Actor and comedian Orlando Jones is launching GangStirRock, a new record label in partnership with KMG Distribution. The deal, negotiated by KMG’s head of distribution Ross Robley and Buchwald’s Scott Kaufman, includes project management, sync licensing and DSP promotions, allowing Jones to sign and develop artists directly. Known for roles in American Gods, Abbott Elementary and a particularly memorable scene in Office Space, Jones brings decades of creative success — from helping to launch the FX Network to winning an Emmy for VR work. His career spans cult films, political dramas and writing for shows like MADtv and Martin. GangStirRock reflects his mission to empower artists. “Wash gently your borrowed opinions. Avoid the cycle of spin. Warm irony suggested. This ain’t hip hop. This ain’t rock and roll. This is GangStirRock — all rebels welcome,” said Jones.
Related
Universal Music India (UMI) entered a strategic partnership with Maddock Films and its new music label, Mad For Mussic, led by Dinesh Vijan. This collab positions UMI as the global partner for Maddock’s future film soundtracks and music ventures, expanding UMI’s footprint in India’s dominant film music market. UMI, which has a long-standing legacy in Hindi film music through soundtracks like Sholay and Devdas, is re-entering the film music space through this partnership. Execs from both companies praised the alliance, with UMG’s Adam Granite calling it a “crucial step forward for our India business,” adding that “Dinesh Vijan is not just a Hindi film industry veteran, he is a first-class story-teller with an unparalleled ear for music.” Vijay, the founder of Maddock Films, said that given music is “one of the central pillars” of his films, “UMG is a perfect partner for our ambitions, as we step into the next growth phase of Maddock, developing some of the most sought after movie franchises and creating new genres.”
Mom+Pop Music, the indie founded by Michael Goldstone, announced a global partnership with Virgin Music Group. Co-owned by Goldstone and Thaddeus Rudd, Mom+Pop tries to raise its artists to have creative control and stability in development. M+P’s roster features established acts like MGMT, Caamp and Magdalena Bay, alongside emerging artists such as Tiny Habits and Galdive, while also nurturing Grammy-nominated talents like Flume and Courtney Barnett and achieving major streaming milestones. Virgin co-CEOs Nat Pastor and JT Myers praised Mom+Pop’s leadership as having “built one of the most respected and successful independent labels in the world.” In 2025, Goldstone and Rudd launched PIPES Music, a creative agency supporting digital strategy. Mom+Pop operates from New York, LA and Nashville.
YouTube and Bandsintown partnered to integrate concert listings into YouTube and YouTube Music, allowing users to discover live events directly on artist channels, videos and Shorts. Artists using Bandsintown for Artists will see their tour dates automatically displayed on YouTube, boosting visibility and — fingers crossed — ticket sales. The pact also introduces concert notifications and expands Bandsintown’s global reach, reinforcing its role as a leading live music data provider with over 2.3 million annual events.
Beatoven.ai unveiled Maestro, a fully licensed generative AI music model built in collaboration with rights holders and powered by Musical AI’s attribution and revenue-sharing platform. Data partners include Rightsify, Soundtrack Loops and Symphonic Music, among others. Maestro said it wants to help users generate instrumental tracks — with sound effects and vocals coming soon — while ensuring fair compensation for creators. The model supports fine-tuning for new genres and styles and offers tools for catalog owners to analyze and surface music metadata.
SongTools paired with LabelWorx to fully integrate its marketing tools into the distribution platform for independent electronic and dance music labels. This integration gives LabelWorx users seamless access to SongTools’ features — playlist outreach, smart links, ad deployment and performance analytics — directly within their workflow. Designed to level the playing field for independent artists, SongTools removes technical and financial barriers to professional marketing. “This integration with SongTools gives our users direct access to powerful, time-saving promotional tools right where they work, said LabelWorx vp of artist, content and labels Dominic Kerley. “It’s a win for artists, a win for labels, and a major step forward in streamlining the release process.”
Tips Music Ltd acquired Studio Radha‘s 4,000-song catalog, expanding into Gujarat’s cultural heritage and boosting its regional music portfolio. The collection, featuring devotional and folk genres, will stream globally under the Tips Music banner. Known for iconic Bollywood and regional hits, Tips Music now holds over 34,000 songs and continues working with top Indian artists.