Here are today’s AJ highlights.
Fats Waller’s only full book musical, Early to Bed, is being pieced back together from scattered sketches and revived in concert, thanks to linguist-columnist John McWhorter (The New York Times). In the book world, the 2025 National Book Awards are dominated by titles set in or about the Middle East, from Rabih Alameddine’s Beirut novel to Omar El Akkad on Gaza (NPR).
The battle over AI and ownership sharpens: Michael Rushton takes apart a Lawfare essay arguing copyright shouldn’t shield artists from AI, unpacking how the real fight is over who gets the rents (AJBlogs). On the industry side, Warner Music strikes a rights deal with AI-music startup Udio as generative tracks flood streaming platforms (AP News.)
In the U.S., some arts organizations are now refusing National Endowment for the Arts grants rather than comply with new anti-DEI rules, a stance they say protects free expression from federal politics (The New York Times).
Editor’s Note: The who-owns-what debates around AI are probably today’s defining issue. Big AI is making a grab to control as much human knowledge and art as they can. Today’s licensing deals may be radically undervaluing artistic content. Who gets to control culture’s future—artists, platforms, states, or audiences?
All of today’s AJ stories below:
