Statements, audience, copycats… We had our hands full this week in the music industry. See for yourself:
#1. Artists release a new statement through Fairly Trained on AI
Let’s start with the obvious: over 13,000 creators, including artists, authors, and actors, signed a statement condemning the unlicensed use of their work to train AI, calling it a serious threat to their livelihoods. Notable signatories like Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus highlight the united creative industry's demand for fair consent and compensation. The initiative, led by Ed Newton-Rex of Fairly Trained, underscores the need for AI companies to ethically source data, given the industry’s growing concerns about rights erosion. This mass statement reflects both a powerful call for government regulation and a stance against unchecked AI-driven disruption.
#2. TikTok and SoundCloud’s push for Electronic music
Electronic music is experiencing a surge in global engagement, as shown by recent data from TikTok and SoundCloud. TikTok’s launch of its #ElectronicMusic hub, led to a 70% increase in videos featuring electronic tracks. Sub-genres like drum & bass, techno, and trance are especially popular on the platform, which is serving as a springboard for new talent.
Meanwhile, SoundCloud reports that its electronic music listeners are the most engaged of any genre, 104% more likely to share and 85% more likely to repost content. This trend underscores the genre’s growing influence across platforms, where active fan communities are shaping its future and amplifying artist reach worldwide.
#3. Qobuz stepping into Japan
Qobuz has officially launched in Japan, marking its 26th market entry and a significant step in its global expansion. Japan is the world’s second-largest music market and offers strong growth potential for streaming amid its traditionally physical media-heavy landscape.
Following its 2021 acquisition of Japan’s e-onkyo music, Qobuz now brings Japanese listeners access to over 100 million tracks, editorial content, and curated playlists that span genres, including J-Pop. This launch further solidifies Qobuz’s positioning as a high-quality alternative to mainstream streaming platforms and supports its trajectory toward profitability in a booming streaming market.
#4. TikTok seals independent deals rather than waiting on Merlin
TikTok has signed a direct licensing deal with UnitedMasters, moving away from the blanket agreement previously held with Merlin, a global independent music rights organization. Set to expire on October 31, this Merlin deal had facilitated access to a broad network of indie music for TikTok.
However, citing challenges with copyright control under the Merlin structure, TikTok is instead inviting individual Merlin members to negotiate direct agreements. UnitedMasters, a platform representing over two million independent artists, will now integrate its full catalog into TikTok, giving artists enhanced opportunities for brand partnerships and sync deals via TikTok’s Commercial Music Library.
#5. Instagram launches its own Add to Music App
Instagram has launched a Spotify integration, allowing users to save songs from Instagram posts and Stories directly to their Spotify accounts with a single tap. Similar to TikTok’s "Add to Music App" feature, Instagram’s new "Add" button lets users instantly transfer tracks to their Spotify "Liked Songs" collection, enhancing the music discovery experience within the app.
This feature aims to strengthen user engagement and artist-fan connections through music. Currently exclusive to Spotify, the global rollout signals potential expansion to other streaming services, positioning Instagram to compete more directly with TikTok in music-driven social media.
