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. Lizzo’s Latest Album Tanks With Fewer Than 3 Million First-Week Streams and Under 3,000 Units Sold — What Happened?

   How did Lizzo go from being a top-ranking, ubiquitous artist to shipping bombs like her latest album, Bitch, which failed to sell even 3,000 units in its first week? Lizzo’s latest album, Bitch, is out now via Atlantic/WMG, and it’s a flop. That’s especially clear compared to the former pop darling’s previous efforts when she […]

2. Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean Sued for $1.4 Million in E3 Chophouse Nashville Lawsuit

   Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean are being sued over the unpaid rent of their recently closed restaurant alongside their co-owner, MLB alum Adam LaRoche. Country stars Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean are being sued by GBT Realty Corporation as the owners of E3 Chophouse Nashville, alongside restaurant co-owner and MLB alum Adam LaRoche. The realty […]

3. SZA Slams Suno and ‘Equity Investor’ Diplo, Calls Out ‘Disgusting’ Musicians Using AI Platforms

   After her music was found among AI training datasets, SZA called out artists using AI music generators like Suno and alleged that Diplo has an equity stake in the company. On Saturday, SZA took to her private Instagram to call out artists using AI music generators, specifically Suno. She also alleged that popular producer Diplo […]

4. New Artist-Filed Lawsuit Accuses Spotify of Implementing ‘Undisclosed Filtering Practices’ to Boost Major Label Releases At the Expense of Indies

   Is Spotify employing “undisclosed filtering practices” to boost major label artists at the expense of indies? A Norwalk-based musician (and attorney) believes so, and he’s taking aim at the alleged play-count suppression in a new suit. Mark Kratter, who appears to release music as part of a namesake band, submitted the concise complaint to the […]

5. Nvidia Faces $20 Million+ Unauthorized Training Suit from Jamendo: ‘A Stark Disconnect Between Profit and Accountability’

   Another day, another high-stakes AI lawsuit: Now, “independent online music platform” Jamendo is suing Nvidia for copyright infringement and breach of contract for allegedly training on tens of thousands of tracks without authorization. Luxembourg-based Jamendo submitted the straightforward complaint to a California federal court yesterday, roughly eight months after taking legal...

6. Artist-Led Suno and Udio Class Actions Add ‘One of the Most Feared Plaintiffs’ Firms’ — The AI Platforms ‘Have Blatantly Stolen Works from Millions,’ Attorney Says

   The artist-led class action suits against Udio and Suno are moving full steam ahead: Now, the former AI platform is staring down an amended complaint, and “one of the most feared plaintiffs’ firms in the nation” has signed on to represent the allegedly shortchanged creatives. Attorneys for the plaintiffs just recently submitted the bolstered action […]

7. Pressure Intensifies to Cancel Kanye West’s July 4th Concert in San Antonio

   Kanye West’s planned concert in San Antonio on July 4th is fast approaching, and calls by local leadership to cancel the event are growing ever louder. Several San Antonio and Bexar County officials have publicly condemned the rapper formerly known as Kanye West over his recent history of antisemitism and other hateful remarks. But a […]

8. How to Self-Destruct Your Entire Career the Bailey Zimmerman Way

   Country singer Bailey Zimmerman faces a felony arrest warrant in New Mexico after an incident that left his concert cancelled and his hotel trashed. An arrest warrant has been issued for country singer Bailey Zimmerman after he allegedly trashed an Albuquerque, New Mexico, hotel room. He faces a felony criminal damage to property charge and […]

9. StubHub Ordered to Refund $1.2 Million to 50,000 Buyers in the UK

   StubHub UK has been fined over a million dollars and ordered to make payments to more than 50,000 customers over “hidden” ticket fees. StubHub UK has been fined nearly £900,000 (~$1.2 million) and ordered to issue refunds to more than 50,000 customers for not disclosing the final price of tickets at the time of booking. […]

10. Moneybagg Yo, Roc Nation Slapped with $100 Million Claim by Former Artist Manager

    A former manager of rapper Moneybagg Yo is suing him, his label, and his current management company, Roc Nation, for alleged breach of contract. Memphis rapper Moneybagg Yo, whose legal name is Demario DeWayne White Jr., has been slapped with a multi-million dollar lawsuit by his former manager for breach of contract. Sherry Jackson-Floyd claims […]

11. Warner Music, Crumbl Cookies Put the Finishing Touches On Their Settlement After $24 Million Legal Battle

    After a year of litigation and a month of finalizing a settlement, Warner Music and Crumbl have officially put their copyright infringement battle to bed. Warner Music Group (WMG) and cookie chain Crumbl have finalized the agreement behind their copyright infringement settlement, which was announced last month. The settlement was initially confirmed in a Utah […]

12. Drake, OVO Sued for Nearly $4 Million Over ‘Multiple Loan Payment Defaults’

    Drake’s lifestyle brand OVO is locked in ugly litigation with a Florida-based lender over a loan gone sour to the tune of roughly $3.7 million. Drake’s lifestyle brand October’s Very Own (OVO) has been hit with a nearly $4 million lawsuit over “multiple loan payment defaults” from earlier this year. Despite the initial loan having […]

13. ‘Michael’ Emerges as a Global Box Office Beast, With Gross Receipts Rapidly Approaching $1 Billion

    Michael has become a global phenomenon, crossing the $960 million threshold on its way to gross $1 billion worldwide and shattering numerous records. Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic continues to rewrite box office history across the globe at just shy of $960 million, with data from Brazil, Japan, and now Russia suggesting the film is well […]

14. 29 Organizations Rally Behind ‘No Consent, No Deal’ AI Approach, Call on Labels and Publishers to End ‘Default Opt-Ins,’ ‘Forced AI Clauses,’ and More

    Looks like the AFM’s lawsuit against Universal Music and Warner Music was just the beginning. Now, 29 organizations are calling on labels and publishers to prioritize “meaningful consent, fair remuneration and full transparency” in their AI licensing agreements. Those organizations, repping artists, songwriters, and music managers alike, today voiced several pressing concerns in an open […]

15. Federal Judge Dismisses Spotify Class Action Suit Alleging ‘Mass-Scale Fraudulent Streaming’ on Drake’s Catalog

    A federal judge has officially dismissed a class action lawsuit filed against Spotify over its alleged failure to stop “billions of fraudulent streams” from reaching Drake’s music. Judge Josephine Staton today granted Spotify’s motion to toss the multifaceted complaint, which set sail this past November with rapper (and Snoop Dogg cousin) RBX aboard as the […]