Universal Music Group has become the first major label to licence popular African music download and streaming service Boomplay. The service, boasts 36 million users in multiple African markets and is adding 2 million users monthly. Before the UMG, Boomplay offered more than two million mostly regional songs and thousands…
Category archives: Major Labels
MusicTank Closes Suddenly
MusicTank has closed after 15 years of providing music industry data and analysis. The sudden closure appears to have come after funding ran out and was announced on Twitter and the organization’s web site. "After 15+ incredible years, with profound sadness I am sorry to announce that MusicTank is closing,"…
Cabello Wins Big, Grande Shut Out At MTV EMAs 2019
Camila Cabello was the night’s big winner at the MTV EMAs , formerly known as the European Music Awards, last night, winning best artist, while five-time nominee Ariana Grande was shut out. In addition to best artist, Cabello won best song, best video for “Havana and best act. Janet Jackson…
2 Stabbed At Sony Music London HQ
Two were stabbed and a suspect taken into custody at the London offices of Sony Music. The label’s office were evacuated, but there were no firearms were involved and it is not being treated as terror related. Simon Cowell’s Syco is based in the same building. Evacuation @sony hq ?…
Is Spotify Negotiating To Invest In Universal Music?
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek refused to comment "on deal negotiations," when asked if the streamer was considering an investment in Universal Music Group. UMG corporate parent Vivendi is openly exploring investments in exchange for up to 50% of the world’s largest music group. During the earnings call Q&A Thursday morning,…
Universal Music Global Accelerator Network Adds 8th City
Universal Music Group’s Global Accelerator Engagement Network has added its eighth partner with the addition of the Melbourne, Australia Accelerator Program (MAP) Since launching in 2012, the UMG initiative has backed over 100 startups – 28 of which were digital music ventures – that have raised more than $70 million…
Is Spotify Already Too Big For Record Labels To Stop It From Competing With Them? [Mark Mulligan]
Spotify has made some radical moves lately including direct deals with artists that include cash advances to offering free Spotify distribution to all and then buying part of distributor DistroKid to help artists put their music on its competitors. Collectively, they are causing concern at the record labels. But as…
Ups and Downs A Big Push From A Major Record Label
Dave Lopez, lead guitarist from the band Flipsyde joins Michael Brandvold and Jay Gilbert on the Music Biz Weekly podcast to share the band’s story of being discovered and signed by Jimmy Iovine to Interscope Records. One song got them discovered and signed. Now, looking back 13 years later Dave…
CNCO, Daddy Yankees Top Latin American Music Awards 2018
CNCO, Ozuna and Daddy Yankee were the big winners at the Latin American Music Awards 2018 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood last night. CNCO took home Favorite Duo or Group, Favorite Artist – Pop and Favorite Artist – Pop for CNCO. Ozuna won Favorite Artists – Urban, Album of…
EU Commission Approves Sony EMI Publishing Acquisition With No Conditions
The European Union Commission has approved Sony’s bid to become the sole owner of EMI Music Publishing with no conditions despite strong objections from the independent music sector: "The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in any of the affected markets and cleared the case unconditionally."…