Music Biz Headlines: Taylor Swift Buys Back Her Masters, Drake Breaks the Record for Diamond Certifications
Also in the news this week: Fakery and fraud in the world of streaming and a star-studded lineup for Canada Day in Ottawa is announced.
Drake is in the news for a good reason this week: he just broke a record for most diamond certifications for any artist ever. And Taylor Swift's long battle for ownership is over. What does it mean for her long-awaited Reputation (Taylor's Version)?
Also this week, Martha and the Muffins join a large group of artists angry over their work being co-opted by politicians and Marc Maron ends his influential WTF podcast.
Find all those stories and more in this week's roundup of music business headlines.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines of the Week
Drake Breaks Record With 10 RIAA Diamond Certifications — the Most of Any Artist Ever
The 6 God has picked up another pair of Diamond plaques. – Michael Saponara, Billboard
With Canadian patriotism on the rise, a star-studded lineup of performers for official July 1 concerts has been unveiled. – Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
Corus Touts New Stars, Returning Hits to Global, While Calling for Loosened CanCon Rules
Corus Entertainment touted new stars and returning hits set to roll out across Global and its specialty networks on Monday, while making the case for loosened CanCon spending rules that would let it lean further into unscripted content. – Canadian Press
New Bill Aims to Increase SODEC's Funding to Support Music and Culture in Quebec
Bill 108 aims to make SODEC a leading investor in the cultural sector by granting an additional $200M to invest into projects. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
Jason McCoy’s Last Stand as Host of CMAOntario Awards
The awards show is part of a four-day Country Music Association of Ontario Festival. – Cheyenne Bolla, Hamilton Spectator
Toronto Band Martha and the Muffins at Odds with Conservatives Over Song Use
The band is not happy Pierre Poilievre has used its song Echo Beach at political rallies. – Josh O'Kane, Globe and Mail
The Mod Club Returns to Toronto
The long-running venue currently known as the Axis Club will be rebranding under its original name, The Mod Club, christened with a special concert from Daniel Caesar on June 14 as part of Billboard Canada The Stage at NXNE. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
Pusha T Not a Fan of Drake’s UMG Lawsuit: ‘It Just Kind of Cheapens the Art’
The Virginia rapper also spoke on his frustration over being asked to censor a Kendrick Lamar guest feature. – Angel Diaz, Billboard
International Music Biz Headlines of the Week
What Does Taylor Swift Buying Back Her Masters Mean for ‘Reputation (Taylor’s Version)’?
The pop star also gave an update on her re-recorded debut album. – Hannah Dailey, Billboard
AI, Bot Farms and Innocent Indie Victims: How Music Streaming Became a Hotbed of Fraud and Fakery
Fraudsters use fake artists to juice royalties from streaming services – but real musicians are getting blamed. Might they be better off without Spotify et al? – Eamonn Forde, The Guardian
Music Nation Granted Permit to Operate a CMO in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates government has given the green light to rights management company Music Nation to operate a collective management organization (CMO) in the country. – Music Business Worldwide
Goldman Sachs has published the latest edition of its influential Music in the Air report. The 91-page research paper, released June 3), provides insights into streaming growth, price strategies, emerging markets, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the music business. – MBW
R&B Singer Cassie Gives Birth to Third Child as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sex Trafficking Trial Continues
Cassie finished testifying earlier this month while visibly pregnant on the stand, during which she described being beaten and raped by a man she once loved. Maria Sherman, Associated Press
Glastonbury Announces Full Lineup for 2025 … But Who are Patchwork?
Festival adds secret sets to lineup at prime slots on Pyramid and Park stages, as it reveals full timings and artist details. – Ben Beaumont-Thomas, The Guardian
Talking Heads Mark 50th Anniversary of First Show At CBGBs
June 5 marks the 50th anniversary of the time Talking Heads played their first ever show at New York’s legendary punk mecca CBGBs. – Noise11
Marc Maron’s ‘WTF’ Podcast Ending in the Fall: “We’re Burnt Out”
"This was a show that started when there were no podcasts. And now, there is nothing but podcasts," said Maron when announcing the news on his Monday show. "We are utterly satisfied with the work we've done." – Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter
