How effective are Spotify’s fraud detection measures? Not very, according to two writers who put them to the test. Several months ago, a playlist plugging service offered popular independent musician Ari Herstand $500 for 50,000 to 100,000 plays on Sp…
Category archives: Scandals
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Faces Racial Attacks from Indian Americans
Indian-Americans attack Ajit Pai’s lack of “Indian-ness” over his position on net neutrality. Most people aren’t happy with Ajit Pai. The FCC Chairman set off a firestorm after introducing his proposals last week to dismantle Obama-era net neutrality r…
YouTube Forced to Block Millions of Music Videos In Finland
Just a week before Finland celebrates 100 years of Independence, YouTube has blocked access to a ton of music videos on the platform in the country, including its national anthem. Following the failure to secure a licensing agreement with Finnish PRO, …
Two Weeks After Overdose, Lil Peep’s Family Already Cashing In
In less than two week’s Lil Peep’s family has already cashed in on the rapper’s legacy. For the week ending December 9th, Lil Peep landed on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single, ‘Awful Things.’ The track debuted at No. 79, marking the first time tha…
YouTube Adpocalypse II Update: 2 Million Videos Demonetized, Advertisers Bailing
Adpocalypse II is well underway, with YouTube racing to demonetize videos in an attempt to keep advertisers on its platform. One YouTube video shows an underage, scantily-dressed girl lying down next to her teddy bear and plush dolls. Among thousands o…
Bloomberg ‘Fake News’? Taylor Swift’s Reputation Still Isn’t On Streaming.
According to Bloomberg’s “sources,” Taylor Swift’s newest album, Reputation, would appear on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Three weeks have passed. What went wrong, exactly? Despite offering her entire back catalog on Spotify last…
Spotify’s Top ‘Fake Artists’ Make Six-Figure Salaries
According to Epidemic Sound CEO Oscar Höglund, his (alleged) ‘fake artists’ on Spotify earn five-digit pound sums for their works. So, does Spotify create ‘fake artists’ to avoid paying real ones? According to the streaming platform, of course not. Bl…
Can I Still Listen to My Favorite Band After Learning They’re Awful People?
Last Friday, amidst the deluge of sexual allegations that have been inundating our society, a friend texted me. “Jesse Lacey, man.” He didn’t give any details. He didn’t need to. In the last few weeks, with new scandals being …
Earthcore Festival Death Watch: Major Artists Bail Over Failed Payments
More than 10 artists may pull out of the Earthcore festival days before the event will begin. 2017 hasn’t been a great year for music festivals. Ja Rule’s much-hyped Fyre Festival, aimed at rich, young millennials, went down in flames. Festivalgoers e…
Taylor Swift Successfully Manages to Infuriate The Grammy Awards
Despite Reputation’s massive success, Taylor Swift may have infuriated the wrong people with her latest album. Nearly two weeks after its release, you still won’t find Taylor Swift’s newest album on any streaming platform. Though Reputation has sold o…