Welcome back to Tune-In: Enharmonic Magazine's monthly dive into the most shocking happenings in the music industry! Seriously... what is going on lately? Diddy, Diddy, Diddy! We’ve got to tune in to this industry-shaking legal saga. Sometimes, it feels like the music industry is more about the legal than the music itself, Sad. So, this edition of Tune-In is a tough one to get through, and we get it if you want to skip the opening story. But it’s a topic that, as fans of the industry, we should all be aware of and talk about. We'll keep watching and bring you the latest updates about Diddy.
On the other hand, we are finally getting back to more news about humans rather than just AI. This September, Miley Cyrus is being sued over her smash hit "Flowers," accused of lifting Bruno Mars' "When I Was Your Man." Chappell Roan set the record straight on her political stance, and Macklemore stirred controversy with that "F--- America" chant, later clarifying his frustration with U.S. policies on Palestine. YouTube's licensing dispute with SESAC led to major artists being blocked, leaving fans in shock, while a steep price hike for YouTube Music has had subscribers up in arms. Archivists sounded the alarm on dying '90s hard drives, risking iconic recordings, but Spotify had a rare win in court against Eminem's publisher.
Live music’s carbon footprint is under the spotlight as artists like Massive Attack and Taylor Swift aim for greener tours. And finally, Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing for Oasis' reunion shows has the U.K. government stepping in, after prices soared to fans’ dismay. Stay informed with the latest headlines and trends as we head into the last quarter of 2024.
Warning: This first story contains details of sexual abuse and violence.
Summary of News on Sean “Diddy” Combs
Sean "Diddy" Combs, the prominent music mogul and rapper, is currently embroiled in a series of serious legal troubles and allegations. It is important to note precedents. According to an AP report, on November 16, 2023, R&B artist Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of years of abuse, including physical assault and rape. Combs denied these allegations, and the lawsuit was settled confidentially the next day. Later that week, on November 19, prosecutors claimed that Combs made several calls to another victim, attempting to persuade her that she had willingly taken part in the abusive acts. AP described this as the beginning of Combs' efforts to manipulate and bribe witnesses as the accusations surfaced. Here is a summary of the recent news about this situation:
On 16 September 2024, CNN reported that Combs had been arrested in New York and charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He was not granted bail and is currently being held in federal custody. The arrest occurred subsequent to federal agents conducting searches at two of his properties in Los Angeles and Miami in March 2024, as part of an ongoing investigation.
The following day, on 17 September, USA TODAY reported that Sean "Diddy" Combs had been denied bail after entering a plea of not guilty to the aforementioned charges, as well as transportation for prostitution. By 19 September, Andre Gee from Rolling Stone had provided an analysis supported by legal experts, which described the case against Diddy as strong, with considerable physical evidence and numerous witnesses. The Southern District of New York prosecutors drew comparisons between Diddy's case and that of R. Kelly, highlighting the severity of the allegations. On 28 September, the BBC, with Rianna Croxford and Larissa Kennelly, reported that Combs is facing a twelfth lawsuit. The woman in question has made claims that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her after disclosing her pregnancy. As of this month, Combs has stated that he does not accept any allegations. On 30 September, Diddy was taken off suicide watch, according to Sunny Green Itodo. This follows his recent arrest and the multiple lawsuits that have been filed against him.
In addition to Kendra Wilkinson (as per Corinne Heller) and Mark Cuban (according to Kwan Wei Kevin Tan), a number of other celebrities have been mentioned in connection with Combs this month. These people include Pink, Beyoncé, J.Lo, Justin Bieber, Usher and more, as Aditi Srivastava reported for the Hindustan Times.
Miley Cyrus Sued Over “Flowers,” Accused Of Ripping Off Bruno Mars Song
On September 17, 2024, Stereogum reporter Tom Breihan detailed a lawsuit filed by Tempo Music against Miley Cyrus, accusing her of "intentionally copying" Bruno Mars' 2013 song "When I Was Your Man" in her hit "Flowers."
The lawsuit claims significant similarities between the songs, including melody, chord progression, and lyrics, asserting that "Flowers" would not exist without Mars' original track.
Tempo Music, which holds a stake in the copyright of "When I Was Your Man," is seeking monetary damages and an injunction to prevent Cyrus from distributing or performing "Flowers." Notably, Bruno Mars himself is not involved in the lawsuit.
Adele, Bob Dylan, Kendrick Lamar & More Blocked on YouTube in Dispute With SESAC
On September 29, 2024, Billboard reporter Ashley Iasimone revealed that songs by major artists, including Adele, Bob Dylan, and Kendrick Lamar, were blocked on YouTube due to a dispute between the platform and the performing rights organisation SESAC.
YouTube has not reached an agreement with SESAC to renew their licensing deal, leading to the unavailability of certain music videos, such as Adele's "Hello" and R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion". YouTube stated that they are working on reaching a new deal to restore the content. SESAC, which licenses over 1.5 million songs, has yet to respond publicly regarding the situation.
Chappell Roan clarifies 2024 presidential election stance after backlash
On September 25, 2024, Entertainment Weekly reporter Ryan Coleman detailed Chappell Roan's response to backlash following her comments on the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Roan took to TikTok to clarify her stance after her previous remarks were misinterpreted as suggesting political neutrality.
She explicitly stated, "No, I'm not voting for Trump," and emphasized her belief in questioning those in power, adding that critical thinking is essential for informed voting. Roan highlighted "trans rights" as the key issue she wants voters to focus on, stressing that cisgender individuals should not be making decisions for trans people.
Roan reiterated her commitment to standing up for her beliefs, declaring, "Actions speak louder than an endorsement."
Spotify wins case over 'billions' of Eminem streams
On September 5, 2024, BBC music correspondent Mark Savage reported that Spotify won a court case involving Eminem's publisher, Eight Mile Style, which accused Spotify of streaming Eminem's music without proper licenses. Eight Mile Style sought £30 million in damages, claiming Spotify failed to fully license songs like "Lose Yourself." Although the judge found that Spotify lacked the required licenses, no liability for lost royalties was assigned to Spotify.
Instead, Kobalt Music Group, which administered royalties for Eminem, was deemed responsible for any potential penalties. Judge Aleta A. Trauger criticized Eight Mile's actions, suggesting they may have been a strategic attempt to extract money from Spotify.
YouTube Music gets more expensive as users in 16 countries report major price hikes
On September 25, 2024, Music Business Worldwide reporter Mandy Dalugdug covered a major price hike for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music subscriptions in 16 countries, including several in the European Union, the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia.
The price increase affects both Individual and Family plans, with some countries, such as Norway, seeing a 42% rise in the cost of an Individual subscription. Users expressed frustration at the already high costs, with many threatening to cancel their subscriptions. YouTube explained the increase as necessary to continue improving its Premium features and supporting content creators.
Music industry hard drives from the 1990s are dying, archivists warn
On September 14, 2024, NME reporter Daniel Peters highlighted the alarming state of hard drives from the 1990s used by the music industry, which are increasingly becoming unreadable.
According to a survey by Iron Mountain Media and Archive Services, approximately 20% of the archived hard drives are no longer accessible. This threatens the survival of historic sessions recorded during the early to mid-1990s.
Archivist Robert Koszela emphasized that despite the industry's shift from magnetic tapes to hard drives for better longevity, these drives are not as resilient as once thought. The potential loss mirrors past incidents like the 2008 Universal Studios fire, which led to the destruction of numerous master recordings, including unreleased material by artists such as Beck.
Live music is a major carbon sinner — but it could be a catalyst for change
On September 4, 2024, Nature published an editorial on the substantial carbon footprint of live music events and the potential for the industry to drive climate action.
The article highlighted efforts by artists like Massive Attack, who partnered with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to reduce carbon emissions at live music festivals. Another article by Esme Hedley also commented on Massive Attack role in fighting carbon emitions.
Other notable figures, including Taylor Swift and Coldplay, are also increasingly focusing on sustainable practices in their tours. While live music is a significant carbon emitter, it can lead the way in fostering broader environmental change, provided the industry adopts science-backed, low-carbon solutions.
Macklemore Releases Statement, Clarifies ‘F— America’ Chant in Seattle
On September 25, 2024, Billboard journalist Rania Aniftos reported that Macklemore released a statement clarifying his remarks after leading a "F--- America" chant during his performance at Seattle's Palestine Will Live Forever Festival.
Macklemore explained that his words were a result of being caught up in the moment and expressed his frustration with U.S. government actions regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
He acknowledged the impact of his comments, which led to his removal from Las Vegas' Neon City Festival lineup, but reaffirmed his unwavering support for a free Palestine and emphasised that his intent is always rooted in peace, love, equality, and liberation for all.
Oasis Ticketmaster fiasco prompts UK probe into ‘dynamic pricing’
On September 2, 2024, Politico journalist Csongor Körömi reported that the British government will investigate Ticketmaster's use of "dynamic pricing" following complaints from fans during ticket sales for Oasis' reunion tour. The ticket prices, initially advertised at £148.50, rose to £355.20 due to high demand, prompting criticism and accusations of price gouging.
UK's Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed her disappointment at the "vastly inflated prices" and affirmed that the investigation will be part of a broader review of ticket sales and consumer protection. The practice of dynamic pricing, common in the U.S., has increasingly been adopted in the U.K. to the frustration of many concert-goers.
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