Update
In a surprising development stirring debate across the music industry, Spotify has quietly removed several releases by Velvet Sundown, a fictional, AI-generated band that had recently taken the platform by storm. Known for their nostalgic 1960s-inspired folk-rock sound, the group was entirely synthetic—no human vocals, no real instruments, no band members. Yet, they managed to […]
The music investment gold rush shows no signs of slowing. Intercept Music has entered the fray with a bold $50 million fund dedicated to acquiring music copyrights, joining heavyweights like Hipgnosis and Primary Wave in the booming catalog acquisition space. Intercept’s strategy appears tailored to current market conditions: à- Offering flexible deal structures including royalty […]
Preliminary data from early 2025 suggests that Spotify is experiencing a downturn in its U.S. subscriber base, marking a potential shift in the streaming giant’s long-standing growth trajectory. The decline, while not yet catastrophic, raises questions about market saturation, rising competition, and the platform’s ability to retain users in one of its most critical markets. […]
Big Masterz Publishing LLC — From Africa to the World Big Masterz Publishing LLC proudly announces its expanded role as a leading international music distribution and publishing company, serving artists across East Africa, West Africa, and beyond. With an unwavering commitment to artist empowerment, rights protection, and global reach, the company continues to raise the […]
Big Masterz has established itself as a leading music distribution, promotion, and management company in East Africa, offering artists a comprehensive platform to share their music globally. By partnering with over 150 digital stores and streaming services across more than 100 countries, including major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, Big Masterz ensures […]
Universal Music Group (UMG) wrapped up 2024 with impressive results, showing a 7.2% year-over-year (YoY) revenue increase in the final quarter, despite some turbulence in ad-supported streaming. The strong performance was largely driven by growth in subscription-based streaming services, underscoring UMG’s ability to adapt to the evolving music industry landscape. UMG’s total recorded streaming revenue […]
Yeezy.com, the official website of Kanye West’s brand, was taken offline by Shopify after the rapper made controversial headlines during the Super Bowl. The incident revolves around the sale of a white t-shirt on the site that was emblazoned with a black swastika. This move by Shopify came after Kanye’s ad aired during the Super […]
The global music industry experienced a modest resurgence in funding at the start of 2025, with January’s figures marking a notable year-over-year increase compared to 2024. However, the latest numbers still fell short of the record-breaking funding totals seen in January 2023, signaling a mixed recovery in the sector. According to newly released data, core […]
Spotify (NYSE: SPOT), the global leader in music streaming, has broken a significant milestone, with its stock price surpassing the $600 per share mark, sending its market capitalization soaring above $121 billion. This record surge follows the release of its fourth-quarter earnings report for 2024, a period that highlighted remarkable financial growth and a renewed […]
Amazon Music has joined the ranks of streaming services raising their subscription fees, following in the footsteps of Spotify’s recent moves. The company recently notified customers of an increase in prices for its Unlimited plan in the U.S., marking a significant shift in its pricing strategy. Price Increases Across the Board Starting soon, Amazon Prime […]
Spotify has reached a groundbreaking milestone in 2024, revealing that it paid out a record $10 billion in royalties to the music industry. This achievement highlights Spotify’s significant role in the global streaming landscape, underscoring its continued growth and influence. David Kaefer, Vice President of Spotify’s music and audiobook businesses, shared this milestone in a […]
In a new report from Duetti, it’s clear that when it comes to per-stream royalties, Amazon Music and Apple Music are far outpacing Spotify. According to Duetti’s second-annual Music Economics Report, indie artists are receiving a much higher payout on these platforms, with Amazon Music paying $8.80 per 1,000 streams and Apple Music offering $6.20, […]