Universal Music

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Dickon Stainer appointed to run Universal Music in the UK

Following the announcement yesterday that long-time CEO of Universal Music UK, David Joseph, is leaving the company to go and study religion, the major has already appointed a new UK chief. Dickon Stainer, another long-term UMG exec who has previously led on the classical side, has got the job…

Chris Cooke • 24 Sep 2024

Lucian Grainge or God? Universal’s UK big cheese David Joseph is off to study religion

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Universal Music • 2 min read

Lucian Grainge or God? Universal’s UK big cheese David Joseph is off to study religion

When you’ve worked for Lucian Grainge for most of your life, there’s only one obvious choice for your next job: go work for God. David Joseph, the CEO of Universal Music UK, has handed in his keys to the executive dining room and is off to study religion and theology.…

Chris Cooke • 23 Sep 2024

The music industry is entering the era of “Streaming 2.0” and could be on course for 2 billion paying subscribers says Universal Music boss Lucian Grainge

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Universal Music • 6 min read

The music industry is entering the era of “Streaming 2.0” and could be on course for 2 billion paying subscribers says Universal Music boss Lucian Grainge

Universal Music's Capital Markets day at Abbey Road Studios offered significant insight into how UMG sees the current global music business, where it sits, and how it's going to grow in coming years…

Sam Taylor • 18 Sep 2024

Playboi Carti didn’t issue malicious takedown in beat beef, court rules

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Playboi Carti • 3 min read

Playboi Carti didn’t issue malicious takedown in beat beef, court rules

Playboi Carti and Universal Music did not break US copyright rules when they issued a takedown against a track that used the same beat as one of the rapper’s songs. The takedown was invalid - because the artist behind the other track had licensed the beat - but it was not malicious, says the court…

Chris Cooke • 30 Aug 2024

Lucian Grainge is back on the win-win, but which DSP is off his christmas card list? It’s not hard to guess.

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Universal Music • 5 min read

Lucian Grainge is back on the win-win, but which DSP is off his christmas card list? It’s not hard to guess.

UMG’s Q2 earnings call was an unusually sombre affair, with good reason. With UMG’s market cap dropping by billions of dollars, the major’s CEO Lucian Grainge saw the prospect of his massive bonus turn from a near cert to a distant dream. And all because a couple of DSPs aren’t pulling their weight…

Sam Taylor • 26 Jul 2024

Universal Music UK announces restructure, creating two big label groups

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Universal Music • 3 min read

Universal Music UK announces restructure, creating two big label groups

Following the restructure of Universal Music in the US, the UK division of the major has announced similar changes, with most of its frontline labels reorganised into two groups. There will also be a new Audience & Media division. The restructure will mean job losses, though we don’t know how many…

Chris Cooke • 09 Jul 2024

Stem wars: recent lawsuits expose copyright pitfalls for labels and producers

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Music industry legal news coverage • 3 min read

Stem wars: recent lawsuits expose copyright pitfalls for labels and producers

Recent lawsuits highlight the complex copyright issues faced by labels and producers where multiple people are involved in the production of a track, with a number of clashes over unauthorised use of stems, loops and beats in hit songs…

Chris Cooke • 03 Jul 2024

YouTube in talks with all three majors about the next phase in its AI experimentation

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YouTube • 3 min read

YouTube in talks with all three majors about the next phase in its AI experimentation

YouTube last year piloted a generative AI tool called Dream Track that generates vocals in the style of ten specific artists. The company is now plotting its next AI experiment and is in talks with all three major record companies, with the aim of involving dozens of artists next time…

Chris Cooke • 27 Jun 2024

Universal and TikTok employ AI to help artists and creators speak more languages

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AI • 2 min read

Universal and TikTok employ AI to help artists and creators speak more languages

Both Universal Music and TikTok have unveiled new AI tools for creators. Universal is partnering with SoundLabs to allow artists to create “custom vocal models”. TikTok’s new tools will allow creators to create multilingual avatars for use in their own videos and for brand content…

Chris Cooke • 19 Jun 2024

Feid sued after allegedly using producer’s guitar loops without credit and compensation

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Feid • 1 min read

Feid sued after allegedly using producer’s guitar loops without credit and compensation

Producer Sébastien Graux has sued Colombian artist Feid claiming that guitar loops he created were used on three tracks on Feid’s new album without credit. He says that he was told that his loops had been used and promised royalties, but now believes there was never any intention to pay him…

Chris Cooke • 17 Jun 2024

Universal wants Tupac ‘Dear Mama’ rights dispute dismissed

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Tupac Shakur • 3 min read

Universal wants Tupac ‘Dear Mama’ rights dispute dismissed

Producer Master Tee last year claimed that he wrote and produced 1993 Tupac track ‘Dear Mama’, but was denied his credit and copyright as a result of the devious tactics of another producer, Tony D Pizzaro. Defendants had agreed to mediation, but now say Master Tee is making unreasonable demands…

Chris Cooke • 07 Jun 2024

Universal removed as defendant on explosive Diddy lawsuit

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Universal Music • 2 min read

Universal removed as defendant on explosive Diddy lawsuit

Universal Music and its CEO Lucian Grainge have been dropped as defendants in a sexual harassment and assault lawsuit brought against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones and his lawyer say that they now accept there was “no legal basis” for the claims made against the label…

Chris Cooke • 15 May 2024