Universal Music Group reported an 18.8% jump in revenue for the first quarter of 2019. The increase came as part of a strong financial report from parent Vivendi. Music subscription and streaming revenue grew 28.1% year-over-year. The company also reported that it is making progress on its plan to sell…
Category archives: Major Labels
EU Gives Final Approval To Article 13 Copyright Directive, YouTube, Facebook Expected To Be Hit Hard
On Monday morning, the EU Member States gave the Article 13 copyright directive the final green light, after months of contentious debate. Nineteen member countries voted yes, six voted against and three abstained. The directive is expected to hit platforms based on user-generated content including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram hardest….
Deborah Dugan Elected First Female Recording Academy CEO
Deborah Dugan, the CEO of nonprofit AIDS group (RED), will reportedly replace current president/CEO Neil Portnow when his contract ends in July. Portnow, who helmed the Recording Academy and its Grammy Awards for 17 years, said last year that he would leave the organization when his contract ended this summer….
TODAY IS RECORD STORE DAY 2019: Get off your computer, put down your phone and GO BUY SOMETHING!
Today is Record Store Day 2019, with hundreds of independent record stores in the US and Europe celebrating a resurgence that many thought would never happen. Thanks to vinyl, their survival skills and loyal music fans, these stores are experiencing a resurgence.But that will only continue if you turn off…
BTS Is First K-Pop Artist To Pass 5 Billion Spotify Streams
BTS has released its new album, MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA today and Spotify is confirming that they are now the first K-Pop group and first artist from Asia to surpass 5 billion streams on the platform. BTS also has an impressive 10 million followers on Spotify. Their hit song…
Saturday Is Record Store Day 2019 – GO BUY SOMETHING!
UPDATED: Tomorrow, Saturday 4/13 is Record Store Day 2019, with hundreds of independent record stores celebrating a resurgence that most thought would never happen. Thanks to vinyl, survival skills and loyal fans, these stores are, for the most part, experiencing a resurgence. But that will only continue if you turn…
Read Barack Obama’s Tribute to Nipsey Hussle
Barack Obama wrote a wonderful tribute to Nipsey Hussle that was read by hip-hop music executive Karen Civil during the late rapper’s memorial service at Staples Center in LA Thursday. Here is Obama’s full tribute: Thank you to @BarackObama for sending this letter for me to read celebrating @NipseyHussle’s life…
1 Dead, 3 Wounded During Nipsey Hussle Funeral Procession, As ‘Senseless’ Violence Continues
One person died and three others were wounded during the 25 mile funeral procession for beloved LA rapper and activist Nipsey Hustle, as it wound its way through Los Angeles Thursday. Earlier in the day, 21,000 fans and supporters filled The Staples Center for his memorial. “We must stop this,”…
Watch Nipsey Hussle Memorial Service Live Stream 10AM PT/1PM ET Today
BET will broadcast the Nipsey Hussle memorial service live from LA’s Staples Center today. A free live stream has also been embedded after the jump below: if you have trouble viewing click here BET News’ Marc Lamont Hill and Gia Peppers are slated to host the program on BET, which…
Despite Streaming’s Growth, Music Industry Remains Half The Size It Was In 1999
While paid streaming subscriptions have, in many circles, been billed as the savior of the music industry, the reality is that the business is still operating at a severely reduced capacity since the devastation visited on it in the early days of digital. __________________________ Guest post by James Shotwell of…