Music Business Worldwide

From Pershing Square’s $64 billion bid for UMG to Wireless Festival’s Kanye West cancellation… it’s MBW’s weekly round-up

Music Business Worldwide — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:58:34 +0000

The biggest headlines from the past seven days...

AWAL and lemontank launch ‘Creator Fund’ to find the next generation of British music-focused content creators

Rafaela Fornitani — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:20:07 +0000

Program offers funding, training and direct access to AWAL artists and campaigns, while allowing creators to retain full IP ownership.

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Peermusic signs songwriter Eyelar, forms writer development joint venture with 2-Tone Entertainment

Rafaela Fornitani — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:19:39 +0000

Deal includes future works, select back-catalog administration, and a JV with 2-Tone to sign and develop new songwriting talent.

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‘Producers don’t get the recognition and respect that we deserve a lot of the time. We’re literally half of the song.’

Mark Sutherland — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:05:17 +0000

Chauncey Alexander Hollis Jr., aka Hit-Boy, has worked with hip-hop’s biggest superstars, from Travis Scott and Drake, to Jay Z & Kanye West. He tells MBW about his career to date, his vision for the future and embracing AI…

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TuneCore partners with RoyFi to offer royalty advances to indie artists

Mandy Dalugdug — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:05:53 +0000

Artists can secure direct cash advances without giving up equity or transferring ownership of copyrights.

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Major labels and ISP Altice seek more time to weigh Supreme Court ruling in latest Cox fallout

Mandy Dalugdug — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:05:34 +0000

The case has been put on hold since August 2025, pending the Supreme Court’s decision on Cox Communications v. Sony Music Entertainment.

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Sony Music and UMG form NINE BY NINE music festivals joint venture in Japan

Mandy Dalugdug — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:05:22 +0000

NINE BY NINE will engage in planning and production of music festivals in Asia, and supporting Japanese artists seeking to expand internationally.

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Suno’s licensing talks with major labels in limbo with ‘no path forward’ (Report)

Mandy Dalugdug — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:04:48 +0000

Talks with UMG and Warner Music have seen little progress, while Suno hasn't been able to reach a deal with Sony Music, according to the Financial Times.

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After Universal, Warner, and Merlin deals, now Udio inks licensing agreement with Kobalt

Rafaela Fornitani — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

The deal marks Kobalt’s second AI music platform partnership, following its 2025 licensing agreement with ElevenLabs.

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The Unravelling of a ‘Bulletproof’ Brand: Wireless Festival’s Self-Inflicted Crisis

Music Business Worldwide — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:19:50 +0000

Music industry communications specialist weighs in on the Ye controversy, and Wireless Festival's cancellation

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