For producers, artists, marketers, engineers, and label professionals navigating today’s dynamic music marketing landscape, here’s a curated roundup of the latest developments—from policy debates and platform updates to artist milestones and global industry actions. These updates reflect key shifts across creation, distribution, rights, and live experiences this week.
AI Creators Are Furious Over Music Copyright Lawsuits
Source: Top Music Attorney
In a revealing episode of the Top Music Attorney Podcast, host En sheds light on the growing discontent among AI developers and creators in the wake of escalating legal battles over music copyrights. The discussion centers on the mounting backlash from the AI community, who feel increasingly targeted by copyright enforcement actions that they argue could stifle innovation and creativity in the emerging field of AI-generated music. This tension highlights the complex intersection of technology and intellectual property law, where traditional copyright frameworks are being tested by new forms of digital creation.
The episode provides crucial updates on several key initiatives, including the upcoming Music Copyright Drive on November 15th and the ongoing class action lawsuit against AI companies Suno and Udio. These legal developments represent a significant front in the broader struggle to define ownership and fair use in the age of artificial intelligence, with potential implications for how AI tools are developed and used across the music industry. The conversation underscores the urgent need for clearer guidelines that balance artist protection with technological advancement.
SoundCloud vs. YouTube: Where Should Independent Artists Build Their Music Community First?
For independent musicians navigating the digital landscape, choosing the right platform to build an initial fanbase is a critical strategic decision. This analysis breaks down the core strengths of SoundCloud and YouTube, examining which platform offers the most effective launchpad. While SoundCloud is a dedicated audio hub ideal for rapid feedback and connecting with a niche, music-obsessed community, YouTube’s massive, global reach and powerful video-centric algorithm can catapult an artist to a broader audience.
The choice ultimately hinges on an artist’s primary goals and content style. SoundCloud fosters a tighter-knit community and is perfect for sharing raw demos, DJ sets, and engaging directly with fellow creators. In contrast, YouTube is a visual powerhouse, ideal for artists who can leverage music videos, lyric videos, and vlogs to tell a story and capture the attention of a more general audience. Understanding these distinct ecosystems is key to allocating limited time and resources effectively for maximum growth and engagement.
Source: muzicpromotionclub
I Spent Weeks Promoting My Song on Spotify… for 10 Listeners 😭
Source: SmartMusicBusiness
An independent musician shares the sobering reality of their Spotify promotion efforts, revealing that despite dedicating weeks to promotional activities, their song only garnered 10 listeners. This candid account highlights the common struggle many emerging artists face when trying to break through on streaming platforms, where visibility and discovery remain significant challenges even with substantial effort.
The article serves as a powerful case study in the difficulties of digital music promotion, offering valuable insights into the gap between effort and results in today’s saturated streaming landscape. The author uses this personal experience to introduce upcoming educational opportunities, including a free live training session and a 5-day challenge designed to help musicians avoid similar pitfalls and develop more effective Spotify growth strategies.
Chris Greenwood Hosts Emergency Spotify Policy Briefing
Spotify strategist Chris Greenwood is leading a virtual session on November 10, 2025, addressing recent changes to Spotify’s Terms & Conditions and their implications for independent artists. The event will clarify misconceptions around AI training clauses, royalty impacts, and immediate steps creators can take to protect their rights.
Source: Elite Music Coaching
Irving Azoff Critiques YouTube’s Impact on Artist Compensation
Music executive Irving Azoff has published an op-ed highlighting longstanding concerns about YouTube’s compensation model for musicians, drawing parallels to its current dispute with Disney. Azoff argues that regulators have historically overlooked how the platform’s dominance undermines fair pay for creators, framing the issue within broader antitrust considerations.
Source: Music Tech Policy
UMG Expands “Sounds of the Future” Initiative to the UK
Universal Music Group has extended its “Sounds of the Future” program—celebrating Black creativity and musical heritage—to the United Kingdom following U.S. success during Black History Month. The initiative includes the “Black Frequencies Gallery” exhibition at UMG’s London headquarters, featuring archival materials from the company’s catalog.
Source: Music Ally
South Korean Authorities Launch Ticket Scalping Investigation
Korea’s National Tax Service has opened a probe into approximately 400 entities that account for nearly half of all ticket sales on major platforms, despite representing just 1% of sellers. Authorities suspect these actors—including travel agencies—are reselling tickets at up to 2.5 times face value, exploiting fan demand and tourism trends.
Source: Music Business Worldwide
Apple Music Enhances AutoMix with AirPlay Support
Apple has updated its AI-powered AutoMix feature in Apple Music via iOS 26.1, now adding AirPlay compatibility for smoother playback transitions across connected devices. The update builds on recent interface improvements like Library Pinning and animated lock screen album art introduced in iOS 26.
Source: RouteNote Blog
Former J-Pop Artist Shima Discusses Transition to Electronic Production
Shima, formerly part of a Japanese pop group, shares her journey from vocal performer to solo electronica producer and DJ. She began making beats in high school using GarageBand and went full-time during the pandemic after leaving her day job—a pivot emblematic of many artists redefining their creative paths post-2020.
Source: Music Connection
OutKast Inducted into 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The influential hip-hop duo OutKast has been officially inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. Known for blending Southern rap with funk, jazz, and experimental production, their inclusion underscores the genre’s expanding recognition within mainstream music institutions.
Source: Curtiss King TV
Military Broadcast Radio Features “The Voice” Contestant Kirbi
Country artist and former “NBC’s The Voice” contestant Kirbi will appear on the “Whiskey and Cigarettes Country Radio Show” on November 16, 2025. The interview will air live on Military Broadcast Radio, a platform dedicated to veterans and first responders, and later syndicate across 40+ stations globally.
Source: Military Broadcast Radio
ONErpm Launches “Afiadas” Podcast Spotlighting Women in Brazilian Music
Brazilian distributor ONErpm has debuted “Afiadas,” a podcast centering women working behind the scenes in music. The first episode features Angela Johansen, manager of the São Paulo branch of the União Brasileira de Compositores (UBC), who brings legal expertise and advocacy for composers’ rights to the conversation.
Source: ONErpm
Virtual Concerts Expand Through Music Avatars in Gaming Platforms
Research highlights the growing role of video games as venues for virtual artist performances, with companies like Epic Games and Roblox hosting real-world stars as digital avatars. These collaborations offer artists new audience engagement channels while providing game platforms with premium content, signaling deeper integration between music and interactive media.
Source: Music Business Research
MPT Agency Marks 15 Years in Music Marketing
MusicPromoToday (MPT) Agency celebrates 15 years of service, citing recent campaigns featured in Pitchfork and PAPER, along with high-profile artist collaborations. Founder Raffi Keuhnelian emphasized the agency’s commitment to data-driven promotion and artist development as it enters its next chapter.
Source: MusicPromoToday
YouTube Spotlights Indigenous Creators for Native American Heritage Month
As part of Native American Heritage Month, YouTube is publishing interviews with Indigenous creators to amplify their cultural narratives and artistic contributions. The initiative aims to increase visibility for Native voices across the platform during November’s observance period.
Source: Veefly
More updates from the music marketing ecosystem soon.
