Universal Music Group (UMG) pulls its music from TikTok after the licensing deal expires, removing songs by major artists like Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey from the app's sound library. Old videos featuring UMG label's songs, including those by Billie Eilish, Drake, and Ariana Grande, now play silently on the platform. Negotiations between UMG and TikTok continue amid tension, with UMG expressing dissatisfaction with TikTok's compensation practices, lack of AI-generated content protection, and issues related to user safety. TikTok responds, accusing UMG of greed and emphasizing their "artist-first" agreements with other labels. The loss of UMG music, the largest record label globally, is expected to impact TikTok, known as a major promotional site for artists, potentially affecting profits for both major and smaller labels or artists. The stalemate recalls the 2008 scenario when Warner Music Group pulled content from YouTube during negotiations. The outcome hinges on the ongoing discussions and the impact on TikTok's music experience, a crucial aspect of the platform.
Songs by Taylor Swift, Drake and more are starting to disappear from TikTok. Here's why | AP News
TikTok Lost Universal’s Huge Music Catalog. What Happened? - The New York Times
Universal Music Group Pulls Songs From TikTok - The New York Times
