Music Business
edapollo On A&R, Artist Support, And His New Label Omni Youth
edapollo (@edapollo launches Omni Youth with “New World,” a new single built around classic piano house energy, M1-style chords, emotional builds, and a vocal that pulls the record toward a wider indie dance lane. The track introduces the sound and intention behind the new label, while also opening
Open Mike Eagle and Kenny Segal Announce Collaborative Album Doomed!, Share “Unfinished Concrete Initials”
The joint LP drops August 14th on billy woods' Backwoodz label. Open Mike Eagle and Kenny Segal Announce Collaborative Album Doomed!, Share “Unfinished Concrete Initials” Jonah Krueger
Music Industry Executives' Relaxation Destinations
We’re taking our readers through a few lodging options in cities like Chicago and Nashville, where jazz, blues and country music reign supreme.
How Music Industry Execs Rest, Relax & Recoup at Some of the Most Musical Venues in America
We’re taking our readers through a few lodging options in cities like Chicago and Nashville, where jazz, blues and country music reign supreme.
JI BLUE’s ‘Keshiki’ Hits No. 1 as Arashi Charts Record 24 Songs Simultaneously on Japan Hot 100
Bowing at No. 3 is Lienel's "Melo Collection,” the debut single from the six-member EBiDAN-affiliated group that made its major-label debut on June 3.
JI BLUE’s ‘Keshiki’ Hits No. 1 as Arashi Charts Record 24 Songs Simultaneously on Japan Hot 100
Bowing at No. 3 is Lienel's "Melo Collection,” the debut single from the six-member EBiDAN-affiliated group that made its major-label debut on June 3.
Billboard’s Music Industry Events Calendar
A complete rundown of the most immportant events across the music business.
Merck Mercuariadis on Hipgnosis, vindication, and his next move.
The entrepreneur opens up on his new industry thesis – and how he feels seeing the company once known as Hipgnosis sold to Sony Source
Google says any music uploaded to YouTube is fair game for AI training - and there’s nothing musicians can do
Google has responded to a copyright infringement claim from a group of independent artists over its music AI model Lyria. It claims the artists basically gave Google permission to use their music in AI training when they uploaded content to YouTube, and therefore their lawsuit should be dismissed
Duran Duran on the secret to surviving music industry: “We split all the income equally”
The 80s pop icons have been together for nearly 50 years
Universal Music Publishing is having its own brandwank moment
Universal Music Publishing has a new logo, dropping the traditional Universal globe for a circle in a square. As you’d expect, it’s accompanied by some branding nonsense telling us the new logo actually “represents the four corners of the planet - standing for a worldwide community of songwriters”
India, Vietnam… and the question the music business keeps avoiding
Bill Werde, Director of the Bandier Music Business Program at Syracuse University, argues that the freemium model championed by YouTube and Spotify may now be holding back growth in the world’s most populous music markets — and that it’s time for the industry to ask whether ‘free’ is still serving i
Audiojack On Visibility, Talent, And The Reality Of Today’s Music Industry
Audiojack (@audiojackofficial) and Kevin Knapp (@kevinknappofficial) return to Crosstown Rebels with Get It EP, landing May 22, 2026. The two-track release marks their third collaboration on Damian Lazarus’ label, following Under Your Skin in 2021 and Implications in 2017, and brings them back toget
Warner Music Group is buying AI-attribution startup Sureel AI
The three major labels have been striking deals with various AI startups, but now Warner Music Group is acquiring one: Sureel AI.
Geese and Oklou were big winners at the 2026 Libera Awards
With Indie Week in New York in full swing, the Libera Awards took place this week to garland artists, labels and industry companies with an independent focus. Artist-wise, the big winners were rock band Geese and electro-pop artist Oklou. Geese won Record of the Year, Breakthrough Artist and Best Al
Duetti expands with acquisitions of newer tracks and remix program
Duetti’s business providing funding for independent musicians is well established, but now it is expanding its horizons in two ways. First, it is lowering its “acquisision age threshold” for recordings. No, that doesn’t mean it’s seeking out toddler songwriters. It will now be looking to acquire cat
Chris Brown settles songwriter’s lawsuit over ‘Sensational’ and ‘Monalisa’
Steve Chokpelle, who performs as Muso, alleged he wrote lyrics for two of Chris Brown's songs but was excluded from the credits and the revenues. Source
UMG prices €1bn bond offering as boss makes latest AI comments
As the dust settles from its rejection of an acquisition offer by hedge-fund Pershing Square, Universal Music Group has taken its next financial step forward. It has priced €1bn of new ‘Eurobond Notes’ that will be sold to investors outside the US to raise money for “general corporate purposes, incl
Symphonic Promotes Four Executives
Janette Berrios was elevated to SVP, Corporate Marketing; Ed Poston to SVP, Head of A&R; Lane Roney to SVP, Finance; and Taylor Garland to EVP & CFO. Source
Sony Music Challenges Udio's Data Secrecy in AI Lawsuit
Sony Music argued that the number "is necessary to understand the full extent of Udio's copying." Source