TikTok users have been left worried that UMG – Universal Music Group – and countless independent publishers will pull their music from the app, leaving videos without sound from the likes of Taylor Swift. Here’s everything we know about what’s going on.
When TikTok first started out in 2016, it merged with ByteDance’s other short-form video app – Musical.ly – which was all about dance routines, lip-syncing, and other ways for creatives to showcase their work.
As a result, music has always played a big role in videos. This includes rising artists debuting their own songs and massive stars having their hits used in different roles. However, the latter part of that can create issues.
That’s unfolding now as Universal Music Group – UMG – has pulled their music from the short-form video app after TikTok wouldn’t increase the payments that artists receive for their music being used. Additionally, a slew of independent publishers are now claiming they’ll pull music once their contract ends on April 30.
TikTok has started losing music from UMG artists
As it stands, TikTok’s license to use UMG’s music expired on January 31, and the publishers have been pulling down music or striking TikTok videos that have used them since then.
UMG began removing select songs from their library of music, but that doesn’t include fan edits for now. So, if a song is remixed and credited to a fan, it’ll still be available – for now.
Any pre-existing video that uses a song from a UMG artist, which includes Taylor Swift, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Harry Styles, and Billie Eilish- some of the most popular artists on TikTok – will simply just be muted.
UMG has officially started removing their artists’ catalogs from TikTok. Official songs are no longer appearing for UMG artists under the ‘sounds’ tab, with the exception of fan-made edits. pic.twitter.com/Aw8MRpPDe4
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 1, 2024
UMG have accused TikTok of trying to “bully” them into taking a worse deal. “As our negotiations continued, TikTok attempted to bully us into accepting a deal worth less than the previous deal, far less than fair market value and not reflective of their exponential growth,” they said.
TikTok has fired back by claiming that UMG is putting “their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters.”
Independent publishers have no plans of renewing TikTok contract
In the aftermath of UMG pulling their catalog artists, it appears independent publishers are lining up to have their music removed from the platform.
On March 6, Billboard released a report in which The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) issued a letter saying they “do not anticipate” a renewal or extension of their licensing contract with the company.
“Recently, the press has highlighted concerns around TikTok’s licensing practices, concerns that NMPA has heard directly from many of our members,” read the letter, in part.
Independent publishers might remove their music from TikTok this upcoming May, @Billboard reports.The National Music Publishers’ Association’s TikTok license, which is used by a number of indie publishers, is set to expire April 30 with no plans for renewal or extension. pic.twitter.com/a4rjlLgUCy
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) March 6, 2024
“It is important that all NMPA members understand that without a license in place, TikTok should not be using your musical works on its platform,” the letter continued.
Currently, those who wish to leverage a new contact can do so beyond the contract expiration date. For those who don’t, the NMPA has counsel on stand-by to help enforce the removal of their artist’s music starting on May 1.