TikTok users are surprised about the removal of sounds and songs of various artists from the video-sharing site by UMG and are wondering why it’s happening. Here is all you need to know.
Why are sounds and songs being removed from TikTok?
Sounds and songs from various artists are being removed from TikTok as the video-sharing site failed to reach a new deal with Universal Music Group (UMG), following the expiration of an existing deal between the two parties.
In an open letter published by UMG on January 30, 2024, the record label company that represents artists like Taylor Swift and Drake and licenses out their music to TikTok explained in a statement why they removed the songs and sounds. The statement says that TikTok was attempting to build a music-based platform without paying fair value for music.
In the letter, UMG also accused TikTok of trying to promote more famous artists in favor of developing ones by selectively removing music belonging to the latter. UMG also accused TikTok of proposing a deal that would pay artists a fraction of the rates offered to them by other social media sites that use their music.
TikTok was also accused by UMG of enabling increasing AI music creation. UMG also accused TikTok of trying to intimidate them and the artists into a bad deal.
TikTok vehemently denied the accusations thrown at them by UMG in their statement published the following day. The video-sharing site also claimed that they were able to reach “artist-first” agreements with other labels and music publishers.
Will UMG songs come back to TikTok?
UMG songs will only come back to TikTok if and when UMG and TikTok manage to work out their differences and reach a new deal.
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