ROYALTIES FOR ARTISTS
Spotify targets 2027 launch for AI remix service, FT reports
Spotify has announced intentions to launch an AI-driven music remix service in early 2027. This service will allow users to create unique versions of songs, including genre transformations. Additional subscription fees of $4 to $5 per month are being considered for users.
Assam cabinet approves Welspun Group's investment proposal to set up manufacturing unit in Rangia
Assam's cabinet approved an investment proposal from Weetek Plastic Private Limited to set up a manufacturing unit. The cabinet also amended rules to categorize extracted limestone into different grades for royalty purposes. A new award named 'Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Award' will honor significant contributions to music and culture. The grand finale of Hazarika's birth centenary celebrations will take place in New Delhi on November 29, 2026.
John Anderson, Country Music Hall of Famer, net worth: How ‘Swingin’’ and ‘Seminole wind’ artist built his $7 million fortune
Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson, best known for hits like “Swingin’” and “Seminole Wind,” has died at 71. With an estimated net worth of $7 million, Anderson built his fortune through hit albums, music royalties, live performances and a career spanning four decades. John Anderson’s hit album Wild and Blue went multi-platinum, earning him royalties that continue to bring in money.
Tiger Shroff attack: Actor once lived in a Rs 31.5 crore 8BHK sea-facing Mumbai apartment. It had private gym, teak wood walk-in closet, swimming pool, dance studio, and powder room
Tiger Shroff was recently attacked by three assailants who came riding motorcycles and opened fire on him. While the Baaghi star escaped unscathed, his driver was among those injured. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the incident. Known for films such as Baaghi, Ganapath, etc., Shroff is known to live a luxurious lifestyle off-screen.
YouTube to label AI-Generated songs across its platforms to increase "transparency"
With AI becoming increasingly common across industries, including the music industry, it's getting harder to tell whether a song is original or AI-generated. To make things clearer and avoid confusion, YouTube will now label AI-generated songs across its platforms.
In 2014, a US scrap dealer found a Fabergé egg among unwanted items; the result revealed a lost imperial treasure worth millions after experts identified its royal history
A US scrap metal dealer bought a decorative egg at a Midwestern flea market in 2014 for about $14,000, hoping to make money from its gold content. After reading about imperial Fabergé Easter eggs, he contacted London antiques dealer Kieran McCarthy of Wartski for an expert assessment. The egg was identified as one of the missing imperial treasures created by Peter Carl Fabergé for Russia's royal family.
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Spotify to bring audiobooks to India in November, four years after US launch
Spotify will introduce its audiobook service in India on November 12, 2026, enabling local users to access new content. The service will be available primarily through an Audiobooks+ add-on for Premium and Free users. Initially, Indian users can access a global catalogue featuring over 350,000 titles in different languages. Spotify aims to increase its presence in India by leveraging local partnerships and payment integrations.
Who was M.S. Subbulakshmi? Rashmika Mandanna to play legendary Indian Carnatic singer-actress on screen, Kamal Haasan gives first clap
Rashmika Mandanna takes on the iconic role of M.S. Subbulakshmi in the biopic titled M.S. A Legacy On Screen. The project was launched by superstar Kamal Haasan, who set the rhythm with the first clap. Exploring the rich legacy of M.S. Subbulakshmi, the film explores her journey as a renowned Carnatic musician and actress, including her major impact on global stages.
Dolly Parton wasn't just travelin' thru
Her remarkable legacy lies not just in her music, but in her empathy, progressive politics and extraordinary philanthropy.
Spotify draws its AI line at deception, not how the music was created
Spotify will not ban AI-generated music but will focus on preventing impersonation. The company introduced AI Credits for artists to disclose AI usage in songs. New AI Persona badges will identify profiles that appear to be AI-generated. This approach aims to inform listeners and protect genuine artists from deception.
Indian artists' Spotify royalties rise 29% in 2025; Telugu leads with 120% jump
Indian artists saw a 29% rise in Spotify royalties during 2025. Telugu music experienced over 120% growth, with other regional languages also growing. More Indian artists are earning significant income, with a 21% increase in those earning over one crore rupees. International listeners discovered Indian artists more, contributing significantly to their earnings.
In the 1990s, Dolly Parton earned $10 million from Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ — then invested the royalties in a Black Nashville neighborhood
Dolly Parton has utilized royalties from Whitney Houston's legendary rendition to invest in a Nashville complex that benefits a predominantly Black community, showcasing the deep roots connecting the two artists. Houston's 1992 interpretation turned Parton's 1972 song into an international masterpiece. This property now stands as a testament to the song's extraordinary legacy, with Parton calling it 'the house that Whitney built' to honor their lasting influence.
Dolly Parton grew up in a “dirt poor” Tennessee family, refused Elvis Presley’s offer and went on to build a $650 million empire
Dolly Parton, a legendary entertainer, passed away at eighty years old. Her career spanned nearly six decades, building an extraordinary legacy. Parton's wealth came from music, business ventures, and her stake in Dollywood. She launched the Imagination Library, a global literacy program for children. Her story highlights a transformation from poverty to a philanthropic icon.
When music isn't just about the note but about 'notes', too
Music is emerging as a valuable asset class with singers and composers launching their own labels to make more money in royalty payments.
AI music boom may hit artist royalties, warns Fitch Ratings
Fitch Ratings warns that the rise of AI-generated music could diminish demand for artist-created content and impact royalty-backed music intellectual property (IP) asset-backed securities (ABS). Streaming platforms are implementing tighter controls to protect copyright holders and ensure fair compensation for human artists, though some providers may leverage AI for cost savings and royalty capture.
Brands play it loud but pay it light, leaving music industry in the red
India's music industry faces significant revenue loss, estimated at ₹8,000-10,000 crore annually, due to copyright infringements in branded content on social media. Corporations often neglect royalty payments to music labels and independent artists for using their music in promotional videos. The misconception that social media content is primarily user-generated further exacerbates the issue, leading brands to overlook licensing requirements.
From Arijit Singh to Anirudh Ravichander: Indian artists' royalty income soars as Spotify makes big payouts
Spotify's report shows that in 2024, 90% of songs on India's top 50 playlist were by local artists. Royalties for Indian artists singing in regional languages have doubled since 2021. There's a rise in both Indian and global listeners. Popular genres include Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu. Royalties have reached over Rs 5 crore for many artists.
Spotify says it paid $10 billion in royalties in 2024
Nearly 1,500 artists earned over $1 million in royalties from Spotify last year, the Swedish streaming giant said.
Spotify paid $9 billion in royalties in 2023. Here's what fueled the growth
Spotify's fourth annual report, which originally launched in 2021 following criticism over its lack of transparency, noted record accomplishments, including the highest annual payment from any retailer to the music industry.
Snoop Dogg Talks About How Much He Earned From 1 Billion Spotify Streams
Snoop Dogg unveils the stark reality of streaming economics, disclosing a mere $45,000 for a billion Spotify streams in a surprising revelation on the Business Untitled podcast. As the industry grapples with evolving royalty structures, questions arise about the accuracy of artist earnings in the digital age.
NFT exchanges slash artist royalties to the tune of $1.5 billion as market slump deepens
Some artists contend that royalty rates should be encoded in the software that governs NFTs rather than being variables that exchanges can adjust.
Crypto-art: It's not just for art’s sake, it’s investment
If the West has been swooning over non-fungible token (NFT) art, Indian aesthetes too have begun trawling through marketplaces for digital collectibles — music, videos, animations, installations.
Javed Akhtar brings music fraternity together to create brand new IPRS
The new Indian Performing Rights Society board is chaired by the legendary lyricist.
ED raids music companies to probe non-payment of royalties to singers, lyricists
“Offices of T-Series, YRF Music, Saregama, Universal Music, and Sony Music have been raided by our officials across 4-5 cities,” a senior ED official told ET.
Chris Brown names new album after daughter
R&B singer Chris Brown's next album is officially titled "Royalty" after his 15-month-old daughter with former model, Nia Guzman.
Music directors slam labels for "stealing royalty", signing fake agreements
There has been a flood of talent in recent years into the film industry, and artistes, especially those who aren’t at the very top, are considered replaceable.
Lok Sabha okays amendments to copyright law
A bill seeking to uphold the rights of lyricists, artistes and performers to claim royalty for their creations got Parliament's nod on Tuesday.
Parliament nod to Copyright Act amendments
Artistes and performers can now claim royalty for their creations with Parliament today approving a law to provide much-delayed justice to them.
MySpace bids to pay musicians 'lost' royalties of over $14 mn
Social networking site MySpace, which has enabled many artists to launch their careers, is now helping to pay them back millions of dollars in "lost" royalties for songs and performances.
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