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. TikTok Lands Marquee FIFA Partnership — Including World Cup Livestreams, Exclusive Content, and More

   TikTok is taking its livestream game to the next level under a partnership with FIFA, which has confirmed the app as its “first-ever preferred platform” ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Building on a 2023 Women’s World Cup tie-up, the new pact was just recently announced by TikTok and FIFA. Expected to run until this […]

2. Ministry of Sound Announces Huge Renovation Ahead of 35th Anniversary Year

   London’s Ministry of Sound announces a massive renovation ahead of its 35th anniversary—the most significant transformation since the venue opened in 1991. Ministry of Sound is set to undergo the biggest transformation in the venue’s history with a complete reimagining of sound, space, and light in its main room, The Box. The space will get […]

3. Boston Indie Rockers Six Going On Seven Release New ‘Human Tears’ LP After 20+ Years

   Boston’s beloved indie rock trio Six Going On Seven have resurfaced after a 20-year absence, releasing Human Tears through Spartan Records. The album arrives as both a continuation and evolution of the band’s sound—as a renewal of their late 90s legacy. Formed in 1994, Six Going On Seven quickly established themselves within Boston’s fertile emo […]

4. Trump to Host Melania Documentary at Kennedy Center; Amazon MGM Reportedly Bid $40M to Rep First Lady Film

   The president and first lady will attend the premiere of Melania’s documentary at the Kennedy Center on January 29, weeks after the Trump-appointed board added his name to the building. President Donald Trump and Melania Trump are set to appear at the premiere of the first lady’s documentary at the Kennedy Center, just weeks after […]

5. Ticketmaster Battles Yet Another Class Action Case — This Time in Quebec — Over ‘Unreasonable’ and ‘Abusive’ Ticketing Fees

   Live Nation’s Ticketmaster is battling yet another class action complaint – this time in Quebec, where customers are suing over alleged “excessive, unreasonable, abusive or disproportionate fees.” Technically, that suit – one of multiple actions Ticketmaster is facing over its alleged anticompetitive practices – dates back to July 2024. But the Quebec Superior Court only […]

6. Bad Bunny Faces $16 Million Infringement Lawsuit Over Allegedly Unlicensed Vocal Sample

   Bad Bunny was hit with a $16 million infringement lawsuit alleging that an unauthorized voice sample was used without authorization or compensation. Just a month before his much-anticipated (and controversial, depending on who you ask) Super Bowl Halftime Show, Bad Bunny has been slapped with a $16 million lawsuit alleging that the star, Rimas Entertainment, […]

7. Russell Simmons Demands $100 Million from HBO As Defamation Suit Roils Onward

   Record exec Russell Simmons has filed a defamation lawsuit against HBO and parent Warner Bros. Discovery over the 2020 documentary On the Record. Legendary record executive and Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons has filed a defamation claim against HBO over the documentary On the Record. The film, which was released on HBO Max in […]

8. Salt-N-Pepa Lawsuit Against UMG Dismissed by Federal Judge Over Technical Contract Details

   Salt-N-Pepa’s copyright lawsuit against Universal to regain their masters was dismissed by a federal judge over technicalities in their contract. Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton have lost their copyright lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) to regain their masters as iconic hip-hop Salt-N-Pepa. The duo asserted that UMG was holding their music “hostage” […]

9. Trump Decided Against Issuing Diddy a Pardon, New York Times Interview Reveals

   A new report in the New York Times confirms Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sought a pardon from President Trump by writing a letter. Trump has confirmed that he is not considering granting the request. Trump confirmed the news alongside a list of other high-profile names that he says he won’t pardon. They include Nicolás Maduro, the […]

10. Fetty Wap Released From Prison Three Years Early After Drug-Related Conviction

    Fetty Wap was released from prison three years into his six-year sentence for drug-related charges. He will continue his sentence in home confinement. Rapper, singer, and songwriter Fetty Wap was released from prison in Minnesota on Thursday after serving three years of his six-year sentence from a drug-related conviction in 2022. He will continue his […]

11. Hybe America Staffs Up for 2026—Ethiopia Habtemariam Named President of Music

    Hybe America has announced several new staff appointments as 2026 rolls onward. Ethiopia Habtemariam has been appointed as President of Music, while PR vet Johanna Fuentes is joining as Executive VP and Head of Communications & Public Relations. Here’s the latest. Habtemariam will help advance Hybe America’s long-term growth strategy, spearheading A&R and artist development […]

12. TikTok Confirms Content Group Shakeup, Aggressively Expands Monetization Team Ahead of ‘TikTok USA’ Launch

    Amid a shakeup in TikTok’s content group, global head of creators Kim Farrell is stepping away from the company. Simultaneously, the short-form giant is aggressively expanding its brand partnerships and monetization teams. These and other personnel changes just recently surfaced, and at least when it comes to the content group layoffs, TikTok itself confirmed the […]

13. UMG Head Lucian Grainge Outlines 2026 Streaming 2.0 Plans, Plots ‘Special Events and Products for Superfans — Both Virtually and in the Physical World’

    Another year, another internal rally-the-troops memo from Universal Music head Lucian Grainge, who’s shed a bit of new light on the major’s 2026 “Streaming 2.0” and superfan plans. Grainge just recently mass-emailed this “UMG New Year’s Memo 2026” to staffers. And naturally, the close to 3,000-word message (plus an additional chart-highlights section on top of […]

14. Spotify Tap Dances on ICE Advertising Issue, Says Recruitment Spots Are Not Currently Running

    Spotify says there are no ICE ads currently running on the platform, but the company is far from changing its stance on the matter. After facing criticism last year for running recruitment ads for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on its platform, Spotify has released a statement asserting that the campaign is no longer running. […]

15. Olivia Rodrigo’s Breakout Track ‘Drivers License’ Is Now Five Years Old—Artist Spins David Byrne Cover on 7-Inch Vinyl

    To celebrate the fifth anniversary of her breakout hit “drivers license,” Olivia Rodrigo drops a vinyl featuring a cover version by David Byrne. Olivia Rodrigo released “drivers license” on January 8, 2020, a song that rapidly became a pop culture phenomenon and secured her place as a force to be reckoned with in pop music. […]