Nina Joins SoundCloud & AI Floods Deezer - July 22

Email us hereSony Music's second copyright suit against Udio now targets 30,117 recordings and $4.5 billion in potential damages, while Apple Music hiked US subscription prices for the first time in nearly four years. Meanwhile, Deezer confirmed AI-generated tracks have crossed 50% of all new daily uploads — a first — and Spotify launched a music video chart to take on YouTube. Deals & M&A • SoundCloud acquired shuttered indie-streaming startup Nina Protocol, letting artists migrate music and followers. • Superfan startup Belong launched from stealth, backed by Troy Carter and Hans Vestberg, routing fan card spending to artists. Lawsuits & AI • Sony Music's second Udio suit asserts 30,117 sound recordings, pushing potential statutory damages to $4.5 billion. • AFM urged a court to reject UMG and WMG's dismissal bid over AI licensing "new use" payments owed to session musicians. • A federal judge denied Cher's bid to recover $1.02 million in legal fees from her royalties battle with Mary Bono. • A November 2025 Suno hack exposed personal data of 55.3 million users; Suno has not publicly disclosed the breach. • Lorde called out Spotify's AI song-description feature for inaccuracy and demanded an artist opt-out option. Streaming & Tech • Spotify launched its first global music video chart, ranking top 50 videos, and opened artist video pitching to editors. • Apple Music raised US prices: Individual to $11.99, Family to $19.99, Student to $6.99, citing rising licensing costs. • Deezer said AI-only tracks topped 50% of new uploads in June 2026, roughly 90,000 daily, with demonetization plans ahead. • Spotify began rolling out "Talk to Spotify," a conversational AI feature for Premium users in the US, Ireland, and Sweden. Artists & Releases • Universal Pictures dated the Snoop Dogg biopic Snoop for August 6, 2027, directed by Craig Brewer. • AIM named 2026 Independent Music Awards nominees; Fcukers leads with three noms alongside Robyn and Jorja Smith. International • HYBE unveiled TUIDE, a seven-member K-pop girl group debuting H2 2026 under its new ABD label. Five minutes, six categories, zero fluff.