Random music news for Thursday, July 18, 2025

This was NOT Elmo. Poor Elmo. Elmo not like this. Elmo got hacked. This is music news for July 18, 2025.

Motley Crue was once close with Ozzy. Why didn’t they perform at the big Sabbath finale earlier this month? Oh.
And on that topic, where was Soundgarden? Oh.
ChatGPT-5 is coming next month. This could be a big, big deal for AI.
Here come the AI K-pop chatbots.
Is Spotify cracking down on AI bands? It looks like it.
Will Canada ban Bob Vylan and Kneecap from entering the country because of their views on Israel and Palestine? The government isn’t saying.
Matt Cameron may have left Pearl Jam, but he’d like everyone to know he’s not retiring.
What’s hot in France right now? Working class punk rock.
If Drake’s lawsuit against UMG, his record label, ever goes ahead, the witness list looks wild.
Crowded House is going to jail. Sort of.
Some unreleased Beyoncé music was stolen while the Cowboy Carter tour was in Atlanta. (Via Sean)
There’s a new report on the gender splits in the music industry. It’s worth a read.
Meta says it’s cracking down on “unoriginal content.” Here’s what that means.
This environmentally friendly record pressing company is opening a new plant in the US.
Are you on Threads? Are you clicking links? If you are, you’re in the minority.