SoundCloud strikes Sony Music deal, paves way for subscription service

Sony Music has finally reached a licensing agreement with SoundCloud, marking the last of the Big Three labels to make its artists' catalog available on the streaming site. 

Not only does the deal make music from Sony artists -- which include Kesha, Kelly Clarkson, Adele and more -- available on SoundCloud, but it also is likely to be the last hurdle for SoundCloud to launch its long-in-the-works paid subscription service. 

Warner Music Group became the first major label to strike a licensing deal back in 2014. According to The Wall Street Journal the deal "hinged upon" a promised launch of a paid subscription service. (It was originally supposed to launch in early 2015.) 

Universal Music Group followed Warner's lead in January of this year. In a statement announcing the agreement, SoundCloud and said it would "introduce subscription services in the US and other markets later this year." A representative for SoundCloud could not comment on the status of the subscription service. 

Sony and SoundCloud's agreement comes less than a year after the label yanked several of its artists' catalogs from the streaming service amid a breakdown in negotiations.

"Having deals in place with all three major music labels means we can continue to build a unique platform and empower our community of more than 18 million artists to share their work and connect directly with their fans," SoundCloud said in a statement on Friday. 

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