SOUNDSTORM Concludes after 260 Hours of Music

A general view during MDLBeast Soundstorm 2021 on December 19, 2021 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Neville Hopwood/Getty Images
A general view during MDLBeast Soundstorm 2021 on December 19, 2021 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Neville Hopwood/Getty Images
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SOUNDSTORM Concludes after 260 Hours of Music

A general view during MDLBeast Soundstorm 2021 on December 19, 2021 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Neville Hopwood/Getty Images
A general view during MDLBeast Soundstorm 2021 on December 19, 2021 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Neville Hopwood/Getty Images

Music lovers said goodbye to the region’s largest music festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, SOUNDSTORM, after over 260 hours of music played on seven stages over three days.

Tickets to watch the greatest, global artists partaking in this gigantic musical manifestation were sold out as hundreds of thousands of people attended to enjoy all kinds of music on massive stages.

The last day of the festival was packed with the world’s greatest DJs and singers on all stages. The audience at the Big Beast stage were thrilled with DJ Afrojack and his collaboration with Egypt’s Mohamed Ramadan, as well as Marshmello, and David Guetta who played until 3:00 am.

Despite the cold weather encircling the Saudi capital these days, the festival added a special warmth, offering an exquisite, thrilling place that attracts any life lover. The music and the accompanying activities that entertained the visitors while moving from stage to another turned the festival into an endless pleasure.

In the Tent Beast, a giant tent equipped with several giant screens and lasers, visitors found the excitement zone where they can never feel bored. On its last day, the tent hosted long hours of music played by some of the world’s most known DJs including R3HAB, Steve Aoki, and Lost Frequencies who spent the whole night entertaining thousands of fans.

The Down Beast stage was dedicated to those who wanted to stay away from loud music and dancing, and sat to listen to quiet music with their loved ones. Down Beast concluded its days with Palestinian singer Elyanna with her peaceful, tender voice, Jorja Smith, followed by the band Autostrad, and finally with Shkoon.

The four Underground stages entertained their audiences with renowned artists including Amber Broos, Kayan, Rash, Carl Cox, and many others DJs who played techno music and high-pitch rhythms that turned the spectators into storms of singing and dancing.

Most of the visitors agreed that these three days were among the most entertaining days they have ever witnessed; the ambiance they experienced during SOUNDSTORM were full of joy, music, and entertainment accompanied with the best services, foods, and beverages.

The SOUNDSTORM festival brought together over 100 artists from around the world to perform for hundreds of thousands of spectators. This year’s edition hosted the best DJs and singers including DJ Khaled, Post Malone, Bruno Mars, Busta Rhymes, in addition to Arabic singers such as Nancy Ajram, Myriam Fares, Majid al-Muhandis, Amr Diab, and Mohamed Hamaki.



Ariana Grande to White House: Don't Use My Music for 'Heinous Nonsense'

US singer-songwriter Ariana Grande (R) and US music video director Christian Breslauer accept the award for Video of the Year for "Brighter Days Ahead" on stage during the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 7, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
US singer-songwriter Ariana Grande (R) and US music video director Christian Breslauer accept the award for Video of the Year for "Brighter Days Ahead" on stage during the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 7, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
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Ariana Grande to White House: Don't Use My Music for 'Heinous Nonsense'

US singer-songwriter Ariana Grande (R) and US music video director Christian Breslauer accept the award for Video of the Year for "Brighter Days Ahead" on stage during the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 7, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
US singer-songwriter Ariana Grande (R) and US music video director Christian Breslauer accept the award for Video of the Year for "Brighter Days Ahead" on stage during the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 7, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

American pop star Ariana Grande told President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday to stop using her music to promote its policies.

The comment came after the White House shared a video on TikTok earlier this week highlighting its immigration policy. The video, which depicts federal agents arresting and handcuffing people, features the Grammy Award-winning singer's 2024 song "Bye."

"Please ‌do not ‌ever use my music in ‌relation ⁠to this barbaric, inhumane, ⁠heinous nonsense," Grande wrote in a comment posted on the White House video on TikTok on Thursday.

A source close to the singer said her team is looking into how to remove the music from the video ⁠as soon as possible. Responding to Grande, ‌White House spokesperson ‌Abigail Jackson said: "We’ll say this one last time: what’s ‌actually barbaric, inhumane, and heinous are the criminal ‌illegal aliens who have injured and murdered innocent American citizens."

Grande, a singer and Academy Award-nominated actress, was critical of the Trump administration last year after ‌sharing a post on Instagram asking people who voted for Trump if ⁠their lives ⁠had gotten better since he returned to office.

Trump, now in his second non-consecutive term, has an active social media presence. Members of his communications team often post short videos that feature popular songs to illustrate the president's efforts to deliver on his campaign promises. Some of the videos have featured hit songs while depicting images showing Trump's immigration crackdown, US military operations against Iran and the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.


Taylor Swift Becomes Youngest Woman Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

 Honoree US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift attends the 55th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York on June 11, 2026. (AFP)
Honoree US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift attends the 55th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York on June 11, 2026. (AFP)
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Taylor Swift Becomes Youngest Woman Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

 Honoree US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift attends the 55th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York on June 11, 2026. (AFP)
Honoree US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift attends the 55th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York on June 11, 2026. (AFP)

Taylor Swift became the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night.

"It was instinctual. No one taught me how to do it," she said of songwriting through a raspy voice she attributed to screaming along to the night's performances and Wednesday night's historic NBA game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.

She told the room about her family uprooting their lives to move her to Nashville as a tween. “I will never be able to express my gratitude,” she said while holding back tears — crediting their sacrifice for her career.

She offered young songwriters advice: “You really have to prioritize what you love, down to your very core. Because you'll need that."

Steven Spielberg introduced Swift with a surprise speech about the power of songwriting. “There is something undeniable about how songs imprint on our souls,” he said, before changing his focus to Swift. “Somehow Taylor knows us all too well.”

Swift started her speech by acknowledging Spielberg. “Because of examples like Steven's, I trusted my imagination," she said.

The Gen Z singer Sombr launched Swift's segment by performing “Cardigan” and “Dear John" in front of her.

Swift has brought new eyes to this year’s ceremony and undeniably shaped contemporary pop music trends with her songwriting. Swift is the youngest woman inducted, but Stevie Wonder, who started his recording career at 13, was the youngest ever inducted, it was announced on stage.

It was a notable moment in an evening full of them, where Swift, Kiss’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins and more were honored.

Tamar Braxton opened the gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City with a spirted tribute to a new inductee — the game-changing R&B songwriter, producer and rapper Christopher “Tricky” Stewart — with one of the biggest songs he's known for: Beyoncé's “Single Ladies.”

He's also responsible for Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Mariah Carey's “Touch My Body” and Justin Bieber's “Baby.”

Dallas Austin, a songwriter and producer known for work with Boyz ll Men and Madonna, introduced Stewart. “Think about that catalog,” he said, listing off those zeitgeist-shifting records. “Those are cultural moments."

Stewart thanked God, his family, artists he's worked with and mentors — giving a special shout out to Grammy award-winning music producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid and the iconic singer-songwriter Babyface. “I wanted to be like L.A. and Baby,” he reflected.

Kiss founders Simmons and Stanley — two and a half years after the band’s farewell — were also recognized for their glam rock classics “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Love It Loud.” The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan covered the former, a fittingly fiery introduction for the band. He was joined by Goo Goo Dolls’ frontman John Rzeznik for the latter.

Simmons was not present; Stanley said he had a family emergency.

“Songs are the messenger,” he said — the foundation of “every show.”

Soft rock legend Kenny Loggins (“Footloose,” “Danny’s Song”) and the alt-rock icon Morissette were also inducted.

For the latter, Brandi Carlile performed “Uninvited” alongside SistaStrings, before introducing Morissette.

“Writing to me is not a hobby,” Morissette said, it’s critical. “It’s write or die.” Then she performed “Mary Jane” and "You Oughta Know" from her 1995 album “Jagged Little Pill.”

For Loggins, Gavin DeGraw performed “Danny’s Song,” before Loggins told the story behind the tune in his acceptance speech.

Acknowledging writers and their hits Taylor Dayne and Madison Cunningham performed Tina Turner classics written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle in honor of their induction; John Fogerty was honored with the Johnny Mercer Award.

“I got my songs back!” Fogerty said, ending a nearly 30-minute speech, referencing the fact that he won the rights back to his catalog at age 80. Then he ran through a medley of his hits: “Proud Mary,” “Fortunate Son,” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” among them.


Deezer Launches Free AI Music Detector for Users of Major Streaming Platforms

FILE PHOTO: The logo of French music streaming platform Deezer is seen at La Defense business and financial district in Courbevoie near Paris, France, July 5, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The logo of French music streaming platform Deezer is seen at La Defense business and financial district in Courbevoie near Paris, France, July 5, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
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Deezer Launches Free AI Music Detector for Users of Major Streaming Platforms

FILE PHOTO: The logo of French music streaming platform Deezer is seen at La Defense business and financial district in Courbevoie near Paris, France, July 5, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The logo of French music streaming platform Deezer is seen at La Defense business and financial district in Courbevoie near Paris, France, July 5, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

French music platform Deezer has launched a free online tool to detect AI-generated tracks in playlists, available to users of all major streaming platforms, it said on Thursday.

The company is also licensing its AI-detection technology to the wider music industry, building on earlier deals like the one it signed with France’s royalty agency Sacem in January, Reuters reported.

The free detector allows users of ⁠around 20 of the ⁠most common streaming platforms to scan their playlists for synthetic music.

Company data shows that 43% of users joining Deezer from rival services already have AI-generated music in their playlists.

On its own platform, ⁠Deezer tags AI-generated songs and automatically removes them from algorithmic recommendations and editorial playlists.

"This is a first step in making sure that these tracks don't dilute the royalty pool in any significant way," Deezer said.

It cited a 2024 Cisac study that showed 25% of artists’ revenue, or €4 billion ($4.6 billion) per year, could be at risk of ⁠being siphoned ⁠off by AI-generated songs by 2028.

Deezer receives nearly 75,000 AI-generated tracks daily, making up more than 44% of its new music delivery, up from 60,000 tracks reported in early 2025.

A recent Deezer and Ipsos survey found that 80% of respondents wanted AI-generated music to be clearly labelled on streaming platforms.