Stimulus Checks Saved Millions of Americans from Poverty, Study Finds

A recently published study from Columbia University found that the $1,200 stimulus checks distributed as part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act helped millions of Americans avoid falling into poverty. Conducted and released by Columbia’s Center on Poverty…

British Government Unveils $1.9 Billion Rescue Package for Local Entertainment Industries (Including Music)

The UK government has announced a more than $1.96 billion aid package to help “cultural, arts, and heritage institutions” – including music venues – weather the fiscal fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently unveiled the music…

Kanye West Is Running for President Against Trump & Biden

Rapper Kanye West has announced that he is running for president against Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the United States’ 2020 presidential election. Kanye West made the shocking announcement in a single tweet, published at 8:38 PM in the east and 5:38…

RBC Raises Spotify Target Price to $320 Following Positive Survey Results

Toronto-based global investment bank RBC Capital Markets has raised Spotify’s target stock price from $192 to $320 following encouraging results in a survey that asked respondents about their preferred means of listening to music. RBC analyst Mark Maha…

Meek Mill, Atlantic Records Face Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Over Lifted Lyrics

Rapper Meek Mill, his (and Roc Nation’s) Dream Chasers Records label, and Warner Music Group-owned Atlantic Records are facing a copyright-infringement lawsuit centering on the allegedly lifted lyrics in “100 Summers” and “Cold Hearted II.” Dream Rich …

Deezer Hits $1.5 Billion Valuation Following Major Mexican Tie-Up

The valuation of Paris-based music streaming service Deezer has neared $1.5 billion (€1.3 billion) following the announcement of a high-profile partnership with Mexican media conglomerate TV Azteca. Deezer, which belongs chiefly to Warner Music Group m…

What’s Open? A Guide to COVID-19 Closures In Every U.S. State

With states continuing to rollback and retool their COVID-19 lockdown measures, some artists are returning to the road and performing live concerts for fans once again. To help these individuals chart their tours, comply with statewide requirements, an…

Glastonbury Organizers Say Bankruptcy Is a Very Real Possibility

In March, Digital Music News was first to report that Glastonbury organizers had canceled their much-anticipated festival’s 2020 edition due to COVID-19 concerns. Now, unless the event can welcome back fans in 2021, bankruptcy is a very real possibilit…

What Does a Socially Distant Music Festival Look Like? Planning Underway In Northern Ireland

A Northern Ireland live event promoter is planning the United Kingdom’s first socially distant music festival. The organizers behind Northern Ireland’s Stendhal Festival are spearheading the socially distant music festival initiative, which has been du…

Grammy-Winning Artist Sues YouTube Over Content ID Discrimination

YouTube is facing a class-action lawsuit centering on its Content ID feature, which allows certain artists and copyright holders – but allegedly not “ordinary creators of copyrighted works” – to protect their intellectual property from unauthorized thi…