YouTube’s Record Payout Is Changing the Game for Artists Everywhere
YouTube just announced its biggest payout to the global music industry yet, signaling how video has become a powerful force in music revenue. The platform’s growing ecosystem—spanning official videos, livestreams, and fan-made content—is reshaping how artists earn, connect, and sustain their careers.
MTV Bids Farewell to Music Television: The End of a 40-Year Soundtrack
After four decades of defining pop culture, MTV is pulling the plug on its music channels. As Paramount Global shifts focus to streaming, the network’s legacy as a hub for music discovery comes to a close, marking a major turning point in how audiences experience music.
New Study Reveals the Age-Driven Shifts in Music Listening
A new study reveals how music taste evolves through life — from the curiosity of youth to the nostalgia of adulthood. Researchers found that younger listeners explore a wide range of genres, while older listeners return to the songs that shaped their past, showing how music becomes a lifelong reflection of identity and memory.
New Detection Tool Targets Copyright in AI-Generated Music
A new audio fingerprinting tool is being developed to detect copyright infringement in AI-generated music. Backed by major record labels, the technology could provide the industry with a much-needed way to protect artists, enforce copyright, and manage the growing challenges of generative music.
Scientists Find Music Therapy Reduces Stress for ICU Patients
Scientists from Mexico presented new research at ACC Latin America 2025 showing that music therapy can lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and improve outcomes for patients in the cardiac ICU.
Positive Music Found to Delay and Relieve Driving Fatigue, New Study Shows
A new study shows that positive music doesn’t just lift mood—it can also delay and temporarily relieve driving fatigue. Researchers found that upbeat tracks helped drivers stay alert longer and even restored attention once fatigue set in, highlighting the functional power of music beyond entertainment.
Tech Giants Accused of the Largest Intellectual Property Theft in History
An investigation by the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP) accuses major tech companies of illegally scraping millions of copyrighted songs to train AI systems. The findings, described as the largest intellectual property theft in history, raise urgent questions about music rights and the future of AI.
Blood Pressure May Be Calmed by Musical Patterns, Study Shows
A new study reveals that predictable music structures may help regulate blood pressure. Researchers found that classical piano tracks with clear phrasing synchronized with listeners’ cardiovascular rhythms, opening the door for potential music-based therapies.
AI Music Fraud Targets Indie Artists: Fake Albums Appear on Official Profiles
AI-generated music is increasingly being released under the names of real artists, with fake albums appearing on official streaming profiles. Indie musicians like Emily Portman and Josh Kaufman have seen fraudulent releases in their catalogs, raising new challenges for streaming platforms, copyright, and artist rights.
World’s Most Valuable 300-Year-Old Violin Returns to the Stage
A 300-year-old violin once owned by Niccolò Paganini is returning to the stage. Crafted in 1743 by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù, the Carrodus violin will be performed on at the BBC Proms, marking a rare chance to hear one of the world’s most valuable instruments brought back to life.
ADHD vs. Neurotypical Listening: Study Reveals How Background Music Shapes Focus
A new study reveals how background music habits differ between young adults with and without ADHD, showing distinct preferences for when and what they listen to—and how it impacts focus and mood.
HITS Act Passes: What It Means for Independent Artists and Labels
The HITS Act is now law, allowing music creators to deduct up to $150,000 in qualified recording expenses in the same year they're incurred. While it's a meaningful tax shift for larger-scale projects, most independent artists won’t see major changes unless operating at higher budgets.
AI-Generated Music Triggers Stronger Emotional Responses Than Human Compositions, Study Finds
A new study reveals that AI-generated music can trigger stronger emotional and physiological responses than human-composed music in video content. The findings could shape how music is used in film, TV, and advertising.
Universal Music Group Ramps Up AI Patent Strategy Amid Industry Shift
Universal Music Group is doubling down on artificial intelligence, filing new patents through a partnership with Liquidax Capital. From threat protection to creative tools, this move signals a major shift in how the music industry approaches AI.
Learning Music May Slow Brain Aging, Say Scientists
New research shows that playing music could help preserve brain function as we age—even if you start learning later in life. Two recent studies highlight how musical activity may protect against cognitive decline and support long-term brain health.
The Velvet Sundown Controversy: AI Music, Spotify, and Industry Fallout
A Spotify-verified band called The Velvet Sundown recently went viral—only to later admit they’re entirely AI-generated. The controversy has raised broader questions about AI’s role in music, streaming platform practices, and the future of artist compensation.
Morrissey’s Stockholm Cancellation Sheds Light on the Fragile Ties Between Music and Tourism
Morrissey’s last-minute concert cancellation in Stockholm highlights the broader economic ripple effect that a single live music event can have—impacting fans, local businesses, and international tourism.
Music as Medicine: Study Highlights Therapeutic Impact in Cancer Care
A new study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology reveals that music therapy can be just as effective as traditional talk therapy in helping cancer patients manage stress and emotional health, offering new insight into how music is becoming a vital tool in modern care.
New Report Reveals Alarming Impact of Generative AI on Creative Jobs
A new report reveals how generative AI is disrupting creative work, with freelance artists and musicians facing reduced job security, compensation, and recognition. The findings point to an urgent need for stronger protections, clearer regulations, and fairer AI policies.
Taylor Swift Reclaims Her Catalog, Reshaping Music Industry Power Dynamics
Taylor Swift's recent acquisition of her original music catalog marks a major shift in artist control. Her move underscores a growing conversation around master rights, catalog value, and ownership in today’s music business.