Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem & More Return to TikTok as UMG Dispute Ends

After a three-month dispute, Universal Music Group and TikTok have finally reached a resolution, allowing music industry titans like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem to have their catalogs restored on the social media platform. The two companies announced a “multi-dimensional licensing agreement” that will make UMG’s entire discography available on TikTok once again.

UMG’s chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge, expressed excitement about the reconciliation, emphasizing the value of music and the welfare of the creative community. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, also highlighted the importance of music on the platform and their commitment to promoting UMG’s artists and songwriters.

The joint statement addressed the rise of artificial intelligence in music and the need to protect human artistry and artist compensation. The dispute initially arose due to disagreements over artist compensation and AI development, which prevented many artists from having their music on TikTok.

The resolution comes as a relief to A-list artists like Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and The Weeknd, who were affected by the fallout. Muni Long, in particular, expressed frustration over the situation, suggesting that her career was being sabotaged.

With the restoration of UMG’s catalog on TikTok, fans can once again enjoy music from some of the biggest names in the industry, while artists and songwriters can benefit from increased exposure and engagement on the platform.