Universal Music Group (UMG) has secured a licensing deal with Meta, expanding its music offerings to WhatsApp. This agreement, which enhances a previous deal signed in 2017, allows UMG’s vast catalogue to be accessible on Meta’s messaging platform, used by billions globally.
The updated agreement includes provisions for UMG artists and songwriters to receive a share of advertising revenue generated from licensed music used in Meta creator posts. This move is part of UMG’s broader strategy to ensure fair compensation for artists and to address issues related to unauthorized AI-generated content.
Michael Nash, UMG’s Chief Digital Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are delighted that Meta shares our artist-centric vision for respecting human creativity and compensating artists and songwriters fairly.”
As part of the deal, UMG’s music will be the first to be available for content sharing and usage on WhatsApp. This means that tracks from Nigerian artists like Adekunle Gold and Odumodublvck, who are affiliated with UMG, will now be accessible through the platform.
UMG, under the leadership of Lucian Grainge, has been active in addressing unauthorized uses of its music, particularly concerning artificial intelligence. In 2024, UMG resolved a conflict with TikTok over royalty rates and AI-related issues, ensuring that artists and songwriters are compensated for their work.