Twitch
Twitch’s DMCA Problem Shines as Official Channel Hilariously Censors Metallica Concert With 8-Bit Video Game Music
Over the course of the last pandemic-filled year, Twitch has become the go-to place for a lot of musicians to perform and interact with fans without breaking quarantine. The fact that it was actually designed for livestreams (unlike Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube) made it a natural fit for those who weren’t looking to play awkward drive-in concerts or other “socially distanced” shows. Unfortunately, the platform’s surge of popularity within the music world also exposed one of Twitch’s biggest problems, which is the ongoing battle over streaming music rights all centered around the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (better known as the DMCA). To make an extremely long story that you can read elsewhere short, Twitch has an algorithm that automatically mutes streams (or portions ...
Metallica’s BlizzCon Performance Audio Replaced With Goofy Instrumental Music on Twitch: Watch
Metallica headlined video-game maker Blizzard Entertainment’s virtual BlizzCon 2021 event on Friday (February 19th), but those watching on Twitch were treated to an evening of … elevator music. Due to copyright concerns, Twitch replaced Metallica’s thunderous brand of heavy metal with a generic instrumental that made the legendary band’s performance look downright silly. Things started out okay, with frontman James Hetfield introducing the performance by recalling how Metallica headlined the typically in-person Blizzcon event back in 2014, adding, “We would love to be there this year, but obviously can’t be … so here we are, and this is for you.” Beaming in from their Bay Area band headquarters, Metallica launched into their classic song “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, and everything soun...
Shawn Gee Partners With Twitch to Launch BlackStream Live
The goal of BlackStream is to “unite some of the most influential, impactful, and inspiring voices of today to craft provocative and entertaining content as projected through the lens of the modern Black experience, yet meaningful to multiple generations,” a statement announcing BlackStream reads. Through strategic alliances with tastemakers and programmers, Twitch has made significant investments in the music space. In August, the Amazon-owned company announced a partnership with the Rolling Loud festival for live hip-hop events on the platform and a month later Twitch announced a partnership with Relix magazine and its owner Peter Shapiro from (who also owns Brooklyn Bowl, Capitol Theatre and Lock’N fest) to launch a channel focused on jam bands. Twitch also has streami...
DJ Akademiks Claims Male Rappers Are Hooking Up With Male Execs
Source: Earl Gibson III / Getty In the entertainment world, it has been alleged by observers that artists and their colleagues have engaged in behavior not befitting of most working relationships. However, DJ Akademiks took it a step further and claims that male rappers are sexually linking up with male executives in what appears to be an open secret. A Twitter fan recorded a portion of Ak’s Twitch stream from this week and shared it to the social media network, highlighting the streamer addressing the recent abuse allegations against T.I. and Tiny. Ak essentially said that there is a seedy underworld in Hip-Hop circles that most fans will never be privy to. “I don’t really think that I believe all this stuff but I’m a just say this,” Ak begins. “In the land of Hollyweird, don’t ever think...
Zeds Dead is Hosting the Biggest House Party of the Weekend Tonight
It’s always refreshing to see popular DJs playing out genres that their fans might not be used to from time to time. When Zeds Dead hinted that they might be doing so in a tweet, fans were already itching to see it happen. Not long after, Zeds Dead confirmed that a house DJ set would happen, and it will be livestreamed via Twitch. The Deadbeats House Party will begin tonight at 6PM PM via the label’s Twitch channel. No other details have been announced, aside from the fact that the set will indeed be house music-centric. Of course, Zeds Dead have hosted livestreamed House Party sets before, and multiple other artists like GG Magree, DJ Afterthought, Kompany, and Sippy have also graced the virtual stage. However, the streams haven’t ever been limited to house musi...
Reddit bans Donald Trump forum for inciting violence
Reddit has banned r/donaldtrump for encouraging and glorifying violence after Wednesday’s mob attack on the US Capitol. Axios reporter Sara Fischer first reported the news, noting that the unofficial pro-Trump forum had been given multiple warnings. A Reddit splash page says the subreddit was “banned due to a violation of Reddit’s rules against inciting violence.” “Reddit’s site-wide policies prohibit content that promotes hate, or encourages, glorifies, incites, or calls for violence against groups of people or individuals. In accordance with this, we have been proactively reaching out to moderators to remind them of our policies and to offer support or resources as needed,” a Reddit spokesperson tells The Verge. “We have also taken action to ban the community r/donaldtrump given repeated...
Jeris Johnson, awfultune, and More Headline Two Holiday-Shortened Weeks of SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream
Normally, it’s right about now when we’d tell you what to expect next week on SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream. But seeing as next Friday is Christmas (and no one wants to spend their Christmas reading a Twitch schedule), we’re providing you with the next two weeks all in one place. Don’t forget, we still have Maxine Ashley’s set later today, so be sure to tune in for that as well. Since we’re taking a short break for the holidays, next week consists of four livestreams in three days. You’ll get the double shot of Jack Name and Jeris Johnson performances on Monday, a little Tiki Lau on Tuesday, and Merci playing video games with us on Wednesday. The next week figures to be equally busy, as the good folks at Quadio will be hosting a showcase of their favorite artists on Monday, awfultune ...
Proposed Law Could Make Streaming Copyrighted Material on Twitch Without Permission a Felony
In the latest omnibus spending bill making its way through Congress, a provision has been added that would effectively render the streaming of copyrighted music without permission a felony offense. The provision has been added to the bill by Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. If passed, the provision would likely land streaming platforms—including Twitch—in more hot water, as the video giant has continued to butt heads with major labels and copyright representatives for much of 2020. This fall, Twitch introduced what they claimed was a fully licensed product called “Soundtrack by Twitch,” which purportedly allowed streamers to play music without fear of being issued a DMCA takedown. However, the Recording Academy and the RIAA, among other organizations, rebut...
SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream Gets One More Full Week in Before the Holidays
This week’s schedule on SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream has been good (and it’ll be even better this afternoon when Bailey Bryan drops by), but we’re already here to get you excited for next week. There’s a lot to share, so we’ll start off with the doubleheader of We the Commas and Anabel Englund on Monday followed by the incomparable David Davis on Tuesday. Wednesday is yet another rocking two-pack of the Dirty Nil and French Cassettes, and then we close the week with the fire-starters in Babygirl and multi-talented artist and model Maxine Ashley. In case you get too caught up in the whirlwind to remember who’s streaming on any given day, our Twitter and Instagram will always keep you up to date. Plus, if you follow and/or subscribe on Twitch (you get a fr...
Monstercat Clarifies Controversial Twitch Affiliate “Fast-Track” Service
The Canadian label clarified an announcement that seemingly offered Twitch users a way to pay their way into Affiliate status on the platform. A few days ago, Monstercat announced a new service that would be included in their “Monstercat Gold” program. The new offering was advertised as a way for subscribers to “fast-track Affiliate status” on Twitch. The announcement led to controversy in the streaming community since Affiliate status traditionally had to be earned, not purchased. The Canadian electronic record label backpedaled two days later, taking to social media to clarify that they did not mean to assert that Affiliate status would be guaranteed to subscribers. “To clarify our original post, all current Gold subscribe...
Twitch to Creators: “Don’t Play Recorded Music In Your Stream”
The company is also encouraging creators to review and delete any of their footage that contains unlicensed audio. In a new letter to creators, Twitch has instructed users not to play recorded music in their streams, unless they own the rights and permissions themselves. Given the ongoing wave of DMCA takedown notices that have continued to bombard the platform, the company is also encouraging creators to review and delete any of their footage that contains unlicensed audio. “Don’t play recorded music in your stream,” the letter reads. “Unless you own all rights in the music, or you have the permission of the necessary rights holder(s). Doing this is the best protection for your streams going forward.” The letter arrives six weeks following the platf...
Twitch Issues Apology for Ongoing Music Licensing Issues: “We’ll Do Better”
The streaming platform says negotiations with major labels over music copyright and usage are still underway. As Twitch remains locked in a seemingly endless dispute with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and major record labels over music copyright and licensing issues, the streaming giant has now issued an apology to its users. Citing frustration and confusion among its users, Twitch apologized in a new blog post that legitimizes their concerns as “completely justified.” “Over the last several months, we have done our best to manage this situation on behalf of both rights holders and creators,” the blog post reads. “One of the mistakes we made was not building adequate tools to allow creators to manage their own VOD and Clip libra...
