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. Adidas Defeats Angry Shareholder Lawsuit Over Kanye Deal Disaster

   Adidas prevailed against an appeal by shareholders who alleged the company committed fraud in concealing antisemitic behavior by Kanye West before its partnership with the rapper dissolved. German footwear and apparel brand Adidas defeated an appeal by U.S. shareholders on Wednesday, December 3. The shareholders’ suit alleged that the company fraudulently concealed antisemitic and other […]

2. D4vd Is Google’s ‘Most Searched Person’ of 2025—Beating Out Kendrick Lamar, Jimmy Kimmel, & Pope Leo XIV

   Singer D4vd has claimed Google Trends’ most-searched person of 2025, beating out figures like Kendrick Lamar, Jimmy Kimmel and Pope Leo XIV. In September, the remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in the back of a Tesla registered to the singer. D4vd is well-known in the Fortnite gaming scene, where he got his […]

3. 50 Cent Expands Litigation Against ‘Skillhouse’ Director Over ‘Brazen and Unauthorized’ Use of Image Rights

   50 Cent doubles down on his lawsuit against Skillhouse producer Ryan Kavanaugh, alleging the unauthorized use of his image damaged his reputation. Curis “50 Cent” Jackson is enjoying the warm reception of the Netflix Sean “Diddy” Combs docuseries he produced, but not all is well for the rapper and business mogul. He’s still busy with […]

4. Usher, Big Sean Invest $1M+ in Entertainment Incubator in Detroit

   R&B singer Usher and ‘Big Sean’ Anderson have teamed up to create a million dollar production studio and entertainment incubator in Detroit. Their $1 million investment will help create a new Michigan Central hub for the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan. It will be the new home for a Detroit Entertainment Innovation Incubator, […]

5. Meta Expected to Cut Up to 30% of Metaverse Budget

   Meta is expected to cut up to 30% of its metaverse budget after pouring billions into the initiative over the last five years. Meta is expected to make budget cuts to its metaverse initiative of up to 30%, people close to the matter told Bloomberg. Shares of the Facebook parent company rose 4% as investors […]

6. Three Years Later, Epidemic Sound Expands Its Meta Copyright Battle With a New Lawsuit Alleging ‘Willful, Intentional and Purposeful’ Infringement

   Over three years into their ugly infringement showdown, Epidemic Sound and Meta are still battling it out. Now, building on the initial suit, the royalty-free music platform has fired off a second copyright complaint. The straightforward action made its way to a California federal court earlier this week, more than 40 months after Epidemic formally […]

7. Spotify Stock (NYSE: SPOT) Is Down 23% Since Daniel Ek Announced His Departure As CEO — Analysts’ Target Prices Vary Significantly Heading Into 2026

   Spotify stock (NYSE: SPOT) is down nearly 23% since Daniel Ek confirmed plans to hand over the CEO reins – a falloff that’s prompting discussions about SPOT’s outlook heading into the new year. In the leadup to Ek’s September 30th transition announcement – the 42-year-old will swap his CEO title for executive chairman in 2026 […]

8. Now That Trump Has Pardoned Oak View Group Ex-CEO Tim Leiweke, Does He Get His Job Back?

   Trump pardoned former Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke, who was indicted by the president’s own DOJ for allegedly rigging bids. So, what’s next for the live event venue mogul? After Oak View Group co-founder Tim Leiweke was indicted by federal prosecutors for allegedly rigging bids on a University of Texas arena project, Donald Trump […]

9. China Halts Japanese Concerts and Cultural Events Over Taiwan; K-Pop Industry Remains On Edge

   China abruptly cancels several Japanese music events in the country, some of them mid-performance, placing K-pop in a difficult position. K-pop is caught between a rock and a hard place as geopolitical tensions mount between China and Japan. Korean entertainment companies remain hopeful that their artists will stay insulated from the fallout, but the situation […]

10. ‘AI Tried to Copy My Soul’ — Blanco Brown Calls Out Breaking Rust’s ‘Walk My Walk’ Over Alleged Infringement, Drops Cover Version

    Did Breaking Rust “steal and borrow” from a human creator to pump out “Walk My Walk”? Artist Blanco Brown believes so, and he’s fired back by releasing a cover of the (relative) AI hit. Atlanta-born Brown took aim at the alleged infringement in an Instagram post late last month, purportedly after receiving multiple messages about […]

11. Eurovision Confirms Israel’s Participation for 2026—Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Netherlands Threaten Boycotts

    Eurovision confirms that Israel will take part in the song contest after a vote was called off over its participation. Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will include Israel, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed after the general assembly called off a vote over the country’s participation. The 70th edition of the storied song contest […]

12. Post Malone Ropes Major Super Bowl Performance Slot After Thanksgiving Day Appearance

    Post Malone teams up with Bud Light for a free Bay Area concert two days before the Super Bowl kicks off in February. Post Malone is teaming up with his longtime friend Bud Light for a free concert in the Bay Area ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl. Bud Light Presents Post Malone & Buddies […]

13. Eventbrite Sells to Bending Spoons In $500 Million All-Cash Deal — New Owner Eyes AI, Messaging, and Secondary Ticketing Expansions

    Eventbrite has a new owner: Milan-headquartered Bending Spoons, which is acquiring the events platform in a $500 million all-cash deal. The involved companies just recently unveiled the proposed transaction, which has been given the green light by Eventbrite’s board but is still subject to shareholder and regulatory approval. Bending Spoons, which in October raised $710 […]

14. After Severely Damaging His Vocal Cords, Beanie Sigel Uses AI to Record a New Track

    After a shooting that severely damaged his vocal cords in 2014, Beanie Sigel uses AI to help recapture his original voice. Rapper Beanie Sigel famously retired from hip-hop after a shooting in 2014 severely damaged his vocal cords. But thanks to the help of artificial intelligence, fans are excited to learn the rapper is rediscovering […]

15. Trump Grants Full Pardon to Ex-Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke

    Just as Oak View Group moves on from co-founder Tim Leiweke, Trump pardons him—after his own DOJ charged him with rigging bids. Donald Trump has pardoned Oak View Group co-founder Tim Leiweke, just months after the president’s DOJ indicted him over rigging bids for the development of a Texas arena. Leiweke stepped down as chairman […]