Universal Music Group Removes Music Catalog From Triller Alleging They Do Not Pay Artists

UPDATE: 2/6 at 10:44 AM PST

Pitchfork reached out to Triller for an update on their deal with UMG and got this message...

We can confirm our deal with UMG expired approximately one week ago. We have been negotiating since then in an attempt to renew. The renewal however was just a formality and a courtesy to UMG, as a shareholder of Triller. Triller does not need a deal with UMG to continue operating as it has been since the relevant artists are already shareholders or partners on Triller, and thus can authorize their usage directly. Triller has no use for a licensing deal with UMG. (I-Oops)

We categorically deny we have withheld any artist payments (our deal has only been one week expired) and if anything, it is UMG using their artist names as a front to extract ridiculous and non-sustainable payments for themselves and not their artists. They did this exact same thing to TikTok for two years and virtually every other social network.

It is unfortunate UMG decided to use the press as its “negotiating leverage” when they realized we aren’t going to be held hostage. UMG is well aware any agreement was just out of respect and courtesy, not necessity. We have been operating without it and there has been no change in our business

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Okie Dokie...Triller gives no fcks

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Oh-Oh!

It is being reported that Universal Music Group has removed their music catalog from the LA music video app, Triller. Triller is accused of not paying artists. A UMG spokesperson said, "We will not work with platforms that do not value artists. Triller has shamefully withheld payments owed to our artists and refuses to negotiate a license going forward."

Universal Music Group represents artists like Drake, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, the late Pop Smoke, etc. Losing their songs would obviously hurt Triller in their rivalry with TikTok.

Business Music Worldwide reported on Triller's CEO, Mike Lu's response to this takedown action. Lu claims he learned of this news through the media. Mike commented, "This has to be a bad 'Punk'd' episode. I'm waiting for Ashton to jump out of my closet. Our relationship with UMG is solid. Its biggest artists are investors and partners in Triller, and Universal owns part of Triller. We find it hard to believe UMG wouldn't give us any warning or notice but just tell us."

We will see how this ends.

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