What Spotify’s Debt Means For Artists And Labels

Recent reports that Spotify has raised its convertible debt has far reaching and ominous implications, both for where the company is headed, and how this direction will effect the artists and labels associated with it. _________________________________ Guest Post by Chris Castle on Music Tech Solutions The Wall Street Journal reports…

WATCH: Taylor Swift’s Painful New "Taylor vs. Treadmill" Apple Music TV Ad

Apple’s relationship with Taylor Swift may have really begun after she saved their reputation during the launch of Apple Music. Swift has given Apple the streaming exclusive on her catalog and a live concert film. In return, Apple certainly has found ways to reward and market her, including a new…

Kanye West’s "The Life Of Pablo" Now Available For Download And Streaming On Spotify, Apple Music

Kanye West said told us he was done with downloads. TIDAL was the only place you’d find his new music, he declared. It would only be streamed and never for sale. Over the past few weeks, West went on to redefine what it means to release an album; tweaking it…

What A New Pandora CEO Means For Artists, Labels And Investors

As Tim Westergren returns to the helm of Pandora, has has a great deal of work to do to revitalize the company, and repair its relationship with artists and labels, but also an opportunity to change how the streaming service is perceived in the eyes of the public. ________________________________ Guest…

TIDAL Confirms Aspiro Lawsuit, Issues Official Statement

Overnight, reports surfaced from Scandinavia that Jay Z’s TIDAL would be filing a lawsuit estimated to be worth $15 million against former owners Aspiro over exaggerated subscribers claims prior to the sale. This morning TIDAL confirmed the lawsuit and the reason behind it. Here’s the full text of the TIDAL…

Jay Z Readies $15 Million Lawsuit Against Former TIDAL Owners

This week TIDAL announced that it had 3 million paid subscribers alongside impressive stats for its slate of exclusives. But even as Jay Z was popping the champagne corks his lawyers were prepping a massive lawsuit against TIDAL’s former owners. Jay Z ‘s legal team has put the former owners…

Why Did Spotify Just Raise $1 Billion In Debt Funding Under Such Horrible Terms?

[UPDATED] Debt has become an increasingly popular funding mechanism for mid to late stage startups as investors grow tired of sky high valuations and seeing their stake reduced by later equity infusions. Now, Spotify has jumped on the debt financing bandwagon, raising $1 billion under some potentially difficult terms. In…