Spotify Strikes Deals With Sony for Records and Publishing, Improving Songwriter Royalties The provided source is an excerpt from a Billboard article detailing a significant new partnership between Spotify and Sony Music Group, which includes deals for both recorded music and publishing. This agreement is particularly noteworthy because it makes Sony the third and final major music company to sign new direct licensing deals with Spotify, partly in response to the streaming serviceâs previous decision to reduce royalty rates for songwriters. Spotify had achieved this reduction by reclassifying its premium subscriptions as âbundlesâ after adding audiobooks, a move that the National Music Publishersâ Association claimed cost songwriters hundreds of millions of dollars. The new multi-year global pacts are intended to result in higher royalties for songwriters and include initiatives like enhanced audio and visual formats, as executives from both companies expressed a shared commitment to building a more dynamic and prosperous music ecosystem.
Don't Get Robbed: Your Essential Guide to Music Royalties & Copyright Protection The transcript from the Top Music Attorney on a YouTube channel, titled "#1 Mistake Artists Make With BMI & ASCAP," addresses common errors artists make when registering music with performance rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP and BMI. The video details numerous mistakes, such as waiting too long to register musicâwhich causes artists to miss out on retroactive performance royaltiesâand falsely believing that PRO registration offers copyright protection, which must be secured separately through the U.S. Copyright Office. Other key points include the clarification that artists do not need a separate publisher to collect both writer and publisher shares of royalties and the need to register music one song at a time rather than as an entire album. Finally, the attorney emphasizes the importance of registering copyright as the critical step that provides the legal rights necessary to pursue statutory damages in infringement cases, such as the class action lawsuit mentioned involving independent artists and AI training. Â Â
Don't Leave Money on the Table: Your Essential Guide to Collecting Music Royalties and Building a Sustainable Career The source provides an extensive guide for musicians on how to effectively collect all their music royalties. It outlines five key avenues for income: registering with a music distributor to place music on streaming platforms, joining a performance rights organisation like BMI or ASCAP for public performance royalties, registering with SoundExchange for non-interactive streaming, utilising the Mechanical Licensing Collective for mechanical royalties, and considering Songtrust for international performance and mechanical royalty collection. Additionally, the source encourages artists to explore direct-to-fan monetisation strategies to supplement their royalty income, emphasising the value of their music beyond traditional distribution channels. This holistic approach aims to empower artists to treat their music as a valuable asset and maximise their earnings. Â
The provided text, a transcript from a YouTube video by "Top Music Attorney," discusses the potential decline of Spotify due to several controversial decisions and developments. It highlights concerns over a forthcoming "super premium deluxe tier" that may allow users to remix music, potentially without artists' explicit consent, citing existing distributor contracts that could grant such rights. Furthermore, the source points to Spotify's recent introduction of social media-like features, such as in-app messaging and a beta "mix" feature, as possibly bloating the platform. Finally, the text addresses a significant artist exodus from Spotify, driven by the CEO's investments in AI military technology and the platform's perceived inaction against AI-generated music impersonating human artists, advocating for artists to sell music independently rather than relying solely on streaming.
With the ongoing shifts in the music streaming landscape, Spotify might be facing significant challenges that could alter its leading position. Explore the potential scenarios and implications for the platform as it navigates through this crucial period.
AI Tech To Pay $1.5 Billion to Creators | Is It Enough?   A QUICK LOOKÂ
The provided source primarily discusses recent developments in copyright law and artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on settlements and licensing frameworks for creative works. It highlights the Anthropic AI settlement of $1.5 billion to authors for unauthorised use of copyrighted books, a payout considered the largest for copyright infringement in history. This settlement, however, has drawn criticism for the perceived inadequacy of the compensation per author and concerns over the loss of control and future royalties for creators. Additionally, the source examines a new AI music licensing framework introduced by Sweden's STIM, which aims to provide royalties to songwriters for both the training of AI models and the consumption of AI-generated music, acknowledging the significant impact of AI on creator revenue. The discussion underscores the ongoing debate about fair compensation, control over intellectual property, and future payment structures in the evolving landscape of AI and creative industries.
Beyond the Hype The Unvarnished Truth About Modern Record Deals and How to Protect Your Art
The discussion is about contemporary record label and distributor deals for musicians, highlighting their alluring initial offers and potential long-term drawbacks. It explains how these deals often involve artists signing with smaller entities that promise to "upstream" them to major labels like Universal, often with an advance payment and promises of marketing and exposure. However, the video emphasizes that artists often lose ownership or control of their music and that the "advances" are essentially loans recouped from future royalties, which may never fully materialize. The attorney advises musicians to prioritize self-education in the music business, build their own brand, and seek legal counsel to negotiate favorable terms, especially regarding contract length and ownership, to avoid being locked into unfavorable agreements.
The source, an excerpt from "What Has Changed in Music Distribution?" by The Modern Musician, explains the evolution of music distribution, defining it as the process of making music available to the public. Historically, this involved physical distribution through sheet music and records, with distribution companies acting as intermediaries between artists/labels and stores, taking a percentage of sales. The video highlights how digital distribution has revolutionized this process, allowing music to reach platforms like Spotify and iTunes with ease and speed, replacing the need for physical shipping and reducing upfront costs. This shift also offers benefits like wider reach, faster royalty payments, and valuable data, though the source advises artists to research distribution services carefully to ensure they retain most of their royalties. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.
The provided text, originating from a YouTube video transcript, focuses on the advantages of 360 record deals for musicians. It explains how these agreements allow record labels to take a percentage of all an artist's earnings in exchange for comprehensive career support. The benefits highlighted include labels covering expenses and tour bookings, acting as a pseudo-manager to free up artists for creative work, and leveraging their extensive industry connections for promotion and networking. Ultimately, the source positions 360 deals as a potential pathway for new artists to establish their careers and build a support network, while also cautioning artists to carefully consider these contracts before signing. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.
The YouTube source, "What is an IPI (CAE) number and how to find it at ASCAP and BMI?" from "The Modern Musician" channel, explains the IPI (Interested Parties Information) number as a crucial eleven-digit international identifier for songwriters and publishers. This number, formerly known as CAE (Composer, Author, and Publisher), is administered by SUISA in accordance with CISAC guidelines and is essential for royalty payments. The video also provides practical instructions on how to locate an IPI number for a PRO member using the online search tools of ASCAP and BMI. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.
The provided source explains that an ISRC code, or International Standard Recording Code, serves as a unique and permanent digital fingerprint for sound and music video recordings. These 12-character codes are essential for tracking music in the commercial stream, associating a recording with its artist, title, label, and other relevant information. Independent artists, record labels, and distributors are responsible for assigning these codes to each unique recording they release. An ISRC is comprised of a country code, a registrant code, the last two digits of the reference year, and a five-digit unique identifier for the specific recording. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.
The source examines the terms of service for the music distribution platform DistroKid, offering a critical analysis from a legal perspective. It highlights key clauses within the distribution agreement, such as DistroKid's non-exclusive rights to distribute music and their sole discretion regarding refunds or deductions from artists' earnings. The analysis also points out concerning aspects, like the unclear definitions of "fraud" or "inappropriate conduct" which could lead to forfeiture of royalties, and the limitation on artists' ability to audit financial records. Ultimately, the video aims to educate artists on what they are agreeing to when using such platforms, contrasting DistroKid's terms with those of other distributors like TuneCore. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.
How Kendrick Lamarâs Music Evolved Before His 2025 BET Awards Win Kendrick Lamar didnât just win big at the 2025 BET Awards â he made history. In this powerful episode, we explore the full evolution of Kendrickâs music and message, tracing his journey from Comptonâs streets to global acclaim. From Section.80 to Not Like Us, from poetic protest to Pulitzer-winning lyrics, Kendrickâs catalog is more than music â itâs a cultural revolution. We dive deep into the themes, albums, battles, and personal growth that shaped his rise: đ„ Good Kid, M.A.A.D City â a cinematic coming-of-age story đ€ To Pimp a Butterfly â protest, poetry, and Black power đ DAMN. â the balance of ego, faith, and fame đ§ Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers â healing through vulnerability đ„ 2024â2025 Diss Tracks & Not Like Us â Kendrick reclaims his throne Whether youâre a lifelong fan or just discovering his impact, this episode unpacks the artistic genius and cultural influence of one of hip-hopâs most important voices. đ± Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, and wherever you get your audio. đ Follow, rate, and share if Kendrickâs journey inspires you too. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.
Kendrick Lamar dominated the 2025 BET Awards, taking home top honors and reminding the world why he's one of the greatest voices of our generation. With a performance that shook the stage and speeches that echoed truth and power, Kendrick didnât just win â he redefined victory. From Best Male Hip Hop Artist to Album of the Year, this was a night stamped in K-Dot history. đ„đ #CulturalReset KENDRICK DID NOT COME TO PLAY. đ„ The Top Dawg himself just swept the 2025 #BETAwards with straight excellence. đ„ From bars to brilliance, Kendrick Lamar left NO crumbs. đ Best Male Hip Hop đ€ Album of the Year đ„ Performance of the Night We witnessed greatness. Again. #KingKendrick Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.
K-pop icon Key from SHINee lit up the BET Awards 2025 stage with a presence only three decades of stardom can bring. Breaking barriers and bridging cultures, Keyâs moment was more than just a tribute â it was a statement. From his bold red carpet look to his reflective words on longevity, reinvention, and resilience, Key reminded the world that K-pop isnât just a wave â itâs a legacy. âIâm not just here as a performer,â he said. âIâm here as proof that music connects beyond language, race, or borders.â Whether youâre SHINee World or new to his journey, this BET moment will go down in global music history. SHINee, KeySHINee, BETAwards2025, KpopLegend, 30YearsStrong, KpopRoyalty, BETxKpop, SHINeeWorld, KpopHistory, KoreanPop, BETStage, MusicUnites, GlobalMusic, SHINeeAtBET, IconicMoments, HallyuWave, LegendaryStage, KpopStar, BETPerformance, Key2025 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.
The 25th annual BET Awards lit up Los Angeles with unforgettable moments and powerful winsâKendrick Lamar swept Album of the Year for GNX, SZA took Female R&B/Pop honors, Leon Thomas III claimed Best New Artist, and trailblazers like Doechii, Chris Brown, and Summer Walker cemented their legacies. Plus, iconic tributes honored Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin. With standout performances and bold activism from Doechii addressing real-world issues, this night truly reflected Black excellence in music, sports, film, and culture. From Kendrickâs cultural takeover to Doechiiâs unapologetic activism, last nightâs BET Awards 2025 proved Black excellence never sleeps. đ Who were you cheering for? #BetAwards #BlackExcellenceâ BET, BETAwards, KendrickLamar, SZA, Doechii, LeonThomasIII, ChrisBrown, SummerWalker, JamieFoxx, MariahCarey, SnoopDogg, KirkFranklin, BlackExcellence, MusicAwards, HipHop, RnB, LivePerformances, Activism, Culture, 2025Awards Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.
Doechii makes history at the BET Awards! đđ„ During an electrifying acceptance speech, the breakout star didnât just thank fans â she used her moment to amplify protest voices across America. From the red carpet to the stage, Doechii turned glamour into activism, calling out injustice and standing in solidarity with youth-led movements. This wasnât just a win for music â it was a win for the culture, for resistance, and for fearless Black voices. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.
đ€âš BET AWARDS 2025 was PURE đ„ from start to finish! From surprise reunions and jaw-dropping tributes to history-making speeches, this yearâs show wasnât just entertainment â it was a cultural RESET. đ« Usher stole the night with an emotional Lifetime Achievement tribute, Megan Thee Stallion shut it DOWN with a futuristic medley, and Ice Spice made history with a performance that had everyone talking. đŹ Watch the FULL breakdown of all the viral moments: â Iconic Red Carpet looks â Electrifying performances â Tribute to hip hop legends â Unexpected on-stage drama đ â Raw, emotional acceptance speeches This ainât just a recap â this is BLACK EXCELLENCE ON 100. đ Donât scroll past this. Relive the moments that broke the internet. #BETAwards2025 #BlackExcellence #CultureShift #ViralMoments #MeganTheeStallion #Usher #IceSpice #BET #PerformanceOfTheYear Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/music-royalties-explained--5642029/support.