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THE BIG STORY: The Beastie Boys and Universal Music Group both reached settlements to end copyright lawsuits in which they accused Chili’s of using their songs in videos posted to TikTok, Instagram and other platforms – part of a flood of recent litigation over music on social media.
The cases, filed last year, claimed the restaurant chain featured copyrighted music in what amounted to advertisements on social media. The UMG case involved songs by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg and dozens of other artists, but the problem was particularly galling for the Beastie Boys, a group that’s long been famously opposed to their music appearing in ads.
When it comes to music, social media has increasingly become a legal minefield for brands. TikTok, Instagram and other services provide their users with huge libraries of fully licensed songs to play over their videos, but those tracks are strictly for personal use and cannot be used for commercial videos. That kind of content requires a separate “synch” license, just like any conventional advertisement on TV.
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That distinction appears to have been lost on many brands. Sony filed a lawsuit against Marriott last year for allegedly using nearly 1,000 of its songs in social media posts, and Kobalt and other publishers sued more than a dozen NBA teams over the same thing a few months later. In March, Sony sued the University of Southern California for allegedly using Michael Jackson and AC/DC songs on in videos hyping its college sports teams. Then last month, Warner Music filed a case against cookie chain Crumbl, claiming it used songs by Lizzo, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande and Beyoncé without clearing them.
What comes next? For music owners, you should take a swing through TikTok and see if any big companies are profiting off your songs. For brand owners, experts tell Billboard they need to be taking “proactive steps” to fix the problem before it turns into a costly lawsuit.
You’re reading The Legal Beat, a weekly newsletter about music law from Billboard Pro, offering you a one-stop cheat sheet of big new cases, important rulings and all the fun stuff in between. To get the newsletter in your inbox every Tuesday, go subscribe here.
Other top stories this week…
DIDDY TRIAL GOES ON – The Diddy trial continued in its second week, with blockbuster testimony from Kid Cudi about how he believes that the indicted mogul once broke into his house and ordered someone to torch his Porsche with a Molotov cocktail. To get up to speed on the trial, go read our full recap of the first two weeks.
LIL WAYNE LAWSUIT – Darius “Deezle” Harrison, a producer on Lil Wayne’s hit album 2008’s Tha Carter III, sued Universal Music Group over allegations that he’s owed more than 10 years’ worth of royalties from the chart-topping record – a figure he says totals more than $3 million. His lawyers say he has not been paid royalties from the album in over a decade.
HITTING BACK – Months after hip-hop producer Madlib filed a lawsuit against his former manager and business partner Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, the exec sued him right back — blasting him for “having the audacity to bring this mean-spirited personal action.” The countersuit accused Madlib of a wide range of “misconduct” following the sudden end of their long partnership, including promising to release music by the late Mac Miller that he doesn’t own.
IS IT OVER NOW? – Justin Baldoni dropped his subpoena of Taylor Swift in his messy legal battle against her friend Blake Lively – that Swift’s reps had fiercely criticized as “tabloid clickbait.” Baldoni’s lawyers had sought communications between the Swift and Lively teams, citing anonymous accusations that Lively asked Swift to delete text messages and demanded a statement of support. But a judge quickly struck those claims from the case docket as improper, irrelevant and “potentially libelous.”
LILES CLAIMS EXTORTION – Record exec Kevin Liles claimed that a rapper named Lady Luck was trying to extort him by falsely accusing him of sexual assault in the 2000s. He said her lawyers threatened to publicize the “utterly false and horrendous allegations” if he didn’t pay them $30 million: “I intend to vigorously fight any complaint she may file and will take whatever legal action is necessary against her and the attorneys who have participated in this attempted shakedown.” The new dispute is unrelated to another sexual assault lawsuit against Liles filed by an unnamed woman earlier this year, which he is seeking to have dismissed.
MEGAN BLASTS TORY – Megan Thee Stallion’s legal team fired back at recent claims of new evidence that would exonerate Tory Lanez, who was convicted in 2022 of shooting the rapper. Lanez’s supporters say there’s new surveillance footage and a new witness who can ID a different shooter, but Megan’s lawyers issued a detailed report rejecting those claims: “One by one, their misleading statements unravel and all that is left is the simple truth: he was convicted by overwhelming evidence.”
BOWLING ALLEY BRAWL – DaBaby won a court order tossing out assault and battery claims over a 2022 bowling-alley brawl with Brandon Curiel, the brother of his ex-girlfriend DaniLeigh, after a judge ruled that the rapper had not been properly served for years. Though the case against DaBaby was dismissed, the rapper could still be on the hook financially as the case continues against the bowling alley where the attack allegedly occurred.
FORTNITE PATENT VERDICT – Epic Games, the company behind the video game Fortnite, defeated a $32.5 million patent lawsuit over animated in-game concerts put on by Travis Scott and Ariana Grande. A company called Utherverse Digital claimed Epic infringed its virtual reality patents when it staged the virtual concerts for tens of millions of Fortnite gamers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a jury in Seattle said neither the Scott nor the Grande concert used Utherverse’s technology.
SZA recreated Kim Kardashian‘s internet-breaking Paper Magazine cover to celebrate her AMAs victory last night. On Monday (May 26), the R&B singer won favorite female R&B artist and favorite R&B song at the 2025 American Music Awards. To celebrate her victories, the SOS star hopped on Instagram and gave her own rendition of Kardashian’s viral […]
Rick Derringer — legendary guitarist, rock icon and songwriter behind hits such as “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” and “Real American” — has died. He was 77 years old.
The news comes via a Facebook post from the musician’s caretaker, Tony Wilson, who shared on Tuesday (May 27) that Derringer had passed away at 8:09 p.m. on Monday. His wife, Jenda Derringer, was at his side, as was Wilson.
“Derringer’s legacy extends beyond his music, entertaining fans with his signature energy and talent,” the announcement reads. “His passing leaves a void in the music world, and he will be deeply missed by fans, colleagues, and loved ones.”
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The post did not include a cause of death, but according to a report from Variety, Derringer had been ill in recent months.
Shaped by his proficiency on guitar, Derringer’s career as a performer, songwriter and producer spanned six decades. In addition to finding fame as part of the McCoys with hits such as 1965’s “Hang On Sloopy,” the Ohio native and Florida resident also worked on music for a wide variety of artists, from Cyndi Lauper to Steely Dan, Barbra Streisand, Alice Cooper, KISS and “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Over the course of his time in the music industry, Derringer charted four albums on the Billboard 200 — starting with All American Boy, which reached No. 25 in 1974. Spring Fever and The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer would later enter the chart in 1975, followed by Derringer Live in 1977.
Derringer also had one LP make it onto the Jazz Albums chart: 2002’s Free Ride.
Two of the most important pieces of Derringer’s legacy, however, will always be the songs “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” and “Real American.” The former reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974 — marking Derringer’s highest career peak on the chart — while the latter is known for its use as pro wrestler Hulk Hogan’s theme song.
“Real American” was also used as campaign music for both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, as well as sitting president Donald Trump. In 2017, Derringer was working on a new version of the song that would “transcend politics and bring the nation together,” according to manager Kenn Moutenot, who was also the drummer in The Rick Derringer Band.
According to his Spotify, Derringer was still releasing music up until 2022. That year, he dropped a track called “Let It Be the Blues,” which followed a 2018 cover of Aimee Zimmerman’s “Always Be Your Mom” with Jenda.
Nicki Minaj has shown serious love to Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish in a new interview with Vogue Italia.
On Tuesday (May 27), the publication published a lengthy sit down with the Barbz leader, and asked her to share some thoughts on the overnight fame that comes from social media now.
“A superstar is a superstar,” Minaj said. “And if you are one, you’ll find a way to shine — with or without social media. Like any tool, it can be used well or not. What I feel, sometimes, is that today’s artists don’t realize how important the record label is. They don’t realize how much happens behind the scenes. It all looks easy.”
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Minaj was then asked to share a few of her favorite new artists at the moment. “Sabrina Carpenter,” she said. “I didn’t know she’d been around that long when I started listening to her. A breath of fresh air. I like Billie Eilish. I love everything she does. Then there’s a dancehall artist… his name’s Skeng.”
While Minaj and the “Espresso” star have yet to link on a track, Eilish appeared uncredited on the former’s latest album Pink Friday 2. On the intro track, “Are You Gone Already,” a high-pitched Eilish opens up the album before Minaj starts rapping about the love she has for her children.
Minaj also recently asked Eilish a question in the latter’s star-studded appearance in British Vogue last month. “Was there ever a time in your career, or before you made it, when you wished people couldn’t see you and that they could only hear the music, and really get a chance to just listen to the written words?” Minaj asked.
“Nicki, this question made me tear up a little,” Eilish eplied. “Well … like you said at the beginning of that question, I’ve never really felt very beautiful or seen myself in that way, so I definitely never struggled with the idea that it would overshadow anything, since I didn’t even really see it myself. I’ve had to really convince myself that I am beautiful. Being a woman is hard.”
When SEVENTEEN debuted on May 26th, 2015, all odds were stacked against the group. Formed by relatively small label Pledis Entertainment (acquired by HYBE in 2020), the 13-piece ensemble faced an uphill battle in the competitive K-pop scene — not the least because of their humble origins and unusually large lineup. “It feels like it […]
In the 1970s, “The Future Is Female” became a rallying cry built to encourage and challenge women, to portend that they were poised to surpass their male counterparts. Nearly five decades later, that prophecy rings truer than ever — especially inside the squared circle and in front of the mic.
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The world of wrestling is birthing perennial WrestleMania main-eventers with names like Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Becky Lynch, Tiffany Stratton, Iyo Sky and Charlotte Flair headlining a stout women’s division in the WWE. The same could be said in the hip-hop world, where Billboard’s newly crowned Best Female Rapper of All Time, Nicki Minaj, still reigns supreme. While the Queen continues to lap adversaries with her decades-long dominance, her competition is fiercer than ever, as Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, Latto, Doechii, GloRilla, Sexxy Redd continue to push towards pole position.
What makes this era of female wrestlers and rappers so compelling is the depth on both sides. In the 1990s and 2000s, WWE relied on sex appeal and titillating theatrics to captivate the audience. Lita and Trish Stratus dazzled with their skill and in-ring acrobatics, but the WWE leaned more into their desirability to satiate their audience’s cravings. During the McMahon era, Bra and Panties matches were considered the premium for the female division, due to the company’s dearth of talent. Even during The Divas era, when talent increased substantially with the arrival of The Bella Twins, Natalya, AJ Lee, Beth Phoenix, and others, the desire to see these women headline noteworthy premium live events like WrestleMania felt like a pipe dream.
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The trajectory was a bit different for female rap. In the late 1980s and 1990s, pioneers such as Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa, and Queen Latifah made a significant impact on the rap scene with their sharp lyrics and unflinching demeanor. Although the men dominated the conversation, those marquee names went toe-to-toe with the males, twice as vigorous and swaggering. In the mid-to-late ’90s, Lil Kim and Foxy Brown grew in fame and supplanted those stars with sex-laden bars. Other artists attempted to replicate the blueprint, but their tawdry attempts didn’t pay any dividends; when Minaj detonated in the early 2010s, she had the female rap landscape in a bearhug, dominating radio and the Billboard Hot 100.
Fast forward to the 2020s, and the times have changed. WrestleMania 37 included not only a main event headlined by two female superstars but also two Black women: Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks. Liv Morgan became the first woman to win the inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Championship last year. At the same time, Tiffany Stratton was arguably the company’s top rookie, winning Money in the Bank in 2024 and, inevitably, her first Women’s Championship earlier this year. With WWE’s developmental system, NXT, serving as the training ground for budding talent, new stars are making their presence felt there before stepping onto the main roster. New stars are surging up the ranks, ranging from Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer to Jordynne Grace to newly-promoted acts Roxanne Perez and Guilia.
Though Minaj remains the top woman on the throne, the battle for supremacy is more brutal, as proven by Billboard’s Top 10 Hottest Female Rappers list last year, which saw GloRilla oust the Queens rapper from the top slot. Megan Thee Stallion rocketed to superstardom overnight when she nailed three Grammys at the 2021 ceremonies. Doechii’s genre-bending defiance has the music landscape salivating at her every move. And though Cardi has yet to drop her sophomore album, her 2018 debut, Invasion of Privacy, remains a landmark moment in the rap landscape.
In 2011, when Beyonce shouted out: “Who runs the world?,” the singer wasn’t merely predicting what was to come. She issued a spoiler, and a decade later, we’re watching it unfold as predicted right before our eyes.
05/27/2025
From Jay-Z and LL Cool J to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, here’s every rapper in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
05/27/2025
Morat’s Ya Es Mañana (YEM) album has topped Billboard’s latest new Latin music poll published on Friday, May 23. In support of the weekly New Music Latin roundup and playlist, curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors, music fans voted for the Colombian band’s new studio album as their favorite music release of the week.
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The 14-track set, released via Universal Music Spain, generated more than 59% of the vote, beating out other new album releases last week including Alejandro Sanz’s ¿Y Ahora Qué?; Jesse & Joy’s Lo Que Nos Faltó Decir; and Los Tigres del Norte’s La Lotería, to name a few.
In YEM, the Bogotá-based group celebrates brotherhood, evolution, and above all, dreams coming true. The tracks are mostly inspired by riveting rock music from the ’90s, and include two collaborations: “Sin Ti” with Jay Wheeler and “Me Toca a Mi” with Camilo.
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https://open.spotify.com/album/3ImR4LsUQPbMKCa8FCuFYO?si=HA5XxSbcR9-6e8HMfRmrWA
“This is the moment to make the most of life, to be aware of what we must do now to create an incredible future,” said group member Juan Pablo Villamil during the band’s album release party in Miami. “For us, this album embodies the idea of the band we have always wanted to be, and we hope you enjoy it.”
Sanz’s new EP — whcih includes collabs with Shakira, Manuel Turizo and Grupo Frontera — and Karol G’s steamy perreo “Latina Foreva” came in at second and third place, respectively, on the fan-related poll. See the results of the latest poll below, which also included new songs by Greeicy, Carín León, Myke Towers, and Christian Nodal.
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Editor’s Note: The weekly New Music Latin poll results are posted if the poll generates over 500 votes.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Marshall is dominating the month of May with back-to-back exciting announcements. Last week, the audio brand surprised many fans by releasing the company’s first-ever soundbar, the Heston 120. Now, on Tuesday (May 27), Marshall continues its momentum with the launch of its highly anticipated medium-sized Bluetooth speaker, the Kilburn III, boasting powerful, high-quality sound.
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The latest Kilburn model comes equipped with a striking 50-plus hours of portable playtime in one single charge of the battery, which is more than double that of its predecessor. The speaker also comes equipped with 360° True Stereophonic sound, thanks to a stereo arrangement with no blind spots. True to Marshall’s ethos, this speaker has been engineered to be turned up loud, without compromising sound quality. Marshall claims the result is a “harmonious blend of bass, mids and treble at any volume.”
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Marshall has once again taken the classic aesthetic inspired by their amps and rock n’ roll heritage by incorporating intricate details such as tactile control knobs and a carrying strap lined with velvet that can be easily removed and reattached with guitar strap buttons. Thanks to its portable design and impressive rechargeable battery, the Kilburn III can be carried around the home without the bother of wires and power bricks. With an IP54 dust- and water-resistance rating, it can provide the perfect soundtrack both inside and out.
“Kilburn III represents a groundbreaking evolution in our product line, showcasing a completely reengineered acoustic design. We’ve enhanced its visual appeal, refined usability and extended the playtime to over 50 hours. Kilburn III is a remarkable upgrade from the highly appreciated Kilburn II,” said Hanna Wallner, Product Manager, Marshall Speakers, in a statement.
The Marshall Kilburn III releases May 27 in a black-and-brass or cream colorway on Marshall.com for $379.99. The speaker will be available to purchase through other retailers starting on June 10. Shop both colorways below.
Marshall Kilburn III Speaker
Marshall Kilburn III Speaker
President Donald Trump promised many things on the campaign trail that largely have not manifested in ways that some hoped, including his charge to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the clashes between his nation and Ukraine via his Truth Social network.
On Sunday (May 25), President Donald Trump fired a salvo of words towards President Vladimir Putin, illustrating that the supposed close union between the superpower leaders is not as rock solid as promoted.
“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him,” Trump wrote on Sunday. “He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever. I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!”
Much of Trump’s dissatisfaction with Putin carried over to Tuesday (May 27) with the president writing, “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!”
It isn’t plainly stated as to what bad things President Trump is referencing here, considering that he’s considered Putin a close friend despite the contentious nature of the relationship between the nations.
The Kremlin responded on Monday (May 26) after being asked about Trump’s comments regarding Putin.
“We are really grateful to the Americans and to President Trump personally for their assistance in organising and launching this negotiation process,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “Of course, at the same time, this is a very crucial moment, which is associated, of course, with the emotional overload of everyone absolutely and with emotional reactions.”
On X, President Donald Trump’s jabs towards Russian President Vladimir Putin sparked some reactions. We’ve got them listed below.
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