This week’s news shows a music industry investing in infrastructure: rights management is consolidating, fan spending is rising, and new markets continue to shape what global success looks like. Being prepared behind the scenes is just as important as breaking through the noise; that’s why we’re here!
#1. Spotify and Kobalt Extend Their Licensing Deal
Spotify and Kobalt have inked a new multi-year licensing deal that ensures continued access to one of the most important independent publishing catalogs in the world. The agreement includes global rights to Kobalt’s roster of songwriters and administered works, keeping them accessible across Spotify’s platform and features.
No need to say how much of a strategic move it is in a landscape where publishing data is becoming more valuable than ever. With AI-powered products on the rise and sync licensing continuing to grow, deeper integration between DSPs and publishers is vital.
#2. Bandcamp Fridays Generate $3.5M for Indie Artists
Bandcamp’s artist-first initiative continues to deliver. According to Music Week, the latest edition of Bandcamp Fridays generated $3.5 million in revenue directly for independent artists. Given the context of platform economics, Bandcamp's model proves that fans are willing to support artists directly when given the opportunity.
That’s the perfect moment to mention that Reprtoir just launched Products, a new feature that allows rights-holders and managers to track merchandising sales inside the same system they use for catalog, royalties, and contracts. Whether you’re selling vinyl, shirts, or digital extras, your merch data now lives right where your rights do. Check it out here.
#3. Tencent Music Hits 15M Super VIP Subscribers
Tencent Music’s premium subscriber model continues to scale, with 15 million Super VIP subscribers now on the platform. This category is largely gathering fans who are spending significantly more for exclusives, early access, and deeper experiences.
As Western DSPs explore new monetization layers, Tencent’s success with tiered fandom models highlights how “superfan” infrastructure can be built directly into platforms.
#4. Publishers Accuse Anthropic of Piracy
New day, new plot twist in the genAI space: major music publishers have filed an amended complaint alleging that AI company Anthropic used BitTorrent to illegally acquire copyrighted lyrics during model training.
It’s a case that goes beyond basic copyright violations. If the allegations are substantiated, it would challenge the claim that AI models “learn” in neutral environments and reaffirm that lyrics are not fair game, even for foundational training purposes. As legal precedent evolves, publishers are defending their rights on multiple fronts: contracts, tech infrastructure, and now, training pipelines.
#5. 14M Mexicans Are Listening to K-Pop on Spotify
Spotify’s latest report reveals that over 14 million Mexican listeners are streaming K-pop, making Mexico one of the genre’s biggest global markets outside Asia. This growing audience reflects not only K-pop’s export power but also Latin America’s increasingly central role in global streaming trends.
It’s also perfectly timed with Reprtoir’s 2025 Summer Series, which is focused entirely on the evolution of K-pop, for a full overview and understanding of the sector. If you're following the genre or working with artists in adjacent spaces, don’t miss the series on our blog!
