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The battle between artificial intelligence (AI) software and the music industry continues in a new lawsuit against two AI music startups. Top record labels Universal Music Group (UMG), Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Records are accusing AI music creation programs Suno Inc. and Udio AI of “massive and ongoing infringement.” The lawsuit claims that the entities “copied sound recordings from the labels ‘en masse and ingested them into its AI model,’” a practice that the plaintiffs say violates copyright laws, Forbes reports. Moreover, Suno and Udio AI are accused of using artists’ songs to “train their AI services.” In the suit against Suno, the filings allege that if the company hadn’t “violated copyrights on such a large scale, Suno’s service would not be able to reproduce the convincing imitations of such a vast range of human musical expression at the quality that Suno touts.” Similarly, the accusations against Udio AI hold some of the same weight, noting that “since the day...
TikTok and Universal Music Group (UMG) have agreed on new licensing conditions to bring the group’s tunes back to the social media platform. According to the TikTok newsroom, the joint agreement between the two entities “marks a new era of strategic collaboration.” “By harnessing TikTok’s best-in-class technology, marketing, and promotional capabilities, UMG and TikTok will deliver improved remuneration for UMG’s songwriters and artists, new promotional and engagement opportunities for their recordings and songs, and industry-leading protections with respect to generative AI,” read the report. What’s more, fans will see a return of UMG’s recorded music and publishing catalogs on TikTok, thus allowing users to go back to creating content with sounds from some of the culture’s biggest musicians. “Music is an integral part of the TikTok ecosystem and we are pleased to have found a path forward with Universal Music Group,” TikTok CEO Shou Chew said. “We are committed to working together...
Cash Money Records Founder Birdman experienced several losses by the age of 16, and he was determined to steer clear of any losses in the music business. Birdman, born Bryan Christopher Williams, started the label in 1991 alongside his brother Ronald “Slim” Williams, according to BET. They were able to gain traction and had the support of independent distributors such as Gonzales Music and SouthWest Distribution, XXL Magazine reports. Building popularity in the South, the label caught the attention of Universal Records and signed a deal with the company on May 10, 1997, per a Max Volume Media interview Birdman gave. He later discussed the deal during an interview on the “Wilde Ride!” podcast, revealing that he was looking to retain ownership of his music due to his upbringing. “I felt like I lost everything already. I lost my family,” he explained on the podcast. “Nothing can repay me for what I already lost. I lost my mama, my daddy, my brother, my sister… I lived a hell of a life...
Universal Music Group (UMG) may be pulling its music from TikTok. In an open letter, UMG listed several grievances that may cause the music company to severe its partnership with the rapidly growing platform. It credits some of TikTok’s success and global reach to the music that has been created by UMG artists and songwriters. Despite this, the company highlights the inadequate compensation for its artists and songwriters, with the platform contributing only a minuscule amount to UMG’s total revenue. “With respect to the issue of artist and songwriter compensation, TikTok proposed paying our artists and songwriters at a rate that is a fraction of the rate that similarly situated major social platforms pay,” UMG said in a letter. “Today, as an indication of how little TikTok compensates artists and songwriters, despite its massive and growing user base, rapidly rising advertising revenue and increasing reliance on music-based content, TikTok accounts for only about 1% of our total...
During Super Bowl LVI, rap legend Dr. Dre was tasked with putting on an awe-inspiring halftime show, and he accepted the challenge. Electrifying So-Fi Stadium, he brought on fellow musicians and artists Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem. via GIPHY For weeks, Dre had fans talking about the performance’s impact and what it meant for Black culture and the rap genre. Fast forward to weeks before Super Bowl LVII, Dr. Dre is not performing again, but he is still making headlines.
When you’re an established producer like Hit-Boy, one might think that with new levels of success comes more commas on the check. However, in the music industry, that seems to be an anomaly. Hit-Boy, born Chauncey Alexander Hollis Jr., is the perfect name for the producer responsible for hits that have moved the culture for years. From credits on Jay-Z and Ye’s “Watch the Throne” to producing tracks with Justin Timberlake, albums with Nas, Big Sean, and the list goes on, he has had his fair share of what life in the industry looks like. But, things aren’t always as they appear. “I’m 33 now and have multiple Grammys, produced a lot of your favorite artists’ biggest songs on top of turning in over 450-plus records since I first signed and @upmg still doesn’t have it in them to simply be fair,” said Hit-Boy in a previous post on Instagram dating back to 2020. “If they’re doing this to me with all I’ve accomplished through hard work, I can only imagine the kids who don’t have big...
Kanye West has been off the grid for a minute, but now one of his popular records has stirred up a new legal battle. Variety reports that a lawsuit has been filed against Universal Music Group for the rapper’s song “Power,” the debut single off his album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” sampling King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man.”
A music mogul like Quincy Jones backing an “emotional” artificial technology (AI) music startup sounds like a match made in heaven. The startup — Musimap — is on a mission to develop effective music roadmaps for its users through AI. The automated engine leverages automated engines and metadata enhancement to generate a playlist that has a familiar music palette to correspond with the personality profile. When Jones made the decision to tap into Musimap last year, he operated as a special advisor disclosing a personalized listing of his top-performing singles in order for the company to curate a precise profile. The profile was generated in “a fraction of a second” with results matching songs across common themes including love, playfulness, sensibility and happiness. The search engine also revealed Soul Jazz, Pop, Disco and Jazz were the top contenders for the key genre, Music Business World previously reported. Since Musimaps’s acquisition of Jones’ catalog in May, the AI company...
Universal Music Group has struck an expanded deal with African music streaming service Boomplay to extend licensing of UMG’s global music catalog to upwards of 47 countries across Africa, Music Business Worldwide reports. These new markets include key territories in countries such as South Africa, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Senegal. News of the expanded deal arrives just after rival Spotify recently expanded across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. According to a press release, the outlined agreement details an “ongoing commitment to support and grow Africa’s domestic music ecosystems, while also creating new opportunities for Pan-African talent to reach new audiences domestically, regionally and around the world.” Under the new agreement, UMG’s African labels — including Def Jam Africa, Motown Gospel Africa, AI Records, and Afroforce1 — will all be supported. Additionally, the deal will also distribute artists and labels via Electromode and Ingrooves Music...
Universal Music Group (UMG) — the global leader in music entertainment — has announced some new additions to its African senior management structure to continue expanding its presence and strengthen its local music ecosystem. According to an announcement , the worldwide music company has appointed music executives Sipho Dlamini, Elouise Kelly, and Chinedu Okeke to senior-level positions within Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, and Universal Music Nigeria. “I am thrilled to announce these strategic appointments, as we look to further develop our domestic infrastructure and label rosters within Africa,” said UMG EVP of Market Development, Adam Granite in a press statement. “Most integral to achieving our long-term ambitions, is to build a strong leadership team on the ground, with deep foundations in each country to help grow a dynamic ecosystem for all to benefit in the future.” The announcement shares that Dlamini has been promoted to CEO, Universal Music South...
Universal Music Group, the largest music company in the world, is taking a huge international step forward with their newly launched music label, Def Jam Africa. https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqAfpOAJOn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Yesterday, the music label giant announced Def Jam Africa as a new division based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Lagos, Nigeria, that will focus on “hip-hop, Afrobeats and trap talent in Africa,” according to a press release. Arriving just a year-and-a-half after the launch of Def Jam South East Asia, the new pan-African label division will be “following the blueprint” of Def Jam Recordings. The music industry has paid more attention to African artists in recent years and has taken an aggressive approach to investing in the continent — both to market streaming services and sign talent. As they expand their offices across Africa, Universal Music Group is now looking to change how they shape their brand identities. “In the U.S., [Universal Music has]...