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. Peabo Bryson, Best Known for Disney Duets in ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ Passes Away Aged 75

   Two-time Grammy Award-winning singer Peabo Bryson, known for his Disney duets in “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast” in the ‘90s, has passed away. Peabo Bryson, the R&B singer best known as the voice behind the Oscar-winning Disney film duets from “Beauty and the Beast” (with Celine Dion) and “Aladdin” (with Regina Belle), has passed […]

2. Latest Music Industry Hires: BMI, CISAC, Merlin, Sound Royalties, All Classical Radio, Adams & Reese, Snap, TickPick, More

   Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of June 3rd, 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 […]

3. Wigmore Hall Partners With Apple Music Classical — With 100% of Royalties Going to the Performing Artists

   A new partnership with Apple Music Classical will see all new Wigmore Hall Live releases premiere exclusively on the platform for three months. West London’s Wigmore Hall has announced a new partnership with Apple Music Classical, which will see all new Wigmore Hall Live releases premiere exclusively on the platform for three months. Wigmore Hall […]

4. Dutch Judge Clears Kanye West Performances In the Netherlands After Emergency Lawsuit

   An Amsterdam judge has allowed two upcoming shows by Kanye West to move forward in the Netherlands despite an emergency lawsuit from the Central Jewish Council. The Central Jewish Counsil filed an emergency lawsuit in a bid to prevent Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, from performing two upcoming shows in the Netherlands. […]

5. Armed With a Meaty $267 Million ABS Tranche, Seeker Music Acquires a Piece of the Cocteau Twins’ Catalog

   After securing a $267 million ABS tranche, Seeker Music has acquired Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde’s publishing catalog, including his full body of work with the band. Songwriter Evan Bogart’s Seeker Music has acquired the music publishing catalog of acclaimed songwriter, producer, bassist, and keyboardist Simon Raymonde. The deal includes his full body of work as […]

6. All of Nothing at All: Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Moves to Dump Universal Music Shares Following Failed Takeover Bid

   On the heels of its failed Universal Music Group (UMG) takeover attempt, Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square is reportedly preparing to sell off its remaining interest in the major label. That’s according to an early release from Bank of America, which pointed to Pershing’s imminent divestment of approximately 80.6 million shares. Via various Pershing funds, Ackman […]

7. AXS Strikes a Bevy of Independent Venue Deals, Including the Troubadour, First Avenue, and the Marathon Live Portfolio

   AXS strengthens its position in the independent venue space with new and renewed partnerships spanning some of the most iconic clubs in the nation. Today, AXS bolstered its place in the independent venue market with a fresh round of partnerships spanning iconic clubs across the United States. The ticketing and live event company announced new […]

8. So Who’s Gonna Make It Big in 2026? YouTube Music Unveils Its Top Picks

   YouTube Music unveils its 2026 picks for its Foundry program, which has worked with over 250 artists since 2015 to help them build sustainable careers. What platform has the greatest ability to break new artists? TikTok, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and more have all been instrumental in helping budding artists make a big splash into […]

9. Is Garth Brooks Next? $2 Billion Catalog Sale Is on the Table, WSJ Reports

   Garth Brooks is reportedly exploring his options for the sale of his extensive music catalog in a deal that could be worth a whopping $2 billion. On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that country music star Garth Brooks is looking into selling his vast music catalog, with valuations ranging from $1 billion to over […]

10. Suno Unveils $400 Million Series D, Tees Up the Release of Its ‘First Music Model Developed in Partnership With the Music Industry’

    Suno has officially wrapped a $400 million funding round at a $5.4 billion post-cash valuation – thereby upping its six-month raise total to a staggering $650 million. Though Suno’s Series D was all but confirmed last month, the AI music platform formally disclosed the round today. Bond Capital (which counts early Spotify investor Mary Meeker […]

11. The National Symphony Orchestra Is In Very Serious Trouble

    Ben Folds explains the challenges now facing the National Symphony Orchestra amid Trump’s recent overhaul of the Kennedy Center in an open letter. Musician and former National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) artistic advisor Ben Folds released an open letter outlining the challenges now facing the orchestra in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s recent overhaul of the […]

12. Appeals Court Reverses 2 Live Crew’s Copyright Termination Victory Based on a Bankruptcy Detail

    2 Live Crew have lost their prior copyright victory in appeals court, based on a technicality that affects artists’ rights under federal bankruptcy law. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit overturned the previous October 2024 jury verdict that saw iconic rap group 2 Live Crew regain control of their copyright. The three-judge […]

13. Udio Joins Suno Fight to Redact Core Training Data In Court — What Are These Guys Hiding?

    Suno isn’t alone in pushing to keep its “training data number” – or a tally of the tracks used to train its models – out of the public view. Now, amid a legal battle with Sony Music, AI music rival Udio is also attempting to seal the figure. Still fending off copyright litigation from Universal […]

14. FÉLIN’s ReDisco Vinyl Recycling Tally Hits 1.2 Million Records Ahead of Planned Expansion ‘Across Europe and Internationally’

    IMPALA has unveiled a collaboration with FÉLIN’s ReDisco, a vinyl recycling initiative that’s said to have “given a second life to 1.2 million unwanted records” since launching three years ago. France’s National Federation of Independent Labels and Distributors (FÉLIN) established ReDisco in 2023, after a law in 2022 prohibited labels and distributors from trashing excess vinyl. […]

15. Cypress Hill’s Sen Dog Documentary Moves Forward with Will.i.am, Pitbull, DMC, and More

    A new documentary chronicling the life and career of Cypress Hill co-founder Sen Dog is underway, with participation from numerous hip-hop icons. A documentary about the life and career of Cypress Hill co-founder Senen “Sen Dog” Reyes, entitled Mi Familia: Sen Dog and the American Dream, is now in production. Among the film’s participants are […]