Check out why Stonebwoy and other UMG artists songs were removed from Tiktok

As of today, January 31, 2024, you might not be able to use any song on TikTok that is labeled under the Universal Music Group if you are a content creator and a fan of Stonebwoy. Any existing videos with UMG’s music will be muted or removed. Below is why.

UMG decided to remove its whole song catalog from TikTok due to three major issues, as the two companies were unable to come to a new agreement regarding how much TikTok should pay UMG for using its music:

1. Appropriate compensation for their artists and songwriters,
2. Protecting human artists from the harmful effects of AI, and
3. Online safety for TikTok’s users

According to DTS Africa, TikTok is allegedly trying to build a music-based business without paying artists and songwriters fairly, and UMG claims that TikTok is not paying a fair price for music.

In addition, UMG charges TikTok with violating their copyright and attempting to coerce and threaten them into taking a bad deal. Essentially, they say that TikTok accounts for only about 1% of its total revenue, which shows how little TikTok pays for its music.

UMG’s accusations are refuted by TikTok, which also expresses sadness and disappointment over UMG’s prioritization of its greed over the needs of its songwriters and artists. With every other label and publisher, TikTok has artist-first agreements in place, so it claimed that UMG’s actions are not in the best interests of songwriters, artists, and fans.

TikTok argues in its defense that it has a billion users who adore music and that it serves as a free platform for UMG artists to promote and be discovered.

To put it briefly, when creating videos, content creators will have fewer options for music. Additionally, you will be excluded from certain viral challenges and trends centered around UMG songs, such as “Apotheke” and “Into the Future.” Additionally, some of your favorite videos with UMG’s music may disappear from TikTok or be muted.