News and Trends

The following MBW op/ed comes from  Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, founder and chairwoman of UAE-based MusicNation Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/responsible-ai-must-protect-the-human-creativity-that-gives-culture-meaning/

US District Judge Mark C. Scarsi granted Parkwood's motion to dismiss and threw out the entire action "for want of standing." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/beyonces-parkwood-wins-dismissal-of-alien-superstar-sample-suit-as-plaintiff-didnt-yet-exist-when-it-sued/

The new label debuts with three Indonesian artists: Kecoud, Alee, and Nandoshi. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sony-music-indonesia-and-sun-eater-group-launch-joint-venture-label-lunar/

Former EVP Nicholas Rumanes alleged he was fired in May 2025 in retaliation for flagging what his complaint called "serious corporate misconduct." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/live-nation-moves-to-push-ex-execs-35m-whistleblower-suit-out-of-court-and-into-private-arbitration/

Leo Nicholas has been appointed Managing Director, UK, Aldo Lonobile named Vice President, Global A&R, and Martina Palermo promoted to Global Head of PR. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/frontiers-label-group-makes-raft-of-senior-promotions-in-the-uk-globally/

The application, made with the US Patent and Trademark Office, covers the group saying: “Hi, we’re the Backstreet Boys.” Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/backstreet-boys-file-to-trademark-the-sound-of-their-voices-against-ai-replicas-joining-taylor-swift-and-lionel-richie/

Pandora bets on a major horseracing constitutional precedent to strip the MLC of its constitutional authority to sue. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-mlc-rejects-pandoras-bid-to-use-a-horse-racing-ruling-against-the-mechanical-royalties-lawsuit/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-sunos-quarter-of-a-trillion-dollar-legal-opponent-to-influence-medias-650m-anthem-swoop-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

Participating stores will collect the records for recovery partner Virterras Materials to assess for potential material recycling. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-launches-pilot-with-indie-record-stores-to-test-whether-fans-unwanted-vinyl-can-be-recycled/

According to RadioInsight, nationwide station budget cuts began Tuesday and rolled out through the week. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/iheartmedia-cuts-radio-jobs-across-us-markets-as-it-targets-50m-in-annual-cost-savings-report/

Michele Page previously held vice president roles at Peloton Interactive and Nielsen. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/michele-page-appointed-general-counsel-at-soundexchange/

The Nashville-based REIT said it had engaged Morgan Stanley to evaluate its options after receiving inbound interest from "a range of organizations." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ryman-hospitality-confirms-it-is-exploring-options-for-grand-ole-opry-owner-opry-entertainment-group/

It's the third time in a decade that Anthem has been put up for sale after earlier auctions in 2017 and 2022 failed to draw a high enough bid. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/influence-media-emerges-as-winning-bidder-for-anthems-music-assets-with-650m-offer-report/

The Queen of Pop told Interview magazine that the project collapsed after a falling-out with Universal Pictures over its budget. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/as-michael-jackson-movie-nears-1b-madonna-says-her-biopic-has-been-scrapped/

The acquired catalog includes works performed by acts including Sabaton, Twilight Force, Wormwood, Bonafide, Elaine, Foredoom and Rexoria. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sony-music-publishing-scandinavia-acquires-sound-pollution-songs-catalog-of-around-5000-works/

Trimontium says its target areas also include "uncorrelated" asset classes such as IP rights and royalties. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ex-blackstone-exec-vlado-spasov-launches-1-5b-alternative-asset-manager-trimontium-music-rights-among-target-assets/

In November 2025, rapper RBX claimed Spotify failed to curb "mass-scale fraudulent streaming," stripping royalties from other rights holders. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-wins-dismissal-of-lawsuit-claiming-it-allowed-billions-of-fraudulent-drake-streams/

Co-Founder Steve Long will remain as Managing Director, the company announced on Tuesday (June 23). Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/embargoed-pias-acquires-signum-records-the-independent-classical-label-home-to-the-kings-singers/

RTM Audio was founded by mixing and mastering engineers Ohad Nissim, Teezio, and Calin Enache, alongside music attorney Matt Buser Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tech-startup-rtm-audio-launches-ai-music-detector-uai-which-issues-a-signed-certificate-with-every-verdict/

Spotify says streams of Turkish music on its platform have grown over 190% in five years Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-opens-istanbul-office-as-turkish-music-tops-294-billion-all-time-streams-on-the-platform/

Orgs representing artists, songwriters and music managers issue open letter over AI deals Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/irving-azoffs-music-artists-coalition-among-31-groups-warning-against-misuse-of-artist-and-songwriter-rights-in-ai-deals/

ISPs are ordered to block stream-ripping domains including Y2mate.ws, YTmp3.lat, Savefrom.space, and Spowload.cc. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/major-labels-in-canada-win-site-blocking-order-targeting-stream-ripping-platforms-a-first-for-the-countrys-music-industry/

Motion's first campaign under Bray's direction is the radio promotion of Jorja Smith's single, 'What's Done Is Done' Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/motion-agency-launches-pan-european-commercial-radio-promotion-service-appoints-nick-bray-as-head-of-radio/

WMG was fully acquired Africori in 2025 Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/adam-tiran-named-general-manager-of-warner-musics-africori-as-founder-yoel-kenan-steps-down-as-ceo/

The move steps up Spotify's challenge to YouTube, which dominates music video streaming globally. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-opens-direct-uploads-for-music-videos-and-live-performances-in-beta/

The format is built on the Global Cue Sheet Standard 2.0 and turns that standard into a practical, implementation-ready tool for the first time. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/cisac-launches-avr-to-modernize-how-music-in-film-and-tv-is-tracked-and-paid-for/

Warner is positioning Hong Kong artist Gareth.T as a proof point, with his single 'Glass' generating more than 250 million streams in its first month. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-launches-listen-up-artist-accelerator-to-scale-talent-from-apac/

Grainge said that while AI would unlock new opportunities, great music and great people would remain at the center of every successful music company. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sir-lucian-grainge-and-bang-si-hyuk-talk-umgs-partnership-with-hybe-ai-and-the-future-of-music-at-town-hall-event-in-seoul/

The collections were identified by The Atlantic's Alex Reisner, who reported that they are circulating within the AI-development community. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/four-music-datasets-holding-millions-of-tracks-are-being-shared-among-ai-developers-the-atlantic-reports/

Artist Included was founded by entrepreneur Paul "PK" Kemsley and entertainment attorney and film producer Jeremy Rosen. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/boy-george-uses-ai-to-re-record-karma-chameleon-as-first-release-from-tech-startup-artist-included/

The series turns artists' album releases into filmed live shows at intimate venues, which stream on YouTube for fans worldwide. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/youtube-launches-music-nights-concert-series-turning-album-releases-into-live-fan-events-with-kacey-musgraves-isaiah-rashad-and-bleachers/

The stadium tour has sold over 3 million tickets this year alone, making it the highest-grossing tour by a male solo artist, according to Live Nation Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-weeknds-after-hours-til-dawn-tour-has-grossed-more-than-440m-in-2026-alone-on-over-3m-tickets-sold/

Warner Music’s Chief Digital Officer rifles through the record collection of her life to pick the songs that have soundtracked her journey so far… Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/key-songs-in-the-life-of-carletta-higginson/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-umgs-e1b-bond-sale-to-warner-musics-sureel-ai-acquisition-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

The complaints stemmed from a statement that HYBE issued in 2024, which alleged that Min had consulted a shaman on matters related to running ADOR. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/south-korean-prosecutors-decline-to-charge-hybe-executives-over-min-hee-jins-criminal-complaints-report/

A North Carolina man faces fraud charges for allegedly using a fake banking website and forged records to acquire hundreds of millions of Napster shares. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/napsters-3bn-investor-charged-with-fraud-as-us-authorities-say-the-money-never-existed/

The company says it now receives around 75,000 fully AI-generated tracks every day Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/after-licensing-its-ai-detection-tech-to-the-music-industry-deezer-now-lets-listeners-scan-their-own-playlists-for-ai-slop/

The platform now represents more than 200,000 independent artists and labels across more than 45 countries Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/kobalt-founder-willard-ahdritz-to-lead-funding-round-in-indias-madverse-music-group/

Google argued that the artists licensed their music to YouTube when they uploaded it – and that the license covers the conduct they are now suing over. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/google-moves-to-dismiss-indie-artists-lawsuit-over-lyria-3-ai-training-arguing-they-licensed-their-music-to-youtube/

Janette Berrios was elevated to SVP, Corporate Marketing; Ed Poston to SVP, Head of A&R; Lane Roney to SVP, Finance; and Taylor Garland to EVP & CFO. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/symphonic-promotes-four-executives-with-taylor-garland-elevated-to-evp-cfo/

'Our new brand is about celebrating the enduring power of songwriting and giving it a clear voice, a lasting home, and a stronger future,' said UMPG Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-publishing-group-unveils-new-brand-identity/

The ChatGPT maker said it has not decided on the timing yet, adding that "there are things we want to do that are likely easier as a private company." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/openai-confidentially-files-for-ipo-a-week-after-rival-anthropic-did-the-same/

Spotify has already begun adding footage from live events, including a Dua Lipa show in Mexico City, Bloomberg reported. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-seeking-rights-to-show-live-video-of-music-festivals-report/

Suno argued that granting the labels' request would deny the company a timely ruling on whether training its AI model on copyrighted music is fair use. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-asks-court-to-block-umg-and-sony-from-expanding-copyright-lawsuit-to-over-61000-recordings/

Universal Music Group and its subsidiary Virgin Music Group have agreed to sell Curve Royalty Systems to Jamen Capital and Merlin. The sale is the divestment that the European Commission required as a condition of clearing Universal Music Group‘s $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings in February. It paves the way for Curve, the royalty processing platform used by thousands … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-sells-curve-royalty-systems-to-merlin-and-matt-spetzlers-jamen-capital/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-sunos-5-4b-valuation-to-bill-ackmans-exit-from-universal-music-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

El Jelali first joined WMG in 2023 as Head of A&R at Atlantic Records Benelux, where he worked with artists including Diamond-certified Roxy Dekker. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/soraib-el-jelali-appointed-head-of-ar-at-warner-chappell-music-benelux/

The 12-month program is open to applicants aged 16 to 18 who are permanent residents or citizens of New Zealand. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/umg-launches-nextwav-artist-development-program-in-new-zealand/

Kanya King, the widely respected music executive, founder of the MOBO Awards, and champion of Black British music, has died at the age of 57. King passed away on Wednesday (June 3) after “a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer,” the MOBO Organisation said in a statement today (June 5). King was surrounded … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/mobo-awards-founder-kanya-king-dies-at-57/

CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus delivered a speech at the org's General Assembly in Paris on Thursday (June 4), covering AI, copyright, licensing, Suno and more Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/abba-bjorn-ulvaeus-on-ai-human-creativity-is-not-just-expression-it-is-testimony-a-life-lived/

UMG repurchased 14,156,285 of its ordinary shares at €17.66 each after its board recently rejected a takeover proposal from Ackman and Pershing Square. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/umg-spends-290m-buying-back-stock-from-bill-ackmans-pershing-square-amid-funds-exit-from-music-company/

The following MBW op/ed comes from Deviate Digital founder Sammy Andrews... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-music-industry-doesnt-have-a-streaming-problem-it-has-a-customer-ownership-problem/

Orinda signs Nic D as its first artist Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/godigital-music-launches-nashville-country-imprint-orinda-under-general-manager-cooper-lycan/

The round was led by Bond Capital, alongside IVP, Forerunner, Union Square Ventures, Alkeon, and Quiet Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-raises-over-400-million-pushing-valuation-to-5-4-billion/

He will lead all domestic frontline activity across Warner Music Central Europe and its domestic labels in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/jean-sebastien-permal-joins-warner-music-as-svp-of-ar-emea-and-central-europe/

Jorge Brea is CEO of Symphonic, one of the industry’s most successful independent distribution platforms, says the global music business must come together to enforce standardized policies around AI music… Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/navigating-the-ai-music-deluge-a-call-for-responsible-streaming-practices/

Kaur will oversee the company’s operations across the continent Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sunita-kaur-named-president-asia-for-universal-music-publishing-group/

The new company marks a return to the recorded music business for Wright Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/chrysalis-co-founder-chris-wright-launches-new-label-and-publishing-company-right-tracks/

The lawsuit alleges that Kid Cudi "instructed Live Nation to breach the Agreement to generate publicity and ticket sales for the Tour." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/m-i-a-sues-kid-cudi-for-2-8m-after-being-fired-from-rebel-ragers-tour/

Koh brings more than 18 years of experience across sports, entertainment, venue management, commercial strategy and ticketing. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/melvin-koh-named-general-manager-ticketing-asia-at-tegs-ticketek/

Jenkins announced his exit on Monday (June 1) Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/andrew-jenkins-to-depart-universal-music-publishing-group-after-nearly-two-decades/