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. Drill Rapper Kay Flock Hit with 30-Year Prison Term; Judge Dismisses ‘Intellectual Disability’ Claims

   Drill rapper Kay Flock has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for gang violence charges, including various weapons and assault charges, as well as racketeering conspiracy. Kay Flock, the 22-year-old drill rapper best known for the hit “PSA,” has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in a packed courthouse hearing on Tuesday. Judge […]

2. AIM Ireland Pushes for a ‘Spotify Levy’ to Power the Next Generation of Irish Artists

   AIM Ireland wants the government to introduce a content levy on streaming services like Spotify to raise funds for the next generation of Irish musicians. AIM Ireland (Association of Independent Music), a trade body representing the country’s independent music industry, wants to government to introduce a content levy on streaming services such as Spotify to […]

3. PRS Pays Out £274.9 Million in Final Distribution of 2025

   PRS for Music announces its largest-ever royalty payout during its final distribution of the year, with over £274.9 million given to rightsholders worldwide. UK organization PRS for Music, which tracks, collects, and pays songwriters, composers, and music publishers for the use of their music across streaming, downloads, broadcast radio, or any public performance space, has […]

4. Marilyn Manson Sexual Assault Case Dismissed by Los Angeles Judge

   Marilyn Manson scored a win after a Los Angeles judge dismissed a sexual assault lawsuit filed by his former assistant, ending a case that was set for trial next month. On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Judge Steve Cochran ruled that Marilyn Manson’s former assistant, Ashley Walters, had waited too long to file a complaint against […]

5. Billions Are Flowing Into Music IP at Record Levels — But Can Financial Systems Handle the Catalog Boom?

   Music IP acquisitions and dealflow continued to hit record levels in 2025, with billions pouring into catalogs, asset-backed securities, or well-funded tranches earmarked for future catalog purchases. But big catalogs require complex financial systems to manage rights administration, collections, payouts, and, ultimately, growth. So how are newly minted mega-owners overseeing their tranches?...

6. Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Minimum Is Hitting Indie Artists and Labels Hard — With 65% Suffering a ‘Significant Negative Impact,’ ANMIP-BG Study Finds

   According to a new study, Spotify’s controversial 1,000-stream threshold is negatively affecting nearly two-thirds of indie artists and labels – and particularly those with sizable catalogs – in Southeast Europe. The Association of Independent Music Publishers and Producers Bulgaria (ANMIP-BG) recently provided a fresh look at the threshold’s label-level impact. By now, most are familiar […]

7. GM Goes Big on Apple Music: App Getting ‘Natively Integrated’ Into Upcoming Vehicles, ‘Studio-Grade Spatial Audio’ Hitting Cadillac Models

   Months after moving to drop support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, General Motors has announced the direct integration of Apple Music into select vehicles’ infotainment systems. GM just recently confirmed its plans to put Apple Music front and center in certain newer vehicles. On the straight integration side, the Apple-owned service is already available […]

8. Netflix and iHeartMedia Announce Video Podcast Partnership for Top iHeartPodcasts

   Netflix and iHeartMedia team up for an exclusive video podcasting partnership for 15-plus top iHeartPodcasts, including “The Breakfast Club” and “My Favorite Murder.” Today, iHeartMedia and Netflix have announced an exclusive video podcasting partnership covering more than 15 of the top-leading original iHeartPodcast shows. The agreement includes all new episodes from the podcast lineup, as...

9. Howard Stern Signs a New Deal With SiriusXM, Ending Rampant Speculation of a Split

   Howard Stern has signed a new contract with SiriusXM, putting an end to months of speculation over whether or not the legendary talk radio host would retire. It’s been a busy few months for Howard Stern fans, as speculation abounded over whether the legendary radio host would be retiring once his contract with SiriusXM came […]

10. Trentham Live Cancels Primal Scream Headliner Over Antisemitism Concerns

    Primal Scream’s 2026 headlining appearance at Trentham Live has been pulled by the festival following concerns of antisemitism at the band’s recent London show. Scottish band Primal Scream’s headlining appearance at an upcoming music festival has been pulled by Trentham Live 2026 organizers as the band faces allegations of antisemitism. The festival is expected to […]

11. Live Nation Takes Over Operations at Thailand’s Impact Arena—Big Overhaul Now Underway

    Live Nation is taking over operations at Thailand’s Impact Arena, working alongside founding developer Bangkok Land to upgrade the venue’s infrastructure. Live Nation is renovating another major venue, this time taking over operations at Thailand’s celebrated Impact Arena. Working alongside Impact’s founding developer, Bangkok Land, Live Nation will introduce modern production infrastructure and...

12. Rolling Stones Shelving 2026 Stadium Tour; Keith Richards Reportedly Bowing Out

    The Rolling Stones have nixed plans for their UK and European stadium tour in 2026, with 82-year-old Keith Richards bowing out. The Rolling Stones had been hinting for months at a series of live stadium shows in the UK and Europe next year. But now, those plans won’t be coming to fruition, as Keith Richards […]

13. Mirelo Announces $41 Million Seed Round, Aims ‘To Become the Audio Layer for All Visual Content Across Videos, Gaming, Social Media, Films and Beyond’

    Less than three years after setting sail, audio startup Mirelo, which says it lets “anyone generate perfectly synchronized sound effects for videos,” has scored a $41 million raise. Berlin-based Mirelo reached out with word of its Andreessen Horowitz- and Index Ventures-led seed round. Atlantic.vc (a Mimi Hearing Technologies and SoundCloud stakeholder) and Menlo Park-headquartered TriplePoint...

14. Latest Music Industry Hires: Warner Music, CAA, UMG UK, Believe, Babygrande Records, Paragon, Bucks Music Group, More

    Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of December 15th, 2025. If you have a job shuffle to share, we’re all ears. Send us a note to news@digitalmusicnews.com. If you’d like to post a job on our Job Board, just send us a request to noah@digitalmusicnews.com. And, keep track of all the […]

15. Why AI Music Companies Urgently Need Access to Accurate Music Rights Data 

    In the wake of groundbreaking AI music deals recently announced, Music Reports has an urgent message for the music industry. Simply stated: without accurate and timely music rights data, the most ambitious AI music partnerships are unlikely to succeed, with billions in added revenue squandered. Here’s the company’s letter to the music industry, the AI […]