Your favorite artists’ songs will disappear from TikTok 😰

Cliquez ici pour lire en français

TikTok’s success has been built on the ability to use the music of favorite artists to create various types of videos, such as covers or choreographies. Unfortunately, the use of certain artists’ music may no longer be possible.

A disagreement between Universal and TikTok 💰

Most of the artists you listen to are usually signed by record companies and labels. These are often subsidiaries of major record companies, commonly known as majors. The world’s biggest major is Universal Music Group (UMG), which counts artists such as Rihanna, Adele, Kendrick Lamar, Ninho and Booba among its affiliates. And one of Universal’s roles is to defend the rights of artists signed with them.

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have signed contracts with Universal Music Group to exploit artists’ music in return for payment. That’s why you can create choreographies using the tracks of your favorite artists. However, the contract between UMG and TikTok expired on January 31, 2024. Unfortunately, the two parties were unable to agree on artist remuneration, and the contract was not renewed.

Universal-linked artists’ tracks deleted from February 1 💔

From February 1, all tracks by artists linked to Universal will be removed from TikTok. This is sad news for fans, but also for artists. Although TikTok depends on UMG for its content, UMG also needs the platform. In recent years, TikTok has played a crucial role in the discovery and promotion of artists. For both new and established artists, promotion on TikTok has become an essential part of their strategy. There are countless choreographies and challenges launched on the platform to accompany music releases.

As Universal Music admits in its press release, the end of the contract with TikTok will have considerable consequences for artists. Cutting off such an important promotional channel will have a significant impact on streams generated, as well as on sales of albums, concert tickets and merchandising. It remains to be seen whether Universal and TikTok will come to an agreement, whether artists will put pressure on Universal, whether they will turn to other majors – all these questions remain unanswered.

What do you think of this situation? Discuss it in the comments section.

Source : Frandroid, Universal Music Group