Music News

Snoop Dogg at WrestleMania XL. Photo Credit: Diego Serrano Snoop Dogg and Death Row Records are looking to dismiss the $107 million lawsuit filed by Lydia Harris, who they say should also be barred from litigating against them moving forward. Counsel for Snoop Dogg and the relevant label just recently made the dismissal push official. Meanwhile, Universal Music, Jimmy Iovine, and several others are likewise defendants in the pro se complaint. We broke down that complaint when it was filed –

A couple of years ago, the Aeroband guitar was released. It’s not a standard guitar, but it’s not really a ‘toy’ either. It sits somewhere in between those two product types.  I’ve been spending some time with the Aeroband Guitar, and while it’s not a replacement for a traditional guitar, it’s a surprisingly fun and useful gadget to have around. If you’re a guitarist who travels a lot or likes to mess around with new music tech, this thing delivers. Disclosure:  I was sent a free Aeroband Gui

Photo Credit: WWE Cardi B announces during WWE SmackDown that she will host the two-night WWE SummerSlam paid live event in August. Several musicians, such as Bad Bunny and Travis Scott, have appeared in WWE programming within the last year. Now, another rapper, Cardi B, will be hosting WWE’s SummerSlam later this year. During last week’s WWE SmackDown, Cardi B announced in a video that she will host the two-night event in August. “What’s up, WWE Universe? Guess what? SummerSlam, MetLife, two

Photo Credit: Kneecap.ie Coachella organizers Goldenvoice and AEG are facing backlash from Jewish groups for the Irish rap group Kneecap’s performance during both weekends. The performances came with anti-Israeli messaging and criticized the U.S. support of Israel. Kneecap’s first weekend performance was cut from the Coachella livestream. Coachella organizers appeared to respond by not broadcasting any acts from the Sonora tent during the second weekend on the livestream. Kneecap claimed they

Photo Credit: Coachella Coachella’s 2025 edition just wrapped up, and festival organizers have wasted no time in announcing the event’s 2026 edition. The 2025 edition of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival just finished up its second weekend, and it’s already time to look toward next year’s edition. The first weekend of Coachella’s 2026 edition is set for Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12. Meanwhile, the second weekend takes place from Friday, April 17, through Sunday, April

Photo Credit: Ashley King / YouTube The landscape of late night television has long served as a critical launchpad for artists seeking mainstream exposure. But the golden era of musical bookings moving the discovery needle is undeniably in decline—for a variety of reasons. A new report from Consequence highlights how musical bookings have become less common after the pandemic and the SAG-AFTRA strikes—but also due to host direction. Ten years ago, late night TV was a must-stop for new music ac

Morgan Stanley and others are bullish on Spotify stock ahead of the company’s Q1 2025 earnings report. Photo Credit: Sven Piper Despite being up nearly 25% on the year, Spotify stock (NYSE: SPOT) is poised to climb higher – at least according to a pair of new projections. As things stand, Spotify stock is hovering around $568 per share, reflecting the mentioned boost from 2025’s beginning and a 109% surge from the same point in April 2024. Nevertheless, SPOT is down on the month and remains $8

The Knocks & Dragonette are meticulously crafting their upcoming “Revelation” album project, while leaving nothing to chance. With the release of their latest single “Dreams,” the roll-out now boasts an impressive four tracks. In line with the already explosive offerings of “Foolish Pleasure,” “The Hero,” and “Revelation“. “Dreams” elevates the era with its captivating synth-hued dance-pop vibes, promising a standout hit. This powerful collaboration is above all shaping up to be a defining m

Since its birth in 1987, SXSW has grown into one of the largest of its kind — attracting thousands of visitors each year. Attendance was noticeably down at SXSW 2025, but in 2026, SXSW attendees may have an entirely different experience in store. SXSW 2026 is planning to go big with format changes. For those trekking to SXSW this year, crowds were noticeably thinner. But that didn’t dilute the experience — in fact, many actually appreciated the extra elbow room. Starting with the tech expo that

Photo Credit: Danny Howe Australia’s festival sector is suffering more than most, so the Australian Greens have announced a $20 million annual Festivals Support Package. Between rising insurance costs, climate impacts, and reduced consumer spending, Australia’s festival circuit is suffering even more than those worldwide. But the Australian Greens have announced a $20 million (12.8 million USD) annual Festival Support Package designed to strengthen and stabilize the country’s live events secto

Photo Credit: Kendrick Lamar by Kenny Sun / CC by 2.0 Certain Drake disses were omitted from Kendrick Lamar’s track “Euphoria,” Top Dawg President Terrence “Punch” Henderson reveals. In an in-depth, three-hour-plus interview with Curtiss King, Top Dawg Entertainment President Terrence “Punch” Henderson confirmed that Kendrick Lamar’s song “Euphoria” initially contained more jabs at his nemesis, Drake. The seemingly more damaging version of the song, which was released in response to Drake’s “P

Photo Credit: @alung1999 on YouTube Lady Gaga’s set at Coachella’s Weekend 2 hit some mic issues, but she powered through with style: “At least you know I sing live,” she told the crowd. Lady Gaga’s epic Coachella 2025 set was briefly hit with a snag when her mic began glitching during “Abracadabra,” her second song of the night, but the 14-time Grammy winner powered through with her choreography. Soon, the star re-emerged with a working mic. “I’m sorry my mic was broken for a second,” she to

Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Photo Credit: Maxpower2727 TikTok could operate out of South Dakota if its U.S. sale closes – at least according to numerous reports coming from the Mount Rushmore State. Local outlets covered the interesting possibility on the heels of a related Facebook post from South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden. While it probably goes without saying, the outcome hinges on (among other things – more on this in a moment) TikTok actually selling its stateside operations. At prese

The Baroeg, a Rotterdam venue and Stager client. Photo Credit: Emvee On the heels of a partnership announcement involving Amsterdam-headquartered Eventix (now Weeztix) and Spotify, Rotterdam’s Stager has scored an integration deal of its own. 13-year-old Stager, which bills itself as an “all-in-one tool for event organizers,” took to LinkedIn to disclose its Spotify tie-up. Besides dealing in ticketing, the former business develops event-planning software, marketing tools, and more, according

Photo Credit: Joel Katz, courtesy of the Katz family Powerful longtime music attorney Joel Katz, whose clients included James Brown, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, and the Recording Academy, has passed away. He was 80 years old. Joel Katz was the founding chairman of the entertainment and media practice at top law firm Greenberg Traurig, and was heavily involved in the Recording Academy and Country Music Association. He negotiated major deals for both. Katz represented artists like James Brown, Wil

Photo Credit: Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Atlantic Records and Hard Rock International are curating the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix with chart-topping EDM artists heading the bill. South Florida Motorsports (SFM), organizers of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, have announced along with founding partner and music lineup curator Hard Rock International and Atlantic Records, a weekend filled with live music and entertainment for the event’s fourth year. Taking place from May 2-

Photo Credit: CNN Diddy requests the video footage of him brutally beating Cassie Ventura to be excluded from evidence at his trial, claiming it has been manipulated. Sean “Diddy” Combs has requested the hotel video footage that showed him beating ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura be excluded from evidence at his trial. The disgraced music mogul and his team claim the footage, which was released by CNN in May last year, has been manipulated. “Mr. Combs seeks to exclude all available video files re

Photo Credit: Infinite Reality Hot on the heels of its $207 million Napster acquisition, Infinite Reality has announced the acquisition of AI company Touchcast for $500 million in a combination of cash and stock. The acquisition is Infinite Reality’s largest yet and the transaction agreement values the company at $15.5 billion. Touchcast’s powerful agentic AI platform, known as Mentorverse, generates an infinite universe of specialized AI mentors who engage in natural face-to-face video conver

Roblox is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit centering on the viral ‘Apple Dance.’ Photo Credit: Oberon Copeland A copyright infringement battle over dance moves? TikToker Kelley Heyer has named Roblox Corporation in a lawsuit centering on its emote for the viral “Apple Dance.”   The self-described artist and creator Heyer submitted the straightforward complaint to a California federal court, naming Roblox as the sole defendant. As laid out in the eight-page suit, the plaintiff “created a

Photo Credit: Miami Worldcenter Downtown Miami’s cultural landscape is about to reach new heights as Miami Worldcenter celebrates its grand opening. The $6 billion mixed-use destination will celebrate with a free, star-studded concert and block party on May 22. The event is a showcase of international talent and a testament to Miami’s growing stature as a global music and entertainment hub. The evening’s programming will kick off with Lee Greenwood singing “God Bless the U.S.A.” to set a patri

In the realm of emerging alt-pop artists, it is undeniably Chloe Qisha‘s world in 2025, and we are merely living in it. Her meteoric rise as a singer-songwriter is nothing short of astonishing. More so when especially considering she only took the stage for her very first live performance to support her self-titled debut EP last year. Music industry influencers are rapidly recognizing Chloe as one of the most promising talents on the scene this year. With her unique blend of observational storyt

Following an exhilarating sequence of single releases in recent months. The final and titular track from Kai Bosch, the latest EP, “Popstar of Your Dreams,” has finally arrived. In this new chapter, Kai fully embraces the electronic pop genre, showcasing a bold and dynamic musical style that surpasses his previous works. This EP marks a transformative phase for him, featuring a captivating collection of anthems that weave in emotionally rich and vulnerable lyrical narratives. Most importantly, K

Photo: Luis Quintero What changes are afoot in the music industry conference circuit? You’re probably too young to remember the ostentatious days of MIDEM in France, though these days, look no further than SXSW for shifts in the modern-day music conference landscape. Suddenly, South-by — once an obligatory time- and budget-drainer — looks to be shedding attendees. Ahead of the controversial 2026 programming changes, DMN’s on-the-ground team noticed something funny this year: the crowds were d

Per a new estimate, the controversial Spotify stream minimum cost emerging artists big, to the tune of $47 million in would-be royalties, during 2024. Photo Credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya By one industry exec’s estimate, Spotify’s 1,000-play monetization minimum cost emerging talent close to $50 million during 2024. Now, the platform is defending its controversial royalties approach. As many know, that approach sees Spotify pay recording royalties only for tracks with at least 1,000 annual streams

The Los Angeles headquarters of Ares Management Corporation, which has backed GoldState Music in a $500 million round. Photo Credit: Hathaway Dinwiddie About five months after acquiring a reported $200 million worth of catalogs, GoldState Music has announced a $500 million strategic-capital raise. West Palm Beach-based GoldState disclosed that half-billion-dollar round in a formal release today. The Charles Goldstuck-founded company attributed part of the sizable sum to a “structured capital