TagsUniversal Music Group
Steve-O Almost Became a Rapper: A Memoir
Exclusives 03:42AM EDT
Steve-O once rubbed elbows with top music executives and hip hop artists. Without the recorded footage, people (himself included) would probably find it difficult to believe that he once attempted to make a career in rap music.READ MORE
Universal Music Group To Launch Social Justice Task Force Following George Floyd Protests
Buzz 01:47AM EDT
Following the nationwide protests over George Floyd's death, leading music company Universal Music Group (UMG) will be launching its own task force to oversee social justice initiatives, Variety reported Sunday, May 31.READ MORE
Universal Music and LEGO Partner for Upcoming Toy Line
Tv/Film 03:34AM EDT
Universal Music Group and LEGO signed a global exclusive partnership, April 26, for a new toy line.READ MORE
Lil Wayne Settles Two Lawsuits, Now Free To Release ‘Tha Carter V’ Album
Buzz 08:01AM EDT
Lil Wayne just settled the two lawsuits he filed in 2015 and 2016. The 35-year-old American rapper's attorney, Ron Sweeney, also released a statement regarding the settlement.READ MORE
Universal Reportedly Ending Streaming Exclusives After Frank Ocean Album Release
Buzz 16:58PM EDT
This news comes from a very brief note written by industry insider Bob Lefsetz on his daily newsletter via The Guardian, where he states that UMG Lucian Grainge CEO sent out an email to company executives ending all future exclusives.READ MORE
Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga Lawsuit: Young Money v Universal Music Group
Buzz 11:10AM EDT
Lil Wayne is suing Universal Music Group over profits for Tyga, Drake and Nicki Minaj, all of whom were signed to his Young Money Records label. He's still also suing Cash Money Records over his yet-to-be-released album, 'The Carter V'READ MORE
Universal Music Posts 2015 Revenue Increase Thanks To Streaming
Buzz 12:43PM EDT
The machine always seems to try and stifle it, but streaming is now becoming the main gravy train for major labels. Universal Music and its parent company Vivendi have announced their 2015 revenue and UMG posted a 2.7 percent increase at constant currency, a measure that eliminates currency fluctuations or 12.1 percent in actual terms. A large part of this growth came from streaming.READ MORE
SoundCloud, Universal Music Group Sign Licensing Deal
Buzz 11:24AM EDT
SoundCloud has had trouble with its transition from a small, music discovery platform to a billion dollar company that has played a vital role in artist development, but also found itself in the crosshairs of industry executives who want all aspects of the platforms to play exactly by the rules. It has sought licensing deals with the three major labels, Warner, Sony and Universal, but has struggled to get obtain. Warner was the first domino to fall and now in a big move for SoundCloud, it has just announced a licensing deal with the biggest label on the planet, Universal Music Group.READ MORE
Universal Music Group International Chairman & CEO Max Hole Stepping Down
Buzz 15:26PM EDT
Universal Music Group International Chairman and CEO Max Hole has stepped down effective immediately from his role leading the largest music label in the world.READ MORE
Soundcloud, Universal Music Group Reportedly Agree To Licensing Deal
Buzz 12:14PM EDT
Just as reports of SoundCloud's impending demise started to grow louder, it appears they maligned streaming and discovery service may have taken a major step towards creating a sustainable business model. According to a new report in Music Business Worldwide, SoundCloud is close to agreeing on a new licensing deal with Universal Music Group that could potentially net UMG significant equity in SoundCloud.READ MORE
Soundcloud Could Be in Financial Trouble as Major Label Deals Loom
Buzz 11:06AM EDT
SoundCloud could be facing some dire financial consequences, including being "dangerously low on cash," according to reports from Digital Music News. although the company is valued at more than $700 million, two sources indicated to the publication that the digital music platform could be broke in four or five months if it doesn't secure additional funding.READ MORE
Grooveshark Returns Under New Domain Name, 90 Percent of Files
Buzz 11:13AM EDT
Grooveshark may be gone officially, but a clone site bearing the same name has begun swimming the internet seas and offering downloads of music and films to users. The official rendition of the file-sharing site formally shut down last week after a lengthy legal battle with Universal Music.READ MORE
Grooveshark Shuts Down After Lengthy Universal Music Lawsuit
Buzz 08:41AM EDT
Grooveshark, buried under a lengthy and expensive lawsuit from the Universal Music Group, has announced that it will shut down immediately. A statement from the service on Thursday acknowledged mistakes and that it will wipe its servers clean.READ MORE
Grooveshark Could be Fined $730 Million for Universal Music Group Lawsuit Damages
Buzz 10:41AM EDT
It's been five years since the Universal Music Group first brought its legal team against Grooveshark, a music streaming site. Now it looks like the defendant will pay a dramatic amount, approaching a billion dollars in fines. Universal had looked to make an example out of the relatively small site, claiming that it would unleash "legal jihad" on the company, and it looks as if they aim to follow through.READ MORE
Universal Music Group Lawsuit: Chuck D, Rick James and More Win $11.5 Million Settlement
Buzz 09:13AM EDT
Universal Music has come to a settlement with a substantial number of its former artists—including Chuck D, Dave Mason of Traffic and Rick James (by way of a trust, as the guitarist is deceased)—regarding the distribution of royalties from digital downloads. The sum comes out to $11.5 million to be split among numerous parties, as well as an increase in the royalty percentage received by formers going forward. The plaintiffs alleged that Universal's labeling of digital music earnings as "sales" rather than "licenses" took money off the table for artists.READ MORE
