Hello PragmaticBody,
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!
I see from your post that you're wondering what will happen to the music you purchased outside of your Apple Music subscription, if you decide to cancel it later.
As noted in the article, Manage your Apple Music subscription:
"If you cancel Apple Music, you'll lose access to the Apple Music catalog, any music that you added to your Library, and the features of Apple Music when your current subscription period ends.
If you cancel during your trial period, you’ll lose access to the catalog and features of Apple Music immediately."
Any music that you purchased from the iTunes Store or imported from another source will still be available to you.
Before you join Apple Music, please note the following as mentioned in the article, Join Apple Music on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC:
- "Update your iPhone or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS, iPad to the latest version of iPadOS, or Mac to the latest version of macOS. On a PC, make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes for Windows.
- Apple Music isn't a back up service. Make sure to back up your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC, so that you have a copy of your music and other information if your device is ever replaced, lost, or damaged."
I hope this information helps you!
Cheers.