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. TikTok Radio Officially Departs SiriusXM, Launches With iHeart: ‘This Station Is Built to Feel Like a Living, Breathing For You Feed’

   TikTok Radio has officially shifted from SiriusXM to iHeartMedia, which has launched the “fast-paced” listening option on its app as well as 28 broadcast stations. “TikTok Radio from iHeart” set sail today, a couple months ahead of the fifth anniversary of SiriusXM’s own TikTok Radio rollout. And while the station’s shift is noteworthy, it’s one […]

2. Netflix Green-Lights a ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Sequel — Folks, This Gravy Train Is Just Getting Started

   Netflix confirms a sequel to its enormously successful animated flick KPop Demon Hunters, with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans back as directors. After the worldwide success of its animated film KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix has confirmed a sequel is on the way. Sony Pictures will produce the flick, with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans returning […]

3. UMG Is Now In the Beach Club Business With a Brand-New Division and JV — Anyone Need Some UMusic UV 100 Sunscreen®?

   UMG enters a new era of music-led beach club culture with a global expansion of 0 Beach and joint venture with IMI Group. Universal Music Group’s UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle and IMI Group, the founders of 0 Beach, have announced the formation of UMusic Beach Clubs & Lifestyle, a joint venture designed to expand 0 […]

4. Slipstream Acquires LA-Based Production Music Library Megatrax

   Production music licensing platform Slipstream acquires production music library Megatrax in a deal that significantly grows Slipstream’s catalog. Slipstream has announced the acquisition of Los Angeles-based production music library Megatrax. The acquisition significantly expands Slipstream’s global catalog to over a million tracks available for commercial use worldwide. The deal also...

5. Venu Closes $86.25 Million Raise, Says It Has ‘A Clear Strategic Path to Becoming Fully Funded and Operationally Profitable’

   Six weeks after shelving plans for a $75 million public offering, Venu (NYSE American: VENU) has wrapped an over $86 million raise. Nine-year-old Venu today confirmed the new raise, which delivered gross proceeds of $86.25 million and, specifically with regard to an underwritten public offering, net proceeds of closer to $80 million. According to the […]

6. Live Nation Employees Bragged About ‘Gouging’ Customers and ‘Robbing Them Blind’ In Dozens of Leaked Exchanges—Here’s a Look at the Unsealed Documents

   A tranche of previously-hidden documents reveal Live Nation employees boasting about “gouging” customers and “robbing them blind” with fees for ancillary services. Newly revealed documents might complicate things for Live Nation, which tried to exclude company Slack messages from the evidence at trial. We’re not clear how this correspondence surfaced, though there are dozens of […]

7. Complete List of ‘Divesting’ Live Nation Amphitheaters Emerges — Here’s What Venues Are Included

   Which amphitheaters has the Justice Department ordered Live Nation to “divest” under its antitrust-action settlement? Multiple reports – and a good bit of confusion – later, here’s the complete list. Much of that confusion stemmed from the vague language used in a term sheet hammered out by the DOJ and Live Nation. But a preliminary […]

8. BMG Scores A Flock of Seagulls Catalog Deal Covering Publishing and Recordings — ‘I Ran,’ ‘Wishing,’ and More

   BMG has purchased A Flock of Seagulls’ catalog, including the new wave group’s stateside publishing rights and the recordings behind four “core” albums. The Bertelsmann-owned music company and the Liverpool-based band disclosed their deal – but not the financial particulars thereof – today. All told, A Flock of Seagulls has released six standalone studio albums, […]

9. As a 14-Year Prison Term Awaits, Embattled Pras Michel Abruptly Dismisses Lawsuit Against Lauryn Hill

   Fugees rapper Pras Michel drops his 2024 lawsuit against his former bandmate Lauryn Hill that accused her of fraud and “gross mismanagement.” Pras Michel of the Fugees has dropped his lawsuit against his former bandmate Lauryn Hill, which accused her of a “scheme of fraud” involving Fugees reunion shows and “gross mismanagement.” Michel sued Hill […]

10. Acquisitions Abound! Concord Music Snaps Up Longtime Influential Indie Ninja Tune

    Concord has announced its acquisition of the influential British record label Ninja Tune. The deal marks a significant milestone for both organizations, reflecting the continued power of independent labels in shaping the global music landscape. Founded in 1990 by electronic music pioneers Matt Black and Johnathan More of Coldcut, Ninja Tune has grown from a […]

11. Miss Your Early 2000s Desktop? Kali Audio Is Bringing Desktop Audio Back With a Retro Speaker System

    The Kali IN-UNF speaker set is a nostalgia trip. It’s a great-sounding speaker set. It has its limitations, but it fills a currently vacant market gap for the right individuals. You have to be within arm’s length to fully enjoy Kali Audio’s new desktop-focused IN-UNF speaker system. But maybe that’s a feature, not a bug. […]

12. Shein Faces Another Major Lawsuit Over Knockoffs, This Time From the Selena Estate

    Shein faces yet another lawsuit over the widespread selling of knockoff artist merchandise on its marketplace, this time from Selena’s estate. China-based global e-commerce platform Shein is no stranger to being pelted with lawsuits for hosting the sale of counterfeit artist and other celebrity merchandise. The latest lawsuit comes from the sister of the late […]

13. We Haven’t Heard Much About the Dionne Warwick Catalog—Now, a Contentious Lawsuit Offers an Explanation

    Dionne Warwick files eight counterclaims against the royalty collection agency that sued her last year, accusing them of “pilfering” millions. It’s been quiet on the Dionne Warwick front since the company that negotiated her deal for the sample used in Doja Cat’s “Walk On By” sued the legendary singer last year, alleging breach of contract. […]

14. David 1, Goliath 0: Katy Perry Loses Legal Showdown Against ‘Katie Perry’ In Australia

    Pop star Katy Perry loses a long-running legal battle against a woman with a similar name over who gets to use the name for business purposes. Pop star Katy Perry has lost a legal battle against another woman with a very similar name, ending their long-running showdown to determine who gets to use the name […]

15. Looks Like the ‘Competitive Détente’ Is Finished — Live Nation Ordered to Terminate Oak View Group Ticketing Deals, Leaked DOJ Settlement Docs Reveal

    The Justice Department has ordered Live Nation to nix its controversial Oak View Group (OVG) ticketing agreement – and to abstain from inking similar deals down the line. The divorce papers have officially been signed by Michael Rapino himself — per leaked paperwork shared with DMN. Thus far, the most interesting component of the multifaceted […]