What Artists are Being Removed from TikTok: A Deep Dive Into the Reasons and Lists

You may have heard about the escalating conflict between Universal Music Group and TikTok in recent days. It happened after their licensing agreement for the platform’s music rights expired at the start of this year. Both parties failed to secure a new agreement, leading to the current dilemma. This deadlock has caused significant disruption for the user community and the artists involved.

After the record label’s demand, TikTok has removed all music from artists associated with Universal Music Group. This development has generated significant interest and concern among both fans and industry professionals. In this comprehensive article, we will explore what artists are being removed from TikTok and examine its broader implications.

Part 1. Why is Universal Music Group Removing Artists from TikTok?

The recent absence of artists from this record label results from a contentious dispute over a new licensing deal. Universal Music Group is by far the largest player with the most artists in the global music industry. The two companies are currently in disagreement regarding the terms of a new contract for using UMG’s music library. Their previous licensing agreement expired at the end of January of this year.

This situation came to light when UMG issued an open letter to its artists present on TikTok. It announced its sudden decision to remove its music from the platform. Moreover, the record label criticized TikTok for offering inadequate compensation to artists for using their music in the letter. That’s what has led users to ask what artists are being removed from TikTok. To quote the letter, 

“With respect to the issue of artist and songwriter compensation, TikTok proposed paying our artists and songwriters at a rate that is a fraction of the rate that similarly situated major social platforms pay. Today, as an indication of how little TikTok compensates artists and songwriters, despite its massive and growing user base, rapidly rising advertising revenue and increasing reliance on music-based content, TikTok accounts for only about 1% of our total revenue.”

Furthermore, the music company accused TikTok of failing to control the rise of AI in music. It says that AI poses a serious threat to the livelihood of music artists and that the app has actively tried to promote and create AI music libraries. It doesn’t help that TikTok was recently caught attempting to use Open AI for such purposes. Here is another quote from UMG on this issue: 

“On AI, TikTok is allowing the platform to be flooded with AI-generated recordings—as well as developing tools to enable, promote and encourage AI music creation on the platform itself – and then demanding a contractual right which would allow this content to massively dilute the royalty pool for human artists, in a move that is nothing short of sponsoring artist replacement by AI.”

Another serious accusation includes TikTok trying to bully the company into accepting a less-than-fair deal. It says, “As our negotiations continued, TikTok attempted to bully us into accepting a deal worth less than the previous deal, which was far less than fair market value and not reflective of their exponential growth. How did it try to intimidate us? By selectively removing the music of certain of our developing artists, while keeping on the platform our audience-driving global stars.”

Now, we move to the TikTok side of this story, as it has categorically denied all the accusations made by Universal Music Group. The platform has accused the record label of greediness and stated that it doesn’t care about the artists. Moreover, it stated in its response that all UMG wants is to line up its own pockets. 

In its defense, TikTok said that it already has deals with all other music labels and publishers, including the remaining two of the top three. The company recently renewed its licensing agreement with Warner Music Group and is expected to renew one with Sony Music Group in the upcoming months. Here is the official response by the platform to the accusations by Universal Music Group: 

“It is sad and disappointing that Universal Music Group has put their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters. 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.”

In short, the crux of the issue lies in the negotiations between the two entities. Both companies could not agree on how to structure the licensing deal to cover how UMG’s music is used and monetized on TikTok. The disagreement includes financial terms and the compensation UMG would receive for using their artists’ works. 

With both parties holding firm on their positions, the negotiation process stalled, leading to this situation. As a result, TikTok has been forced to remove UMG’s music, which also includes muting all old videos made using the music of these artists. This move underscores the broader tensions between music rights holders and digital platforms, highlighting the complex interplay of content rights, revenue sharing, and digital innovation.

Part 2. The List of Artists Whose Songs are Removed from TikTok

The fallout between Universal Music Group and the platform has resulted in the removal of numerous high-profile artists from the app. As the record label boasts an impressive roster of talent, the absence of their music on the platform is notable. Here is a list of some of the key artists to answer the question of what artists are being removed from TikTok:

1. Taylor Swift: Her vast collection of hits has become a key element in numerous TikTok trends and challenges. The removal of her music has left a significant gap in the platform’s content.
2. Drake: He is famous for his hit songs and viral dance challenges, which have been a hallmark of the app. Those who regularly interact with his music for their content will certainly notice his absence.
3. Billie Eilish: The multi-Grammy-winning artist has a massive following on TikTok for her music and looks. Moreover, her unique sound has been integral to numerous creative videos.
4. Ariana Grande: Her dynamic voice and string of popular hits have made her music a staple for TikTok users globally. However, the recent issue has resulted in her songs disappearing from the platform.
5. Post Malone: His eclectic style and catchy tunes have made him a popular choice for content creators on the app. As a result, this makes his removal particularly impactful for users deeply invested in his music.
6. The Weekend: Renowned for his unique vocal style and groundbreaking music videos, his songs have sparked a multitude of creative projects across the platform. Users will be disappointed and disheartened with his music gone from the app.
7. Justin Bieber: A staple on the platform for years, his music has played a key role in driving numerous TikTok trends. The Canadian singer will be dearly missed by his fans on this app.
8. BTS: This K-pop sensation has become a worldwide phenomenon, captivating a vast and devoted following on the platform. It has made their music’s removal highly impactful and disappointing for the fans.
9. Adele: She is renowned for her deeply moving voice and powerful ballads that captivate people. Her songs have become a favorite among users for creating emotionally charged and dramatic content.
10. Olivia Rodrigo: The breakout star with numerous viral hits, she has been at the center of many popular TikTok trends. With her songs gone from the platform, a vast majority of teen users have reported their sadness.
11. Harry Styles: With his charismatic presence and hit songs, Harry Styles has been a significant part of the app’s musical landscape. The removal of his music has been hard for app users, especially old fans of One Direction.
12. SZA: Her unique sound and critically acclaimed tracks have made SZA a favorite among TikTok users. The addition of her songs to the platform’s diverse musical offerings was a greatly appreciated blessing. 

Part 3. What is the Impact of Artists Being Removed from TikTok on Creators?

There have been profound implications for creators on the platform after removing Universal Music Group artists. While it poses numerous challenges for creators, it also encourages adaptation and the exploration of new musical avenues. Summarized below are a few of the key impacts of this fallout to fully understand what artists are being removed from TikTok:

1. Limited Music Selection

TikTok creators often rely on a wide range of music to set the tone for their videos. It helps them create trends that engage the audience to keep them captivated. The removal of UMG artists significantly reduces the available music library on the platform. It severely limits creative options and makes it more challenging to produce content that resonates with viewers.

2. Disruption of Trends

Many viral trends on the platform are built around popular songs that are currently trending to attract an audience. With the removal of tracks by the most famous artists, existing trends may be abruptly halted or muted. This means that the creators will need to find new music to drive their content. This disruption can lead to a decrease in engagement and visibility for creators who were leveraging these trends.

3. Impact on Content Diversity

This record label’s extensive catalog includes a diverse array of genres and artists from around the world. The absence of this music can lead to a homogenization of content on TikTok. The reason is that creators might gravitate towards the remaining and potentially less varied music options. This can impact the platform’s overall vibrancy and the uniqueness of individual creators’ content.

4. Challenges for Emerging Creators

New and emerging creators often use popular music to attract attention and gain followers. The removal of UMG’s music can make it harder for these creators to break through. This is due to the fact that they lose access to songs that have a built-in audience and high value for recognition.

5. Potential for New Opportunities

While this music removal poses challenges, it also opens the door for lesser-known artists and independent musicians to gain visibility. Creators may start exploring music from other sources, providing opportunities for non-UMG artists to shine on the platform.

6. Creator-Fan Relationships

For creators who have built their content around these artists, the removal can strain their relationship with fans. Followers who enjoyed specific types of content may be disappointed, leading to potential declines in engagement and follower growth.

7. Monetization and Sponsorships

Popular music is often used to enhance branded content and sponsored posts. With a reduced music library, creators might find it more challenging to align their content with the expectations of brands and sponsors. This could potentially impact their revenue streams and lead to the migration of users to other platforms.

Part 4. Helpful Tips to Use Music on TikTok After Artists Being Removed from the Platform

Navigating the platform without access to music from Universal Music Group artists may seem daunting. Even so, there are plenty of ways to continue creating engaging and vibrant content. Here are some helpful tips for using music on the app after knowing what artists are being removed from TikTok:

1. Explore TikTok’s Music Library

TikTok still offers a vast library of songs from other music labels and independent artists. Spend some time exploring this library to discover new tracks that fit your content style. Use TikTok’s search and recommendation features to find trending and relevant music.

2. Leverage Independent and Emerging Artists

A lot of high-quality music that can add a unique touch to your videos is produced by independent musicians. As a matter of fact, TikTok itself has many such artists on its platform whose songs you can utilize. Additionally, supporting independent musicians can create a mutually beneficial relationship.

3. Create Original Sounds

Do you fancy yourself an aspiring musician looking to get your first break? Use this chance to create your own music or sounds for your TikTok videos. These original sounds can set you apart from other creators and provide a unique signature for your content. There are multiple music creation tools on the internet to help you produce original tracks.

4. Utilize Royalty-Free Music

There are numerous sources of free songs available online for you to use in your content. Multiple websites offer a wide range of tracks you can employ without worrying about licensing issues. It becomes a great boon when you are short on music to use for your videos.

5. Partner with Local Musicians

You can collaborate with emerging or lesser-known artists to discover fresh sounds to add to your videos. Doing this can not only enrich your content but also assist in expanding their reach to a broader audience. Moreover, you will no longer be worried about the lack of music tracks to utilize.

6. Remix Existing Tracks

One thing you can do to infuse energy into your content is transform them into remixes or mashups. It lets you inject fresh energy into these well-known songs to engage your audience in a meaningful way. Always ensure you have the necessary rights to use copyrighted material.

7. Follow New Trends

Stay updated with new music trends and viral sounds on TikTok. Although these artists are no longer active, new trends and popular tracks will keep emerging. These latest trends can help you remain relevant and sustain your engagement during this period.

8. Connect with Your Audience

Engage your fans by inviting them to share their favorite music and participate in choosing the tracks you’ll feature. This can help you discover new tracks that resonate with your audience and build a stronger connection with your followers.

9. Use TikTok’s Sound Effects

In addition to music, the app offers a variety of sound effects that can enhance your videos. Experimenting with sound effects can add humor or excitement to your content without relying solely on music.

10. Stay Creative and Flexible

Embrace the challenge as an opportunity to experiment with different types of audio and content formats. Use this time to explore new ideas and innovative approaches to your TikTok videos to display creativity that often flourishes under constraints.

Conclusion

In summary, the dispute between UMG and TikTok has led to the exclusion of several prominent artists from the platform. This has undeniably led to many asking what artists are being removed from TikTok. It underscores the profound influence this fallout has on creators, fans, and the entire music industry. Despite the hurdles, the enduring spirit of TikTok’s creator community guarantees that creativity will persist. 

By exploring new music options and supporting independent artists, creators can navigate this change and continue to produce engaging content. In this guide, we’ve examined the reasons behind removing artists and its impact on creators. Moreover, we discussed practical tips to adapt to this shift for the future of music on TikTok. The vibrant community of this platform will undoubtedly find ways to continue making waves and setting trends.

Frequently Asked Questions

These changes have left many users wondering about the future availability of their favorite artists and songs on the platform. Below, we have answered some of the FAQs on what artists are being removed from TikTok.

Q1. Are independent artists also at risk of being removed from TikTok?

This dispute is between Universal Music Group and Tikok, and only the artists signed with this record label have been removed. The only independent artists affected are those who have published their music using UMG or one of its subsidiaries. Therefore, as long as an artist is not related to this music group, they are unlikely to be affected by this mess.

Q2. Will removing UMG artists affect my user experience on TikTok?

Being the world’s largest music label, removing UMG from TikTok will certainly affect how you use the app. The content you have already created using the music of these artists will be muted. However, you can continue as the platform continuously adds new artists and songs to maintain a rich user experience.

Q3. How do I know if an artist’s music has been removed from TikTok?

You can check if an artist has been removed by searching for their profile or songs on the app. If their content is no longer available, it is likely due to a removal. Most profiles of UMG artists are now empty of music, as it has been removed.