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- TikTok said it reached a deal with music company UMG to bring back some of its biggest musicians.
- In February, music from stars like Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift was removed from TikTok.
- The new agreement includes protections against AI-generated music.
Universal Music Group has inked a new deal with TikTok that will return some of the hottest hits to the video-sharing app.
TikTok announced Thursday that the two businesses reached a "multi-dimensional licensing agreement" that fans of artists like Drake and Olivia Rodrigo will be relieved to hear about. It comes after TikTok removed UMG artists' music in February after negotiations over an expired licensing contract heated up, meaning people couldn't post content on TikTok featuring overlaid UMG songs, for example.
In the release, TikTok mentioned protections against generative AI as part of the agreement and said it would work with UMG to remove any AI-generated unauthorized songs circulating on the platform. It has previously tested a feature that allowed users to create songs using AI.
"This new chapter in our relationship with TikTok focuses on the value of music, the primacy of human artistry and the welfare of the creative community," Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of UMG, said.
TikTok said it would also do what it can to help artists profit more from their music being used in videos. In April, the company also partnered with AXS to sell concert tickets to its users.
"Music is an integral part of the TikTok ecosystem and we are pleased to have found a path forward with Universal Music Group," TikTok CEO Shou Chew said.
He continued: "We are committed to working together to drive value, discovery and promotion for all of UMG's amazing artists and songwriters, and deepen their ability to grow, connect and engage with the TikTok community."
In the months since UMG initially removed artists' work from the platform, one superstar connected to UMG decided to go their own way. Taylor Swift reportedly returned her music to TikTok in April, despite being a part of the initial group of artists to have their songs removed.
Bytedance-owned Tiktok is also facing a potential ban in the US. In April, President Joe Biden signed a bill that will force the Chinese tech firm to sell TikTok to an American company or face a ban.