This week’s music industry digest highlights key trends shaping the business, from AI’s growing influence to essential strategies for artist success. The news covers chart controversies, licensing deals, and practical advice for navigating the evolving landscape.
Ricky Jones releases his new single ‘Set It Off’ worldwide, aiming to connect intimately with listeners. (Source: Ricky Jones news)
Sweden disqualifies a partly AI-generated folk-pop song from official charts, despite its success on Spotify, raising questions about AI’s role in music rankings. (Source: Sweden chart news)
A live Q&A event discusses music distribution, ChatGPT ads, and other industry topics, offering insights for professionals. (Source: Tetris Connect event)
An article explores how to make money with music in 2026, focusing on future revenue streams and strategies. (Source: Monetization forecast)
A review details legal methods to increase streams on Spotify, emphasizing ethical practices. (Source: Boost Collective review)
A music business legend advises artists to own their music by 2026 to secure long-term control and profits. (Source: Artist rights advice)
Udio strikes a licensing deal with Merlin, following settlements with UMG and Warner Music, expanding AI’s integration into the industry. (Source: Udio-Merlin deal)
Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream praises Marc Bolan’s unique sound in T.Rex, highlighting enduring musical legacies. (Source: Primal Scream interview)
An artist suspects their band’s new song on Spotify is being botted, pointing to ongoing issues with streaming fraud. (Source: Streaming fraud concern)
A Spanish-language article covers everything needed to know about monetization in the new music industry, targeting a global audience. (Source: Monetization guide)
Experts warn that artists often overlook certain agreements early in their careers, risking future legal and financial pitfalls. (Source: Contract advice)
Advice suggests avoiding wasteful spending on music videos unless strategically justified, to optimize budgets. (Source: Budgeting tip)
A national grassroots revolt against data centers focuses on water use, impacting tech infrastructure that supports streaming services. (Source: Environmental news)
Devin Lucas releases a folk music track, emphasizing personal expression in the genre. (Source: Devin Lucas release)
An indie rapper earned $18,000 from a mixtape on EVEN, showcasing alternative monetization platforms. (Source: EVEN success story)
GRAMMY nominations for 2025 include the Best Immersive Audio Album category, reflecting technological advancements in music production. (Source: GRAMMY news)
A.R. Rahman discusses music in a throwback interview, amid recent controversies, underscoring the intersection of artistry and public discourse. (Source: A.R. Rahman interview)
The main themes from this week’s news revolve around AI’s disruptive impact and the critical importance of artist empowerment. AI is no longer a fringe topic; it’s actively reshaping music creation, as seen with Sweden’s chart disqualification of an AI-assisted song and Udio’s licensing deals with major players like Merlin. This signals a need for clear regulations and ethical guidelines to balance innovation with artistic integrity. Artists and labels must stay informed about these developments to navigate licensing and copyright issues effectively.
For those in the music business, focusing on ownership and monetization strategies is paramount. The advice to own your music by 2026 highlights a shift towards independence, where control over rights can lead to sustainable income. Coupled with tips on legal streaming boosts and alternative platforms like EVEN, this underscores that diversifying revenue streams—beyond traditional models—is key to financial stability. As the industry evolves, prioritizing education on contracts, avoiding fraud, and making strategic investments (like cautious spending on videos) will help artists thrive in a competitive landscape.
