Music & Tech
UMG acquires strategic stake in Thai label What The Duck
Universal Music Group’s latest move in south-east Asia is a strategic investment in Thai label What The Duck. And while the company will remain a standalone operation, its founder Moy Samkwan Tonsompong is joining UMG as its managing director of Universal Music Thailand. The deal comes nearly two ye
Zendaya Addresses Tom Holland Wedding Rumors, Calls Photos AI Generated
Following reports that the "Dune" actress recently married her longtime love, Z said everything without actually saying anything.
Alibaba wants to be a global ticketing player — starting with Malaysia tour stop for Chinese rap superstar GAI
Alibaba's live entertainment arm is making its first move into international ticketing, landing a primary ticketing role for a concert in Malaysia. Source
Lyor Cohen letter addresses AI integration at YouTube, the ‘power of visual storytelling’ and the ‘tidal wave of choice’ facing music fans
Lyor Cohen, YouTube's Global Head of Music, has published his first letter to music industry partners of 2026 Source
“I urge them to reconsider and step up to help the next generation of talent”: Minister’s message to Live Nation’s dawdling over £1 arena and stadium levy
Otherwise, the government will legislate, says Ian Murray
YouTube Head of Music Lyor Cohen Talks Company’s AI ‘Transformation Period’ & More in New Letter
In the missive, Cohen also emphasizes YouTube's goal to drive fan loyalty by "uplifting content from the 'extended' artist world."
Mobile Recording Studio Launched by Noods Radio, TREAD
It will deliver production workshops, DJ training, recording sessions and live broadcasts
Sunstroke Rain on Inspiration, Preparation, and the Release of “Another World”
Sunstroke Rain (@sunstrokerain) made her grand return last week on March 13 with “Another World,” a new single that opens her 2026 run and reconnects her with UK producer Mera Bhai after the response to “Life is Sacred.” The release brings together electronic house, UK garage, and electronic pop in
New mobile recording studio launched by Noods Radio, TREAD
It will deliver production workshops, DJ training, recording sessions and live broadcasts
Reports: 2025 was ‘a good year for the recorded music business’
Industry-watchers Midia Research and MusicWatch have been revealing their latest data on the health of the music business. The post is from Music Ally.
USC Annenberg Inclusion report: ‘Women’s place in this business is shrinking’
The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has published its latest ‘Inclusion in the Recording Studio’ study and it includes some concerns. The post is from Music Ally.
"How real can drums feel inside a plugin?": Klevgrand promises to "redefine what a drum sampler can be" with OneShot 2
OneShot 2 features a new Motion Engine designed to create phrases that "breathe and evolve" by morphing through multiple samples, such as cymbal swells, brushed textures or foley elements
Javier Bardem condemns Trump and Netanyahu for creating “another illegal war” and declares “free Palestine” at 2026 Oscars
"It's important to understand that you can be part of the movie-making community and also be a citizen who uses this huge speaker to denounce injustice" The post Javier Bardem condemns Trump and Netanyahu for creating “another illegal war” and declares “free Palestine” at 2026 Oscars appeared first
Fred again.. announces independent release of USB002 REMIXES
Fred again.. expands his archival USB series with USB002 REMIXES, a hardware-driven electronic release focused on raw club aesthetics and independent distribution.
'Scrubs' star Zach Braff denies he's dating an AI chatbot
“I can’t believe I have to type these words"
Neil Young is back in the studio writing songs about “the worst president in the history of our country”
"Politics today is sad and depressing for me. I can't do it anymore"
MIDiA: Global Recorded Music Revenue Grew 9.4% in 2025, With Bump From Labels' Share of Expanded Rights
The market share of major and indie labels' windfall from merch, live and branding drove broad-based industry growth, according to MIDiA Research.
“All I hear is ‘Auto-Tune sucks’, ‘drum machines have no soul’ and ‘you can’t make hip-hop on a laptop because computers have no swing’”: Flying Lotus on the backlash against AI music – and why he's staying out of it
FlyLo weighs in on Suno and talks us through the making of BIG MAMA, a chaotic speedrun of an EP that zooms through chiptune, breakcore and jazz fusion without looping a single bar
“I didn't get it at first. Then I visited my friend's studio. The way he was using it opened my eyes”: House icons Alan Braxe and Fred Falke on embracing AI in the studio
As they reissue the cult classic Intro for its 25th anniversary, the French producers tell us how they see AI reshaping sampling culture
Executive Turntable: WMG CEO to Receive Paley Honor — Plus, Universal Music Nordics Re-Bjørn
Your weekly roundup of promotions, hires and exits across music. This go-round? Big moves at WCM, whynow, Dammy Wimmer, 1916, LVRN Records and more.