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. Jimi Hendrix Bandmates Will Not Experience Copyright Shares, British High Court Rules

   The estates of two former Jimi Hendrix bandmates lose a case against Sony Music UK, claiming they were entitled to copyright and performers’ rights. Owners of the estates of former Jimi Hendrix bandmates, bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, filed a lawsuit against Sony Music Entertainment UK (SMEUK). The two estates claimed that they […]

2. Spotify Stock Plummets After Q1 2026 Earnings Reveal Subscriber Question-Marks and Ad-Supported Revenue Problems

   Spotify (NYSE: SPOT) has posted solid subscriber growth – and yet another ad-supported revenue decrease – for Q1 2026. But the company is anticipating a modest subscriber-base expansion for Q2, and SPOT suffered a double-digit slip in early trading. All told, Spotify pointed to an average of 761 million MAUs (up 12% year over year) […]

3. Spotify’s Song Library Is a Lot Bigger Than We Thought — Co-CEO Says the Platform Hosts ‘Something Like 250 Million Tracks’ Amid AI Slop Avalanche

   Against the backdrop of continued streaming growth – and an avalanche of AI slop – Spotify’s library now contains a staggering 250 million tracks. But is the platform intentionally leaving the upload floodgates open to benefit its recommendations and accelerate the arrival of authorized derivative works? That eye-popping total came to light during the company’s […]

4. Who Gets to Own T.I.’s Masters? Rapper Sues Cinq/GoDigital After a Serious Album Buyback Dispute

   Rapper T.I. is suing Cinq Music with allegations that the label is refusing to honor a contract provision that allows him to buy back his masters. Clifford Harris, better known as rapper T.I., has filed a lawsuit against Cinq Music, part of the GoDigital Media Group, alleging that the label is refusing to honor a […]

5. ‘Leaving Neverland’ Director Calls Michael Jackson ‘Worse Than Jeffrey Epstein,’ Laments ‘Michael’ Box Office Success

   After a record-breaking opening weekend, Michael remains divisive for its portrayal of the musician’s life, despite only covering his early career. Everyone’s talking about Antoine Fuqua’s Michael, a record-setting romp through the early career of Michael Jackson up until the late ‘80s, just before the height of his fame. But critics note the elephant in […]

6. YouTube TV’s ‘Multiview,’ Recently Teased During Coachella, Goes Live

   Following a lengthy development phase, YouTube TV rolls out a customizable multiview feature for subscribers after teasing it at Coachella. YouTube TV is finally rolling out its customizable multiview feature for subscribers, which allows viewing up to four channels on one screen. The feature was released in a limited version back in 2023, and was […]

7. Even Better Than Your Phone: Fred Again… Teams Up With Dropbox to Share Creative Files From His ‘USB002’ Tour

   Fred again.. has teamed up with Dropbox to share never-before-seen creative and raw material from his USB002 tour.  It’s a fan-focused template designed to de-emphasize phones and increase post-show engagement. Producer and musician Fred again.. has teamed up with file-sharing service Dropbox to share previously unseen creative and raw material from his USB002 tour. The […]

8. Is This the Industry’s ‘4th Major Label’? BMG Officially Consummates Its Concord Marriage

   BMG and Concord announce a definitive agreement to combine their businesses, creating the largest independent music company in the world. BMG and Concord have finally announced a definitive agreement to combine their businesses, after weeks of rumors that a deal was forthcoming. Operating under the BMG name, the combined company will unite two complementary businesses […]

9. Primary Wave Scores Catalog and NIL Partnership With the Harry Chapin Estate — Deal Covers ‘Cat’s in the Cradle,’ ‘Taxi,’ and Many More

   Primary Wave has officially taken a stake in the IP of Harry Chapin, including the “Cat’s in the Cradle” singer-songwriter’s catalog as well as his name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. New York City-headquartered Primary Wave and the Chapin estate formally disclosed their partnership, but not the financial and ownership particulars thereof, today. On the […]

10. As Lawsuits Rage, Suno Posts a ‘Music Industry Partnerships’ Job Listing (And Even Made a Song About It)

    Suno posts a job opening for a director of business development and music industry partnerships while the AI company remains locked in litigation with the majors. Although AI music company Suno came to the table with Warner Music Group late last year, the company remains locked in ongoing litigation with Sony Music Entertainment and Universal […]

11. Deezer Latest Earnings Report Is Mostly Uninteresting. But Buried In the Financials Is a Curious AI Detection Deal

    Deezer reports lower revenues and global subscribers in Q1, but its AI-detection tool continues to make it an industry leader. Now, there’s a licensing deal afoot with Hungary-based music rights organization, EJI. Deezer continues to lag behind streaming juggernauts like Spotify and Apple Music, and its Q1 financials reflect that. The France-based streamer posted revenues […]

12. Man Pleads Guilty to Jam Master Jay’s Murder 25 Years Later

    A man has pleaded guilty to his role in the 2002 murder of Run-D.M.C.’s Jam Master Jay. The plea comes three years after he was charged. Jay Bryant, 52, the third man accused in the murder of DJ Jam Master Jay back in 2002, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday. He was charged nearly […]

13. Apple Faces Refiled Class Action Lawsuit Over AirPods ‘Audio Defect’ — ‘Sound Issues in the AirPods Pro Gen 1 Headphones Are by No Means Isolated Occurrences’

    Apple misled consumers by concealing AirPods Pro 1 sound issues and then rolling out an “ineffective” service program for the defective product – at least according to a newly refiled class action lawsuit alleging false advertising and more. Seven sub-class representatives, hailing from Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and California, just recently doubled down on […]

14. The Vinyl Comeback Has a Dark Side: London Police Shut Down Major Counterfeit Vinyl Operation—Over $350,000 in Dupe Discs Seized

    London police seized nearly 6,500 records in a raid of a counterfeit vinyl operation that caused an estimated $350,000 loss for the music industry. The vinyl boom that has swept the music industry for the last 20 years amid the rise of streaming has made plenty of headlines for its positive impact on artists with […]

15. Concord Acquisition Streak Continues With Mothership Music Publishing Purchase — Including ‘More Than 5,000 Copyrights’

    Concord’s acquisition streak isn’t finished yet, as the company’s officially purchased the assets of Mothership Music Publishing – chief among them a 5,000-song catalog. Nashville-based Concord and Mothership reached out with word of the transaction today. The selling operation set sail 13 years ago as a partnership between Epitaph founder Brett Gurewitz, longtime exec Lionel […]