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. Big Loud Sells Minority Stake in Morgan Wallen’s Catalog for $200 Million

   Nashville record label Big Loud has sold a minority stake in Morgan Wallen’s catalog to Chord Music Partners for $200 million. A representative for Big Loud, the Nashville label that’s home to country star Morgan Wallen, confirmed the sale of a minority stake in the singer’s catalog to Chord Music Partners. Chord made the purchase […]

2. Suge Knight Agrees to $1.5 Million Settlement in Civil Hit-and-Run Murder Case

   Suge Knight has agreed to a $1.5 million settlement to the family of Terry Carter, the man he ran over and killed in a 2015 hit-and-run. On Tuesday, Suge Knight appeared in court via video and agreed to a $1.5 million settlement in his wrongful death suit. The wife and daughters of Terry Carter, the […]

3. Copyright Lawsuit Over Sam Smith and Normani’s ‘Dancing With a Stranger’ Revived by Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

   A copyright infringement lawsuit against Sam Smith and Normani over their hit “Dancing With a Stranger” has been revived by a federal appeals court. A federal appeals court has revived a copyright infringement lawsuit filed against Sam Smith and Normani over their 2019 hit “Dancing With a Stranger,” alleging it copied aspects of a similarly […]

4. Deezer Reports Modest Q1 2025 Revenue Growth, Still Plans on ‘Reaching Profitability This Year’

   Deezer has reported a modest revenue improvement – and a subscriber dip – for 2025’s opening quarter. Nevertheless, execs are still banking on “reaching profitability this year.” The publicly traded streaming company (DEEZR on the Euronext Paris) today published its Q1 2025 financials as well as its close to 300-page 2024 annual report. Keeping the […]

5. Fat Joe Slaps Former Employee With Defamation Suit Over ‘Wholly Fabricated, Grotesque, and Scandalous Allegations’ — Attorney Defendant Immediately Fires Back

   Drake isn’t the only rapper suing over allegedly false pedophilia claims. Now, Fat Joe says his former hype man defamed him with untrue allegations “of vile sexual misconduct, pedophilia, statutory rape, violence and stealing.” 54-year-old Fat Joe (real name Joseph Cartagena) just recently submitted the complaint to a federal court in his native New York. […]

6. SXSW Ex-President Says Penske Forced Him Out: ‘Leaving SXSW Was Definitely Not My Decision’

   Former South by Southwest President Hugh Forrest says parent company Penske Media forced him out during an executive shakeup. According to former South by Southwest (SXSW) President Hugh Forrest, leaving his role was not his choice. Instead, it was the decision of parent company, Penske Media, which now owns a 51% stake in SXSW. “Leaving […]

7. Udio to Begin Fingerprinting Outputs Under Audible Magic Tie-Up: ‘A Clean and Robust Way to Identify the Use of AI-Generated Music’

   With AI tracks pouring onto streaming services in droves, Udio is now set to begin fingerprinting its users’ outputs under an Audible Magic tie-up. The involved parties reached out with word of the audio-ID system. Revolving around a “content control pipeline,” the approach will see Udio register tracks at the source via Audible Magic so DSPs […]

8. Downtown Licenses Content to Audius Decentralized Blockchain Platform

   Audius, the largest decentralized music community, discovery platform, and marketplace for artists and fans, signs a global deal with Downtown Music. The deal encompasses both the recording and publishing side of Downtown’s business, and paves the way for millions of licensed recordings from Downtown’s extensive catalog to be added to Audius. It also unlocks a […]

9. Koreatown Senior Citizen Harmonica Players Are Captivating LA Kings Fans With a Stunning National Anthem

   Harmonica players from the Koreatown Senior and Community Center have captivated LA Kings fans with their rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” As the LA Kings geared up to face Edmonton over the weekend in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series, players were reminded to “pack your harmonicas” before the show hit the road. But […]

10. Morgan Wallen’s Wilder Music and WCM Sign Jared Mullins to Global Publishing Deal

    Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Morgan Wallen’s publishing company, Wilder Music, have signed a global publishing deal with Jared Mullins. Known for his dynamic songwriting, singer-songwriter Jared Mullins has co-written several No. 1 hits, including “Thank God” by Kane Brown featuring Katelyn Brown, and Jake Owen’s “Homemade.” Both tracks topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart, […]

11. Katy Perry Responds to Online Criticism of New Tour, Blue Origin Flight—Calls Herself a ‘Human Piñata’

    Is Katy Perry’s career at a crossroads? Once considered pop royalty, the singer has faced a wave of public backlash that began long before her 11-minute space walk. The pop singer has responded to the internet’s backlash, calling herself a ‘human piñata’ in the process. Perry’s latest album 143 was intended to be a triumphant […]

12. Are Smaller Vinyl Companies Crashing Amid a Broader Sales Slowdown?

    Vinyl sales slowdowns amid broader economic uncertainty spell trouble for several smaller vinyl companies. Vinyl records surpassed CDs as the most popular physical music format over the past few years; 2024 marked the 18th consecutive year that vinyl record sales grew. But the strain on vinyl production facilities has only been compounded by the increased […]

13. Apple Music Names Ex-TikToker Ole Obermann & Rachel Newman As Co-Presidents

    Apple Music has appointed industry veterans Ole Obermann and Rachel Newman as Co-Presidents to steer the streaming service. The dual leadership structure will report to Apple Vice President Oliver Shusser. The structure comes as Apple fights for market share against industry behemoth Spotify. Ole Obermann joins the organization from TikTok, where he served as the […]

14. Anaheim’s Honda Center is Getting a $1 Billion Renovation, Complete with ‘Opera Box Seats’ and Ultra-Luxe Accommodations

    Anaheim’s Honda Center announces a $1 billion privately funded renovation to reimagine the arena, spearheaded by longtime stewards, the Samueli Family. OC Sports & Entertainment (OCSE) made the announcement of the multi-year investment led by the owners of the Anaheim Ducks. The comprehensive renovations will reimagine nearly every aspect of the venue. The project launched […]

15. Music Industry Bodies React to U.S. House Passage of TICKET Act — NIVA, Live Nation, Recording Academy, NITO, Fix the Tix Coalition Weigh In

    With the TICKET Act’s passage in the U.S. House, several music industry organizations have released full statements in support of the action. Now the law must pass through the Senate. Several music industry organizations released statements about the passage of the TICKET Act. Some of those statements praise the move, but also call attention to […]