News Spotify calls ‘payola’ lawsuit ‘nonsense’ as class action targets playlist practices Genevieve Capolongo alleges Spotify deceives users by letting labels boost song visibility through reduced royalty payments.
News Zach Bryan just played the biggest ticketed show in US history – including $5m in merch sales 112,408 fans watched country singer Zach Bryan perform on Saturday (September 27)
Interviews Meet the new music streaming service that’s ditched algorithmic playlists… and it’s licensed by all three majors MBW's Trailblazers series meets Randy Fusee, CEO of music streaming platform Coda Music
News Warner’s Divo Music makes play for independent artists in India via new label Loopd Warner acquired a majority stake in Divo in 2023
News Lightroom has previously produced immersive events for Billie Eilish and Coldplay. Now it’s secured investment and IP from Reservoir Media to create more music experiences Reservoir will provide 'best-in-class IP' for Lightroom’s immersive experiences
News Fleetwood Mac co-founder Peter Green’s estate strikes music rights deal with Primary Wave Company to acquire assets in Green’s Rattlesnake music publishing catalog, plus his interest in all compositions written by him, as well as certain recordings
News Dua Lipa was the most played artist across radio, TV and public places in the UK last year Taylor Swift maintained her spot at No. 2 for the second straight year, while Sheeran fell to third place
News Armin Zerza played a key role in Activision Blizzard’s $69bn sale to Microsoft. Now he’s joining Warner Music Group as CFO. Exec spent 10 years at Activision Blizzard as both CFO and Chief Commercial Officer
Interviews ‘Stem is now the most well-funded, well-supported independent player in the distribution space.’ Concord's Tom Becci and Stem's Milana Lewis discuss the strategic thinking behind Concord's acquisition of the Los Angeles-based distribution platform
News Primary Wave struck a $100m JV with Times Music in 2023. Now that venture has acquired two companies in India. Times Music has acquired India's Symphony Recording Co. and ARC Musicq
News Playboi Carti sued by Eric Mercer Jr. aka Blakk Soul for alleged copyright infringement and breach of contract over ‘Kelly K’ Eric Mercer Jr. says he had a contract giving him 5% ownership of Kelly K, but never saw a cent from the song's commercialization
News ATG Entertainment acquires Celebrity Attractions, expanding Broadway touring network The deal will maintain Celebrity Attractions’ local offices in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
News Sony Music pulls catalog from Africa-focused music streaming service Boomplay Sources tell MBW that concerns have been growing at other rightsholders over late royalty payments from the platform
News Fortnite’s ‘Remix: The Finale’ concert draws over 14M players, breaking records Fortnite has set a new milestone, drawing 14.3 million concurrent players for its 'Remix: The Finale' virtual concert on November 30
News Nas’s Mass Appeal expands into Pakistan, partners with two of the country’s biggest artists, Talha Anjum and Umair Company says the move aims to highlight the country’s "dynamic and evolving" hip hop scene