We break down Drake’s defamation appeal over Not Like Us, the clash between rap-battle culture and courtroom logic, and why the case could reshape how labels handle diss tracks. Then we dig into Universal’s proposed Downtown Music Group deal, the indie backlash over royalty data, and The Weeknd’s massive structured finance move that keeps control in artist hands.

A sharp debate on the forces reshaping music economics, from the DOJ’s antitrust case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster to radius clauses, merch cuts, and the crushing costs of touring. The hosts also dig into AI music licensing, synthetic vocals, and Spotify’s stream threshold policy, asking who really benefits when platforms and labels consolidate power.

We dig into the collapse of UK club culture, the brutal economics crushing grassroots venues, and the surprising rise of informal spaces like record shops, galleries, and sober day parties. The conversation also explores how AI, playlists, and social media are reshaping music creation, discovery, and what it means to make something truly human.

We break down the flood of fully AI-generated music, bot-driven streaming fraud, and how subscription price hikes and catalog buyouts are reshaping the economics of recorded music. The conversation also tackles why mid-tier touring is getting harder and why independent artists may need to prioritize direct fan ownership, regional circuits, and community-led growth.