Music from major artists like Drake and Taylor Swift back on TikTok following new deal

Songs from popular artists like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Drake will be back on TikTok months after they were suddenly pulled from the platform. Major record label Universal Music Group (UMG) has signed a licensing deal with the social media platform that addresses concerns of pay and the use of A.I.

Back in February, UMG removed music from artists under their umbrella after their original contract with TikTok expired. The new deal has been described as a 'multi-dimensional licensing agreement' that will see better compensation for musicians, new revenue streams and protection of 'human artistry' from A.I.

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UMG say they are working with TikTok to remove A.I generated songs from the app and are also working 'expeditiously' to return music to the platform which has over a billion users.

Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO, Universal Music Group, said: “This new chapter in our relationship with Tik Tok focuses on the value of music, the primacy of human artistry and the welfare of the creative community. We look forward to collaborating with the team at Tik Tok to further the interests of our artists and songwriters and drive innovation in fan engagement while advancing social music monetization.”

Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, said: "Music is an integral part of the TikTok ecosystem and we are pleased to have found a path forward with Universal Music Group. We are committed to working together to drive value, discovery and promotion for all of UMG's amazing artists and songwriters, and deepen their ability to grow, connect and engage with the TikTok community."

Ole Obermann, TikTok's global head of music business development, said: "We are delighted to welcome UMG and UMPG back to Tik Tok. We look forward to working together to forge a path that creates deeper connections between artists, creators, and fans.

"In particular, we will work together to make sure that AI tools are developed responsibly to enable a new era of musical creativity and fan engagement while protecting human creativity".

Michael Nash, chief digital officer and EVP, Universal Music Group said: “Developing transformational partnerships with important innovators is critical to UMG’s commitment to promoting an environment in which artists and songwriters prosper. We’re gratified to renew our relationship with Tik Tok predicated on significant advancements in commercial and marketing opportunities as well as protections provided to our industry-leading roster on their platform.

"With the constantly evolving ways that social interaction, fan engagement, music discovery and artistic ingenuity converge on TikTok, we see great potential in our collaboration going forward.”