DistroKid confirms it has removed tracks in response to UMG claims

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:15:00 +0100

The issue here - floods of AI slop notwithstanding - is that DistroKid is a volume operator. That means it isn't there to provide personal support to users, and also isn't motivated to police it's platform all that much. Very much a case of “you get what you pay for”. 🙄

Music Business WorldwideDistroKid confirms it has removed tracks in response to UMG claims - Music Business WorldwideThe Verge reported that independent artists had been posting on social media about their music being taken down without notice.

Universal vs Summer Walker

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Whilst I do feel legal contracts exist for a reason, and that Summer Walker’s reasons to escape her contract might be up for question, I’d equally counter that at a time where Universal makes much of being artist-friendly, these kinds of lawsuits do absolutely nothing to help that image.

Note the contract being described as “brutal”. For me it’s a simple reminder of what Universal really is: a corporate behemoth, backed by the likes of Pershing Square. In some respects I don’t begrudge that - we will always have corporations - but it is when those companies make passionate claims about having artists’ interests at heart that I feel things get disingenuous.

Rolling StoneInterscope Claims Summer Walker Will Owe $50 Million if She Walks Away From Record DealInterscope is suing Summer Walker with claims she'll owe at least $50 million in damages if she terminates her contract under California labor law.

Every Spoil Is A Style: Industry Comment

DistroKid confirms it has removed tracks in response to UMG claims

Universal vs Summer Walker