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. Now That ‘TikTok USA’ Is Finally Here, What Comes Next? New Privacy Policy and Terms of Service Preview the Standalone App’s Changes

   Nearly two years after the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act became law, the long-awaited US-based TikTok app has officially landed. But now that the standalone platform is finally here, what comes next? At present, that question is receiving relatively little attention amid a focus on the actual debut of TikTok USA. Confirmed […]

2. Drake Files 117-Page Appeal Against Universal Music Group Over Kendrick ‘Defamation’

   Drake files a massive 117-page appeal against Universal Music Group over the alleged defamation committed by promoting Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Back in October, Drake’s legal team told Digital Music News that an appeal would be forthcoming, after a federal judge tossed his $1 billion defamation suit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick […]

3. It’s Official: US-Based TikTok Version Sets Sail; Trump Heralds Newly-Split App After China Approves Divestiture Deal

   After multiple years and seemingly endless twists and turns, the long-awaited debut of a US-based TikTok is now here. According to an official announcement shared late Thursday (January 22nd), ‘TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC’ is now setting sail. One day ahead of a deadline imposed by President Trump, the long-awaited US-based TikTok spinoff has landed. […]

4. ElevenLabs Collaborates with Liza Minnelli, Art Garfunkel to Launch AI-Generated ‘Eleven Album’

   ElevenLabs launches a first-of-its-kind collaborative AI album with Liza Minnelli, Art Garfunkel, and more singers, songwriters, and producers. Artificial intelligence voice generation company ElevenLabs has announced the release of a landmark AI-generated album made with permission and involvement from human artists that include Liza Minnelli and Art Garfunkel. The Eleven Album was released on...

5. Nearly 800 Creatives, Including Jason Aldean and One Republic, Sign Responsible AI Declaration — ‘Stealing Our Work Is Not Innovation’

   Nearly 800 creatives – including Common, MGMT, Cyndi Lauper, Jason Aldean, and One Republic – have signed a responsible AI declaration calling on developers to take the “ethical route to obtaining the content and materials they wish to use.” Dubbed “Stealing Isn’t Innovation” and organized by the Human Artistry Campaign, the fair-training project formally kicked […]

6. Live Nation Majority Invests in Bizarro Peru—Lima Pegged as ‘Increasingly Important’ Global Touring Stop

   Live Nation announces a majority investment in leading regional promoter Bizarro Peru. The move comes amid Live Nation’s broader South American push. Live Nation has announced an agreement to make a majority investment in Bizzaro Peru, a leading concert promoter in the country. The investment expands Live Nation’s presence in Peru and reinforces the company’s […]

7. The Eagles’ ‘Greatest Hits’ Crosses a Record 40 Million Sales—Becoming the First ‘Quadruple Diamond’ Album in History

   The Eagles continue to soar as ‘Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975’ becomes the first album to be certified quadruple platinum, with 40 million units sold. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has announced that the Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 became the first album in RIAA history to be certified quadruple platinum, marking 40 million […]

8. Merlin Inks Partnership Deal with Advance Platform Pipeline: ‘It Is Essential That Our Members Have Access to Sophisticated Financial Tools on Fair, Transparent Terms’

   Days after launching with a goal of becoming today’s “largest funder of independent music,” B2B advance platform Pipeline has officially partnered with Merlin. Fresh off the announcement of its Udio licensing agreement, Merlin disclosed the Pipeline pact moments ago. Co-founded by Matt Spetzler, the latter company set sail on Tuesday and noted that it’d already […]

9. Harry Styles Kicks Off 50-Gig ‘Global Residency’ Tour in 7 Cities with Supporting Guests Robyn, Shania Twain, Jorja Smith, Jamie xx, and More

   Harry Styles launches a 50-gig, seven-city residency with stops in Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Mexico City, New York, Melbourne, and Sydney. Harry Styles is gearing up to make his long-awaited return to the global stage with a seven-city residency featuring 50 shows in Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Mexico City, New York, Melbourne, and Sydney from […]

10. Music Charity Mega-Group ‘Music Impact Coalition’ Sprinkles $2 Million on Pilot Music Education Initiative

    Music charity the Music Impact Coalition donates $2 million to pilot music education programs in strategically selected states, North Carolina and Ohio. The Music Impact Coalition, a music charity mega-group composed of over 20 of the nation’s top music and arts foundations and organizations, has aligned with Let Music Fill My World on a shared […]

11. Bruno Mars Breaks Roblox Virtual Concert Viewing Records—12.8M Concurrent Players Attend ‘Steal a Brainrot’ Performance Over the Weekend

    Bruno Mars smashes Roblox’s virtual concert viewing records with 12.8 million concurrent players attending his “Steal a Brainrot” performance. On Saturday, January 17, over 12.8 million concurrent users logged into Roblox to catch Bruno Mars’ virtual concert in the hit minigame Steal a Brainrot. Fans also had the chance to collect Bruno-themed traits and a […]

12. Too Lost Saw 130% Growth Over 2025—Here’s A Peek at What’s Next

    Too Lost CEO Gregory Hirschhorn recently published a letter reflecting on the company’s impressive 2025 achievements and outlines the distributor’s ambitious plans for 2026. This article was created in collaboration with DMN partner Too Lost. The independent music distribution platform celebrated major milestones, including substantial royalty payouts and revenue growth—all while maintaining...

13. YouTube CEO Puts ‘Managing AI Slop’ on the Priority List for 2026 — But ‘Managed’ or Not, It’s Not Gonna Chart On Billboard

    YouTube CEO Neal Mohan has outlined the company’s priorities for 2026, including managing so-called ‘AI slop’ and buoying creators pioneering new formats. The annual wrap follows a high-profile refusal by YouTube Music to share data with Billboard, effectively removing the platform from ongoing chart rankings. In YouTube CEO Neal Mohan’s annual letter to the community, […]

14. Suno is ‘the Ozempic of the Music Industry,’ CEO Says—’Everybody’s On It and Nobody Wants to Talk About It’

    Suno CEO Mikey Shulman says his company offers an efficiency many professionals across the music industry are already using but are reluctant to admit. Rapidly growing AI music company Suno is now valued at around $2.45 billion, having attracted major Silicon Valley investment over its ability to generate full songs from simple text prompts. In […]

15. MUSEXPO Triumphantly Returns for 2026 — ‘United Nations of Music’ Re-Convenes in Burbank In March

    MUSEXPO, known as ‘The United Nations of Music’ is returning to Burbank, California from March 22-25, 2026. The event promises four days of industry insight, collaboration, and creative exchange for music professionals across the globe. This article was created in collaboration with DMN partner A&R Worldwide. This year marks more than 25 years of MUSEXPO […]