Universal Music Group in deal to manage Beatles merchandise ahead of biopics The rock band’s physical and digital merchandise, licensing and e-commerce will be managed by the entertainment giant. Evening Standard · Aug 19
Newlywed Taylor Swift Wins Explosive Copyright Battle After Judge Finds No 'Protectable Expression' Taylor Swift wins a copyright lawsuit after Judge Aileen Cannon dismisses Kimberly Marasco's claims over alleged lyric similarities International Business Times UK · Jul 7
Luciano Pavarotti World Cup football shirts to celebrate singer’s 90th year Both shirts feature the closing line of Nessun Dorma. Evening Standard · Jun 8
Better than AI slop and piracy: Spotify co-CEO’s stance on new AI-generated music feature Spotify’s latest move to allow AI-generated music on its platform has led to widespread concerns about human artists being pushed out and royalty dilution. Euronews · May 28
'What we’re building is grounded in consent, credit, and compensation for the artists and songwriters that take part': Planned Spotify AI tool can generate remixes and covers I'm not really feeling this beat. PC Gamer · May 22
Spotify aiming for a 'ChatGPT moment' in music and India is central to the plan Spotify is embracing artificial intelligence to become a personalised audio platform. The company is developing AI playlists, conversational listening, and interactive audio experiences. This move aims to differentiate Spotify in a competitive streaming market. India is highlighted as a key growth market for Spotify's AI ambitions and subscriber base expansion. The Economic Times · May 22
Drake’s Iceman Cover Gets MAGA Treatment from The White House Drake’s cover for Iceman got a MAGA palette swap straight from The White House. And, it’s more “Twitter fingers” from the federal government. The rapper released a staggering 3 albums to close out this week. Iceman, Maid of Honor and Habibti. It’s an interesting strategy from the Canadian performer coming… The Mary Sue · May 18
All the people Drake shades on his three new albums, from Kendrick Lamar to LeBron James The Canadian star’s new music is packed full of dismissive references to the likes of A$AP Rocky, J.Cole and Dr Dre The Independent UK · May 15
Drake releases three new albums...all on the same day Canadian musician Drake, 39, has simultaneously released three new albums titled Iceman, Maid Of Honour and Habibti, marking his first album release since 2023's For All the Dogs. The albums were accompanied by a stream of new music videos for tracks such as Janice STFU and Burning Bridges, and feature… The Independent UK · May 15
How Taylor Swift's 2018 contract negotiations will see ALL Universal Music Group acts benefit from Spotify sale A deal made by Taylor Swift when signing her recording contract back in 2018 will see Universal Music Group's artists profit from the record label's planned sale of their Spotify stake. BANG Premier · Apr 30
One man can kill Bill Ackman’s $64 billion bid for Universal Music Group—and no one knows what he’ll do The $64 billion fight for the label behind Taylor Swift, Drake, and Billie Eilish comes down to a single French billionaire. Fortune · Apr 17
Universal Music Group, home to Taylor Swift, Drake, Elton John and other stars receives record $63bn buyout offer Bid for the world’s largest music group proposes to “address” UMG's share price issues MusicRadar · Apr 8
Bill Ackman channels Warren Buffett with his $64 billion bid for Universal Music Group Also: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune. Fortune · Apr 8
Bill Ackman’s $64 billion Universal Music play is part of his strategy to become the next Warren Buffett Ackman, a self-described Buffett “devotee,” is following his idol’s playbook to access “permanent capital” by trying to jointly list his hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital, and Universal Music Group. Fortune · Apr 7
The Independent UK · Apr 7 Trump-backer Bill Ackman makes pitch to buy record label that is home to Taylor Swift, Drake and Adele Bill Ackman, once a Democrat supporter, backed Trump in 2024, calling him ‘the most pro-business president’
Euronews · Apr 7 Bill Ackman proposes €56 billion acquisition of Universal Music Group Billionaire investor Bill Ackman has proposed a €56 billion deal to merge Universal Music Group with a US acquisition vehicle, delivering shareholders a 78% premium and a potential New York Stock Exchange listing.
Evening Standard · Apr 7 US billionaire plots £48bn takeover of Universal Music Group Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square investment vehicle has proposed a deal to take control of the Dutch-US business, which runs Abbey Road studios.
The Independent UK · Apr 7 Billionaire investor plots huge £48bn takeover of Universal Music Group UMG boasts an extensive catalogue featuring artists from The Beatles and Queen to Adele, Taylor Swift, and Kendrick Lamar
The Guardian - UK · Apr 7 Universal Music, home to Taylor Swift and Drake, receives €55bn takeover offer Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square claims world’s biggest music company has suffered because of delay of US listing
International Business Times UK · Apr 2 Universal Claims Drake Used Label Against Kendrick Lamar, Now Seeks New Defamation Standard Universal Music Group has filed a blistering response to Drake's defamation appeal over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us.' Discover why UMG calls the move a threat to hip-hop.
BANG Premier · Mar 19 Lorde reveals first record deal has finally ended after 17 years Lorde has been under contract with Universal Music Group since she was 12 years old, but her contract has finally expired.
Evening Standard · Mar 1 Olivia Dean and Lola Young celebrate Brits triumph at star-studded Universal bash Dean swept the awards with four major wins while Young was crowned Breakthrough Act at Saturday’s ceremony
The Independent UK · Feb 6 Taylor Swift enlists Graham Norton guests (and Norton) for Opalite music video The pop star says she had the idea when Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson joked about wanting to star in one of her music videos
Pedestrian.tv · Feb 2 2026 Grammys Afterparties: Heated Rivalry Stars Fuel Dating Tea & Charli xcx Lets Loose Step inside the 2026 Grammys afterparties, where the celebs mixed, mingled and danced the night away and the pics are to DIE for.
Pedestrian.tv · Jan 25 Dean Lewis Drops New Track After Parting Ways With Universal Music Amid Allegations Dean Lewis has returned to music weeks after he was dropped by Universal Music Group amidst allegations of inappropriate behaviour.