\n\tThe Recording Academy has announced its Special Merits Awards for 2026, observing the Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustee Award and Technical Grammy Award recipients: Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Cher, Fela Kuti, Paul Simon, and Whitney Houston are the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honorees; Bernie Taupin, Eddie Palmieri and Sylvia Rhone are the Trustees Award honorees; and John Chowning is the Technical Grammy Award honoree. The ceremony will be held on will be held on Jan. 31, 2026, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cIt\u2019s a true honor to recognize this year\u2019s Special Merit Award recipients \u2014 an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres and the very foundation of modern music,\u201d said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. \u201cEach of these honorees has made a profound and lasting impact, and we look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements on the eve of Grammy Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t+ The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced the posthumous induction of Jerry Ragovoy, a prolific songwriter and producer whose hits include \u201cTime Is on My Side,\u201d \u201cPiece of My Heart,\u201d \u201cTry (Just a Little Bit Harder),\u201d \u201cCry Baby,\u201d \u201cGet It While You Can,\u201d \u201cAin\u2019t Nobody Home,\u201d \u201cA Wonderful Dream,\u201d \u201cStay with Me,\u201d and many more; several of those hits were written under the pseudonym Norman Meade.<\/p>\n
\n\tRagovoy, who passed away in 2011 at age 80, was honored during an intimate ceremony last week in New York.<\/p>\n
\n\t+ Pioneering independent music company Beggars Group secured a majority stake in XL Recordings in 2024, according to newly released documents reported by Music Business Worldwide.<\/p>\n
\n\tBeggars had long held a 50% stake in XL, but its most recent annual earnings filing with the UK\u2019s Companies House confirms that it paid a $3.3 million consideration to XL Recordings\u2019 \u201cother shareholder\u201d in October 2024 to acquire a majority stake \u2014\u00a0who would be XL co-owner Richard Russell. Following the transaction, Beggars Group\u2019s ownership share of XL Recordings rose to 51%. XL, known for releasing Adele\u2019s first three albums as well as major hits by the Prodigy, Fontaines D.C, and others, is now listed as a subsidiary of Beggars rather than a joint venture.<\/p>\n
\n\t+ Island Records has promoted Caroline Ellis to Vice President, A&R. Based in Los Angeles, she will report to Jackie Winkler, Senior Vice President, Head of A&R, Island Records.<\/p>\n
\n\tEllis will continue to handle A&R for artists across the label, including Chappell Roan and Suki Waterhouse. Ellis recently signed the Platinum-certified and acclaimed actress, Waterhouse, who is currently in the studio working on new music.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cCaroline has impeccable taste and a rare ability to connect with artists, building the kind of trust that fuels great music,\u201d said Winkler.\u00a0 \u201cHer exceptional ear and steady temperament are true assets to the team, and I\u2019m thrilled to see her step into this richly deserved role as VP of A&R.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tEllis joined Island Records in 2020 as Senior Director, A&R after a stint at Interscope Records, where she worked with the 1975, Japanese House, Jack Garratt and Pale Waves.<\/p>\n
\n\t+ BMG has renewed and expanded its direct music publishing agreement with TikTok. According to the announcement, the new agreement strengthens BMG\u2019s leadership in modernizing publishing deals by raising reporting and attribution standards across digital platforms and introducing improvements to how publishing rights are managed and promoted.<\/p>\n
\n\tTracy Gardner, Global Head of Music Business Development, TikTok, said, \u201cBMG truly understands the power of TikTok and the opportunity it creates for songwriters today. They understand the platform, they embrace innovation, and they work with us hand-in-hand to strengthen rights management and unlock meaningful value. This expanded partnership reflects the trust and momentum we\u2019ve built together \u2014 and we\u2019re excited to continue driving growth for the songwriters at the heart of music discovery on TikTok.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tCeline Joshua, EVP, Global Marketing and Streaming, said, \u201cThis agreement underscores our focus on building scalable, forward-looking partnerships that elevate the role of songwriting in today\u2019s music economy. We continue to invest in systems and structures that protect rights, ensure attribution, and add value for creators across the digital landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t+ Universal Music Group and Splice have agreed to collaborate on joint exploration of the next generation of AI-powered music creation tools for musical artists. The agreement builds on Splice\u2019s suite of AI-enabled creator tools and will also explore AI-powered virtual instruments and tools that enable UMG artists to bring their own sounds into Splice\u2019s AI workflows.<\/p>\n
\n\tMichael Nash, EVP & Chief Digital Officer, Universal Music Group said, \u201cWe\u2019re excited to form this alliance with Splice to promote the alignment of innovation and ethicality in addressing the interests of the creative community to leverage cutting-edge AI-enabled tools to further their artistic expression. We look forward to partnering with Kakul Srivastava and her team on this critically important strategic technology front.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cWe\u2019ve spent time building AI tools designed to fairly compensate creators and keep them in control,\u201d said Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice. \u201cWe\u2019re thankful for Universal\u2019s continued support, and excited to work together to put these commercial tools in the hands of artists everywhere, knowing they can trust the end result.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tMonday, December 15<\/p>\n
\n\tHYBE has announced a significant expansion into the rapidly growing African music market through a new global management partnership with two influential voices shaping African and diaspora music: Brandon Hixon and Colin Gayle.<\/p>\n
\n\tTogether, they are launching a global management initiative designed to amplify African artists, develop cross-cultural storytelling, and build long-term creative pathways across the U.S., Asia, and the world, according to the announcement. Under this partnership, HYBE will establish a pipeline of emerging and established talent and sign new artists. Tyla<\/a> \u2014 honored at Variety\u2018s Young Hollywood event last summer \u2014 will be the first artist supported under this expanded vision. She will continue to be guided by Hixon and Gayle, with HYBE providing additional global reach.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWe are thrilled to partner with cultural architects like Brandon Hixon and Colin Gayle, whose vision is essential to driving the powerful momentum of African artistry onto the global stage,\u201d said Jason Jaesang Lee, CEO of HYBE. \u201cThis partnership represents a pivotal moment in HYBE\u2019s global expansion strategy. By combining their expertise with our global network and resources, we will establish a strategic, sustainable bridge designed to amplify authentic African voices and artistry to fans across the world.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tHixon said, \u201cOur work has always been about connecting great artists with the world in the right way. HYBE brings a global perspective that complements how Colin and I build. Together, we can help artists move freely and tell their stories on the biggest stages.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tGayle added, \u201cWe\u2019re entering a moment where African artists have unlimited potential. With HYBE\u2019s collaborative support, we can help them expand their reach while staying true to the roots that make this music extraordinary.\u201d<\/p>\n