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. Knicks Championship Parade Will Feature a Who’s Who of NYC Rappers—Starting with Wu-Tang Clan

   The championship parade to honor the Knicks for their historic win will feature a who’s who of NYC rappers, per unofficial team ambassador Fat Joe. As a regular at Madison Square Garden during the New York Knicks’ championship games this season, Fat Joe has been tapped by Knicks and MSG owner James Dolan to lead […]

2. The BMG+Concord Merger is Rapidly Getting Cleared by Global Regulators

   Global regulators are swiftly clearing the BMG+Concord merger, keeping the transaction on track to close in Q4 2026, pending other international approvals. On Wednesday, German media group Bertelsmann said U.S. competition authorities have approved the planned merger of BMG (Bertelsmann’s music division) and Concord. The combined entity is valued at around $15 billion and would […]

3. Major Labels Secure Sweeping Site-Blocking Orders Against YouTube Stream-Rippers in Canada

   The Federal Court in Ottawa has issued Canada’s first music industry-requested site-blocking order targeting YouTube stream-ripping services. The major labels have secured a major win in Canada against the operators of YouTube stream-ripping sites Y2Mate, YTMP3, and remaining Savefrom domains over copyright infringement. The original case, filed in November by Sony Music Entertainment, Universal...

4. Meta Moves to Dismiss ‘Serial Litigant’ Wixen’s $100 Million+ Suit, Says the Publisher Is ‘Seeking to Transform a Routine Licensing Dispute Into a Sweeping’ Legal Battle

   Moments after failing to dismiss Eight Mile Style’s copyright lawsuit, Meta has officially moved to toss a different $100 million+ complaint, filed this time by Wixen Music Publishing. Wixen doubled down on that multifaceted complaint last month, accusing the Facebook parent of copyright infringement, defamation, and more. The way the publisher tells the story, Meta […]

5. Apple CEO Says Across-the-Board Price Increases Are Coming—But Will That Include Apple Music?

   Apple CEO Tim Cook says raising prices on its products will be necessary to offset the skyrocketing costs of memory and storage. But will subscriptions like Apple Music be affected? As memory and other components surge in price due to artificial intelligence and other tech companies buying them up to build data centers, Apple CEO […]

6. Spotify Expands Full-Length Video Support — Now Artists Can Add Music Videos, Covers, and Live Performances Directly to the Platform

   As it battles YouTube for video supremacy – and grapples with an intensifying AI audio avalanche – Spotify is now enabling artists to directly upload full-length music videos, live performance videos, and more. Spotify announced this latest video expansion, plus a couple adjacent changes, today. At the top level, eligible artists needn’t use a distributor […]

7. South Korea Launches a $2.2 Million K-Pop Expansion Fund to Boost Developing Artists

   The South Korean government launches an initiative aimed at fortifying the country’s developing K-pop artists with a $2.2 million injection. South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, as well as the Korea Creative Content Agency, has announced an initiative to further strengthen the country’s music industry with the selection of 10 independent K-pop agencies […]

8. Bose Wants a Bigger Piece of the Music Business: New Record Label, New Content Studio, Live Events Ahead

   Bose is branching out into other facets of the music industry with the launch of an in-house content studio, Bose Studios, and a new record label, Bose Records. Audio equipment manufacturer Bose is expanding its music business horizons with the launch of Bose Studios, an in-house content studio, and a new record label, Bose Records. […]

9. Warner Music’s Aggressive Global Buildout Continues With Virtual Artist Deal in China, ‘Expansion Into the Bengali Music Market’ in India

   Warner Music is betting big on virtual artists in China, where it’s partnered with an avatar-focused company called Dream Maker. Meanwhile, the major is also looking “to take Bengali music to a much wider audience” under an SVF Entertainment tie-up. Warner Music China just recently unveiled the Dream Maker deal, which came to light in […]

10. ‘Michael’ Goes Big In Japan as Record-Setting Biopic Closes In on the Historic $1 Billion Mark

    The Michael Jackson biopic continues to make film history with an epic showing in Japan that could finally push it over the billion-dollar threshold. Michael, Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, has already had an epic run at the domestic box office and abroad. It’s already made music […]

11. Chicago Founding Member and Saxophonist Walter Parazaider Dies at 81

    Walter Parazaider, a founding member of rock and jazz ensemble Chicago, has passed away at 81 after complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. Walter Parazaider, saxophonist and one of the founding members of rock and jazz band Chicago, has passed away following complications related to a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 81. His wife […]

12. Meta Must Face the Music (Infringement Litigation): $109 Million Lawsuit from Eminem’s Publisher Shall Proceed, Federal Judge Rules

    A federal judge denies Meta’s motion to dismiss a copyright infringement claim from Eminem’s publisher, allowing the case to move forward. After Meta filed to dismiss Eminem publisher Eight Mile Style’s direct copyright infringement claim, a federal judge has denied the motion, allowing the case to head into discovery. Eight Mile Style is seeking maximum […]

13. Live Nation Stock Hits an All-Time High as Buenos Aires Arena Deal Closes

    Live Nation acquires a majority stake in Buenos Aires’ Movistar Arena, launching the company’s stock to an all-time high. Live Nation has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Movistar Arena Buenos Aires, giving the concert giant ownership of one of Latin America’s biggest live entertainment venues. Located in Argentina’s capital city, the arena […]

14. Is Music’s Biggest Night Getting Too Big? 2027 Grammy Awards to Feature 100 Categories, Up From ‘Just’ 78 in 2012

    The Recording Academy announces some changes ahead of the next Grammy Awards, including five new categories and Best New Artist changes. The Recording Academy has announced some updated rules and categories ahead of the 2027 Grammy Awards, which will broadcast live across ABC, Disney+, and Hulu on February 7, 2027. This year will see five […]

15. Qobuz Delivers 45.7% Revenue Growth Results as Listeners Leave Big Streaming

    Qobuz is rapidly becoming a global player alongside the music streaming giants in a major success story for the independent French company. Qobuz, the high-res streamer founded in 2007, started out as a niche platform prized by audiophiles, but has rapidly ascended as a global player among the music streaming giants. That’s especially evident as […]