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Spotify's goal celebration, UMG's goal celebration, and all quiet on the TikTok front.

It's a power play goal! x2 (Thanks, Sam Rosen!)
 
Names in the pod today:
Spotify
Lucian Grainge
Universal Music Group
Sam Rosen
National Music Publishers Association
Kristin Robinson
Oracle
TikTok
Justin Eshak
Imran Majid
Murray Stassen
Alice Whitaker
 
Links:
Spotify Goal Celly
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-posts-1-5bn-annual-operating-profit-for-2024-as-subscriber-base-grows-to-263m-in-q41/
https://www.billboard.com/pro/nmpa-podcast-takedown-actions-spotify-infringement-songs/
Another Bundlegate skirmish
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/02/04/nmpa-spotify-infringement-notices/
UMG Goal Celly
https://www.billboard.com/pro/lucian-grainge-umg-new-years-2025-staff-message-read-memo/
Schrödinger in effect
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/02/04/who-is-wanting-to-buy-tiktok-2025/
Reminder: we don't have a Sovereign -- yet
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/02/04/trump-creates-sovereign-wealth-fund-ahead-of-tiktok-deal/
Biz as youzh at TikTok
https://musically.com/2025/01/30/tiktok-kicks-off-behind-the-breakthrough-series-with-gigi-perez/
 
 
RoyFi
https://www.RoyFI.com
Hangout.fm
Https://hangout.fm
Lydia's V30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0tG6NjUzug

The 120 hour work week, the copyright office speaks out on AI, and some things I'm okay with.

Some Bureaucracies actually work...
 
Names in the Pod Today:
Lucas Shaw
Tom Corson
Aaron Bay-Schuck
Hangout.fm
Tom Gray
Elon Musk
The US Copyright Office
The Beatles
Kakao
SM entertainment
Caitlin Dewey
MySpace Tom
 
LINKS:
Interview with Tom Corson and the son of Sergeant Enright
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-02-02/how-two-strangers-turned-around-the-home-of-fleetwood-mac-and-madonna?
Hangout gets some love
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/02/03/hangout-brings-tracks-to-discord/
Congrats to A Gomez Guy
https://ivorsacademy.com/news/tom-gray-re-elected-as-chair-of-the-ivors-academy-there-is-unfinished-business/
The Copyright office weighs in on AI
https://www.copyright.gov/ai/Copyright-and-Artificial-Intelligence-Part-2-Copyrightability-Report.pdf
Bealtle AI wins A Grammy
The 120-hour work week. Tim Ferrriss would not approve
https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-doge-work-silicon-vallery-grind-culture-2025-2
MySpace Tom is just fine
https://linksiwouldgchatyou.substack.com/p/ground-control-to-myspace-tom
 
 
LA fire resources
Ian Cunningham
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iancunn_feels-odd-to-share-this-on-linkedin-but-trying-activity-7284674854086156289-xTFw
Running list
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-fire-relief-musicares/
https://musicares.org/donations
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jyJ-NM2qP-iRk1LJ8l3dc7e0M3IhHlo3E7Agvo9JOAQ/htmlview?at&fbclid=IwY2xjawHt_6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXN3-Q2mmAkiflQ9P2fOUWx0AVBTyFa9FBbWvp7YmSfy9Zv1Uy5eT4XKCA_aem_XkNGZvPvtrq02-bMe6Y9LA
Stream these folks to help them
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tLN23Ens9S8wxl4A7fbN5ojQ_xCMRXfbxQw1JRGfYac/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Max Bernstein might be able to find you a place to stay
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mberns01_musicindustry-airtable-activity-7285062707056181248-x1Wn?
 
RoyFi
Https://www.royfi.com
Hangout.fm
Https://hangout.fm

Grammy cognitive diss-onance, you'd think we could all get along, and, we called it!

Kendrick put the diss in Cognitive Dissonance.
 
Names In Today's Pod:
Tim Ingham
Glenn Peoples
Liz Pelly
Daniel Ek
Steve albini
Keatly Haldeman
Tres Williams
Liz Pelly
 
LINKS:
DMN Grammy Recap
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/02/02/grammy-awards-winners-losers-snubs/
Young republican deja Vu
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/inauguration-trump-supporters-conservative-movement-post-maga.html
Congrats to The Rights
https://musically.com/2025/01/23/soundstripe-deepens-its-sync-focus-with-the-rights-acquisition/
Artists angry about Spotify
https://www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-led-music-business-growth-why-artists-angry/
The MLC is not done
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/31/the-mlc-might-appeal-spotify-court-victory/
RoyFi
https://www.RoyFI.com
Hangout.fm
Https://hangout.fm
 
LA fire resources
 
Running list
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-fire-relief-musicares/
https://musicares.org/donations
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jyJ-NM2qP-iRk1LJ8l3dc7e0M3IhHlo3E7Agvo9JOAQ/htmlview?at&fbclid=IwY2xjawHt_6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXN3-Q2mmAkiflQ9P2fOUWx0AVBTyFa9FBbWvp7YmSfy9Zv1Uy5eT4XKCA_aem_XkNGZvPvtrq02-bMe6Y9LA
Stream these folks to help them
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tLN23Ens9S8wxl4A7fbN5ojQ_xCMRXfbxQw1JRGfYac/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Max Bernstein might be able to find you a place to stay
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mberns01_musicindustry-airtable-activity-7285062707056181248-x1Wn?
Ian Cunningham
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iancunn_feels-odd-to-share-this-on-linkedin-but-trying-activity-7284674854086156289-xTFw
RoyFi
https://www.RoyFI.com
Hangout.FM
Hangout.fm

ChatGPT turns on its creator. A Sirius decline and Spotify pays out 10 Queeners.

Dr. Altmanstein, I do believe your creation has turned on you...
 
 
Names in the pod today:
Sam Altman
OpenAI
ChatGPT
Deepseek Ai
Elizabeth Dilts Marshall
SIriusXM
Dr. Tamay Aykut
Alex Gramatzki
Murray Stassen
Andrew Hampp
Lylette Pizzarro
Larry Miller
 
 
LINKS:
Deepseek has OPenAI in shambles
https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/30/business/openai-deepseek-nightcap/index.html
ChatGPT turns on its creator
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/larsmurray22_ai-trainingdata-music-activity-7290830701237583872-Skxs
Dr. Aykut on Synthetic Data, Part 2
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/synthetic-data-north-star-generative-ai-part-ii-dr-tamay-aykut-mqitc/
SXM's Managed decline. (Sigh)
https://www.billboard.com/pro/siriusxm-2024-earnings-subscriber-revenue-streaming-car-business/
Spotify's Payout Victory Dance
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-paid-out-10-billion-to-the-music-industry-in-2024-a-full-1bn-more-than-in-2023/
What If Netflix built its own Spotify?
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexvongramatzki_netflix-spotify-streaming-activity-7290780313016844289-9T5K?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
$360 Mil for Influence
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/influence-media-partners-raises-360m-in-debt-financing-led-by-goldman-sachs/
Lylette on Musonomics
https://musonomics.com/songwriters-take-the-stage-two-rising-music-publishers/
Congrats Andrew Hampp!
https://variety.com/2025/biz/news/andrew-hampp-managing-director-music-consumer-partnerships-1236288890/
LA fire resources
Ian Cunningham
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iancunn_feels-odd-to-share-this-on-linkedin-but-trying-activity-7284674854086156289-xTFw
Running list
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-fire-relief-musicares/
https://musicares.org/donations
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jyJ-NM2qP-iRk1LJ8l3dc7e0M3IhHlo3E7Agvo9JOAQ/htmlview?at&fbclid=IwY2xjawHt_6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXN3-Q2mmAkiflQ9P2fOUWx0AVBTyFa9FBbWvp7YmSfy9Zv1Uy5eT4XKCA_aem_XkNGZvPvtrq02-bMe6Y9LA
Stream these folks to help them
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tLN23Ens9S8wxl4A7fbN5ojQ_xCMRXfbxQw1JRGfYac/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Max Bernstein might be able to find you a place to stay
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mberns01_musicindustry-airtable-activity-7285062707056181248-x1Wn?
RoyFi
https://www.RoyFI.com
Hangout.FM
Hangout.fm

A Bundlegate judge judging, nobility noble-ing, and hoovers getting hoovered.

A bundle IS a bundle after all. and big AI gets a taste of its own training medicine
 
Names in the Pod today:
 
Glenn Peoples
Spotify
Amazon Music
Ed Newton-Rex
Baroness Kidron
Ashley King
Dylan Smith
Sam Altman
OpenAI
Deepseek
Paul Resnikoff
Erig Gardner
Vince Amoroso
 
LINKS:
Spotify's Bundlegate win
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/29/mechanical-licensing-collective-spotify-lawsuit-dismissed/
Flat growth at Spotify
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/pro/weekly-spotify-individual-flatline-q4
AMazon hikes Music Prices
https://www.billboard.com/pro/amazon-music-raises-prices-unlimited-subscribers-us-uk-canada/
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/amazon-hikes-prices-for-music-unlimited-streaming-service-in-the-us-uk-and-canada/
Lords come in handy
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ed-newton-rex_baroness-kidron-has-done-the-uks-creative-activity-7290363194898796544-Uv04
Hoovers hoovered
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/29/deepseek-ai-model-openai-sam-altman/
https://www.ticketnews.com/2025/01/ticketmaster-argues-that-competition-would-cost-fans-more-money-in-antitrust-suit/
Livenation Headlines
https://www.tipranks.com/news/live-nation-entertainment-makes-absurd-arguments-in-doj-lawsuit
https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/live-nation-stock-hits-alltime-high-of-14129-amid-robust-growth-93CH-3834722
Where to watch FireAId
https://news.pollstar.com/2025/01/28/where-to-watch-fireaid-appletv-amc-theatre-iheartradio-meta-siriusxm-regal-cinema-more/
Congrats Vince!
https://news.pollstar.com/2025/01/29/wasserman-music-announces-5-new-exec-hires/
 
LA fire resources
Ian Cunningham
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iancunn_feels-odd-to-share-this-on-linkedin-but-trying-activity-7284674854086156289-xTFw
Running list
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-fire-relief-musicares/
https://musicares.org/donations
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jyJ-NM2qP-iRk1LJ8l3dc7e0M3IhHlo3E7Agvo9JOAQ/htmlview?at&fbclid=IwY2xjawHt_6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXN3-Q2mmAkiflQ9P2fOUWx0AVBTyFa9FBbWvp7YmSfy9Zv1Uy5eT4XKCA_aem_XkNGZvPvtrq02-bMe6Y9LA
Stream these folks to help them
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tLN23Ens9S8wxl4A7fbN5ojQ_xCMRXfbxQw1JRGfYac/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Max Bernstein might be able to find you a place to stay
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mberns01_musicindustry-airtable-activity-7285062707056181248-x1Wn?
RoyFi
https://www.RoyFI.com
Hangout
Https://hangout.fm

A Deepseek-ret, deals on Reels, and inaugurations have consequences.

Influgee Options and AI in Chaos
 
Names in the pod today:
Ashley King
Ivan Mehta
DeepSeek
TikTok
Perplexity
3LAU
Snoop
Andrew Hutchinson
 
Links:
Deepseek disrupts AI
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/business/us-stock-market-deepseek-ai-sp500-nvidia.html
Deals on Reels
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/28/meta-tiktok-influencers-contracts/
X Adds Vertical video
https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/24/x-expands-its-vertical-video-feed-to-global-users/
Inaugurations have consequneces
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/27/snoop-dogg-loses-followers-trump-inauguration/
Bluesky adds video
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/bluesky-adds-video-feed-decentralized-tiktok-alternative/737897/
 
RoyFi
https://www.RoyFI.com
Hangout.fm
Https://hangout.fm
Lydia's V30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0tG6NjUzug

Raw power cooked, Cherie Hu has a framework, and Howie Singer grinds his axe.

AI and More AI
 
 
Names in the Pod Today:
Cherie Hu
Water & Music
Howie SInger
Paul McCartney
Ed Newton-Rex
Imran Majid
Justin Eshak
Michael Rapino
 
 
LINKS:
Billboard Power 100
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cheriehu_musicbusiness-musictech-artificialintelligence-activity-7289673512833671168-K8lx?
Cherie Hu's AI Ethics Framework
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/paul-mccartney-addresses-ai-copyright-law-proposal-1235883567/
Sir Paul on AI
https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/dont-let-ai-rip-off-artists-beatles-star-mccartney-warns-uk-government-2025-01-26/
 
LA fire resources
Ian Cunningham
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iancunn_feels-odd-to-share-this-on-linkedin-but-trying-activity-7284674854086156289-xTFw
Running list
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-fire-relief-musicares/
https://musicares.org/donations
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jyJ-NM2qP-iRk1LJ8l3dc7e0M3IhHlo3E7Agvo9JOAQ/htmlview?at&fbclid=IwY2xjawHt_6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXN3-Q2mmAkiflQ9P2fOUWx0AVBTyFa9FBbWvp7YmSfy9Zv1Uy5eT4XKCA_aem_XkNGZvPvtrq02-bMe6Y9LA
Stream these folks to help them
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tLN23Ens9S8wxl4A7fbN5ojQ_xCMRXfbxQw1JRGfYac/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Max Bernstein might be able to find you a place to stay
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mberns01_musicindustry-airtable-activity-7285062707056181248-x1Wn?
 
RoyFi
Https://www.royfi.com
Hangout.fm
Https://hangout.fm

Grammy week kumbaya, Bundlegate affirmed, and a turn for pop?

We are moving the music industry culture, one catchphrase at a time.
 
Names In Today's Pod:
Tim Ingham
Robert Levine
Wes Davis
Lucian Grainge
Universal Music
Universal Music Publishing
Daniel Ek
Glenn Peoples
Spotify
TikiTok
Oracle
Larry Ellison
Microsoft
MIDEM
Raine Group
SiriusXM
Jennifer Witz
 
LINKS:
 
Hey Tim, there's no Hyphen in Bundlegate!
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-group-spotify-royalty-discount-bundle-audiobooks/
TikTok Takeover?
https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/25/24351973/oracle-microsoft-tiktok-takeover-deal
Spotify All time high
https://www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-share-price-new-high-music-stocks-2025-strong/
Pop turning right?
https://www.billboard.com/pro/trump-inauguration-politics-pulling-pop-music-right/
RoyFi
https://www.RoyFI.com
Hangout.fm
Https://hangout.fm
 
LA fire resources
 
Running list
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-fire-relief-musicares/
https://musicares.org/donations
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jyJ-NM2qP-iRk1LJ8l3dc7e0M3IhHlo3E7Agvo9JOAQ/htmlview?at&fbclid=IwY2xjawHt_6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXN3-Q2mmAkiflQ9P2fOUWx0AVBTyFa9FBbWvp7YmSfy9Zv1Uy5eT4XKCA_aem_XkNGZvPvtrq02-bMe6Y9LA
Stream these folks to help them
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tLN23Ens9S8wxl4A7fbN5ojQ_xCMRXfbxQw1JRGfYac/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Max Bernstein might be able to find you a place to stay
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mberns01_musicindustry-airtable-activity-7285062707056181248-x1Wn?
Ian Cunningham
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iancunn_feels-odd-to-share-this-on-linkedin-but-trying-activity-7284674854086156289-xTFw

The Spotify pile-on continues, a feel good upbeat mix, and I'll be your Mr. Beast.

Live by the algo, die by the algo...
 
 
Names in the pod today:
 
The Economist
Daniel Ek
Liz Pelly
Chad Blackwell
Paul Resnikoff
Music AI
Frank McCOurt
Kevin O'Leary
Mr. Beast
Jim Turner
 
 
LINKS:
 
The Economist joins the pile-on
https://econ.st/4jxaMuv
Publishing dropoff at SPOT
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/23/spotify-mechanical-royalties-drop-jan-2025/
Ek Cashes out more
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/daniel-ek-sells-another-29m-in-spotify-stock-as-total-cash-out-nears-600m/
Chad Blackwell is upbeat
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/great-time-to-be-an-independent-music-company-just-ask-investors/
Music Tech Startups 2020-23
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/pro/weekly-music-funding-crashes-2020/
Music AI. raises .4 Rods
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/22/music-ai-raises-40-million-in-series-a-funding/
Google pours another Queener into Anthropic
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/22/google-invests-anthropic-2025/
I'll Be Your Mr. Beast
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/22/mrbeast-tiktok-official-offer/
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/22/musicares-wildfire-relief-distributions/
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/daniel-ek-sells-another-29m-in-spotify-stock-as-total-cash-out-nears-600m/
McCourt Mr. Beast and The President
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/22/frank-mccourt-is-open-to-a-50percent-share-of-tiktok-after-trump-comments-.html
 
LA fire resources
Ian Cunningham
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iancunn_feels-odd-to-share-this-on-linkedin-but-trying-activity-7284674854086156289-xTFw
Running list
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-fire-relief-musicares/
https://musicares.org/donations
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jyJ-NM2qP-iRk1LJ8l3dc7e0M3IhHlo3E7Agvo9JOAQ/htmlview?at&fbclid=IwY2xjawHt_6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXN3-Q2mmAkiflQ9P2fOUWx0AVBTyFa9FBbWvp7YmSfy9Zv1Uy5eT4XKCA_aem_XkNGZvPvtrq02-bMe6Y9LA
Stream these folks to help them
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tLN23Ens9S8wxl4A7fbN5ojQ_xCMRXfbxQw1JRGfYac/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Max Bernstein might be able to find you a place to stay
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mberns01_musicindustry-airtable-activity-7285062707056181248-x1Wn?
RoyFi
https://www.RoyFI.com
Hangout.FM
Hangout.fm
 

Sonos on the block, Bunny bests bots, and where is the love?

If I managed a country singer....
 
Names in the Pod today:
Tom Conrad
Mark Gurman
Sonos
Spotify
Napster
John Vlassopolous
Thomas Smith
ESNS
Bad Bunny
Fire Aid
Gordon Murray
 
 
LINKS:
SONOS Takeover?
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sonos-takeover-speculation-grows-with-spotify-or-amazon-seen-as-likely-suitors-report12/
Napster Kerfuffle
https://www.billboard.com/pro/napster-late-royalty-payments-backlash-labels-distributors/
Wehre is the BEP Love?
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/black-eyed-peas-cancel-2025-las-vegas-residency-1235879174/
Bad Bunny Bests the Bots
https://www.billboard.com/pro/bad-bunny-puerto-rico-residency-tickets-sold-out-four-hours/
ESNS reccos
https://www.billboard.com/pro/esns-2025-european-industry-discover-talent-networking/
FIreAid onsale now
https://news.pollstar.com/2025/01/20/no-doubt-olivia-rodrigo-stevie-wonder-peso-pluma-more-added-to-fireaid-lineup
 
LA fire resources
Ian Cunningham
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iancunn_feels-odd-to-share-this-on-linkedin-but-trying-activity-7284674854086156289-xTFw
Running list
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-fire-relief-musicares/
https://musicares.org/donations
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jyJ-NM2qP-iRk1LJ8l3dc7e0M3IhHlo3E7Agvo9JOAQ/htmlview?at&fbclid=IwY2xjawHt_6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXN3-Q2mmAkiflQ9P2fOUWx0AVBTyFa9FBbWvp7YmSfy9Zv1Uy5eT4XKCA_aem_XkNGZvPvtrq02-bMe6Y9LA
Stream these folks to help them
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tLN23Ens9S8wxl4A7fbN5ojQ_xCMRXfbxQw1JRGfYac/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Max Bernstein might be able to find you a place to stay
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mberns01_musicindustry-airtable-activity-7285062707056181248-x1Wn?
RoyFi
https://www.RoyFI.com
Hangout
Https://hangout.fm