Dylan Smith

Pershing Square’s Bill Ackman Steps Down from Universal Music Board, Citing ‘Increasing Demands on His Time’

May 14, 2025

Pershing Square's Bill Ackman, who's exited the Universal Music board, testifying before Congress. Bill Ackman has officially stepped down from the Universal Music Group (UMG) board, citing “increasing demand... Read More...

Tencent Music’s Super-Premium ‘SVIP’ Tier Is Going Gangbusters — Chinese Conglomerate Grabs a Bigger Stake In UMG

Dylan Smith

May 13, 2025

Tencent Music has once again reported subscriber and profit growth -- this time for Q1 2025, when the company leaned into "IRL" SVIP initiatives. Photo Credit: Tencent Music Tencent Music (NYSE: TME) has reve... Read More...

Spotify’s AI Expansion Continues — DJ Now Supports Voice-Based Music Requests

Dylan Smith

May 13, 2025

A breakdown of the newly added voice-request support for Spotify's AI DJ. Photo Credit: Spotify Spotify has officially added voice-based music requests to AI DJ, listener engagement with which is said to have... Read More...

UK’s ‘Opt-Out’ AI Training Bill Suffers Amendment Setback Following Ample Music Space Criticism

Dylan Smith

May 13, 2025

The House of Lords chamber, where an amendment to the UK's heavily debated AI bill has passed 272-125. One much-publicized opposition campaign later, the UK AI bill, including a controversial "opt-out" approa... Read More...

SoundCloud Says It Doesn’t Allow AI Training on Artist Uploads — Though Their Hidden ‘Opt-Out’ Terms Say the Complete Opposite

Dylan Smith

May 12, 2025

SoundCloud says it hasn't used music uploads to train generative AI models. But related debates are ongoing after the platform seemingly left the door open to training undertakings down the line. Photo Credit:... Read More...

Far-Reaching Protective Order Issued in Drake v. Universal Music Battle — Discovery Tentatively Scheduled to Wrap in May 2026

Dylan Smith

May 12, 2025

Photo Credit: The Come Up Show / CC by 2.0 With the ugly Drake v. Universal Music defamation lawsuit – and the discovery process – moving forward, both sides have requested and received a protective order cov... Read More...

First the Olympics, Now New Year’s Eve: NBC Taps Snoop Dogg for ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Year-End Special

Dylan Smith

May 12, 2025

Snoop Dogg, who's officially set to host a live New Year's Eve special on NBC. Additionally, the Death Row owner is preparing to serve as a coach on the forthcoming 28th season of The Voice. Photo Credit: Tech... Read More...

Latest Music Industry Hires: Range Music, Dynamic Talent, Downtown, AEG, More

Dylan Smith

May 9, 2025

Robert Baugh, who's joined Dynamic Talent as an agent. Photo Credit: Dynamic Talent Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of May 9th, 2025. If you have a job shuffle to sha... Read More...

A 182,000% Streaming Boost? Pointer Sisters’ ‘Hot Together’ Takes Off After GTA VI Trailer Appearance

Dylan Smith

May 9, 2025

A live performance from the Pointer Sisters, whose 'Hot Together' is riding high after appearing in a Grand Theft Auto trailer. Photo Credit: Rick Kramer Some four decades after its release, Pointer Sisters t... Read More...

Concord Acquires Broadway Licensing Global (BLG), Including Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts, and More

Dylan Smith

May 9, 2025

Concord has officially acquired Broadway Licensing Global (BLG). Photo Credit: Erik Mclean Concord has officially acquired self-described “global leader in theatrical licensing and distribution” Broadway Lice... Read More...

Intercept Music Announces $50 Million Catalog Partnership, Intends To ‘Begin Deploying Capital Immediately’

Dylan Smith

May 8, 2025

Intercept Music has announced a $50 million song rights partnership. Photo Credit: Casey Botticello Let the song rights purchases continue: Intercept Music has announced $50 million in fresh catalog funding, ... Read More...

DOJ and FTC Launch Public Inquiry Into ‘Unfair and Anticompetitive’ Live/Ticketing Practices

Dylan Smith

May 8, 2025

The DOJ and the FTC have officially launched a public inquiry in connection with a March executive order targeting 'unfair practices in the live entertainment market.' Photo Credit: ActionVance The Justice De... Read More...

Author Dylan Smith