This week’s headlines are all about positioning. From major lawsuits defending IP rights to new models for AI jazz and payouts in the billions, the industry is choosing its lanes when it comes to value, genre, and ethics. Some are drawing harder lines, while others are opening new doors.
#1. Are the Grammys Underserving Country?
Here’s a hot take for you this week, Digital Music News questions whether the Grammys are sidelining country music in 2026. Despite the country’s commercial growth and cultural relevance, few nominations landed in major all-genre categories this year. The piece argues this reflects a deeper industry disconnect and calls for reconsidering how genre visibility is balanced against pop-dominated narratives.
#2. UMG, Concord, and ABKCO Sue Anthropic for $3B
In what may become the largest U.S. copyright case outside of a class action, three major rights holders have filed suit against AI company Anthropic. The accusation: widespread use of copyrighted lyrics to train its Claude chatbot without authorization. The $3 billion claim signals that the majors are far from done drawing legal boundaries around how their catalogs are used, especially when AI developers are involved.
#3. Deezer Calls on Rivals to Align on AI Labeling
Deezer is stepping up its call for clear AI labeling across streaming services, updating its metadata system to help other DSPs follow suit. The move aims to create an industry standard that flags AI-generated tracks, especially those impersonating human artists. In a climate of increasing scrutiny, platforms are being urged to balance innovation with transparency.
#4. BlueJazzClub Launches $1.99 AI Jazz Subscription
BlueJazzClub is charging $1.99/month for a curated feed of AI-generated jazz, made using Suno’s tools. Rather than offering open-ended AI composition, the platform is positioning itself as a subscription-based destination for moody, ambient jazz crafted algorithmically. It’s a signal that niche genre fans should start thinking about how AI-powered formats can fit into catalog expansion and music licensing strategy.
#5. Spotify Paid the Music Industry $11B in 2025
Spotify’s latest figures show that it paid out $11 billion to rights holders last year. A record high. However, while the platform is touting growth in its Loud & Clear transparency efforts, many continue to question how equitably those billions are distributed. With debates around fraud, AI-generated music, and compensation ongoing, the question is less about scale and more about structure.
