Music record label, Universal Music Group (UMG) will end its agreement with the social video app, TikTok if a new deal is not reached.
This means that all songs and music videos under the UMG label will be removed from TikTok or muted if both parties does not reach a new deal soon.
The current agreement between UMG and TikTok ends effective January 31, 2024.
The fall out comes after both parties could not reach an agreement on a new deal on how much TikTok should pay UMG for using its music.
UMG’s decision will affect songs from Stonebwoy, Mr. Eazi, Nasty C, Yemi Alade and other artiste under the music group which will all be rendered unavailable on TikTok.
Our core mission is simple: to help our artists & songwriters attain their greatest creative and commercial potential, which is why we must call time out on TikTok.
Learn More: https://t.co/yJDQ7FdgNc pic.twitter.com/Lhluz1ez5H
— Universal Music Group (@UMG) January 31, 2024
UMG has thus decided to pull its entire song catalog from TikTok. The Group demanded for an appropriate compensation for their artists and songwriters, protection of human artists from the harmful effects of AI and online safety for TikTok’s users.
But TikTok could not meet these demands leading to the break out.
According to an open letter by UMG, TikTok is not paying fair value for its music.
UMG also alleged that TikTok is trying to build a music-based business without properly compensating the artists and songwriters.
🚨ICYMI🇬🇭🎶: If you are a content creator and probably a fan of @stonebwoy, starting today, January 31, 2024, you may not be able to use any song under the Universal Music Group(@UMG) label on TikTok. Any existing videos with UMG’s music will be muted or removed. This is why.… pic.twitter.com/BcT6J0c7j6
— Ölele | DTS👨🏾🍳🇬🇭 (@OleleSalvador) January 31, 2024
Universal Music Group also accused TikTok of bullying and intimidating them into accepting a bad deal which will amount to disrespecting their copyright.
UMG has also said TikTok accounts for only about 1% of its total revenue. This, they say is indicative of how meagre they earn from TikTok for using their music.
However, TikTok in response denied UMG’s allegations.
The social media app said “it is sad and disappointing that UMG has put its own greed above the interests of its artists and songwriters.”
TikTok described the allegations as “false narrative and rhetoric”. It said UMG have chosen to walk away from the powerful support of a platform with well over a billion users that serves as a free promotional and discovery vehicle for their talent.
It said it has reached ‘artist-first’ agreements with every other label and publisher.
“Clearly, Universal’s self-serving actions are not in the best interests of artists, songwriters and fans,” TikTok added.