Universal Music Group is removing your favorite songs from TikTok.

TikTok has experienced a significant reduction in its music library as Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's largest music corporation, removed its music from the platform. The move comes amid challenges in negotiating a new licensing agreement between UMG and TikTok, with disagreements centering around payment terms, artificial intelligence (AI), and safety issues. In an open letter to musicians and songwriters on January 30, UMG explained that it prioritized its responsibility to artists over the potential consequences of leaving the app. TikTok responded by accusing UMG of "greed" and dishonesty. The removal took effect after UMG's contract with TikTok expired on January 31, with no resolution in sight as per UMG's statement to Billboard, which characterized TikTok's stance as "woefully outdated." This mass removal of music from a major label like UMG represents uncharted territory for both musicians and TikTok users.

TikTok has removed recordings from Universal Music Group's (UMG) catalog as options for music that users can use in their videos. Additionally, TikTok has muted the audio on many, though not all, existing videos that utilized music published by UMG.

Why did UMG pull its music?

UMG's letter highlighted three primary concerns: compensation, AI protections, and online safety. According to UMG, TikTok is seeking to pay its artists significantly less compared to other social platforms, with TikTok accounting for only about one percent of the company's total revenue. UMG also criticized TikTok for the prevalence of AI-generated recordings on the platform, accusing it of essentially endorsing the replacement of artists by AI. Furthermore, UMG expressed apprehension about TikTok's inconsistent content moderation, particularly in addressing the substantial volume of hate speech, bigotry, bullying, and harassment on the platform, which directly impacts their artists.

Whose sounds are disappearing?

The impact of UMG's decision to remove its music from TikTok extends far beyond one record company, considering that UMG is the largest among the Big Three major-label groups, alongside Sony and Warner. UMG encompasses influential pop labels such as Republic, Interscope, Def Jam, Capitol, and Geffen, and it also handles the distribution of music from various other labels. This development goes beyond artists signed directly to UMG labels; it also affects songwriters whose music is published by Universal Music Publishing Group. Consequently, a notable roster of pop music icons will be impacted, including Taylor Swift, BTS, Drake, Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, SZA, Billie Eilish, Adele, Olivia Rodrigo, The Weeknd, Rihanna, and many others. In 2023, 12 out of the 19 No. 1 songs on the Hot 100 were by UMG artists, underlining this decision's substantial influence and reach.