Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has publicly reflected on the impact of Dolly Parton, praising the country music icon for improving the world through her work. His comments add to the wave of tributes from public figures marking Parton’s influence.
The remarks underscore Parton’s reach well beyond the country music genre, extending into global political and cultural circles.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Camilo’s 2020 single “Vida de Rico” has surpassed one billion views on YouTube, joining a small group of Latin tracks to reach that milestone on the platform.
The Colombian singer-songwriter’s feel-good hit continues to draw viewership years after its release, underscoring the song’s lasting popularity with streaming audiences.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Singer Nene Royal performed a cover of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” on “America’s Got Talent,” advancing to the show’s final round.
The performance marks another high-profile moment for Royal on the competition series, following earlier appearances that drew attention for their rock-leaning song choices.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Jay-Z is launching a pop-up retail experience in London tied to his upcoming concerts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking a milestone run of shows for the rapper in the UK capital.
The pop-up will sell limited edition merchandise made exclusively for the concert dates, giving fans a physical retail tie-in to the shows ahead of showtime.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group and Warner Music Group have all become investors in Stability AI, joining a $76 million Series B funding round for the generative AI company. The round also includes gaming company Electronic Arts and investment firms such as AMD Ventures.
The move gives all three major music companies direct financial stakes in an AI firm at a time when labels have been negotiating licensing terms and litigating against AI developers over the use of copyrighted material. Taking equity positions signals a shift toward collaboration alongside continued legal and commercial scrutiny of generative AI tools in music.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
Music Business Worldwide founder Tim Ingham has published the latest installment of his “Tim’s Take” opinion column, this time scrutinizing Amazon’s role in the music streaming business. The piece, titled “The Amazon Pain Forest,” continues Ingham’s regular practice of offering pointed commentary on major players shaping the recorded-music economy.
Specific details of Ingham’s argument were not disclosed in the available summary, but the column arrives amid ongoing industry debate over how big tech platforms compensate and prioritize music relative to other content categories.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
Jelly Roll used a guest-hosting appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to poke fun at President Trump, referencing his own weight in a jab at the president’s physical fitness comments.
The country and rock crossover star has increasingly stepped into television and media spots outside of music, adding late-night hosting to his growing public profile.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Warner Chappell Music has promoted Gabz Landman to Executive Vice President, A&R. Landman remains based at the publisher’s Los Angeles headquarters.
Landman will continue reporting to Ryan Press, President of North America at Warner Chappell Music.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
Footwear retailer DSW has reached a settlement in principle with Sony Music over its use of the label’s music in social media advertising, according to a court filing. The agreement has not yet been formally executed, and financial terms were not disclosed.
The case adds to a growing list of disputes between major labels and brands over unlicensed use of copyrighted recordings in marketing campaigns on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. With formal terms still pending, further details of the resolution are expected once the settlement is finalized.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
Ticketmaster has voided a batch of tickets to Olivia Rodrigo shows after determining they were obtained in violation of the sale terms, part of an effort to curb scalping tied to her tour. The tickets in question were originally distributed through a request window that closed on August 21 at 11:59pm ET.
The cancellation reflects a broader push by artists and ticketing platforms to limit resale markups and ensure tickets reach fans rather than brokers. Rodrigo’s team appears to be taking an active role in enforcing purchase rules for the run of dates.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.