Dubset Makes Sony First Major Label Legalized For Remixing

Often containing samples of multiple pre-existing tracks, remixes and DJ sets have historically been legally difficult for streaming services to allow, but a new deal between rights clearance startup and major label Sony could be paving the way to changing all that. ______________________ Guest post by Ta’Rikah Jones of SymphonicBlog…

Full List Of MTV VMA Award Winners 2017

Last night’s 2017 MTV Video Music Awards were dominated by Kendrick Lamar, who took home the most statues, including Video Of The Year. Ed Sheeran won Artist of The Year, in the first time that female and male musicians had gone head to head in the newly gender neutral category….

MON. BRIEF: Taylor Swift Rules • Merlin Passes $1B To Indies • Apple Sets Sept 12th Announcement • Streaming Challenges • More

MONDAY 8.28.17 Music Business News From Around The Web Taylor Swift is #1 everywhere. I mean, everywhere. That’s really all you need to know. Updated continuously under our More News tab

Celebrating The King Of Pop’s 59th Birthday

More than eight years following his death, Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, continues to entrance music fans, and his legacy remains strong. Here we look at his continued posthumous success, as well a timeline of key dates in the popstar’s life. _____________________________ Guest post by William Glanz, Senior Editor,…

Spotify Finalizes Deal With Warner Music Group Clearing Path To Stock Exchange Listing

Spotify has closed its third and final major label deal, signing a new multi-year global pact with Warner Music Group. Sony, Universal and Merlin had previously announced new deals with the music streamer. This deal clears the way for Spotify to enter the public stock markets via an IPO or…

Spotify Predicts Who Will Win Every MTV VMA 2017 Award

The 2017 MTV Video Music Awards are this Sunday, and Spotify is is predicting who will win each one. Based on Spotify listening data, Kendrick Lamar will be the biggest winner of the night, followed by Ed Sheeran and The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey. The full list of VMA 2017 predictions:…

Pirate Bay Ordered To Pay Labels A Paltry $477,000

Despite being an early target of multiple lawsuits brought my several labels and music trade groups, torrent tracker Pirate bay is still operating and helping to enable music and media piracy worldwide. Now , 6 years after a lawsuit began, a court has ordered to Pirate bay founder to pay…

Taylor Swift Returns To Social Media With Cryptic Video [WATCH]

Three days after wiping her web site and social media accounts clean, Taylor Swift is back online, kind of. At 11AM ET today the pop star posted a cryptic 10 second clip. The silent distorted video appears to depict a snake tail (or a cat or dragon tail as some…

Why Are Taylor Swift’s Web Site, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr All Blank? [UPDATED]

[UPDATE 2] Taylor Swift’s official web site, Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts and Tumblr have all been wiped clean. Some fans have speculated that she was the victim of a massive hack, but more likely the media savvy star is drawing attention in anticipation of a major announcement. ________________________________________________…

Elvis Presley and The Tale Of Two Very Different Music Industries

Elvis is King! Or is he? As we commemorate 40 years since his death, how are Elvis and his fellow legacy artists fairing in the new music industry landscape as compared to their younger counterparts? Is YouTube for everyone, for example? And Spotify promises long tail revenue, but does that…