United Masters’ deal with the NBA will also allow artists on the platform to sell their merchandise and show tickets directly to fans. Last year, UnitedMasters launched with a relatively unique plan in mind. The company, which started with $70 million …
Category archives: Indie Artists
Merlin Announces Key Hires to Meet Booming Global Demand for Indies
With higher payouts and a growing global market share, Merlin hires new staff to make sure it can keep up. Being an independent label isn’t too bad nowadays. Just look at the recent numbers. Collectively, indie labels now outrank major labels in terms…
Introducing Humbolt, The World’s First ‘Ethical’ Streaming Music Service
Humbolt, an indie-centered streaming music service, vows to pay artists and labels their fair share. Yet, even before its launch, the company has failed to answer one key question – why should music fans and artists choose this clearly inexperienced s…
The Music Industry Generated $43 Billion in Sales Last Year. Artists Only Received 12%.
Major labels and tech companies now earn billions from artists’ work. Well, here’s a small consolation – at least they get to keep the breadcrumbs. Earlier today, for the period ended June 30th, 2018, Warner Music Group (WMG) CEO Steve Cooper re…
Does Spotify’s New Playlist Consideration Feature Mean the End of Playlist Payola Companies?
I’ll be honest – Spotify’s new ‘playlist consideration’ feature looks good. Yet, don’t expect playlist payola companies to go the way of the dodo just yet. Let’s face it – Spotify has a major payola problem. To land on most major playlists on the musi…
An Ugly Legal Battle Is Brewing Between Childish Gambino and Glassnote Records
Legal warfare is brewing between Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino, and his former label Glassnote Records. We’re now at the early stages of a legal battle between Donald Glover and his former label, Glassnote Records. And after a serious impa…
Bad News, Musicians. Your Uber Driver Probably Earns a Lot More Than You Do.
The Music Industry Research Association reveals one thing – don’t put your hopes on becoming a major music star. Thanks to the exploding popularity of streaming music platforms, the music industry has experienced a revival. Just see for yourself. Warn…
Music Choice Accused of ‘One of the Most Deceitful and Disingenuous Efforts to Cheat Artists’ by A2IM
Is Music Choice trying to get a free lunch from Congress — at the expense of artists and labels? Music Choice is a longtime player in streaming music, specifically on cable networks. If you’re in the U.S. with a cable TV account, you’ve pr…
A2IM Is Holding Elections for Its 2018 Board of Directors
The American Association of Independent Music, also known as A2IM, has opened voting for three slots on its Board of Directors. Voting officially opened this week, with a voting deadline of June 12th. The trade association, established in 2005, represe…
Sound Royalties Launches New Program to Help Distributors Fund Indie Labels
Through the Edge Funding Program, Sound Royalties gets indie labels the cash they need to protect their content without any interest. Sound Royalties, LLC, a specialty music finance company, has introduced a new financial product that enables distribut…