A model for a new streaming industryThe music industry is approaching a pivot point. On the one hand, things look positive: we have UMG’s Streaming 2.0, artist centric licensing, the impending launch of supremium and expanded rights revenue hitting $4.0 billion. But on the other we have streaming growth slowing to 6.2% growth in 2024, Artists Direct revenue growing three and half times slower than the number of artists and independent labels beginning to voice concern over the lost royalties that may result from artist centric. The real challenge facing the music industry is that both of these views of the world are true. In short, if you are big, you can see a path to getting bigger and if you are small you can see a path to getting smaller. This is Bifurcation Theory a concept MIDiA introduced a year ago. 2025 is going to be the year that the bifurcation rubber hits the road. And in doing so, it creates a major (pun intended) opportunity for all those that are not majors.

The long tail is being demonetised

Artist Centric might, just might, result in ‘”many” independent artists and labels [seeing] their royalties increase’ but what is inarguable is that many artists and labels will earn less. This is inarguable because the very essence of the model is that songs with less than 1,000 streams in the prior 12 months will not get paid royalties. To be absolutely clear, what this means is that a body of labels and artists will see their music demonetised on streaming. To be clear, demonetising the long tail is not something new, it is widely employed by the big social platforms, who set earning thresholds for their creators (e.g. you need 1,000 subscribers to share ad revenue on YouTube). But it is something new for the music business.

The groundswell of discontent is coming

When you add this to the long term challenges of feeding insatiable appetite of the algorithms with endless releases and social posts, a growing body of artists and labels are going to asking why they should bother. That this has not happened yet is probably because the majority of artists hit by this were smaller, non-label artists who were already used to small royalties and probably do not have the industry awareness to understand what is at play. The same cannot be said of smaller independent labels, who absolutely do understand the dynamics of royalty mechanisms and will already be doing the arithmetic on how the new system will impact their revenues. Distributors will be doing a similar analysis of the labels and artists they distribute. 2025 will be the year in which we see a groundswell of discontent as these industry constituents start to comprehend what is coming.

A solution…

So much for the problems, what about solutions? Now is the time to build a place for the long tail. A place where the smaller players do not have to compete on unequal terms with the bigger ones. Asymmetric models are not designed for the small players to win. That is the entire point. But simply creating an indie Spotify will not be enough. The pro rate royalty pot model was never designed for a massive long tail and porting it over somewhere else will bring the same superstar dynamics, just with smaller superstars. So, here’s a model for an independent alternative to streaming:

Curation: A highly curated place for smaller labels and artists with human curation at the fore

Play credits: A credits based system, whereby people can subscribe for a certain number of credits and top up if they want, with each credit equalling one play (thereby guaranteeing a fixed per stream rate rather than a wish and a prayer that the royalty pot does not get divided too many ways this month

Discretionary pricing: Whereby labels and artists can determine (on a track-by-track basis) how many credits each track requires. Despite us having been educated so by streaming, not all music is worth the same. Labels and artists  might decide they want some of their songs to be zero credits, some to be 1 and others 10. It is a model that works well in other areas such as stock photography libraries

Curated freemium: Instead of simply a free tier, and in addition to zero credit streams, the free, ad and brand supported ‘front door’ would be an Apple Music Radio-like set of live streaming radio stations. All with clickable ‘now playing’ track details and some with, you know, actual human DJs

Not just music, but about the music too: Artist interviews, album reviews etc. Taking the bets of What Bandcamp and Apple Music do

Alternative remuneration: Artist subscriptions, tipping, social commerce, Shopfiy-like artist stores, virtual items. Not each and every one of these will fit every artist and label, so these would be opt-in extras

This might sound like pie in the sky thinking, but the simple fact is much of this is already been done, some of it in the music business (e.g. Apple Music Radio for curation and interviews, Bandcamp for reviews) and some outside it (Audible and Getty Images for credits). And we actually laid out a lot of detail for a similar model in our Bifurcation report last year.

However, there is one really difficult thing needed to make this really work: artists and labels would have to remove some or all of their music from mainstream DSPs, even if this is only done on a windowing basis. But if you are a smaller label or artist facing the prospect of demonetisation then really, how much is there to lose other than the vanity metrics of stream counts? Is this way easier for an analyst to write as a blog than for a label or artist to actually do? Of course. But the alternative for many will be to play the role of the slow boiled frog.

But what is great about this approach is that it benefits both sides. The long tail gets a place where it is both welcome and stands a fair and reasonable chance of monetisation. Meanwhile, the big labels and artists have more space (and therefore monetisation) for themselves on traditional streaming.

This will not be some huge Spotify killer. It will be a Bandcamp move for the 2020s. A place for alternative-minded super fans who do not want to spend their entire time lost in the algorithm’s mainstream maelstrom. Music is not all the same, it has never been. It is time to stop pretending that it is.

Fast Company names 10 Most Innovative Music Companies 2025Fast Company has released its annual list of the 10 most innovative music companies for 2025. Not one of the major streamers or record labels made the list.
The post Fast Company names 10 Most Innovative Music Companies 2025 appeared first on Hypebot.

Groover expands Artist Services and ToolkitMusic promotion platform Groover expands artists services with the goal of empowering musicians and DJs by providing them with the tools they need to gain visibility and meaningful opportunities in the music industry.
The post Groover expands Artist Services and Toolkit appeared first on Hypebot.

Alex Lifeson Discusses Envy of None's New Album, Rush's Music, and…Taylor SwiftRush guitarist Alex Lifeson spoke to AllMusic shortly before the release of the second album from his band Envy of None, and explained how it differs from the group's debut, in addition to chatting about songwriting, aspects of his personal life, and even a few Rush-related topics.

KALI UCHIS SIGNS WITH CAPITOL RECORDSGlobal superstar and GRAMMY®-winning recording artist Kali Uchis has signed with Capitol Records, working with the same team that saw enormous success across the release of her albums Red Moon in Venus and ORQUÍDEAS. The signing is a continuation of Uchis’ longstanding partnership with Tom March, now Chairman and CEO of Capitol Records – and given the interrelationship between Interscope and Capitol Records – allows her to continue working with IGA EVP of A&R Matt Morris, who has been an integral part of her artistry and career since 2018. This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the Colombian-American singer-songwriter as she prepares for the widely anticipated release of her fifth studio album, Sincerely, revealed today via Instagram vignette – watch HERE.  “Kali Uchis is not only a true artist with a unique vision and an incredible amount of talent — she’s also a culture-shifting force of nature. Her music transcends boundaries and borders, and it’s an honor and a privilege to continue to head into this new era together.” – Tom March, Chairman & CEO, Capitol Records“Thank you all for the well-intentioned wishes on this journey, and thank you to my team! I have boundless gratitude for my silent ascent throughout the years and am very much looking forward to what’s next...“ – Kali UchisUchis has been hailed as a rare talent since she emerged, but ORQUÍDEAS launched her career to new heights. Her highest charting album to date (debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200), the critically adored record — which was her fourth album overall and second in Spanish — was led by crossover singles like the Platinum-certified “Igual Que un Ángel”with Peso Pluma (#1 on Hot Latin Songs, #23 on the Hot 100) and Gold-certified “Labios Mordidos” with KAROL G (#10 on Hot Latin Songs, #97 on the Hot 100). ORQUÍDEAS was nominated for Best Latin Pop Album at the 2025 GRAMMY® Awards, Best Pop Vocal Album at the Latin GRAMMYs, and took home trophies from the Billboard Latin Music Awards and Latin American Music Awards. The set closed the year on numerous “Best Albums” lists, racking up glowing praise from countless outlets including Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Complex, and The New York Times. With artful forays into R&B, alt-pop, reggaeton, and Latin strains, Uchis has released several of the most lauded albums of the past decade: from her 2015 mixtape Por Vida, to her 2018 debut LP Isolation, her 2020 Spanish set Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), and 2023's Red Moon in Venus, which features the 2x Platinum-certified “Moonlight,” and was regaled by TIME Magazine as the ‘Best Album of the Year.’ Amid consistent acclaim and honors — including nine GRAMMY®-nominations and a 2021 win in the category of Best Dance Song for her appearance on Kaytranada’s “10%”— Uchis’ major breakthrough came with her own 2021 smash hit “telepatía,” which has been streamed more than 2 billion times to date and was the Hot 100’s longest running Spanish-language song by a solo act this decade with a 23-week streak. Uchis is now on the way to reaching the Spotify Billions Club three times over with the smash success of songs “telepatía,” Tyler, The Creator’s “See You Again” (featuring Kali Uchis),” and soon to be “Moonlight.” Raised between Virginia and Colombia, Uchis has gone on to collaborate and share the stage with the likes of SZA, Tyler the Creator, Lana Del Rey, Gorillaz, Snoop Dogg, Rauw Alejandro, and her longtime partner Don Toliver, with whom she welcomed her first child last year. Uchis has toured the world over on multiple sold-out headlining runs, the most recent of which saw her playing arenas, as well as celebrated sets at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Austin City Limits, Tropicalia, Governors Ball, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and many more.Photo credit Amaury NessaibiaFollow Kali Uchis:INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | X | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | WEBSITEThe post KALI UCHIS SIGNS WITH CAPITOL RECORDS first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Primary Wave struck a $100m JV with Times Music in 2023. Now that venture has acquired two companies in India.Times Music has acquired India's Symphony Recording Co. and ARC Musicq
Source

Changes at SXSW Music 2026: Festival Issues Statement[UPDATED] After news stories surfaced about cutbacks to SXSW Music in 2026, the festival issued an official clarification.
The post Changes at SXSW Music 2026: Festival Issues Statement appeared first on Hypebot.

Live Nation DoJ lawsuit continues under TrumpA federal judge in New York denied Live Nation's motion to narrow the antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice and 39 state Attorney Generals from both parties.
The post Live Nation DoJ lawsuit continues under Trump appeared first on Hypebot.

DIY and Independent Musician News Last WeekThis week, our tips and advice for the independent, do-it-yourselfers out there covered how promote shows on TikTok, a data-driven entertainment playbook, and more...
The post DIY and Independent Musician News Last Week appeared first on Hypebot.

Top Music Business News Last WeekA busy week by any definition, music industry news was no exception, with YouTube topping competitors, Spotify stocks continuing on the rise, and more...
The post Top Music Business News Last Week appeared first on Hypebot.

Gracie Abrams & Her All-Female Team to Be Honored by Alicia Keys at "She Is The Music"On March 27th, She Is The Music (SITM) will bring together industry leaders at The Peppermint Club in Los Angeles for a powerful evening celebrating 50 impactful women in the music industry. Each of the 50 honorees will share their spotlight with another woman in the business, reinforcing the importance of lifting each other up and creating more opportunities for women at every level.Global superstar and She Is The Music co-founder Alicia Keys will honor one of music’s fastest-rising stars, Gracie Abrams and her team for their groundbreaking achievements in an industry where female-led teams are still the exception rather than the norm. As part of the celebration, each honoree will receive one of Barbie’s newly unveiled Career Of The Year: Women In Music dolls, a Musical Artist and Tour Manager duo created to spotlight women in the music industry.While women continue to dominate music’s biggest cultural moments, the leadership behind the scenes still skews overwhelmingly male. That’s why She Is The Music’s mission—to increase the number of women working in all facets of music—has never been more urgent. The event will bring together artists, executives, and advocates to recognize women who are shaping the future of the industry and pushing for a more inclusive landscape.Gracie Abrams said, “Being surrounded by such an incredible team of women has changed the way I see everything. They’re not only insanely talented in their individual capacities, but also intentional about supporting each other. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from each of them. I’m deeply honored to be recognized by She Is The Music, an organization that has done so much to acknowledge and uplift women in this industry. I hope our team is a small example of what’s possible when women support each other and build together.”Alicia Keys added, “Gracie Abrams and her incredible team are living proof of what happens when women uplift each other—when we step into our power, we change the game. In an industry where female-led teams are still the exception, their success is a reminder that we belong in every room, at every table, leading every conversation. She Is The Music is about breaking barriers, opening doors, and making sure the next generation of women in music don’t just have a seat at the table—they build the table.”Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO and She Is The Music co-founder Jody Gerson said, “Women supporting women is at the very core of She is the Music’s mission. Creating a sisterhood of accomplished women and the next generations of working women across all facets of the music industry is our collective path forward to success.  We are delighted to host our inaugural Women Sharing the Spotlight and to celebrate so many wonderful women in our business.  We are also making a powerful statement by honoring Gracie Abrams and her team for embodying the spirit of sisterhood.  This recognition is not only well deserved but also a testament to the fact that women in our industry can reach the highest levels of success on their own terms—especially when they uplift and support one another in meaningful ways.”As part of the evening’s program, TuneCore CEO Andreea Gleeson and USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Founder Dr. Stacy L. Smith will take the stage to present key findings from the newly released Inclusion in the Music Business report, a study that takes a hard look at who holds power in music—and why the pace of progress remains far too slow.The Inclusion in the Music Business report, conducted by USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative in partnership with Believe and TuneCore, aligns with She Is The Music’s overall mission and comes at a time when DEI programs are facing increasing scrutiny across corporate America—making its findings even more urgent. The study examines 2,793 executives across 106 music companies and reveals a stark reality about who holds power in music:•  84.2% of the most senior executives at major music companies are white men.• Only 13.2% of CEO/President roles are held by women.• Just 5.3% of top executives are women of color—an unchanged figure since 2021.The full report can be viewed HERE.“In recent years, our work has shown that women and people of color are increasing their presence on the popular charts as artists,” said Dr. Stacy L. Smith, the study’s lead author. “But this progress is not matched by the executive ranks that are responsible for the business of music. It is clear that there are still real discrepancies in who gets to lead.”“We can’t afford to sit back and wait for this issue to fix itself,” said Andreea Gleeson. “Artists are pushing boundaries and redefining music every day—it’s time for the executive ranks to reflect that same diversity and innovation.”The She Is The Music event will bring together artists, executives, and advocates to celebrate women leading change in music while underscoring the work still needed to create true equity. With Gracie Abrams and her team of women being honored and TuneCore and USC Annenberg presenting new research on executive disparities, the night will serve as both a recognition of progress and a call for continued industry-wide action.The She Is The Music event is made possible through the support of industry leaders who share the mission of creating a more inclusive music business. The Hollywood Reporter serves as the event’s exclusive media partner, with Live Nation Women also lending their support to champion women in music.The post Gracie Abrams & Her All-Female Team to Be Honored by Alicia Keys at "She Is The Music" first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

From Sony’s deepfake takedowns to Ackman’s UMG stake sale… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…
Source

Global Music Market 2024 tops $36.2B, streaming growth slowsThe global recorded music market reached $36.2 billion in 2024, growing 6.5%. However, streaming's growth is slowing, and DSPs are gaining more power, reports MIDiA.
The post Global Music Market 2024 tops $36.2B, streaming growth slows appeared first on Hypebot.

Live Music Industry News: Wayne Forte’s for Rent • Brooklyn Mirage reborn • ILMC wraps • MoS + Dice • promotions @ PRGIn the latest live music industry news, veteran booking agent Wayne Forte is auctioning a private lunch meeting as a fundraiser for the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO).
The post Live Music Industry News: Wayne Forte’s for Rent • Brooklyn Mirage reborn • ILMC wraps • MoS + Dice • promotions @ PRG appeared first on Hypebot.

Breaking Into the Music Industry Early Bird Special Ending SoonREASONS TO BUY EARLY BIRD TICKETS FOR BREAKING INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRYEvent Set for May 1-3 in Indio, CAUNBEATABLE VALUE FOR THE PRICE:The cost of your ticket is less than the value of what you're receiving in breakfasts, lunches, drinks, exclusive parties, and a swag bag! It's a no-brainer investment in your music career.SAVE MORE BEFORE PRICES GO UP:Ticket prices increase after March 24, so locking in early means huge savings for both students and non-students.SECURE YOUR SPOT: The event is expected to sell out, and early bird tickets ensure you don't miss out on this game-changing opportunity.EXCLUSIVE NETWORKING:Get a head start connecting with top music executives, producers, and influencers who will be mentoring and sharing industry secrets.PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH EASE:Buying your ticket early gives you more time to book travel and accommodations at the best rates before prices go up.GAIN INSIDER ACCESS:Learn proven strategies from industry leaders that can fast-track your success in music — whether you're an artist, producer, or entrepreneur.MORE TIME TO PREPARE:By securing your spot early, you can prepare questions and research speakers to get the most out of the event.NO LAST-MINUTE STRESS:Avoid the price hikes and ticket rush by locking in your ticket now — peace of mind, plus all the extra perks included!Breaking Into the Music Industry is a one-of-a-kind, 2-day experience designed to inspire and educate aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, college students, and industry professionals. Taking place May 1 through 3, 2025, in Palm Springs, CA, this event will feature top music executives and industry leaders offering mentorship, actionable strategies, and insider knowledge to attendees.Tickets and event details are available now at this location.Speakers are as follows:Rich Best  —Global Tour Promoter, Live NationMatt Sorum — Guns N Roses , Velvet Revolver , The Cult, Rock N Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy award winning Musician Ryan Harlacher — Music Agent, Creative Artist AgencyCory Brennan — Founder and CEO of 5B Artist ManagementJohn Feldmann — Record Producer and MusicianKasey Mckee — Music Agent, Creative Artist AgencySean Akhavan — Festival Producer, Artist ManagementVinnie Capizzi — President of 1Fifty1 Inc and West Coast Concessions Keli Tomack — Managing Principal, Epic Insurance Entertainment & SportPeter Kahn — CEO of Patriark Records and Fight Game AdvisorsBobby Alt — Artist & EntrepreneurJason May — CEO of Weird BeveragesRyan Borba — Managing Editor, PollstarSam Simmons — Site ArchitectKylie Zinsser — Festival ProductionBlasko — Manager, MarketerAmy Sciarretto — Owner and Publicist, Atom Splitter PRMatt Rosenblum — Tour Manager, Production Manager, TechDave Brooks — Senior Director of Live Music + Touring (Billboard)Jennifer Clemens — Makeup ArtistMatt Pinfield — Author + Syndicated Radio + TV HostBelle Popoff — Sponsorship DirectorJoe Muller — Former Mayor,  Dana Point, CAJosh Bernstein - Producer + Publisher The post Breaking Into the Music Industry Early Bird Special Ending Soon first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.