officially suing a former intern for $500,000 over alleged non-disclosure agreement (NDA) violations. Kanye West and Yeezy recently submitted the half-million-dollar... Read More...

Spotify Stock (SPOT) Dips as Citi Tells Investors to ‘Sell’

Dylan Smith

January 18, 2021

Spotify stock (SPOT) has dipped in value following a Citigroup rating drop from “neutral” to “sell." Citi expressed serious doubts about podcasts’ ability to attract and retain premium subscribers. Citi anal... Read More...

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

Dylan Smith

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 Receives $6.64 Million In WMG Shares as Stock Price 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...

Author Dylan Smith