Billboard U.K. has published its 2026 40 Under 40 list, spotlighting executives under the age of 40 who the publication says are shaping the direction of the country’s music business.
The list spans roles across labels, publishing, management, live music and other sectors of the U.K. industry, recognizing figures Billboard identifies as influential among their peer group.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Live Nation is funding Creator Nation, a new venture aimed at consolidating creator-management companies, with the first acquisitions expected in the coming months.
Beyond talent-management firms, Creator Nation plans to acquire and expand what Live Nation calls “adjacent businesses,” signaling a broader push into the creator economy alongside its core concert promotion operations.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
A federal appeals court has sided against AI legal research company ROSS Intelligence in its fair use defense over training data, ruling in favor of Thomson Reuters on September 29. The decision from the US Court of Appeals marks one of the first circuit-level rulings on whether using copyrighted material to train AI systems qualifies as fair use.
The ruling is being watched closely by the music industry, where major labels are pursuing copyright infringement claims against AI music generator Suno over its training practices. Legal observers say the outcome could inform how courts evaluate similar fair use arguments raised by AI companies facing litigation from rights holders in the music business.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
Beatport has secured a new financing package led by Square Nine Capital. The deal refinances the dance music platform’s existing credit facility and brings in additional capital.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The move gives Beatport fresh financial backing as it continues to operate its electronic music marketplace and streaming services.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
The Recording Academy will keep its Asian Pop category for the 2027 Grammy Awards, even after Stray Kids opted not to submit music for consideration, following a similar decision by BTS. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said the organization remains confident the category serves the broader music community.
The category, introduced to recognize pop releases rooted in Asian markets, has drawn scrutiny over how top-selling K-pop acts have chosen to sit out the process rather than compete within it. The Academy’s decision to continue the award signals it is not reconsidering the category’s structure despite the high-profile absences.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
Sony Music has submitted removal requests for more than 260,000 AI-generated tracks that impersonate artists including Harry Styles, Adele, and Michael Jackson, according to the Financial Times. The label described the ongoing effort to police deepfake recordings across streaming and social platforms as an increasingly difficult task.
The disclosure underscores the scale of the problem major labels now face as AI voice-cloning tools make it easier to produce convincing fake vocal performances. Sony’s comments suggest current enforcement mechanisms are struggling to keep pace with the volume of unauthorized content being uploaded.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
Sass Jordan, the Canadian rock and blues singer known for her 1992 breakthrough album “Racine” and the single “Make You a Believer,” died on October 2, 2026, according to a family announcement. She was 65. The family said she died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
Born in Birmingham, England, and raised in Montreal, Jordan signed with Atlantic Records and released her solo debut, “Tell Somebody,” in 1988, earning a 1989 Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist. Her 1992 MCA Records album “Racine” became her signature release, with the label saying it sold an estimated 450,000 copies worldwide; “Make You a Believer” reached No. 11 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, and Billboard named her its top female rock artist that year. She also recorded the duet “Trust in Me” with Joe Cocker for “The Bodyguard” soundtrack and toured with acts including Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC and Van Halen.
Jordan continued recording into the 2000s with albums including “Present,” “Hot Gossip” and “Get What You Give,” and spent six seasons as a judge on Canadian Idol starting in 2003. She also performed on stage, including an off-Broadway run as Janis Joplin in “Love, Janis.”
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Eric Alper, thatericalper.com.
Baltimore hardcore band Turnstile is set to perform as the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, with actress Dakota Johnson hosting the Oct. 3 episode.
The appearance marks a high-profile network television slot for the band, giving the group exposure to NBC’s mainstream late-night audience. The episode will be available to stream live for viewers without cable access.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Taylor Swift made an unannounced appearance during Dakota Johnson’s opening monologue on “Saturday Night Live,” joining the actress for a bit built around their friendship.
The sketch closed with Swift joking that she sends Johnson home after hangouts with a Pedialyte and a security escort, a nod to the pair’s offstage rapport.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Australian metal band Polaris has released “Without You,” its first new song in three years, as a tribute to late guitarist Ryan Siew. The band discussed the track alongside its decision to continue touring following Siew’s death.
The release coincides with a milestone performance at Good Things Festival, marking a significant moment in the band’s ongoing comeback.
Read the full story at Billboard.