Daily Edit | May 6

Kacy Hill
BUG
Mochi Headquarters 

Stories

The new UMG / TikTok deal explained - The bottom line: UMG believes its new licensing deal with TikTok is an improvement over the deal that expired at the end of January. UMG has “substantially improved the total value we’ll derive from this relationship,” CFO Boyd Muir said. Michael Nash, executive vp/chief digital officer, said the new TikTok deal “definitely deliver[s] a fair level of value relative to other short form social platform partners,” which includes Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and Snap.  

Why high-profile rap beefs make everyone a winner - “If there are any winners in this beef, it’s Future and Metro Boomin, who have had identical [streaming] jumps to Lamar due to “Like That” being the song (specifically Lamar’s guest verse) that ignited this beef. They’ve been able to have a generous streaming boost and publicity for their new collaborative album, “We Don’t Trust You,” all while staying out of the battle.”

Why we’re listening to The Streets again - “I remember playing it for people and the reactions being very polarizing; you either got it or didn’t, making it feel even more special.”

Can a record label ask a radio station not to play a song? - “Probably not, say legal experts who study broadcast rights and the music business. “As a general law, broadcast stations have a lot of discretion over what they put on the air — almost unlimited discretion. A station is virtually free to pick and choose what it wants.”

Bryce Dessner has announced his official partnership with Sony Music Masterworks, “which will see the guitarist and member of The National’s classical compositions released via Sony Classical. Meanwhile, the artist’s soundtracks will be a part of sister label Milan Records to gain ultimate creative control over his deliverables.”

Signings

Skylar Simone | records | Def Jam

Jon Bellion | management | 100 Management