Is it the End of Indie Music on SoundCloud?

SoundCloud’s recent deal with Universal is really creating a stir in the music industry.  Spotify and Pandora have cut deals with major labels, and SoundCloud may be following suit. Official licensing brings the possibility of exclusive album and song premieres, playlists and related project that will bring in revenue.

SoundCloud’s deal with UMG allows them to delete artists’ remixes and ban them for multiple infractions.  UMG isn’t obligated to communicate these moves to SoundCloud even though these moves already resulted in brash song and account removals.

SoundCloud built its brand by hosting remixes and featuring artists whose songs had uncleared samples. Many of these samples easily shared on social networks…likely until copyright holders are able to put a stop to this.