Early 1980s Sony audio cassettes are forever cool.

News this week: Britney Spears sold her music catalog to Primary Wave for ~$200M. This adds to the $20B+ in music IP now owned by private equity and investment. Full running list: ajournalofmusicalthings.com/heres-a-runnin…

I'm not surprised the new record was set by a music-related event. Here's why: linernotesxr.substack.com/p/the-revoluti…

HYBE hit record $1.86B revenue in 2025, driven by touring (+69%) & merch/superfans, but operating profit plunged 73% as recorded music/streams declined. Proof that money in music is shifting from passive streams to high-value experiences. musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybe-posts-rec…

Music's future is owning & monetizing IP better. 2025 catalog boom proves it: massive deals, broken global royalties, billions unclaimed. AI tools are fixing the mess so artists actually get paid at scale. High-value assets & experiences win. digitalmusicnews.com/2025/12/16/mus…

Doechii has been sharing vlogs and other glimpses into her personal life on a new Instagram page, gutsgritglamour.⁠ ⁠ On the account, she offered a sneak peek of her first Substack essay, which explores the growing disconnect of fans and communities, as well as how the internet

MiniDisc deserves all the love and appreciation it can get.

POV: it's Monday morning. You and the homies been bumping the new baby keem all weekend. #casino 🎰 🔥

HYBE's Weverse turned profitable in 2025, fueled by 30% YoY growth in digital memberships & Weverse DM, now >10% of its revenue. This is validation that direct digital superfan models are building sustainable music money beyond passive streams. musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybes-us-restr…

• Sampling: new instrument = more ways for artists to shape sound • Gen AI: prompt = finished artifact, process optional or skipped Huge difference. The craft in human remixing is inspiration + agency. It's not just the result; the craft is in the making. Apples and oranges.

Dave Free's creative vision is unmatched. New video for Birds & the Bees plays out lyrics scene-for-scene, even syncing 1:1 with the lyrics at points. Echoes the layered visual collage approach from Family Ties. Brilliant. youtube.com/watch?v=8sAVQW…

Gen AI music "big 3" status: • ProducerAI: 100% Google • Udio: private + UMG partner control (licensed only) • Suno: independent + WMG influence/opt-ins Settlements and partnerships bring all into the establishment; no more independent disruption. musicbusinessworldwide.com/google-acquire…

We could all use a heavy dose of warmth in our lives

1985 Sony Credit Card Radios

New short "The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God" from gorillaz (dir. Jamie Hewlett). The band's ninth studio album is out today. “In a time of Al overload, this is our love letter to craftsmanship. We're chasing the feel of pencil on paper.” youtube.com/watch?v=ucRulN…