Music Business News: North America

Universal Music becomes latest major to partner with kids audio platform Yoto

First release under partnership features rock band Queen’s Greatest Hits: Volume 1

From the 3 majors’ joint $12.99bn in H1 to HYBE’s $100m+ deal… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-up

Five of the biggest headlines on MBW this week...

Warner Records launches Defiant Records joint venture with Steve ‘Steve-O’ Carless

Carless was named President of A&R at Warner Records in September 2021

‘Generative AI is set to revolutionize the music business.’

MBW's Trailblazers series interviews Daouda Leonard, manager of Grimes and founder of Los Angeles-based AI development studio CreateSafe

French Montana inks global partnership with Larry Jackson’s $1bn-backed gamma

Partnership coincides with French Montana's new single 'Good Summer'

Iconoclast acquires producer royalties of legendary composer and disco icon Giorgio Moroder

Olivier Chastan’s acquisition vehicle Iconoclast has acquired again

Paul Langworthy named Chief Revenue Officer of Songtradr

Exec's appointment follows a tenure as CEO of Songtradr owned B2B music platform 7digital

Spotify expands AI-powered DJ beta globally six months after launch

The development marks Spotify’s latest effort in embracing AI. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek in April said AI’s relationship with music “is very early days and it’s an incredibly fast developing space.”