And The Update Is…Labels Rein In AI, Miley Signs to Atlantic & Deezer Turns a Profit
5m 22s
In this week’s music industry update, host Ross Golan covers major developments, starting with major labels outlining—but not detailing—rules for AI-generated music’s chart eligibility, a topic with significant implications. K-pop’s biggest agencies—HYBE, SM, YG, and JYP—announce the Phenomenon Music Festival, set for Seoul in late 2027, with potential expansion to Los Angeles in 2028, underscoring K-pop’s global reach. Deezer’s return to profitability in early 2026 is highlighted, possibly tied to its AI strategy that prioritizes human artistry. Snapchat’s integration of Spotify’s “Now Playing” into Snap Map is praised for driving listeners to streaming platforms, benefiting songwriters. In a notable move, BTS opts out of Grammy submissions this year, disappointing the host, who views the Asian performance category as a crucial platform for Asian music worldwide. The episode also covers artist signings: Miley Cyrus joins Atlantic Records from Columbia, while Ed Sheeran departs Atlantic for Interscope. Chart updates feature Ella Langley’s enduring Hot 100 reign, Gracie Abrams’ Billboard 200 debut, Shakira and Burna Boy’s Global 200 success, and strong Spotify debuts from Charli XCX and Cat’s Eye, with Olivia Rodrigo maintaining her album chart lead. Golan closes with thanks to guest Suki Waterhouse and promotes a Patreon episode with A&R veteran Mio, ending with well-wishes to listeners.
Welcome to And The Update Is, I am your host Ross Golan and this is the news in the music
industry for the week of July 27th, 2026.
Let's get straight to it.
Major labels propose rules for AI music on the charts.
They collectively outline rules on AI-generated music's chart eligibility, but haven't really
announced what those are yet.
So, you know, put that in your back pocket.
HYBE, SM, YG, JYP unveil the Phenomenon Music Festival.
It'll launch in Seoul December 2nd, 2027 with rumors of a 2028 LA festival.
That will be massive because K-pop is worldwide.
If you ask people at HYBE, they don't do. If you ask people at HYBE, they don't do Korean pop music.
They do pop music worldwide.
Deezer returns to profit in first half of 2026.
Maybe, just maybe, a solid AI strategy is affecting that because people want to go to
a place that protects human contribution to songs.
Snapchat adds Spotify now playing to Snap Map.
That's pretty cool because we, again, are always trying to get people from apps like
TikTok and Snapchat to move over to streaming services so songwriters can get paid better.
So, good on Snapchat and Spotify there.
In a side note, BTS has decided not to submit for the Grammys this year.
A disappointing move from the Grammys' perspective.
The Asian performance category is supposed to shine a light on all Asian music, regardless
whether they're from Korea.
Or Japan.
Or any other Asian country or region.
So, I hope that they change their mind because, yes, they are a worldwide act and they are
shining a light on how good music is that's produced in Asia for the whole world's consumption.
So, let's get to signings.
Miley Cyrus signs to Atlantic Records.
Look at this.
So,
Ed Sheeran moves over from Atlantic to Interscope.
And Miley Cyrus moves from Columbia to Atlantic.
Who's next in the carousel of artists?
Anyway, let's get to charts.
Oh, yeah, that's right.
Choose in Texas by Ella Langley is number one on Billboard Hot 100 chart for the 15th week.
Non-consecutive.
Not a surprise there.
Daughter from Hell by Gracie Abrams debuts at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Shout out to Gracie, our friend and former guest on this podcast.
Die Die by Shakira and Burna Boy is number one on the Global 200 chart.
Shout out to Bellion and to Ed Sheeran, both former guests of this podcast.
Music Fashion Film by Charli XCX debuts number one on Spotify's Top Albums debut chart.
Shout out to my friend Charli XCX, former guest and co-writer,
on many songs.
Charli's the best.
She's very cool.
Animal by Cat's Eye debuts number one on Spotify's Top Songs debut global chart.
Shout out to Blake and to Ed Sheeran, both, who've been on this podcast.
And honestly, shout out to Lara Raj, incredible artist.
I know because we wrote a song on this upcoming EP and she is very good at what she does.
I can tell you from being in the room with her.
She is going to be a very successful producer, along with being a successful artist.
I think many people will be very happy to hear how good she is throughout her career.
And we are just witnessing the beginning of that.
You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl, so in love by Olivia Rodrigo, is number one on Spotify's
Top Albums global chart for the sixth week in a row.
Wow.
Anyway, all the rest of them are the same in USA.
So I guess no surprises there.
I guess if anything is new, it's been. By now, by Morgan Wallen debuts at number one on Spotify's Top Songs debut USA chart.
He tends to not travel across the seas as much, so that makes sense over there.
Anyway, thank you guys so much for listening.
We had a great guest this week with Suki Waterhouse.
Thank you, People Magazine and E! Online for highlighting some of that conversation.
It was very entertaining and Suki is great.
We have one of the best songwriters in the world coming up on Tuesday.
Join our Patreon where we launch an episode on Patreon with Mio.
Mio is one of the most classic A&R people still working in the game.
You should go check that out.
Patreon members can view that for free.
And thank you Georgia Web Bush for the excellent notes as always.
We will see you soon.
Have a good weekend.
Podcast Summary
Key Points:
Major labels propose rules for AI music’s chart eligibility, though specifics remain undisclosed.
K-pop agencies HYBE, SM, YG, and JYP announce the Phenomenon Music Festival, launching in Seoul on December 2, 2027, with rumors of a 2028 LA edition.
Deezer returns to profit in the first half of 2026, possibly aided by its AI strategy that protects human contributions.
BTS declines to submit for the Grammys this year, raising concerns about the Asian performance category’s visibility.
Signings
Chart highlights
Summary:
In this week’s music industry update, host Ross Golan covers major developments, starting with major labels outlining—but not detailing—rules for AI-generated music’s chart eligibility, a topic with significant implications. K-pop’s biggest agencies—HYBE, SM, YG, and JYP—announce the Phenomenon Music Festival, set for Seoul in late 2027, with potential expansion to Los Angeles in 2028, underscoring K-pop’s global reach. Deezer’s return to profitability in early 2026 is highlighted, possibly tied to its AI strategy that prioritizes human artistry.
Snapchat’s integration of Spotify’s “Now Playing” into Snap Map is praised for driving listeners to streaming platforms, benefiting songwriters. In a notable move, BTS opts out of Grammy submissions this year, disappointing the host, who views the Asian performance category as a crucial platform for Asian music worldwide. The episode also covers artist signings: Miley Cyrus joins Atlantic Records from Columbia, while Ed Sheeran departs Atlantic for Interscope.
Chart updates feature Ella Langley’s enduring Hot 100 reign, Gracie Abrams’ Billboard 200 debut, Shakira and Burna Boy’s Global 200 success, and strong Spotify debuts from Charli XCX and Cat’s Eye, with Olivia Rodrigo maintaining her album chart lead. Golan closes with thanks to guest Suki Waterhouse and promotes a Patreon episode with A&R veteran Mio, ending with well-wishes to listeners.
FAQs
Major labels collectively outlined rules for AI-generated music's chart eligibility, but they haven't announced the specific details yet.
The Phenomenon Music Festival is a new festival by HYBE, SM, YG, and JYP that will launch in Seoul on December 2nd, 2027, with rumors of a 2028 LA festival.
Deezer returned to profit in the first half of 2026, possibly due to a solid AI strategy that attracts users seeking platforms protecting human contributions to songs.
Snapchat added a 'Now Playing' feature to Snap Map, allowing users to see what friends are listening to on Spotify, which helps drive traffic to streaming services.
BTS decided not to submit for the Grammys this year, which is disappointing because the Asian performance category aims to highlight Asian music globally, and BTS is a worldwide act.
Miley Cyrus signed to Atlantic Records, while Ed Sheeran moved from Atlantic to Interscope.
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