Universal Music Group has announced the formation of a Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC) and a dedicated $25 million “Change Fund.” In a letter to colleagues obtained by Rolling Stone, TFMC co-chairs Jeff Harleston, Executive VP, General Counsel, UMG and Interim Chairman and CEO Def Jam; and Ethiopia Habtemariam, …
Read More »Lizzo, Shawn Mendes, and More Pledge to 'Press Pause' on Music Gatherings
Ricky Reed, a producer behind four songs on Lizzo’s Grammy-winning Cuz I Love You album — six, if you’re looking at the deluxe version, which includes megahit “Truth Hurts” — is imploring musicians, songwriters, producers, artists, and executives to press pause on songwriting sessions, meetings and shows. And “no going …
Read More »Surprising No One, TikTok Is Driving a Lot of New-Artist Growth
In 2008, Jay Sean released “Ride It,” a dance-floor come-on that became a hit everywhere — except for the U.S. Now, it’s enjoying a second life. A house-music remix by Regard became popular on the video app TikTok, which allows users to set short clips to music. After the “Ride …
Read More »Spotify Hits 100 Million Subscribers and Still Isn't Making Money
On the near-anniversary of its first quarterly earnings report as a public company in 2018, Spotify has good news to share. In its earnings report for the first quarter of 2019 Monday, the company said that it reached 217 million monthly active users around the world — 100 million of …
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