The NFL is reportedly preparing to play “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” referred to as the black national anthem by the NAACP, prior to “The Star-Spangled Banner” during all week-one games. Multiple unidentified sources with knowledge of the matter have i…
Author archives: Dylan Smith
Tencent Music, CoMix Wave Ink Major Anime Soundtrack Partnership
Tencent Music and Japanese animation film studio CoMix Wave Films (CWF) have closed a major anime soundtrack agreement. Tencent Music unveiled the “strategic partnership” in an official release, and the message was shared with Digital Music News. Empha…
The French Music Industry Has Suffered Substantial 2020 Losses Due to COVID-19, Study Says
A new report is shedding light upon the depth of the losses that France’s music community has suffered as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Conducted and published by France’s Tous Pour La Musique, an association of artists, producers, m…
US Copyright Office Isn’t Dismantling the DMCA Anytime Soon
The U.S. Copyright Office has indicated that it will forego dismantling and replacing the controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) for the time being. Copyright Office officials made clear their position on the Digital Millennium Copyright…
Vanilla Ice Cancels Fourth of July Concert Following Fan Backlash, Criticism
Rapper Vanilla Ice has canceled a planned Fourth of July concert in Austin, Texas, following pushback and criticism from fans. Vanilla Ice indicated that he is “not going” to the Austin gig in an Instagram video posted just moments ago. The 52-year-old…
Eminem Publisher Eight Mile Style Adds New Defendant, Additional Claims in Spotify Unpaid-Royalties Lawsuit
The legal battle between Eminem publisher Eight Mile Style, Spotify, and Kobalt Music Publishing is raging on. To recap, the high-profile lawsuit centers on Spotify’s alleged infringement of 243 Eminem songs and alleged failure to pay royalties for bil…
Austin City Limits Officially Canceled for 2020
Austin City Limits 2020 has officially been canceled due to health concerns and uncertainty stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Austin City Limits (ACL) organizers revealed the unfortunate – if unavoidable – cancellation on social media today. The mul…
Walmart Is Converting 160 Parking Lots Into Drive-In Movie Theaters
Drive-in concerts and movies appear poised to become more popular yet, as Walmart and Tribeca Enterprises have partnered to convert 160 Walmart parking lots into socially distanced venues this summer. Walmart announced its deal with Tribeca just moment…
Artist Branding Isn’t Selling Out Anymore — But What’s the New Balance?
Music licensing and distribution platform Songtradr recently hosted their fourth “Happy Hour” livestream event, Balancing Branding with Artistry. During the hour-long discussion, two prominent branding professionals discussed what artists should – and …
BMG Brokers a Major Move Into Television With ITV Pact
BMG and London-based television production company ITV Studios have closed a global partnership deal covering original music, sync deals, artist-promotion campaigns, and more. BMG and ITV Studios unveiled their “multifaceted agreement” in an official r…