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. NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Earned Over $1,600 in Rap Royalties Last Year

   New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is still earning royalties from his fleeting rap career, reporting $1,643 in 2025 and $1,267 in 2024. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani saw renewed interest in his short-lived rap career after his mayoral candidacy. The music he recorded as Young Cardamom and Mr. Cardamom earned him $1,643 in […]

2. Tory Lanez Sues California Prison System Over Stabbing by Fellow Inmate

   Tory Lanez is suing the California Department of Corrections for $100 million over an incident last year in which he was stabbed 16 times by a fellow inmate. Rapper Tory Lanez has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections over an incident in May last year in which he was stabbed […]

3. Swiss Football Club Becomes Latest European Venue to Say No to Kanye West Concert

   A Swiss football club has cancelled a Kanye West concert at St. Jakob-Park, stating that after a review, they found it did not align with their values. Swiss football club FC Basel has decided not to host a Kanye West concert at its St. Jakob-Park stadium, making it the latest European venue to turn the […]

4. Kanye Concert in Poland Nixed Amid Furor Over Antisemitism and Possible Ban by Polish Authorities

   The Polish stadium where Kanye West was set to perform in June has cancelled his appearance, after he postponed a show in France amid public outcry. Kanye’s concert at a stadium in Chorzów, Poland, has been cancelled by stadium managers, just days after the controversial rapper postponed a show in France. French authorities were reportedly […]

5. Latest Music Industry Hires: BMG, Believe India, Legends Global, iHeartMedia, Symphonic, Warner Chappell, More

   Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of April 17th, 2026. 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 […]

6. Tresóna Fires Off Expanded Lawsuit Against ClicknClear, Alleging a ‘Calculated Scheme to Mislead the Marketplace via False Advertising’

   Right on cue, Tresóna Multimedia has fired off an amended false advertising lawsuit, including a fresh copyright infringement claim, against ClicknClear. Scottsdale-based Tresóna submitted the retooled suit to a New York federal court yesterday, roughly nine months after filing its initial complaint against London’s ClicknClear (CnC). But much has transpired since the legal battle kicked...

7. The Biggest Music Biopic Ever? A Heavily Edited Version of ‘Michael’ Is About to Hit Theaters, With ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ In Its Sights

   The biggest music biopic ever? A heavily edited version of Michael is about to hit theaters, but can it top Bohemian Rhapsody at the box office? We’re about to find out. As we reported closer to April’s start, advance ticket sales are pointing to strong fan demand for Michael, which stars the King of Pop’s […]

8. After Federal Funding Cuts, NPR Scores $113 Million In Private Donations to Keep the Lights On

   NPR has received a pair of charitable donations totaling $113 million, enabling it to continue operations after federal funding cuts. Public broadcasting organization NPR has announced a pair of charitable donations that totaled $113 million, which will enable it to continue operations after federal funding cuts earlier this year. Former NPR Foundation board member Connie […]

9. 24 Years Larger, A Guilty Plea Emerges In the Killing of Jam Master Jay

   One of the three men charged in the killing of Run-D.M.C.’s Jam Master Jay in 2002 plans to plead guilty, court records reveal. Jay Bryant, who was indicted in 2023 in connection to the 2002 killing of Run-D.M.C.’s Jam Master Jay, pleaded not guilty to murder, but his lawyer told the court that they were […]

10. Universal Music Kicks Off Major Jazz Push With ‘Everything Jazz’ Digital Platform Launch, Crowded ‘Verve Vault’ 2026 Reissue Series

    Universal Music Group’s betting big on jazz with a slate of reissues as well as the official debut of an Everything Jazz digital platform and online store. Specifically part of the major’s Global Classics & Jazz division, the newly expanded Everything Jazz counts longtime Universal Music higher-up Tina Poyser as its vice president. Developed “in […]

11. Cue Sheets Ain’t Just for Film & TV Anymore — How Cuetrak Simplifies and Accelerates Cue Sheet Delivery for Today’s Productions

    In the complex world of music reporting and rights management, cue sheets remain the backbone of tracking song usage. They help ensure that composers, publishers, performers, and rights holders each get paid according to their split. Now that function is expanding beyond its traditional role in film and TV to other audio-visual and non-AV sectors—like […]

12. Multiple State Attorneys General Demand Live Nation-Ticketmaster Split Following Trial Win: ‘A Breakup Is Absolutely on the Table’

    It’s time to break up Live Nation and Ticketmaster once and for all – at least according to multiple state attorneys general, who are demanding, among other things, an end to “Live Nation’s hold on the live entertainment industry.” We highlighted the earliest of these demands yesterday, when covering the jury verdict in favor of […]

13. D4vd Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Whose Body Was Found in His Car Last Year

    Singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of murdering the 14-year-old girl whose body was found last year in the trunk of his abandoned car. Los Angeles police have confirmed the arrest of 21-year-old singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, on suspicion of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Rivas Hernandez’s decomposed body was […]

14. Tennessee’s Live Music Support Act Abruptly Shut Down After Garnering Encouraging Bipartisan Support

    The Tennessee House Finance, Ways and Means Committee voted 11-15 to block the state’s Live Music Support Act, despite strong bipartisan support. Tennessee’s House Finance, Ways and Means Committee has blocked legislation in an 11-15 vote that would have provided funding to independent music venues in the state. The bill, titled the TN Live Music […]

15. Lana Del Rey Finally Does a Bond Track—Video Game ‘007: First Light’ Features a Title Track by the Singer

    Lana Del Rey sings the title track to the new James Bond game, years after she recorded a song for the franchise that was ultimately passed over. Fans of the James Bond franchise have long suspected that Lana Del Rey had a hand in the latest video game, “007: First Light,” since she registered a […]