Music Business News: United States

Naras Eechambadi and Alexandra Hinkle join Universal in global e-commerce and direct-to-consumer roles

UMG says that the newly created roles will advance its global e-commerce and direct-to-consumer strategy

Kane Brown’s Be Like That ft. Swae Lee and Khalid was the most listened to Country song in the US in the past year (according to the NMPA Gold & Platinum Program, based on RIAA certifications)

Be Like That was the most listened to Country song in the past year according to RIAA certifications

Joyner Lucas, Nas join $55m funding round in 3LAU’s blockchain-based music investment platform Royal

Platform aims to enable fractional music ownership through its own version of NFTs

NFT platform Unblocked to release Cypress Hill digital collectables in partnership with Primary Wave

Unblocked investors include Shawn Mendes, music manager Andrew Gertler and more

Voice and music recognition firm SoundHound to list on NASDAQ with $2.1bn valuation via SPAC merger

Firm has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co

Josh Van Valkenburg promoted to Executive Vice President, Creative, at Sony Music Publishing Nashville

Van Valkenburg's signings have garnered over 70 No. 1 hits on Country radio

Levantine Music joins independent licensing agency IMPEL

Los Angeles-based publisher is focused on music from the MENA region

AI-powered music platform Aimi raises $20m in Series B funding round

Platform uses Artificial Intelligence to play an 'endless' stream of music created by DJs and producers