Entertainment
Indie Music Leaders Organize Against UMG-Downtown Deal With New Campaign: ‘A Serious Threat’
Leaders across indie music are once again teaming up to speak out against Universal Music Group’s proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings with a new campaign.
Dubbed “100 Voices,” the campaign argues that the deal, which is currently the subject of an investigation by the European Commission, “poses a serious threat to competition, diversity and fair access across the music industry,” according to a press release. Downtown operates distribution platforms FUGA and CD Baby, the royalty accounting service Curve and the indie publishing admin services provider Songtrust, among others — all of which are heavily utilized by independent labels and artists.
The “100 Voices” publication was delivered in person on Thursday (Oct. 2) to Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity. Dombrovskis is leading the current phase of the investigation into the proposed deal, the results of which were originally slated for release in December but are now set to be revealed sometime next year (the probe was halted last month because documents were not submitted in a timely manner, according to the Commission.
This isn’t the first time the indie music community has rallied against the proposed acquisition. As soon as the deal was announced, independent companies and organizations including IMPALA, Beggars Group, IMPF, A2IM and Secretly Group began releasing statements asking regulators to block it. In July, more than 200 indie music execs from companies including Better Noise, Dead Oceans, Hopeless Records and Sub Pop published an open letter urging the European Commission to enter a “Phase II” investigation of the deal. “A concentration of this magnitude would narrow the range of voices, styles and cultures that reach the public,” the letter read. “It would give UMG further power to shape digital services, influence monetization thresholds and extract more, at the expense of the independent sector.”
In response to the outpouring of concern, Nat Pastor and JT Meyers — co-CEOs of Virgin Music Group, the UMG subsidiary that would acquire Downtown — sent a memo to staff that rebutted some of the indie community’s claims, stating in part: “Our motivation for the merger and our excitement about it are rooted in this singular opportunity: by combining Downtown’s and Virgin’s unique capabilities, the unified company will offer an even more robust and flexible suite of services to independent labels everywhere.”
Downtown Music CEO Pieter van Rijn also blasted the opposition in an open letter published in September, in which he claimed “misinformation” about the pending acquisition was designed to “undermine our longstanding and trusted client relationships” while ignoring the ways in which the deal would more effectively serve independents.
A press release announcing the “100 Voices” campaign, unveiled on Friday (Oct. 3), includes quotes from several indie executives arguing against the deal, which can be found below. A full list of signees is available at the campaign’s website.
Martin Mills, founder/chairman, Beggars: “We are now operating in an industry increasingly shaped by global corporations, whose dominance over digital infrastructure effects everything from artist visibility to revenue. This ongoing consolidation amounts to a systematic weakening of the independent sector’s ability to compete on fair terms.”
Bruno Roze, founder/artistic director, I Love You Records: “If Downtown’s services fall under UMG’s control, we fear higher costs, reduced access, and the loss of independence that small labels like ours need to survive. This deal risks creating a music ecosystem where one corporation controls too much of the infrastructure, leaving less room for diversity, innovation, and fair competition. For the long-term health of independent music, it should be blocked.”
Nacho García Vega, president, International Artist Organisation: “Artists rely on a pluralistic infrastructure that reflects diversity in both ownership and access. Allowing UMG to consolidate control over a major independent player would move the industry further toward a two-tier system, where market dominance — not creative merit — determines visibility and success.”
Francesca Trainini, vp, PMI Italia: “This is a crucial moment for the future of Europe’s music landscape. The Commission’s intervention shows these concerns are being taken seriously. The risks of reinforcing the leader and losing a big competitor are clearer today than ever before. Remedies would be ineffective in today’s music market. We trust the Commission will take the necessary steps to protect competition, access, and diversity across the sector.”
Birte Wiemann, project manager, Cargo Records Germany: “When unchecked growth disrupts an ecosystem, diversity suffers. If UMG acquires Downtown, entire independent structures are absorbed, giving UMG new power over DSPs and data that weakens independents. The result is less diversity, more homogenised output, and a cultural niche increasingly sidelined.”
Entertainment
Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Smashes Multiple U.K. Chart Records, Earns Biggest Opening Week Since 2017

Taylor Swift’s record-breaking week continues as she bags No. 1 spots on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart and Official Singles Chart following a gargantuan debut for The Life of a Showgirl (Oct. 10).
Her 12th studio album nets Swift her 14th No. 1 in the U.K. overall, while lead single “The Fate of Ophelia” earns the superstar her fifth U.K. No. 1 single.
The Life of a Showgirl gives Swift her biggest opening week ever in the U.K. with 423,00 units across physicals, streaming and downloads, surpassing 2024’s The Tortured Poets Department. The Official Charts Company reports that The Life of a Showgirl is the biggest opening week for any artist since Ed Sheeran’s 2017 album Divide (672,000) and is the largest opening week for an international album in the U.K. this century.
The LP is also named the U.K.’s fastest-selling album on vinyl this century, and the biggest one-week vinyl sale since modern Official Chart records began in 1994. On streaming, The Life of a Showgirl has notched up the most U.K. album streams over a course of a week ever. Streaming contributed 84,000 stream-equivalent sales to her total this week, eclipsing both Ed Sheeran’s Divide and her own previous studio album The Tortured Poets Department, both of which managed 79,000.
She also extends her lead with the most No. 1s on the U.K. Albums Charts for an international artist, and now ties for second overall with The Rolling Stones (14). The top spot is also currently a tie between The Beatles and Robbie Williams who both have 15 apiece; the latter playfully blamed Swift for the delay of his upcoming album Britpop, which was due to be released this week.
“The Fate of Ophelia” tops the U.K. Singles Charts, with “Elizabeth Taylor” (No. 2) and “Opalite” (No. 3) following closely behind. Swift adds to her existing four U.K. chart-toppers throughout her career: “Look What You Made Me Do” (2017), “Anti-Hero” (2022), “Is It Over Now?” (2023) and “Fortnight” (2024).
Olivia Dean loses her top spot on both charts after The Art of Loving and its single “Man I Need” earned the British star her maiden No. 1s on either chart. The LP falls two places to No. 3, while “Man I Need” closes at No. 4.
Oasis’ (What’s The Story) Morning Glory ends the week at No. 2 on the Albums Chart, and is joined by Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend (No. 4) and James Morrison’s Fight Another Day (No. 5).
Entertainment
Kevin Jonas’ Wife Danielle Reveals ‘Traumatic’ Battle With Lyme Disease & Hair Loss: ‘I Just Wanted to Feel Like Myself’
Danielle Jonas, who is married to Kevin Jonas, has been dealing with some difficult health challenges behind the scenes.
The TV personality revealed in an interview with Parents published on Thursday (Oct. 9) that she has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a conclusion she says only came after her doctors originally downplayed what she was going through. “They tried to tell me it was anxiety,” Danielle told the publication.
“Finally, I had a biopsy that showed I actually had Lyme disease,” she continued. “I also had eczema on my scalp, which was likely from the inflammation [caused by Lyme disease]. The hair loss was very traumatic.”
According to Mayo Clinic, Lyme disease is caused by borrelia bacteria, which humans typically contract after a carrier tick bites them. Longterm symptoms include body pains, skin conditions and immune-system issues.
In Danielle’s case, the hair loss caused by her illness was so severe, she got extensions — but they only irritated the eczema on her scalp more. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes dryness, itchiness and inflammation, according to Mayo.
“I had to go out and do things with Kevin,” Danielle recalled. “I just wanted to feel like myself.”
The Married to Jonas star and Kevin got married in 2009. They share two daughters — 11-year-old Alena, 11 and 8-year-old Valentina.
“They saw everything I went through,” Danielle said of her children, who she says also have eczema. “The main thing I tell them [when their eczema flares up] is, ‘This is going to pass.'”
Lyme disease is quite common in the United States. The CDC estimates that 476,000 people are diagnosed with it each year. Danielle is just one of many public figures who have opened up about their struggles with the illness, including Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber and Shania Twain.
Earlier this year, Justin Timberlake shared that he’d also been diagnosed with Lyme. “If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”
Danielle’s revelation comes as her husband and his brothers/bandmates, Joe and Nick Jonas, are touring in support of their new Jonas Brothers album, Greetings From Your Hometown, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. In late September, the band added 18 new dates to the trek, which wraps in December in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Entertainment
Fat Joe Recalls Bruno Mars Snapping on Him Over Question About Puerto Rican Roots: ‘Broke My Heart’

Fat Joe was excited to meet Bruno Mars at an award show, but he claims their interaction went left when he asked the Grammy-winning artist about his Puerto Rican roots.
During a recent episode of Joe & Jada featuring Hit-Boy and The Alchemist, Fat Joe took the spotlight for a few minutes while recalling the time when Mars allegedly snapped on him.
Joe says he’s a big-time fan of Bruno’s work and he’d been waiting over a decade to meet the “24K Magic” hitmaker. “The guy next to me said, ‘You might not want to do it. He’s a fuck n—a,'” The Bronx native remembered being warned about Mars.
Still, Joey Crack went over to greet Mars, who was with his Silk Sonic collaborator Anderson .Paak.
“I said, ‘Yo, Bruno, what’s up, man?’ ‘Yo, what’s up, Joe?’ [he replied]. He’s with Anderson.Paak. I’m like, ‘Yo, you Puerto Rican?’ He got up,” Joe described, saying Mars appeared to take offense to the comment before things got hostile. “‘The f—k you mean? I’m a real Puerto Rican from Bushwick, Brooklyn! Don’t ever ask me that s–t in your life,'” Joe said Mars told him.
According to PEOPLE, Bruno Mars’ father, Peter Hernandez, is from Brooklyn and is of Jewish and Puerto Rican descent.
Fat Joe said that a frustrated Bruno removed himself from the conversation and went to sit on the other side of the venue at the unspecified awards show.
“Man, broke my heart. I wasn’t challenging him. Like, ‘tell me something. Who’s your father?’ [I asked in] the nicest way… Man, screamed on me. Went to the other room and was mad,” Joe added about the singer/producer he’s never worked professionally with. “Bruno, if you don’t remember it, I forgive you. But you did that, brother.”
Billboard reached out to Bruno Mars’ reps for comment but did not hear back at press time. Watch the full clip of Fat Joe recalling the interaction with Bruno Mars here.
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