According to Beatdapp Software, a music data tracking firm that describes itself as a “leading authority in fraud detection,” streaming fraud takes around $2 billion out of artists’ royalties per year, distributing that money to the owners of low-quality content designed to skim cash from streaming revenues.

“No one notices that a few pennies are going to this song and a few pennies are going to that song but, in aggregate, they can steal billions of dollars,” Beatdapp co-CEOs Andrew Batey and Morgan Hayduk told Sky News recently. That money would have gone to real artists that would have been used to pay out managers and agents and lawyers, labels, distributors. But instead it’s syphoned off and it goes to professional scammers who are just stealing from the industry.”

Music distributor and artist services company Amuse has unveiled ‘Stream Check,’ a new feature that lets artists know if their streams are being artificially inflated through streaming fraud.

“While there are plenty of bad actors who systemize streaming fraud, artificial streaming can also happen to artists who haven’t done anything at all,” said Erik Söderblom, Amuse’s Interim Chief Product Officer.

“An artist may cluelessly use a third-party promotion partner who turns out to be a bad choice, or legitimate tracks are added to a third-party playlist that utilizes bots without artists knowing, but the artist faces the penalties.”

In its 18 years of existence, Spotify hasn’t had a comments section to go with its music tracks. That sets it apart from other music platforms, such as SoundCloud, YouTube and TikTok (if you consider TikTok a music platform).

Now that’s about to change – at least when it comes to podcasts hosted on Spotify.

The streaming service announced on Tuesday (July 9) that it has begun to roll out the ability to post comments on podcasts, a move it says is key to podcasters’ ability to develop deeper relationships with their audiences

Widely respected music executive Kazuhiro Shimada has departed his role as Chief Operating Officer of Warner Music Japan.

MBW understands that Tuesday (July 9) was the Tokyo-based exec’s last day at the company and that an official update is likely to be issued soon.

Shimada joined Warner Music Japan in November 2022 from Amazon Music Japan, where he served as Director & General Manager.

Previously, Shimada was Corporate Executive of Universal Music Japan, and prior to that, Vice President, Strategy of MTV Networks Japan.

Shimada has also worked at GAGA Communications, an independent film acquisition, marketing and distribution company.

Virgin Music Group and independent label Neon Gold Records announced a new global distribution deal on Tuesday (June 11).

The partnership combines the global reach of Universal Music Group-owned Virgin Music with Neon Gold’s experience in nurturing talent.

Neon Gold, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary, is known for launching the careers of artists like Tove Lo, Charli XCX, MARINA, Passion Pit and Christine And The Queens. The label’s artists have so far amassed over 15 billion streams and sold more than 10 million album equivalents.

Neon Gold’s artists have also achieved numerous gold and platinum certifications including Tove Lo’s Habits (8x Platinum), Charli XCX’s Boom Clap (3x Platinum), and Passion Pit’s Sleepyhead (2x Platinum). Billboard number ones include Charli XCX’s and Tove Lo’s singles, which topped the Top 40 charts in the summer of 2014, and back-to-back Billboard alternative number ones with Matt Maeson in 2019 and 2020, Cringe and Hallucinogenics (both RIAA-certified platinum).

Spotify is planning to launch a pricier Premium music tier later this year that includes access to high-fidelity audio.

That’s according to Bloomberg, which, citing sources, reports today (June 11) that this new tier will cost “at least $5 more per month” and will be “an add-on” for existing subscribers.

The report adds that the new plan will include high-fidelity audio as well as new playlisting and song library management tools.