Gunna has started his own imprint, SB The Label, in a partnership with Warner-owned Atlantic Music Group. The venture marks the rapper’s formal move into label ownership and artist development.
SB The Label’s inaugural roster includes three Atlanta artists: Casper Bluff, Nechie, and Dracc. The deal gives Atlantic access to Gunna’s talent-scouting pipeline in his home market while backing his expansion beyond recording into executive and A&R work.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
Interscope has filed a lawsuit against Summer Walker seeking more than $50 million after the singer moved to terminate her recording contract under California’s seven-year statute, which limits the enforceability of personal services contracts in the state. Walker signed her original joint deal with Interscope and Atlanta label/management company LVRN in 2017.
The suit sets up a legal fight over whether Walker can walk away from her label obligations despite the term of her deal, a dispute that echoes previous cases where artists have invoked the same California rule to seek early exits from long-running recording agreements.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
Warner Music Group has filed suit against Luxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban and Oakley, alleging the eyewear maker used more than 427 Warner-controlled works in social media videos without obtaining a license or paying royalties.
The complaint claims Luxottica’s brand accounts repeatedly set promotional and marketing content to Warner recordings and compositions, building audience engagement on the back of unlicensed music. The case adds to a growing list of disputes between major labels and publishers against corporations accused of using copyrighted songs in branded social content without clearance.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
DistroKid has confirmed it removed a number of tracks from independent artists after receiving infringement claims from Universal Music Group. The move follows complaints circulating on social media from artists who said their music had disappeared from the distributor without warning.
The takedowns raise fresh questions about transparency in how distribution platforms handle rights disputes between major labels and independent creators. DistroKid has not detailed the scope of the removals or the specific tracks involved.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
Geordie Greep has called off upcoming performances in Boise, Salt Lake City, Boulder and Denver following sexual misconduct allegations made against him. The singer has denied the claims.
No further details on the nature of the allegations or the status of the remaining tour dates have been disclosed.
Read the full story at Pitchfork.
“Golden” took the Best Original Song prize at the 2026 World Soundtrack Awards, extending the track’s run of accolades. The ceremony also recognized composers Daniel Pemberton and Jeff Russo among its top honorees.
The World Soundtrack Awards, held annually alongside the Film Fest Gent in Belgium, honor achievement in film and television scoring and original song composition. A full list of winners across the night’s categories was released following the ceremony.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Barry Manilow left the stage at his Westgate Las Vegas residency after performing just two songs, forcing the cancellation of upcoming concerts. The 83-year-old singer was diagnosed with bronchitis, according to the report.
The illness comes only days after Manilow resumed the residency following a prior health-related break, raising questions about the schedule for his remaining Las Vegas dates.
Read the full story at Billboard.
The first night of Head Trip 2026, held on the Coachella grounds in Indio, Calif., was halted early due to weather conditions, organizers confirmed.
The disruption came before headliner Calvin Harris was able to perform, cutting short the festival’s debut night. Details on rescheduling or refunds for affected attendees were not immediately available.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Soulja Boy says he is weighing a run for U.S. president in 2028, framing the idea as an extension of his entrepreneurial track record. The “Crank That” rapper described the move as part of a broader ambition beyond music and business ventures.
He characterized the potential campaign as an effort to apply the same drive behind his career to public service, though he stopped short of confirming a formal run.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Afrobeats star Ayra Starr will perform a halftime show when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Oct. 11. The game is part of the NFL’s international series, which has increasingly paired matches with musical performances to boost crossover appeal.
The appearance adds to Ayra Starr’s growing international profile as she continues to expand beyond Afrobeats audiences into mainstream sports and entertainment programming.
Read the full story at Billboard.