stayc main image

SG Lewis: Who Is He - and What’s Next For This Rising Star?

February 6, 2023

SG Lewis (Samuel George Lewis) is a rising star in the dance/electronic music realm. He is a DJ/producer turned singer-songwriter, and is known for his disco-inspired, transcendent sound. He routinely

Read more
stayc main image

Lessons to Learn From the Launch Of Sam Smith’s “Unholy”

February 4, 2023

Sam Smith just released their new album “Gloria” on the 27th of January. As described by Pitchfork, “Gloria flips between hyperpop, country, dancehall, disco, 2-step, and intimate, Kehlani-esque R&B”.

Read more
stayc main image

Are Virtual Idols the Future of Music?

February 5, 2023

Virtual reality and the metaverse have become popular topics in the music industry where more and more technology and music have been combined, creating something that could revolutionize the entire

Read more
stayc main image

Grammy Awards Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: The Category Songwriters Deserve

February 5, 2023

The 65th annual GRAMMY Awards are here, and there's a long-awaited addition to the awards. This year marks the introduction of a new category: the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical Award. For all

Read more
stayc main image

How Zach Bryan’s Authenticity Makes His Music So Appealing, Even to Non-Country Fans

January 31, 2023

Zach Bryan released his first album in 2019, and in the short time since he has become one of the biggest names in country. His biggest album, “American Heartbreak”, broke single-day album streaming

Read more
stayc main image

Miley Cyrus is Going to Take Over Pop in 2023

January 31, 2023

Miley Cyrus was born into the music industry, and has spent her career channelling her Nashville and Hollywood roots into a diverse discography stacked with hits. Add to that countless covers that are

Read more
stayc main image

Why This Pop-Rock Band Got Hate For Starting On YouTube

January 31, 2023

Before the invention of TikTok, many music artists gained popularity through YouTube. However, similar to the TikTok stars of today, people in the music industry saw ‘YouTube bands’ as lesser because

Read more
stayc main image

Will Google End Work for Music Creators with their New Music AI?

February 1, 2023

Google has done it. They have created an AI that can generate music from text descriptions. The announcement of this is timely because recently Chat GPT, (a language learning model created by OpenAI

Read more
stayc main image

The Road to Success: What qualities can we learn from Kpop Idols?

January 28, 2023

What does it take to be a professional singer in South Korea? On stage, these Kpop idols capture our attention with catchy songs and amazing choreographies, but what about off-stage? Behind the ...

Read more
stayc main image

Songwriter's Block: Inspiration Tuning in From Around the World

January 26, 2023

Writer’s block is real, and it’s not just authors, but also songwriters and composers. Thinking of top hit songs can be difficult, so how do the pros do it? Where do they get their inspiration from?

Read more
stayc main image

Arcane: How A Video Game Adaptation Ended Up With A Banger Soundtrack

January 26, 2023

What does a TV show based on a video game and the music industry have in common? Near the end of 2021, Arcane took the world by storm after debuting on Netflix. Not only did it dazzle us with its...

Read more
stayc main image

How Black Pink Should Negotiate Their New Contract with YG Entertainment

January 23, 2023

As the contract between Blackpink and YG Entertainment nears its end, fans of the popular South Korean girl group are wondering if the group will renew their contract with the agency...

Read more

Universal Music Group and TikTok: A Triumphant Return

stayc main image

In a significant development in the music and tech industries, Universal Music Group (UMG) artists including global icons like Drake, Adele, Bad Bunny, and Billie Eilish have made a celebrated return to TikTok. This resolution comes after a three-month standoff that had seen these artists pull their catalogues from the platform amid disputes over rights and royalties.

The heart of the conflict lay in disagreements over fair compensation and copyright protections, with UMG pushing for better terms to ensure that their artists were adequately compensated for their work being used on the platform. The dispute highlighted the evolving challenges and negotiations necessary in the age of digital music streaming and content creation.

After intense negotiations, a new agreement was reached, allowing for the return of UMG's extensive catalogue to TikTok. This deal not only benefits the artists who receive better terms but also TikTok users and fans worldwide, who once again have access to their favourite tracks.

This resolution is a landmark moment, setting a precedent for how music rights are handled on social media and streaming platforms. It underscores the necessity for ongoing dialogue between technology companies and the music industry to ensure that creators are fairly compensated in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The successful negotiation between UMG and TikTok serves as a blueprint for future agreements, promising a more sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship between artists and platforms.

The dispute between UMG and TikTok opened up a broader discussion on the future of music rights in the digital age. As streaming platforms continue to dominate music consumption, the need for clear and fair copyright laws becomes increasingly critical. This situation has prompted other music labels and artists to reevaluate their contracts and licensing agreements to secure better terms.

Moreover, the resolution of this conflict has spurred technological advancements and creative collaborations. TikTok, known for its viral music trends, continues to work closely with record labels to develop features that better track and monetize music usage on the platform. These innovations not only enhance the user experience but also ensure that artists are rewarded for their creativity.

Interestingly, the role of fans and public opinion was instrumental in reaching a resolution. The widespread outcry over the removal of popular tracks from TikTok created pressure for a swift resolution, demonstrating the power of consumer influence in the entertainment industry.

As we look forward, the agreement between UMG and TikTok is likely just the beginning of a new era in music distribution and rights management. This case has set a vital precedent for how conflicts between artists, labels, and platforms can be navigated through negotiation and compromise rather than lengthy legal battles.

The successful resolution of the dispute between Universal Music Group and TikTok marks a pivotal moment for the music industry, heralding a future where artists, platforms, and fans coexist in a mutually beneficial ecosystem. As the industry continues to evolve, the lessons learned from this dispute will undoubtedly shape future interactions between creators and distributors in the digital music landscape.

Universal Music Group and TikTok: A Triumphant Returnuniversal-music-group-and-tiktok-a-triumphant-returnMichael ChenMay 13, 2024In a significant development in the music and tech industries, Universal Music Group (UMG) artists including global icons like Drake, Adele, Bad Bunny, and Billie Eilish have made a celebrated....