Music streaming has revolutionised access to audiences. But that access has come at a price: manipulation. From fake playlists to bots inflating stream counts, fraudulent activity on platforms like Spotify, Deezer, and Apple Music is costing artists both money and exposure. This guide breaks down how streaming manipulation works, how it impacts musicians, and how […]
Streaming Manipulation: What Musicians Need to Know Read More »
Earlier this month (June 2025), Budweiser’s Iconic Sounds campaign picked up the Grand Prix at Cannes Lions for Audio and Radio. But the brand is now facing widespread backlash, not for the idea itself, but for how it sidestepped music licensing. The campaign featured one-second snippets of iconic songs by Beyoncé, The Beatles, Taylor Swift,
Budweiser’s Cannes-Winning TikTok Campaign Slammed For Unpaid Music Use Read More »
Streaming fraud is surging and artificial intelligence is at the centre of it. A new report from French music streaming platform Deezer claims that up to 70% of streams of AI-generated tracks on its service are fraudulent. While songs made by artificial intelligence account for just 0.5% of all Deezer plays, a large chunk of
Report: 70% Of AI-Generated Music Streams On Deezer Are Fraudulent Read More »
Egyptian artists are reaching new heights on the global stage and the latest Spotify report shows just how far they’ve come. Spotify has released its Loud & Clear music economics report in Egypt for the first time, offering hard data on how the country’s musicians are turning streams into sustainable careers. The headline? A fivefold
Spotify Report Reveals Global Boom For Egyptian Music Read More »
Fresh data from Blackstar, Lemontank, and the BPI reveals what 18–25-year-olds really want from music in 2024 A new report titled Seeking Community: Gen Z’s True Relationship with Culture and Music Consumption explores how young people across the UK consume and connect with music. Commissioned by Blackstar and Lemontank in partnership with the BPI, the
If you’re an independent musician trying to grow your fanbase and get your music heard, you already know TikTok is more than just a trend. It’s one of the most powerful platforms for music discovery today. Now, TikTok has launched something new to make it even easier for artists to take control of their own
TikTok For Artists: The New Analytics Tool Every Independent Musician Needs Read More »
Spotify has confirmed that European artists earned a record-breaking €1.7 billion in royalties from the platform in 2024; a 15% increase from the previous year, and almost double the total paid out in 2020. The announcement comes alongside another major milestone: Spotify has now surpassed 100 million paying subscribers in Europe. The figures, shared as
Spotify Hits 100 Million EU Subscribers As Artist Revenues Reach All-Time High Read More »
TikTok has expanded its music discovery features with a major new partnership: SoundCloud is now integrated into TikTok’s Add To Music App. The feature, which allows users to save tracks they discover on TikTok directly to their favourite streaming platforms, has already become a go-to tool for music fans. Since its global launch in 2024,
SoundCloud Joins TikTok’s Add To Music App To Boost Music Discovery And Fan Engagement Read More »
Over 400 prominent UK musicians, actors, writers, and creatives, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Kate Bush, and Dua Lipa, have signed an urgent letter calling on Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer to support changes to the Data (Use and Access) Bill. The amendments, proposed by Baroness Beeban Kidron, aim to protect UK creators’ rights in
UK Music Icons Urge Government To Protect Creators Against AI Exploitation Read More »
Vinyl’s resurgence isn’t just a trend, it’s transforming the UK’s indie record-store landscape. According to the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), the number of independent record stores rose from 339 in 2014 to 461 in 2023, a remarkable 36 % growth at a time when supermarkets and chains have retreated. Those 461 indie shops now make up
Independent Record Stores Fuelling Chart Success Read More »
