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. Indie Labels Return 77% of Profits Back to Their Artists, Study Claims

   Independent music labels return a third of revenue to artists, according to a new report from global advocacy group ORCA. Global think tank and advocacy group ORCA (Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts) has released a first-of-its-kind report revealing how independent labels generate tangible value and income for artists through long-term partnerships and investment. Commissioned […]

2. YouTube’s Had Enough of Spotify Wrapped, Introducing ‘YouTube Recap’

   YouTube rolls out its own version of Spotify Wrapped for videos, revealing highlights, deep dives, and moments from your watch history. YouTube is introducing a new recap experience for your watch history, designed to “uniquely highlight interests, deep dives, and moments” like Spotify’s end-of-year Wrapped experience, but for YouTube video. According to YouTube’s announcement, the […]

3. Oak View Group Quietly Scrubs Tim Leiweke Following Federal Indictment and DOJ Investigation; Permanent CEO Replacement Named

   Oak View Group names its new permanent CEO while scrubbing Tim Leiweke following his federal indictment and DOJ investigation. Oak View Group (OVG) has announced that its Board of Directors has named Chris Granger as permanent CEO, effective immediately. Granger had served as the company’s interim CEO since July after the ousting of co-founder Tim […]

4. AI Music Beef: Hook Music Says Suno Is Ripping Off Its Trademarks and IP with ‘Create Hook’

   AI-powered music remixing tool Hook Music claims Suno’s new ‘Create Hook’ feature violates its trademarks and brand identity. Now that genAI platform Suno has “gone legit” in its deal with Warner Music, the company is under fire with fellow AI-powered tool Hook Music. Hook Music, an AI-based music remixing and mashup app with video editing […]

5. Warner Music Sues Pacsun Over Alleged ‘Blatant, Willful, and Repeated Copyright Infringement’ in Social Media Promo Videos

   Another day, yet another social media copyright lawsuit – once again from Warner Music Group (WMG), which is suing Pacsun over allegedly infringing promotional videos. Warner Music just recently submitted the straightforward suit, naming Pacific Sunwear of California (Pacsun) as a defendant. By now, many in (and some outside) the industry are aware of the […]

6. Jorja Smith Label FAMM Demands ‘I Run’ Credit and Compensation: ‘Both Versions of the Track Infringe on Jorja’s Rights’

   Jorja Smith’s record label is now demanding credit on and compensation for Haven’s “I Run” – including the version of the track featuring vocals from human artist Kaitlin Aragon. UK-based FAMM voiced that demand (and dove into the creative-sector fallout of AI’s growing prevalence) in a roughly 1,000-word Instagram post. As we previously broke down, […]

7. Jorja Smith’s Label Rattles the Legal Cage After ‘I Run’ Takes Off — Might This Blow Up Suno’s Carefully-Laid Plans to Go Legit?

   Is Suno about to face the music — that it just ripped off? For those watching in disbelief as ‘I Run’ started sprinting away on TikTok, Spotify, and seemingly every other platform, perhaps there’s poetic justice in the music industry, after all. As DMN first reported just hours ago, Jorja Smith’s label, FAMM, is now […]

8. Live Nation Invests in Non-Alcoholic ‘Organic Social Tonic’ Company Hiyo, Says ‘Fans’ Tastes Continue to Evolve’

   High-energy live music and “organic social tonics”? Live Nation has made another beverage-company play, this time by taking an equity stake in Hiyo. The Liquid Death backer just recently disclosed the investment and an adjacent multiyear partnership. Founded in 2021, Hiyo bills its namesake drink as “a USDA organic certified social tonic mindfully crafted with […]

9. Netflix In Diddy’s Crosshairs—Rap Mogul Calls 50 Cent-Directed Documentary ‘Hit Piece’ with Unauthorized Footage

   Diddy takes aim at 50 Cent’s upcoming Netflix documentary series, which debuts on December 2, calling it a hit piece that uses unauthorized footage. 50 Cent’s Netflix docuseries, “Sean Combs: The Reckoning,” launches globally on the streaming service today (December 2). But a spokesperson for Combs has slammed the piece as “shameful,” accusing Netflix of […]

10. Bomb Squad Called to Courthouse Amid Megan Thee Stallion’s Successful Defamation Trial

    A bomb squad investigates a suspicious package outside the courthouse where jurors sided with Megan Thee Stallion on her defamation trial. On Monday, Megan Thee Stallion’s defamation trial against blogger Milagro Gramz finally came to an end, with jurors ruling in the rapper’s favor. But before it did, a bomb squad was called to investigate […]

11. After Inking With WMG, Karaoke Platform Singa Ropes Indies With a Merlin Accord

    On the heels of a deal with WMG, karaoke platform Singa inks with independent music licensing partner Merlin. Digital music licensing partner Merlin has partnered with Singa, the leading karaoke technology company, to make thousands of original master recordings available on the platform. The move comes just six months after Singa secured a licensing deal […]

12. Cox Communications and the Major Labels Take Their Marathon Copyright Dispute to the Supreme Court — Oral Argument Runs Nearly Two Hours Ahead of High-Stakes 2026 Ruling

    With a billion-dollar lower-court ruling on the line – and with far-reaching implications for the future of ISP infringement liability – the Cox Communications v. Sony Music Supreme Court argument is officially in the books. That oral argument took place before the nation’s highest court today, nearly six years after a jury ordered Cox to […]

13. Warner Music CEO Robert Kyncl’s Compensation Is Getting a Performance-Based Tweak — With WMG’s Saggy Stock a Big Focus

    Warner Music Group (WMG) has officially reworked the pay package of CEO Robert Kyncl, who was reportedly bagging nearly $19 million per year pre-adjustments. WMG confirmed the retooled compensation framework in a regulatory filing today, weeks after revealing its financials for the fiscal fourth quarter (July, August, and September 2025). As of the prior fiscal […]

14. A$AP Rocky Becomes Chanel’s Latest Ambassador—’A Fashion Icon in the Purest Form’

    A$AP Rocky is the latest Chanel ambassador, bringing his “talent, curiosity, and limitless creativity” to the luxury brand’s latest chapter. A surreal three-minute video released on Sunday showed rapper A$AP Rocky and actress Margaret Qualley as a couple waking up together before he sprints after her across Manhattan to propose. Directed by French filmmaker Michel […]

15. FKA Twigs Announces The Body High Tour—With Coachella 2026 Listed

    FKA Twigs has announced the ‘Body High Tour,’ which will see twigs take the music of EUSEXUA and EUSEXUA Afterglow on the road across North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The North American leg of the tour will peak with a performance at Coachella 2026 and a long-awaited show in Mexico City. Then the […]