music

• AI performers are making it onto the Billboard charts
• Music promoters are paying to put songs in TikTok videos. The FTC says creators might not have to disclose those deals.

  Billboard recently took a deep dive into the world of "sound campaigns," where musicians, record labels, and/or promoters pay to have music tracks used in TikTok videos. It spoke to sources familiar with the matter, including one major label marketer who, based on their experience, believes that "75% of popular songs on TikTok started with a creator marketing campaign."

  
• Roblox wants to be its own Billboard

  Billboard may run the music industry's official performance rankings, but YouTube and TikTok also have their very own charts tracking what music is popping with their user bases. And soon, those platforms will be joined by Roblox, which announced that as part of its partnership with indie music distributor DistroKid, it'll start publishing its own charts in 2025.

  
• Twitch drops the beat to turn up the volume on its music business

  Twitch is kicking off its DJ category with a 24-hour event on August 8th -- 808 Day -- that will feature a headlining set from Zedd.

  
• Creators should be able to license music from major artists. Lickd lets them do it for as little as $8 a song.
• Twitch’s DJ Program brings tracks from top labels to a musical category
• The new, NFT-focused version of LimeWire has raised $17.5 million through a token sale
• Vevo unveils “celebrations-themed channel,” data-driven ad placements at NewFronts
• YouTube announces new ad products to help brands reach Gen Z through music
• Creator Music brings “mainstream” tracks to YouTube videos
• Ari Elkins is TikTok’s musical tastemaker. He’s launching his own record label.
• The amount of classical music in YouTube videos is up 90% year-over-year