SAMPLED▌ FRONT AND CENTER
What Are the Last 10 Songs on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week? (October 17, 2026)
Jelly Roll, GENER8ION and Yung Lean, Quavo and Future, and Olivia Rodrigo and Robert Smith appear at Nos. 91–100. Here is who is debuting, returning or holding on.
// also right now
MusicWhat Is Lucki Doing Going Into 2027?
A first top 10 album, a Summer Smash set and a bloody fight outside ComplexCon. Here is where the Chicago rapper stands at the end of 2026, and what to watch for next.
BusinessHow Much Does It Cost to Join ASCAP, BMI or SESAC in 2026?
Membership fees, step-by-step ASCAP sign-up for songwriters, and what businesses pay ASCAP, BMI and SESAC for music licenses in 2026.
// from the dispatch
Why Are Universal and Sony Asking a Court to Make DistroKid Reveal Its AI Uploads?
Universal Music Group and Sony Music filed a new action in New York to force DistroKid to disclose how many AI-generated songs, especially Suno tracks, it sends to streaming services. Here is what the filing says and what it means for independent artists.
Why Did Universal and Sony Sue Suno Again Over Its v6 Models?
The major labels filed a second lawsuit against Suno in Boston, claiming 60,202 recordings were copied and that the v6 models were trained on earlier infringing models. Here is the timeline and what it means.
What Does the Thomson Reuters v. ROSS Ruling Mean for AI Music?
A U.S. appeals court rejected a fair-use defense for AI training on Sept. 29, 2026. No music company was in the case, but the RIAA and NMPA backed it for a reason. Here is what it decides and what it does not.
How Does YouTube Music's New AI Label Work?
YouTube Music started labeling songs made primarily with generative AI on Oct. 14, 2026. Here is what triggers the label, where you will see it, and how it compares with Spotify, Deezer and Bandcamp.
Can You Ask Siri to Play Spotify Without Saying "on Spotify" in iOS 27?
Yes, on supported iPhones. Spotify said on Oct. 13, 2026, that Siri on iOS 27 learns your preferred music app. Here is who gets it, what you can say, and how to turn it on.
Who Is Eligible for Best New Artist at the 2027 Grammys?
331 artists made the 2027 Grammy entry list for best new artist. Don Toliver is in, Megan Moroney is out. Here is how eligibility works, the rule change that helped Ella Langley and Ken Carson, and key dates.
Why Are CD Sales Growing Faster Than Vinyl in 2026?
U.S. CD sales rose 16% in the first half of 2026 while vinyl grew 2.4%, per Luminate. K-pop, BTS and collecting explain much of it, but not all. Here is what the numbers say.
Why Are Old Songs Taking Over the Spotify Charts?
Catalog music is surging on Spotify's Top 200 while new hits fade faster, Music Business Worldwide reported this week. Here is what that means, plus Universal's layoffs and the other industry stories you missed.
How Do Songwriters Get Paid From Streaming?
A plain-English guide to the two sides of every stream, mechanical and performance royalties, who collects them, and the current U.S. rates: 13.1 cents per physical copy or download and 15.3% of streaming revenue in 2026.