All articles tagged with #music industry
A photo-heavy roundup captures stars like Machine Gun Kelly, Zara Larsson, Usher, Kesha, Jelly Roll and Ari Lennox hitting diverse Pre-Grammy 2026 parties hosted by Hennessy, Epic Records, Warner Music Group, Spotify, Amazon Music, Camper and more, featuring new looks, performances and birthday celebrations as Grammys weekend kicks off.
Spotify announced it paid more than $11 billion in royalties in 2025, about 30% of the recording industry’s revenue, but the money goes to rightsholders (labels, distributors, publishers) rather than directly to artists; roughly half of the royalties went to independent artists and labels, while payouts for indie acts can vary widely and artists with fewer than 1,000 streams receive no payout; 12,500+ artists earned over $100k in royalties in 2024, with 2025 figures due in March; per-stream payments depend on the pool size and deals, and Spotify is promising new anti-fraud measures and greater human curation to address criticism.
Renowned reggae drummer Sly Dunbar, half of the influential Sly & Robbie duo, has died at 73 in Jamaica. A prolific session musician and producer, he played on Marley tracks and helped shape reggae's sound, later producing for Grace Jones, Bob Dylan and many others, with some estimates placing his involvement in over 200,000 recordings.
Liza Minnelli releases her first new music in 13 years, joining an AI-created deep house track called Kids, Wait Til You Hear This and stressing that the project uses AI arrangements rather than AI vocals, with ownership and artist control emphasized. The track is part of a broader AI-in-music wave that includes Art Garfunkel and precedes a larger discussion about AI’s impact on musicians, as labels and startups expand collaborations with generative tools (e.g., Udio, Suno, Klay) and partnerships like Merlin. The piece reflects a tension between innovative tech-enabled creativity and concerns about job displacement for human musicians.
The piece praises Bandcamp and Games Workshop for adopting cautious AI policies: GW bans AI-generated content and AI in design/competitions, while Bandcamp prohibits AI-generated music and AI impersonations, arguing that human creativity and IP protection should guide the industry.
Bandcamp announced that AI-generated music or content generated wholly or substantially by AI is not permitted on the platform, and that impersonation of artists or styles is prohibited; users are urged to flag AI-based works, and Bandcamp’s policy also forbids using Bandcamp content to train AI models. This makes Bandcamp the first major music platform to outright ban AI-generated content, with rivals like Spotify/Deezer taking a more cautious stance and iHeartRadio pledging not to play AI-generated music.
The UK music industry is optimistic about 2026, with potential major comebacks from Harry Styles and Oasis, ongoing AI controversies, a shift in the Brit Awards location, and new government measures to protect grassroots venues and regulate ticket resale, all amid a recovering market and emerging UK artists.
Michael Lippman, a prominent music manager known for guiding artists like George Michael, Matchbox Twenty, and David Bowie, has died at age 79. He had a significant impact on the music industry, representing legendary artists and shaping their careers, and was recognized for his formidable presence and dedication. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Country singer Chase Matthew celebrated his first No. 1 on the Billboard country radio chart with his song 'Darlin.',' amid discussions about the impact of AI-generated country hits and the opinions of Nashville artists on this trend.
The article highlights five notable albums from 2023 across various genres, including Annahstasia's introspective debut, Valentina Magaletti's experimental percussion, Madison Cunningham's emotionally rich folk, Sarz's genre-blending Afrobeats, and Daniel Avery's dark techno, showcasing diverse and compelling music releases that may have been overlooked this year.
The article discusses the early and widespread popularity of Christmas music, driven by streaming platforms like Spotify, which have made holiday songs more accessible and popular than ever, with older classics maintaining their timeless appeal and new campaigns boosting specific tracks' popularity. This surge reflects both a desire for comfort during testing times and the enduring emotional bonds associated with holiday music.
The film is a heartfelt and entertaining tribute to a Milwaukee couple, Mike and Claire Sardina, who formed a Neil Diamond tribute act, highlighting their struggles, resilience, and performances, with standout roles by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, transforming their true story into a feel-good movie about perseverance in the margins of the music industry.
The documentary series 'The End of an Era' about Taylor Swift's Eras Tour offers a cozy, lighthearted look at her tour's success, focusing more on brand consolidation and personal branding than on revealing new insights or challenges, ultimately portraying her as a business-oriented artist rather than exploring deeper emotional or artistic growth.
The 2025–2026 GRAMMY U Mentorship Program, sponsored by Amazon Music, expanded its offerings and welcomed its largest cohort ever, connecting over 1,200 mentor-mentee pairs globally across various music industry tracks, with enhanced virtual programming and a new three-phase structure to support emerging professionals. The program aims to foster industry careers, promote diversity, and provide valuable networking and educational opportunities, culminating in the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Addison Rae, the Guardian's artist of the year, has transformed from a TikTok star to a respected pop artist with her debut album Addison, known for its raw honesty and her influence in the industry, especially as a young woman working with female producers. She embraces fame despite its challenges, values control over her image, and is optimistic about her future in music, aiming to release new work when ready.