South Korea-based music distributor YG PLUS, a subsidiary of K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment (BLACKPINK, BabyMonster), signed a licensing deal with African streaming and download service Boomplay that will bring YG’s catalog to the platform. According to a press release, Boomplay boasts 70 million users. “We look forward to a successful partnership with YG PLUS that will bring their catalogue to new listeners and help connect their artists with music lovers and fans in the African region,” said Boomplay in a statement.

Hitmaker Distribution struck a distribution deal with indie label Blac Noize! Recordings, in which Hitmaker founder/CEO Tony Bucher is a partner. Blac Noize’s roster includes HitKidd, Jdot Breezy, Nevi, Toure and Marc Nasty.

Tunespotter, an audio-visual clip database that allows users to search, listen to and view “synch moments” from movies, TV shows, trailers, games and commercials, acquired What-song.com. The deal effectively combines “the data and search power of two leading music search platforms – letting users see, hear, and learn more about sought-after TV or movie moments in a single, easy-to-use place,” according to a press release. “The database we’ve established gives Tunespotter an immediate aggregator and audience,” added What-song.com founder Tom Andrew. “Their ability to empower the user journey with their incredible visual tool chest and social app capabilities extends our reach and consolidates our strengths, positively impacting consumers with more rewarding, long form engagement.” Tunespotter claims that What-song.com attracts more than 1 million unique users per month.

Warner Music Brazil invested in and partnered with Sua Música Group, which owns the Sua Música Brazilian music platform and distributor Sua Música Digital. Through the deal, the companies will team up to develop regional artists and songwriters. According to a press release, Sua Música Digital manages the digital careers of and handles royalty management for more than 1,000 artists across Brazil, including Tarcísio do Acordeon, Vitor Fernandes and Thiago Aquino. “The combination of Sua Música’s significant presence in regional music with our national reach and global network will amplify the efforts of both companies and offer artists new creative and commercial possibilities and opportunities,” said Warner Music Brazil president Leila Oliveira in a statement.

Private equity company Goldman Sachs Alternatives acquired a majority stake in live experiences company TAIT from Providence Equity Partners, subject to regulatory approvals. No financial details were disclosed. “Goldman Sachs’ network and expertise will enable us to grow our global footprint and offerings, empowering the company to better serve clients, drive innovation, and pioneer new technology,” said TAIT CEO Adam Davis in a statement announcing the deal. TAIT has worked with artists and brands including Taylor Swift, Cirque Du Soleil, Beyoncé, Royal Opera House, Nike, Google and The Olympics.

Downtown-owned business-to-business distributor FUGA announced partnerships with three U.K. music companies: One House, drum and bass label Critical Music and Berry’s Room, an imprint of British-Nigerian Afrobeats artist Maleek Berry. One House (Eliza Rose, Pretty Girl) will take advantage of FUGA’s global distribution and marketing services, including physical distribution, synch, YouTube channel management and access to FUGA’s trends and analytics platform. Critical Music (QZB, Mefjus, Waeys, Ivy Lab) will use FUGA’s global distribution and marketing services to support its current and future releases. And Berry’s Room will utilize FUGA’s distribution, marketing and YouTube channel management services for Berry’s catalog and the release of his upcoming debut album; FUGA will als help the imprint support other Afrobeats artists.

Shamrock Capital‘s Content Strategy division acquired a film, TV and music portfolio from Vine Alternative Investments. The portfolio boasts an ownership interest in more than 450 songs, according to a press release. Shamrock would not confirm which songs were included in the deal.

Producer and creative executive RedOne’s 2101 Records imprint signed a distribution deal with Vydia, a distribution service under the gamma. umbrella. Vydia will support 2101’s roster and manage the rights and distribution of RedOne’s back catalog.

Independent dance music label Armada Music partnered with electronic music duo Deep Dish in a deal that will see Armada managing part of Deep Dish’s music catalog — namely, the duo’s 2005 album George Is On. Through the deal, the album returned to DSPs and download portals worldwide on Friday (July 19) for the first time in several years.

Global growth firm Triple G Ventures, led by CEO Gregg Stein, announced a partnership with Revelator, which provides digital IP infrastructure to independent music businesses. Through the deal, Triple G will help to enhance Revelator’s market presence, drive growth and increase awareness of Revelator’s end-to-end digital rights and royalty management solutions. Stein will also now serve as Revelator’s new chief marketing officer.

You can always count on Los Tigres del Norte to tell it how it is, both onstage and off the stage.

On Thursday (July 25), the legendary Mexican group attended, for the first time ever, the Premios Juventud awards show, where they were honored with an Agent of Change Award for being La Voz del Pueblo. For decades, the band has used its platform to fight for social justice and amplify marginalized voices while advocating for immigration policies.

“It’s a great satisfaction but at the same time very big because Agent of Change means many things,” Hernan Hernández told Billboard on the red carpet, just ahead of the awards ceremony. “But especially the people who help without expecting anything in return, help the community. Our music has helped many things, but outside of music, it helps people who need it; that gives us great satisfaction, to be able to do something with those who have given you so much. That is the distinction.”

The band also shared a few words about the landscape of the 2024 presidential election in the United States. As artists who have encouraged the Latino vote, the band’s leader, Jorge Hernández, expressed, “We were a little nervous, but now that Mr. President has decided to leave a path for Kamala, well, I think that now we can realize the dream that we all want, and that she will be elected on this occasion, for various reasons.” Adding, “We invite you to vote, those who can vote, and make their own decision. We will be fighting at any time to continue communicating to the whole nation the great importance of voting.”

During the show, Los Tigres del Norte gave a powerful performance of their latest hit “Aquí Mando Yo,” and later thanked their families and fans for the support.

The 2024 Premios Juventud — a fan-voted awards show — is taking place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan and hosted by Lele Pons, Clarissa Molina and Wisin. For its 21st annual ceremony, Carin León, Maluma, Peso Pluma, Karol G and Shakira are among the most nominated acts. Meanwhile, Anitta, Los Tigres del Norte and Lele Pons each received an Agent of Change Award, which “recognizes and celebrates” young entrepreneurs and prominent stars who “selflessly contribute to creating a better world,” according to the awards show. See the list of this year’s winners here.

—Additional reporting by Jessica Roiz

Lady Gaga is taking over the Olympic stage.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the singer is set to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games this Friday (July 26). Other rumored artists speculated to perform include Celine Dion, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande and French singer Aya Nakamura, though none have been confirmed.

Meanwhile, TMZ is reporting that Gaga will perform a duet of Édith Piaf’s classic “La Vie en Rose” with Dion, though that report remains unconfirmed. If the “My Heart Will Go On” icon takes the stage, it will mark Dion’s first performance since she cancelled the dates on her North American Courage world tour before revealing she is fighting Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes severe muscle spasms.

Earlier this week, the pop superstar was photographed waving and blowing kisses to fans in the City of Light as she stood next to her car, dressed in a low-key baseball cap, sunglasses and leathery jacket. A fan video captures Gaga greeting admirers while peeking out of the vehicle’s sunroof, holding up a hand heart.

Gaga’s trip to France comes in the midst of her teasing that her upcoming seventh album is in the works. A few days prior, she shared photos from the studio and wrote, “Happy as ever making music … feel so grateful, heart is peaceful. It’s like meditation. I can’t wait for you to hear what I’m working on.”