Complete list of all 57 major UMG artists removed from TikTok

TikTok

By Kieran Galpin

2 February 2024

Universal Music Group (UMG) has pulled their artists music from TikTok after listing a range of issues with the platform including artificial intelligence and songwriter pay.�

A major part of TikToks platform is the ability to pair videos with popular songs currently in the charts. In fact, TikTok is known to boost music and encourage its success thanks to its 1 Billion loyal users.�

SINGAPORE-CHINA-INTERNET-SOCIAL-MEDIA-BYTEDANCE — A logo of Tik Tok is seen during a media tour at the company’s headquarters in Singapore on September 7, 2023. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Why did UMG pull their music?

Over the last few days, TikTok users have reported that videos containing popular artists have been muted.

On January 30, Universal Music Group penned an open letter that explained a range of reasons why they were not able to continue their contract past the 31st of January.

They said: In our contract renewal discussions, we have been pressing them on three critical issuesappropriate compensation for our artists and songwriters, protecting human artists from the harmful effects of AI, and online safety for TikToks users.

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They further claimed that TikTok is trying to build a music-based business, without paying fair value for the music.

The group, which is worth a whopping $54.37 Billion, also claimed that TikTok was trying to bully and intimidate them.

TikTok responded to the letter and accused UMG of painting a “false narrative” created out of “greed.”

@dailyxsav
Goodbye goodbye goodbye 😭 #taylorswift #umg #music #tiktok #swiftie #swifttok #dailysav #dailyxsav
♬ original sound – Savannah

“It is sad and disappointing that Universal Music Group has put their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters,” they told USA TODAY. “Despite Universal’s false narrative and rhetoric, the fact is they have chosen to walk away from the powerful support of a platform with well over a billion users that serves as a free promotional and discovery vehicle for their talent.”

“TikTok has been able to reach ‘artist-first’ agreements with every other label and publisher. Clearly, Universal’s self-serving actions are not in the best interests of artists, songwriters and fans, the social media platform added.

Which UMG artists have been removed?

Music from some of the worlds biggest Universal Music Group artists has been removed from the platform, leading to muted videos across a number of trends. Presumably, no further trends will be built around their music either.

It’s worth noting that some artists are still available on TikTok, suggesting the process will take some time.