Universal Music Group's decision to pull its song catalog from TikTok has sent shockwaves through the music industry. After failing to reach a new licensing deal with the popular social media platform, the move has left artists and fans wondering about the implications and future of music on TikTok.
One artist who was caught off guard by the sudden removal of Universal Music Group's songs from the platform is producer Jack Antonoff. Antonoff, who frequently collaborates with UMG artist Taylor Swift, expressed his unvarnished reaction to the situation. Speaking backstage at the Grammys after winning producer of the year, Antonoff voiced his frustration with the industry's expectation for artists to be everywhere and do everything. He also highlighted the issue of artists being paid less, something he finds problematic. 'There's a lot of things wrong [in the industry]. Last time I was here we were talking about ticketing; you've always got to make sure as an artist you can't get used to being paid less, which they try to get you used to. But I think it's ass-backwards and at the very least we should have known,' Antonoff shared.
