Digital Music News – studio recording, publishing, streaming, live concerts, talent development

The latest music news from Digital Music News, affecting recording industry, music publishing, mp3 streaming, concert industry, talent development, venture capital, and music technology, with reporting on artists new releases and where to get new mp3 songs.

1. Authors’ $1.5 Billion Anthropic Settlement Moves Forward With Updated Website — Initial Payouts Could Arrive by Mid-August 2026

   A little over one week after receiving preliminary approval, the $1.5 billion Bartz v. Anthropic settlement is moving forward with an online claims form and an estimated August 2026 initial payouts distribution. These and other details surfaced in a notice to possibly eligible publishers and authors, who can also learn more about the settlement via […]

2. Sean “Diddy” Combs Sentenced to Over Four Years In Prison

   Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was officially sentenced to 50 months in federal prison after an emotional and highly publicized hearing in New York. The music mogul was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution—ending a trial that has drawn nationwide attention. Combs’ attorney, Brian Steel, argued that the trial and imprisonment had already […]

3. Arts Access Miami Receives $5.6 Million Grant to Expand Music Education in Miami-Dade

   Arts Access Miami announces a historic $5.6 million investment from The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation to transform arts education in 100+ schools. Arts Access Miami (AAM), the largest collective impact initiative for arts education in Miami-Dade County, has announced a transformative $5.6 million investment from The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation. This historic investment will ensure […]

4. Indies Double Down on UMG-Downtown Deal Opposition With ‘100 Voices’ Campaign: ‘For the Long-Term Health of Independent Music, It Should Be Blocked’

   Indie musicians, execs, and organizations are once again urging the European Commission to block Universal Music’s proposed Downtown buyout – this time with a “100 Voices” campaign. In keeping with its name, that campaign features over 100 comments addressing the UMG-Downtown deal’s indie-sector impact. Though about 30 of the signatories opted to remain anonymous, the […]

5. YouTube Scores the Juicy Music Video Exclusive for Taylor Swift’s Lead Single, “The Fate of Ophelia”

   YouTube scores the exclusive for Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” music video, set for release on Sunday, October 5. Taylor Swift loves to hide Easter eggs in her work with cloak-and-dagger secrecy. With the release of her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, which notably did not feature any single releases in advance, […]

6. Reunion Tours Dominated the Summer — Here’s a Look at the Real Impact of Oasis and Black Sabbath’s Mega-Tours on Streaming

   The summer of 2025 may be missing a hit pop anthem, but it’s found its cultural pulse in reunion tours. Acts like Oasis and Black Sabbath are fueling streams and dominating conversations though their reunion concerts. This article was written by Andy Steiner in collaboration with How Music Charts. Music Trends on Digital Music News […]

7. George Michael Estate Embraces ‘Father Figure’ Reinterpretation by Taylor Swift

   Taylor Swift pays tribute to George Michael with “Father Figure,” featuring an interpolation of his classic hit of the same name. It’s Taylor’s latest era, and the showgirl is paying tribute to another groundbreaking musician of his own era. George Michael’s estate recently announced that Swift’s track “Father Figure,” featuring an interpolation of Michael’s 1987 […]

8. French Court Orders Hosting Companies to Cease Providing Services to Fake Stream Platforms: ‘An Important Result for the Industry’s Ongoing Work Against Streaming Fraud’

   A French court has reportedly determined “that enabling streaming fraud is illegal” and will therefore require hosting company OVH to “refrain from providing” its services to two alleged fake stream operations. The Paris Judicial Court handed down the corresponding decision yesterday, with France’s SNEP having initiated the overarching action back in June 2024. As many […]

9. And Then Came the Light Sticks: ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ Cashing Out with $65-a-Pop HUNTR/X and Saja Boys Wands

   Netflix sees dollar signs with ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ merch, selling HUNTR/X and Saja Boys light sticks for $65 each. Netflix’s record-smashing animated film, ‘Kpop Demon Hunters,’ has fast become a fandom sensation, with fans making costumes of their favorite characters. Now, just in time for Halloween, Netflix has dropped the official HUNTR/X and Saja Boys […]

10. Swizz Beatz Can’t Escape $7.3 Million 1MDB Fraud Case, Court Rules

    A federal judge denies producer Swizz Beatz’s motion to dismiss his status as a defendant in a bankruptcy case related to the 1MDB scandal. The case against music producer Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean will now proceed to the discovery portion of the proceedings, after a federal judge has ruled that Dean must remain a defendant […]

11. Sean Combs Pens a Heartfelt Letter to the Judge Ahead of Prostitution Sentencing

    Music mogul Sean Combs penned a personal letter to the judge ahead of his sentencing on Friday for his conviction on two counts of prostitution. On the eve before his sentencing on prostitution-related charges, Sean “Diddy” Combs submitted a letter to the judge, writing that he had been “humbled” by the criminal case against him. […]

12. How Vulnerable Are Musicians to AI Cloning? Pressing Questions Emerge Following DMN Pro’s Investigation Into Unauthorized Celebrity ‘Bot Drops’

    A new DMN Pro Weekly report reveals a growing problem that could reshape the music and entertainment industries—unauthorized AI celebrity bots. Across fringe online communities, fans are openly building AI-powered replicas of stars ranging from Machine Gun Kelly and Harry Styles to Pedro Pascal and the Game of Thrones character played by Emilia Clarke, Daenerys […]

13. DOJ, FTC Move to Pause Live Nation/Ticketmaster Lawsuits Amid Government Shutdown — Other Cases May Also Be Impacted

    The DOJ and the FTC have moved to stay their lawsuits against Live Nation and Ticketmaster due to a shutdown-fueled funding lapse, which may also impact different cases. The Justice Department yesterday submitted a motion seeking to pause its much-publicized Live Nation/Ticketmaster antitrust action. As noted in the filing, “[a]bsent an appropriation, Department of Justice […]

14. Anthem Music Publishing Purchases ‘Catalog of Songs’ from Mark Holman in Latest Country IP Investment

    Anthem Music Publishing has acquired the catalog of songwriter and producer Mark Holman, including several works recorded by Morgan Wallen. Anthem Publishing – not the overarching Anthem Entertainment, to which multiple IP plays were previously attached – just recently confirmed the investment. As described by the purchaser, the deal encompasses “an extensive catalog from” Illinois-born […]

15. Record Store Day Black Friday Exclusives Revealed: Benson Boone, Ramones, Cage the Elephant, Grateful Dead, Many More

    Record Store Day unveils the full list of exclusive vinyl releases coming on Black Friday, including Billie Eilish, Bob Dylan, Wicked, and more. It’s the most wonderful time of the year as the folks behind the UK’s Record Store Day announce the full list of exclusive vinyl releases hitting independent record store shelves the day […]