Woodstock 50 Lineup Leaks

Jay Z, Dead & Co., Chance the Rapper and the Black Keys are among the artists who will headline the upcoming Woodstock 50 music festival, according to a report in Variety. While the headline has not been officially announced, a rep for the festival did not deny the report in…

Streaming Revenue Impressive, But Can It Ever Make Up For Lost Physical Sales?

With streaming revenue showing a massive increase in comparison to previous years, the major three record labels are rejoicing at their annual haul. A big part of this income still draws from physical sales however, and as these old-school revenue streams continue to thin to a trickle, will streaming be…

Kobalt Is Now A Next Generation Major Label In The Making [Mark Mulligan]

"Kobalt has been the poster child for the changing of the guard in the music business," writes MIDiA analyst Mark Mulligan. But it’s on a path to become much more as "next-generation label… plotting a course to becoming a next generation-major." __________________________________ By Mark Mulligan of MIDiA from his Music…

WMG, Dubset Partner To Offer Legal DJ Mixes

Dubset, the music marketplace and rights management database for DJs and artists, has inked a deal with Warner Music Group (WMG). Warner is the latest major label to partner with the platform whose aim it is to equip DJs with new mix and remix distribution and monetization opportunities. Sony signed…

Artists Are Increasingly Rejecting Record Deals

Some record executives are starting to sweat, as the music industry morphs into one where the climate is significantly more favorable towards a DIY way of doing business and many artists are eschewing traditional label deals in favor of doing things their own way. _______________________________ Guest post by Bobby Owsinski…

Starbucks Launches ‘Cloud Macchiato’ with Ariana Grande

Starbucks has added a new menu item, the Cloud Macchiato and superstar singer Ariana Grande is helping with the roll out. The drink makes its debut in all Starbucks stores today. ? @starbucks cloud #cloudmacchiato #starbucksambassador #trythesoyversion ? pic.twitter.com/y2LRAx33Sq — Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) March 5, 2019 The Cloud Macchiato includes…

Orchard Co-Founder Scott Cohen Joins WMG As Chief Innovation Officer

[UPDATED] Scott Cohen, co-founder of The Orchard, has joined Warner Music Group in the newly created position of Chief Innovation Officer, Recorded Music. Cohen exited the Sony owned indie distributor earlier this year. The move has been rumored for weeks. Cohen is charged with helping to chart a long-term course…

Radio Stations Pull Michael Jackson Music

Three major radio outlets in Montreal have pulled Michael Jackson’s music from their playlists, following new allegations of child molestation leveled against the late performer in an HBO documentary. According to the CBC, a spokesman for the Cocego, whose stations include French-language CKOI and Rhythme, as well as the English-language…

Childish Gambino Settles Legal Dispute With Glassnote

Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino filed a lawsuit against his former label Glassnote Records last year, alleging the indie label owed him more than $10,000 in streaming royalties. Now, Glover and Glassnote have settled the dispute. Gambino was on the label between 2011 to 2017, including the Grammy-winning “Awaken, My…

This May Not End Well… Top UMG Top Suitors Are A Streaming Service and A Private Equity Firm

If history is any guide, this may not end well… The two top suitors eyeing a $20 – $25 billion bid for a 50% stake in Universal Music Group are US investment firm KKR and China’s Tencent Music Entertainment Group. The news comes as UMG parent Vivendi interviews firms to…