Universal Music Group news

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

Setlist Podcast: Arena ticket levy by September, MPs demand

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Setlist • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: Arena ticket levy by September, MPs demand

The warning from MPs to the UK government that there is an urgent need to support grassroots music venues, calls for SXSW London to shift its planned June 2025 date, and more…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 11 May 2024

Lucian’s lunch money under threat as shareholder pressure mounts over “excessive” pay packet

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Lucian Grainge • 4 min read

Lucian’s lunch money under threat as shareholder pressure mounts over “excessive” pay packet

Lucian Grainge is inches away from getting a massive bonus as the UMG share price nears €30 per share, while investors are looking for signs that his STIs could be out of control. That’s short-term incentives, you filthy dogs…

Sam Taylor • 07 May 2024

Setlist Podcast: Calls for urgent new AI laws in UK and US

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Setlist • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: Calls for urgent new AI laws in UK and US

Politicians, artists and industry reps say there is an urgent need for new AI laws, UMG and TikTok are best buds again, and more…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 04 May 2024

Universal boss Lucian Grainge talks up the new TikTok deal which “will protect the integrity and value of human artistry”

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TikTok • 2 min read

Universal boss Lucian Grainge talks up the new TikTok deal which “will protect the integrity and value of human artistry”

Following the news that Universal Music has agreed a new licensing deal with TikTok, boss man Lucian Grainge has sent a memo out to this staff. He confirms that the new deal addresses the major’s concerns around money and platform safety, and especially AI…

Chris Cooke • 03 May 2024

Universal and TikTok are best buds again

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TikTok • 3 min read

Universal and TikTok are best buds again

Universal Music has agreed a new licensing deal with TikTok, ending a three month standoff that saw the major’s music removed from the social media platform. Universal says its new deal properly values music, while providing reassurances about TikTok’s ambitions in AI…

Chris Cooke • 02 May 2024