Apple Music Launches New African Music Discovery Series, ‘Africa Rising’

Apple Music launches a new bi-monthly artist program to highlight top talent in Africa. The initiative is ‘Africa Rising’ and it comes with a companion playlist featuring the same name. Apple Music says the new initiative will help “i…

Spotify Launches ‘Premium Duo’ Subscription Plan for Couples

Spotify launches new couples’ plan to make it easier to split a Spotify premium membership. Dubbed Premium Duo, the new Spotify subscription, costs $12.99 a month. It allows two people who share an address also to share a Spotify plan. Spotify cr…

Spotify Is Expanding Realtime Lyrics to 26 Countries — But Not the US

Spotify realtime lyrics are rolling out to 26 new markets today – but not in the US. Spotify began testing the realtime lyrics feature last November in select markets. The launch is happening thanks to a partnership with lyrics provider Musixmatch. It&…

Is Spotify Launching a Major Video Expansion? – Here’s What We Know So Far

Spotify is experimenting with adding music video content to its app – mimicking YouTube Music. App de-coder Jane Wong is well-known for pulling apart new app updates and finding changes. Wong says she has discovered a new tabbed interface in the latest…

Spotify Rolling Out Video Ads In the US, UK, and Canada

Spotify is now rolling out video ads to users in the US, UK, and Canada via its Ads Studio. Spotify says while most users engage with video ads with their sound muted, Spotify listeners “are engaging with their sound on.” Spotify says runni…

YouTube Flags Questlove of the Roots – For Playing His Own Music

After announcing a $100 million fund to amplify black artists, Questlove asks YouTube if that includes not copyright striking his own music. YouTube first announced the $100 million initiative on June 11. CEO Susan Wojcicki says the fund will support t…

YouTube Music Transfers Delayed Due to ‘High Demand’

Google warns YouTube Music transfers from Google Play Music could take a while ‘due to high demand.’ Google started rolling out the feature last week to a broader audience after a short beta period. YouTube Music transfers are one of the la…

ByteDance Is Dumping Its Vigo Apps In Favor of TikTok

ByteDance is shutting down its video-sharing app Vigo in India, urging users to switch to TikTok instead. The Chinese company is narrowing its product line across the globe, focusing on TikTok’s growth. Indian users have until October 31 to migra…

Google Play Music to YouTube Music Transfers Are Now Live

After a month-long beta, Google Play Music to YouTube Music transfers is now rolling out. Last month, we reported on the feature debuting for some lucky Google Play Music users. The transfer tool makes it possible to bring all of your uploaded music in…

Bandcamp Offers to Donate 100% of Artist Sales to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Bandcamp is standing with its black creators and commits to donating 100% of its cut to the NAACP on June 19.  Called Juneteenth, the holiday celebrates the African American emancipation from slavery. Bandcamp says it will honor the holiday by donating…