YouTube Music has begun restricting lyrics access for free users, implementing a paywall that requires a Premium subscription for full access, according to multiple reports. Free accounts may now be limited to viewing lyrics for only a few songs per month, with the remainder blurred out and prompting users to subscribe for full access, as confirmed by The Verge.
The change, which appears to be rolling out more widely now, follows a testing phase that began in September, where Google experimented with lyrics as a Premium-exclusive feature, according to The Verge. The exact number of songs free users can access is unclear, but some reports suggest a limit of five songs per month. Google has been contacted for confirmation.
In other news, the new Mandy, Indiana album "URGH" is receiving significant praise. The Verge's Terrence O'Brien described the album as "vicious, dancey, and utterly captivating," and his favorite release of 2026 so far.
Meanwhile, a "Shark Tank" alum found himself in need of quick cash to pay tariffs, leading him to a shadowy lending world. According to NPR News, small business owners have been inundated with urgent pitches for loans since the middle of last year, when many struggled to pay unexpected tariff bills. "Point me in the direction of what dollar amount you need, and we'll get it priced out and funded today!" one lender offered.
Also, Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was a powerful performance. Time reported that the Puerto Rican singer's set design, featuring sugar cane stalks, was a nod to the territory's centuries-long colonization. He performed "Tití Me Preguntó," which has racked up a billion streams on Spotify and YouTube.
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