Empire In The News

News

Is DeepSeek training its AI on copyrighted music without permission?

The international trade group for music publishers says DeepSeek replicates the entire lyrics to copyrighted songs

Interviews

Steve Stoute talks independence, emerging markets and how UnitedMasters artist FloyyMenor scored TikTok’s biggest song of 2024

Gata Only, released independently via UnitedMasters, was the most popular track globally on the platform this year

News

100+ indie distributors in 20 countries have now signed up for The MLC’s data portal for unmatched royalties

The MLC says "millions of dollars" in royalties have been paid out thanks to its portal for indie distributors

News

Jon Platt accepts International Executive of the Year honor, pays tribute to Sony Music Publishing, the songwriting community and more at MBW’s Music Business UK Awards

Yesterday evening (November 5) saw MBW's Music Business UK Awards take place in Covent Garden, celebrating the very best that the UK music biz has to offer.

Interviews

‘I’m confident a UK rapper could run the world one day.’

Respected industry veteran and EGA Distro ‘Head Coach’ Colin Batsa reflects on his company’s recent successes, the evolution of the music business ecosystem, competing with the majors and conquering America…

News

EMPIRE hires Jeffrey Yoo to lead expansion in Asia; First signing named as Korean superstar G-Dragon

Jeffrey Yoo appointed Senior Vice President, East Asia at EMPIRE

News

Another large indie distributor inks direct agreement with TikTok, as Ditto leaves behind expiring Merlin deal with platform

Established acts currently distributing their music through Ditto include Chance The Rapper, Russ Millions, and Darkoo

Analysis

On… TikTok, Merlin, and the awkward arranged marriage of music’s independent sector

How the changing face of the 'non-major' music companies has made for some unusual bedfellows in indie-land