Three weeks ago, SPOTIFY users were complaining about too much DRAKE, whose face was staring back at them from landing pages and playlists everywhere they looked, no matter what they were looking for. The unbridled power of the major label streaming promotion machine. This week, it's the reverse complaint: Major labels say they're not getting enough love and attention on Spotify playlists, at least according to analysts at DEUTSCHE BANK who are getting their intelligence from an anonymous 25-year veteran of the music biz. And they're understandably worried, reports BUSINESS INSIDER (paywall), since a reported 30 percent of Spotify listening comes from programmed playlists. So, in short, major labels are getting too much and not enough streaming play and no one is happy. Traditionally, no one getting everything they want is a sign of a fair deal, right? But the deal that matters most here isn't the one between Spotify users and labels—I'm not even clear such a deal exists—but, rather, the one between Spotify users and Spotify. The former pays a fee or listens to ads; the latter provides content and programming. That's it. And my allegiance will always be to the users, the fans, the hearts and the ears for which music is made. If Spotify programmers aren't observing any kind of a quota on major-label content, that's a win for fans. If they're programming the music that best fits on any given playlist without regard to where it comes from, that's a win. Obviously there are deals, promotions, favors and whatnot going into the major official playlists. That's how commercial programming works. But if there's no demand beyond that to favor the song distributed by UNIVERSAL over the song distributed by the ORCHARD, then may the most appropriate song get the add. And may it flow perfectly into the next one. (Also, one can't help but wonder these days how the labels cashing in a big chunk of their ownership positions affects the math of the DISCOVER WEEKLY algorithm or the art of the RAPCAVIAR segue)... I kind of sort of get the fine print of the legal argument behind MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL, which owns MANDALAY BAY in Las Vegas, suing victims of the last year's mass shooting at the ROUTE 91 HARVEST festival. But, um, really? I don't care if all your lawyers, your entire board and every living shareholder is telling you to do this. It's an ugly thing to do, and you deserve whatever comes your way as a result... Note to convicted identity thieves: "A recent cosign from DRAKE" is a legally valid excuse for postponing your prison sentence, at least in Florida... Techno DJ named CEO of GOLDMAN SACHS... Shoutout to BILLY JOEL, who plays his 100th MADISON SQUARE GARDEN show tonight. Billy's secret to success in his later years: "I always say, 'Just don't die.'" (Pro tip: Be careful when riding your motorcycle in the rain)... The GRAMMY AWARDS will be held at the STAPLES CENTER in LA on FEB. 10, 2019... Loved this version of the national anthem, performed by a group of WASHINGTON D.C. community choirs at the MLB ALL-STAR GAME.