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. AI-Generated Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian Scams Surge on TikTok

   Online scammers are using AI deepfakes of celebrities like Taylor Swift and Rihanna to trick TikTok users into signing up for fake rewards programs. Over the past month, TikTok has experienced a rise in videos of AI-generated celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian, encouraging users to sign up for fraudulent rewards programs or […]

2. The BOTS Act Isn’t Just for Bots: Federal Judge Denies Key Investment Group Dismissal Motion — FTC Promptly Cites the Ruling in Its Live Nation Case

   Despite its title, the BOTS Act applies to more than bot-powered efforts to bypass ticketing-platform security measures – at least according to a new order allowing an FTC lawsuit to proceed. We covered that single-count action in detail soon after its August 2025 filing. But to recap, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused Key Investment […]

3. What Streaming Plateau? YouTube Music and Premium Achieved Record Subscriber Growth in Q1 2026, Alphabet CEO Says

   As Spotify and others grapple with a subscriber-growth slowdown in established markets, YouTube Music and Premium are said to be adding a record number of paid users. Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed that all-time-high subscriber boost during his company’s first-quarter earnings call. In the exec’s own words, 2026’s first three months saw YouTube […]

4. Busta Rhymes Settles ‘Horrible Boss’ Lawsuit After Allegedly Punching His Assistant

   Busta Rhymes settles a lawsuit filed by his former personal assistant, who claimed the rapper attacked and punched him in the face. Busta Rhymes has settled a legal battle with his former personal assistant, Dashiel Gables, who alleged that the rapper attacked and punched him in the face in a work-related dispute. Rhymes had denied […]

5. X Games Announces Kaskade, Mustard & Subtronics as Sacramento 2026 Headliners

   MoonPay X Games League announces headliners Kaskade, Mustard, and Subtronics for its summer debut in Sacramento from June 26-28. Today, X Games has announced electronic music icon Kaskade, producer and artist Mustard, and electronic producer and DJ Subtronics as the official music headliners for MoonPay X Games Sacramento 2025. Kaskade will take the stage Friday […]

6. Looks Like UK’s Ticket-Scalping Ban Is Getting Shelved for at Least a Year

   The UK’s ticket scalping ban is set to be delayed by at least a year, with only draft legislation likely to be included in next month’s King’s Speech. A new report from Financial Times revealed that the UK’s ticket tout ban is due to be shelved for a year, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming […]

7. Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and Amex Anchor Olivia Rodrigo’s 60+ Date Global Tour

   Olivia Rodrigo announces “The Unraveled Tour” in support of her third studio album, spanning 60-plus dates across North America, Europe, and the UK. On Thursday, Olivia Rodrigo announced “The Unraveled Tour” in support of her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, which debuts on June 12 via Geffen […]

8. Will the Real Artist Please Stand Up? Spotify’s New Verification Checkmark Is Bad News for AI and Background Content Farms

   Spotify introduces verified artist badges to help listeners more easily distinguish real human artists from AI. Artists must meet certain criteria to receive the badge. Spotify has announced a major move toward combating AI-generated music with a Verified by Spotify badge. This checkmark identification comes with some other perks that are currently still in beta, […]

9. Primary Wave-Partnered Times Music Acquires Catrack Entertainment — ‘A Cultural Treasure That Defined An Era for Punjabi Music Lovers’

   Primary Wave and Times Music have once again expanded their reach in India’s quick-growing music market, this time by acquiring “pioneering Punjabi label” Catrack Entertainment (originally Catrack Cassettes Industries). Having initially partnered three years back, Primary Wave and Times Music (a subsidiary, though part-owned by Primary Wave, of Indian media conglomerate The Times Group) unveiled...

10. New Lawsuit Claims Drake and Streamer Adin Ross Misled Fans In Gambling Promos

    Drake, Adin Ross, DJ Akademiks, and gambling website Stake.us have been named in a series of illegal gambling and racketeering lawsuits. Drake, streamer Adin Ross, and DJ Akademiks have been named alongside gambling website Stake.us in an illegal gambling and racketeering lawsuit filed in New Jersey on April 22. The suit echoes similar filings involving […]

11. D4vd Stabbed 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to Death to Silence Her, Prosecutors Say

    Prosecutors say singer D4vd stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez multiple times and dismembered her to keep her quiet about their relationship. On Wednesday, prosecutors claimed that singer D4vd, real name David Burke, killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez by stabbing her multiple times in order to keep her quiet about their relationship. He allegedly began sexually […]

12. Christian Rock Band Newsboys and Founder Wes Campbell Sue Fellow Group MercyMe, Christian Tour Promoters, Journalists, More

    Christian rockers the Newsboys and founder Wes Campbell file a defamation suit against dozens of defendants, including tour promoters and journalists. Christian rock band the Newsboys and their co-founder, Christian music executive Wes Campbell, have filed a wide-ranging federal lawsuit against dozens of defendants. Their suit alleges an orchestrated campaign to defame the band and […]

13. PRS for Music Paid Out Over £100 Million From Live Music Revenue in 2025, a First in 110 Years

    PRS for Music releases its 2025 financials, revealing that revenue collected from live music generated over £100 million in 2025, a first in 110 years. Royalties are flowing to more creators across an expanding repertoire of works, according to PRS for Music’s 2025 financials. Last year, PRS for Music paid out against 7.8 million unique […]

14. The Pershing Effect? Universal Music Posts Mixed Q1 2026 Financials, Doubles Share-Buyback Program’s Size, and Confirms Spotify Stock Sale Plans

    Universal Music Group (UMG) has reported mixed financials for Q1 2026, including flat overall revenue and modest across-the-board streaming growth. Meanwhile, with a Pershing Square takeover attempt looming large, the major has confirmed plans to sell Spotify stock and supersize its share-buyback program. UMG unveiled its Q1 2026 results – providing a noticeably more detailed […]

15. Hybe Posts Double-Digit Q1 2026 Revenue Growth Amid BTS Comeback — Operating Profit Slips Following Once-Off Employee Stock Award

    Thanks largely to BTS’ comeback, Hybe turned in a nearly 40% year-over-year revenue increase during Q1 2026. However, the K-pop mainstay also reported a sizable operating loss for the period, when concerts revenue slipped by about 43% YoY. According to its newly released earnings breakdown, Hybe (KRX: 352820) generated a cool ₩698.35 billion (currently $469 […]