Industry
Industry on Tracks and Takes: Universal, Sony, Warner, independents, Streaming payouts and royalty rates and Publishing and songwriter splits.
Profiles
Industry
Frank Briegmann promoted to lead Universal Music Europe
Frank Briegmann has been promoted to Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Deutsche Grammophon, a role he assumed on
Industry
Whynow Acquires EMP From Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group sells its European merchandise retailer EMP to Whynow, founded by Gabe Jagger, as part of a cost-cutting strategy.
Industry
Oasis legal action halts auction of rare 1990s soundboard
Oasis has forced the withdrawal of a major archive of unreleased 1990s recordings from auction after filing a High Court injunction.
Industry
DayOneDream and Soneium Partner to Tokenize K-pop IP
Sony-backed blockchain Soneium has partnered with K-pop company DayOneDream to tokenize artist intellectual property onchain, aiming to create new
Industry
Jim Selby Elected to ASCAP Board as Publisher Member
BMG's Global Music Publishing President Jim Selby was elected to the ASCAP Board of Directors, announced by ASCAP President Paul Williams on September 24.
Industry
Josh Remsberg Joins EVEN to Lead Commercial Partnerships
Josh Remsberg was appointed Head of Commercial Partnerships at direct-to-fan platform EVEN on September 25, tasked with expanding its industry
Industry
Sony Music Joins AI Policy Coalition ARIAM
Sony Music Group has become the first music company to join the AI policy coalition ARIAM, alongside members like Disney and the BBC.
Industry
U2's New Album Carnaval de Luz Features Dolly Parton's Final
U2 announces 'Carnaval de Luz,' their first full-length studio album in nearly nine years, featuring Dolly Parton's last recorded vocals and collaborations
Industry
Ian Montone Criticizes Algorithm-Driven Music Industry
Artist manager Ian Montone warns that algorithmic playlists have made music too safe and formulaic, confusing online followers with genuine community.
Industry
Suno confirms V6 AI trained on user
Suno has stated its V6 AI music model was trained partly on 'creations' from its users, a detail revealed in response to a new lawsuit from Universal and
Industry
Warner Chappell Co-Chair Carianne Marshall Exits
Carianne Marshall will leave her role as Co-Chair and COO of Warner Chappell Music at month's end as the publisher streamlines leadership.
Industry
SoundExchange and UAE's MusicNation Sign Reciprocal Royalty
SoundExchange and Music Nation Copyrights Management have signed a reciprocal agreement for neighboring rights between the US and UAE, announced September
Industry
Universal and Sony Sue Suno AI Again in $9 Billion Case
Universal Music Group and Sony Music have filed a second lawsuit against AI music platform Suno, alleging massive copyright infringement.
Industry
Universal Music Group and ElevenLabs Strike Global AI Music
Universal Music Group has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with AI audio firm ElevenLabs to co-develop new fan and artist platforms.
Industry
ElevenLabs Strikes First Major Music Deal with Universal
Universal Music Group signs a multi-year licensing deal with AI firm ElevenLabs, while Suno launches new models with Warner, BMG, and Believe.
Industry
AI Poses Infrastructure Risk to Music Industry
Symphonic CEO Jorge Brea argues that AI's threat to music is not only creative flooding but the ease of launching distribution companies lacking proper
Industry
Musicians' Union Opposes Labels' Bid to Dismiss AI Lawsuit
The American Federation of Musicians has filed a legal opposition to motions by Universal Music Group and Warner Records to dismiss its lawsuit.
Industry
Annie Christensen Named VP of Catalogue at Warner Chappell
Warner Chappell Music UK has appointed Annie Christensen as Vice President, Catalogue. She will lead catalog acquisition and strategy, moving from a 20-year A&R career at Island Records.
Industry
Helix Records and Payday Music Open London Hub
Patrick Moxey's Helix Records and Payday Music Publishing have opened a 6,000 sq. Ft. European headquarters in central London, featuring seven studio rooms and spaces for artist development.
Industry
Suno Launches v6 AI Music Models with Major Label Partners
Suno has globally launched its v6 AI music models, developed with licensed data from partners Warner Music Group, BMG, and Believe.
Industry
Spotify Appoints Niklas Brantberg as Nordics Managing
Niklas Brantberg has started as Spotify's Managing Director for the Nordics, moving from his role as CEO of Overtone Studios.
Industry
Prince Estate Clarifies Overdubs on New Album Timeless
Prince's label has confirmed that horns were added posthumously to the track 'Calabama' on the new album Timeless, contradicting earlier claims that all
Industry
Universal Music to open first UK hotel on London's Denmark
Universal Music Group's hospitality arm will open a hotel on London's historic Denmark Street in Q4 2026, operating a venue and programming within
Industry
Justin Broadrick Confirms New Phoebe Bridgers Collaboration
Godflesh founder Justin Broadrick has revealed he will work again with Phoebe Bridgers on a new song for a film, following their collaboration on her album
Industry
Wilson Pickett Estate Partners with Primary Wave
Primary Wave Music has formed a partnership with Wilson Pickett's estate, acquiring a stake in his publishing catalog and rights to his name, image, and
Industry
Mateusz Smółka Leads Warner Music Eastern Europe
Warner Music Group names former Spotify exec Mateusz Smółka as Managing Director for Eastern Europe, based in Warsaw, effective September 7.
Industry
Musixmatch Launches Pro for Labels Platform
Musixmatch has launched Musixmatch Pro for Labels, a hub designed to help record companies manage and distribute lyrics at scale.
Industry
Warner Music Launches Warner Records Germany
Warner Music Central Europe has launched a new frontline label, Warner Records Germany, based in Berlin and led by industry veteran Lea Londa.
Industry
Udio argues AI training is fair use
AI music company Udio has filed its legal response to Sony Music's lawsuit, arguing its use of recordings for AI training is 'quintessential fair use' and that any potential damages should be drastically lower than Sony claims.
Industry
Jermaine Dupri Drops $18m Sony Lawsuit
Jermaine Dupri and his So So Def companies have voluntarily dismissed their $18 million royalty lawsuit against Sony Music Entertainment, stating the dismissal is without prejudice.
Industry
Warner Music Fund Grants $6M to 17 Groups
The Warner Music/Blavatnik Social Justice Fund has announced 17 grant recipients for 2026, investing almost $6 million.
Industry
Spotify promotes Joe Hadley to VP
Spotify has promoted Joe Hadley to VP of Global Music Content and Partnerships, giving him leadership of its Music Editorial and Music Partnerships teams.
Industry
Major Labels Invest $76M in Stability AI
Universal, Sony, and Warner Music have taken equity in Stability AI through a $76 million funding round. Other news includes Beggars Group's 20% revenue growth, BMG's financial results, a Sony lawsuit against Kroger, and a legal development in the majors' case against Suno.