From Drake dropping his UMG lawsuit to HYBE’s new providers division… it’s MBW’s weekly round-up

This week, Drake’s defamation lawsuit towards Common Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us was dismissed by a US federal court docket.

In the meantime, HYBE launched its US-based providers arm with a world focus, and it’s working with impartial artists and labels.

Elsewhere, Common Music Group quietly launched a creator advertising and marketing app referred to as Home of Carmen that pays influencers to submit content material on TikTok and Instagram.

Additionally this week, Spotify and BMG struck a brand new direct multi-year US publishing licensing deal, whereas Isabel Garvey introduced her exit as Chief Working Officer of Warner Music UK.

Listed here are a number of the largest headlines from the previous few days…

1. DRAKE LAWSUIT AGAINST UMG OVER KENDRICK LAMAR’S ‘NOT LIKE US’ DISMISSED BY US COURT

A US federal court docket has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit towards Common Music Group, ruling that Kendrick Lamar’s diss monitor Not Like Us constitutes protected opinion fairly than actionable defamation.

Decide Jeannette Vargas of the Southern District of New York granted UMG’s movement to dismiss all claims on Thursday (October 9), discovering that accusations made about Drake within the tune’s lyrics can’t fairly be interpreted as statements of truth, given the context of the artists’ heated rap battle.

A spokesperson for Common Music Group informed MBW: “From the outset, this swimsuit was an affront to all artists and their inventive expression and by no means ought to have seen the sunshine of day. “We’re happy with the court docket’s dismissal and stay up for persevering with our work efficiently selling Drake’s music and investing in his profession.”… (MBW)

2. HYBE TAKES WRAPS OFF US-BASED SERVICES ARM WITH A GLOBAL FOCUS… AND IT’S WORKING WITH INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AND LABELS

HLS will present what it calls “enhanced help” for artists and labels throughout distribution, manufacturing, and advertising and marketing & promotion (M&P) providers worldwide.

To guide HLS, Los Angeles-based Ryan Hyeong Woo Noh has been promoted to Chief Enterprise Officer (CBO) of HYBE AMERICA, having beforehand served as Chief Technique Officer of HYBE’s US division.

In response to HYBE, since becoming a member of in 2022, Noh has performed a pivotal position as CSO and President of HYBE LABEL SERVICE, and was tasked with establishing what the corporate calls “its first world group devoted to distribution and advertising and marketing partnerships”.

A HYBE spokesperson confirmed that HLS is engaged on these partnerships with each HYBE artists, in addition to impartial artists and labels... (MBW)

3. UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP HAS QUIETLY LAUNCHED A CREATOR MARKETING APP THAT PAYS INFLUENCERS TO POST CONTENT ON TIKTOK AND INSTAGRAM. MEET ‘HOUSE OF CARMEN’

Creator advertising and marketing is massive enterprise. In response to current information printed by Influencer Advertising Hub, the influencer advertising and marketing sector was estimated to be price $32.55 billion in 2025, in comparison with $24 billion in 2024.

MBW has found that Common Music Group has quietly launched an app that faucets into this profitable nook of the social media area, constructing its personal community of social media influencers within the course of.

The brand new platform, referred to as Home of Carmen, seems to have been developed by Common’s group within the UK… (MBW)

4. BMG AND SPOTIFY INK NEW US DIRECT PUBLISHING LICENSING DEAL

Spotify and BMG have entered right into a direct, multiyear US publishing licensing deal.

The businesses mentioned on Wednesday (October 8) that the deal is “designed to ship better worth to songwriters and their groups”. The settlement marks

Spotify’s newest direct take care of a outstanding music writer working within the US, and strikes its settlement with BMG past the standard CRB mannequin out there.

Spotify additionally signed a direct licensing take care of Kobalt overlaying the US final month and has inked direct publishing agreements with all three majors… (MBW)

5. ISABEL GARVEY TO EXIT AS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF WARNER MUSIC UK

In a observe despatched to Warner Music UK workers on Wednesday morning (October 8), and obtained by MBW, Garvey confirmed that she has determined “to step down from [the] position and depart the corporate on the finish of December”.

Added Garvey: “I’m excited by the prospect of taking over new challenges and consider that that is the best resolution for me and for the corporate”. Garvey joined WMUK as COO in 2023 and was beforehand MD of London’s legendary Abbey Street Studios.

Garvey’s resolution to face down from her present position on the finish of the 12 months follows the information that Warner‘s flagship Atlantic and Warner Information UK labels can be working extra carefully with their US counterparts, with UK label heads now reporting to US management… (MBW)

Associate message: MBW’s Weekly Spherical-up is supported by BMI, the world chief in performing rights administration, devoted to supporting songwriters, composers and publishers and championing the worth of music. Discover out extra about BMI right here. snippet]Music Enterprise Worldwide