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Music News

DJ Drama Breaks Down the RICO, the Unreleased Gangsta Grillz, and What’s Next on Effective Immediately
On a recent episode of Effective Immediately with DJ Hed and Gina Views, DJ Drama sat down to reflect on his career, offering unfiltered...

Inside Kato’s Private Briefing With Spotify: What Indie Artists Need to Know
In a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Spotify engages with creators, producer-entrepreneur Kato the Producer joined the No Labels...


At SXSW, Industry Leaders Break Down the Future of Music Monetization
At the 2024 SXSW festival, a group of industry insiders gathered for a timely conversation on the evolving role of technology in...

From Piracy to the Metaverse: Napster Plots Its Crypto Comeback
Napster, the notorious peer-to-peer file-sharing service that once upended the music industry, has been acquired by digital media and...

UnitedMasters’ Blueprint AI Helps Artists Plan, Promote, and Perform
Independent artists are taking more control of their careers than ever before, and UnitedMasters is making that process even more...

Streaming Success or Industry Scam? Spotify Exec Talks Royalties, Playlists, and AI
In an era where streaming dominates the music industry, transparency around artist payouts and platform policies remains a hot-button...


SXSW: From Streaming to AI: Legendary Music Lawyer Donald Passman on Music’s Evolution
At this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, one of the most anticipated discussions in the music sector was the featured session,...

Snoop Dogg Walks Away from Spotify, Embraces Web3 with Tune.FM
Snoop Dogg has never been afraid to shake things up, and his latest move proves just that. The hip-hop mogul and tech-savvy entrepreneur...

Blacc Sam Talks Nipsey Hussle’s Unreleased Music & the Marathon’s Next Chapter
Blacc Sam, brother of the late Nipsey Hussle and co-founder of The Marathon brand, sat down with Power 106 LA to discuss major business...

How Social Media and Streaming Keep Some Songs Alive Forever
The world of music streaming has brought some unexpected surprises. While fans might assume that Michael Jackson or Prince dominate...

AZChike Talks Ownership, Warner Records Deal & His 3-Take Approach to Music
AZChike has been grinding for years, carving out his own lane in the Los Angeles rap scene. From electrifying performances to major...

How to Promote Your Song for $1,000: No Labels Necessary Breaks It Down
For independent artists trying to break into the industry, budgeting for promotion can be tricky. A $1,000 marketing budget might seem...

SpaceyMusic.com Just Launched, and It’s Redefining the Way Artists Buy Beats
In an industry where producers and artists are constantly looking for ways to connect and monetize their work, a new platform is changing...


How Ashley Ventura Builds Superstars, One Tour at a Time
Ashley Ventura has built her name in the world of touring, navigating the high-stakes, fast-moving industry as one of the most...

DJ Mustard: No Gimmicks, Just Music—Inside His Biggest Year Yet with BigBoyTV
DJ Mustard sat down with BigBoyTV to discuss his role in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, the meteoric rise of “Not Like Us,”...

Editorial: Why Suno’s CEO Doesn’t Get Musicians—And Why That Matters
When I first heard Suno CEO Mikey Shulman’s comments about music-making not being enjoyable, my first thought was: this guy has never...

R&B Singer Kennedy Ryon’s Self-Funded Tour Proves the Power of Fan Support
Independent artist Kennedy Ryon is rewriting the playbook for rising musicians. In a time when touring costs are skyrocketing, the...

Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist Break Down Life Is Beautiful & The Art of Independent Hustle
The Breakfast Club recently hosted an insightful conversation with Larry June, 2 Chainz, and The Alchemist, who came together to discuss...

Kendrick Lamar Reflects on Music, Identity, and the Super Bowl Moment
Getty images Kendrick Lamar doesn’t do many interviews, so when he sat down with Nadeska and Ebro Darden ahead of his Super Bowl...

Dee-1 on Hip-Hop’s Responsibility, Financial Freedom, and Nearly Signing with Cash Money
Few artists in hip-hop challenge the status quo quite like Dee-1. The New Orleans rapper, educator, and activist has long been known for...

Kanye West and the Future of AI in Music: A New Creative Revolution
Kanye West has never been one to follow the rules. Whether it’s redefining the sound of hip-hop, reshaping fashion, or challenging the...

A Decade of Soulection: Celebrating 14 Years of Pushing Boundaries and Championing Emerging Artists
Joe Kay's love affair with music began in his youth, where he immersed himself in diverse genres and meticulously curated mixes. "It...

UMG and Spotify Strike a Deal: What Does it Mean for Independent Musicians?
Spotify and Universal Music Group (UMG) recently announced a new multi-year agreement that promises "better payouts for artists and...

Rakim Launches AI-Powered Fintech Platform for Indie Artists
Rakim, a name synonymous with hip-hop royalty, is breaking new ground in the world of finance. The legendary MC, known for...

Sauce Walka: The Drip That Redefined Houston Fashion with Gillie and Wallo
Rapper Sauce Walka, a guest on the "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast, shared his multifaceted journey as a fashion icon,...

SoundCloud Exec. Drea Jackson Offers Indie Artists a Blueprint for Success
Drea Jackson, Senior Manager of Artist and Label Relations at SoundCloud, recently joined the "One More Time" podcast to discuss the...

Black and Brown Solidarity Shines in Lefty Gunplay and JasonMartin’s New Collaboration
In a high-energy appearance on Power 106’s Brown Bag Mornings, Lefty Gunplay and JasonMartin—also known as Problem—delivered a compelling...

From Indie Hustle to Major Deal: Zillionaire Doe Signs to CMG
Dallas-born rapper Zillionaire Doe is making major moves, officially signing to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG). The 23-year-old...

Timbaland Breaks Down How A.I. Is Shaping His Future on No Labels Necessary
Timbaland is no stranger to innovation. From creating iconic beats for Missy Elliott and Aaliyah to shaping the sounds of Justin...

West Coast Royalty: Dom Kennedy Talks Legacy and New Moves with Justin Credible
Dom Kennedy recently sat down with Justin Credible for a deep and lively conversation that showcased his unique blend of humility, West...

Hot 97.9 NYC’s Coco Filipina Shares DJ Pack Tips for Artists Submitting Music to DJs and Radio Stations
Coco, a DJ at HOT 97.9 NYC and self-proclaimed “best worst dancer,” turned her recent livestream into a resourceful session for...

The Evolution of Timbaland: Embracing AI and Redefining Creativity in Music
Timbaland, the legendary producer who has crafted hits for decades, continues to redefine his career and the music industry by embracing...

Indie Artists Are Turning to Fanbase as Social Media Shifts
With the looming potential of a TikTok ban in the U.S. and a growing focus on monetization in the creator economy, Fanbase is positioning...

KP’s DatPiff Story: Building the Mixtape Platform That Defined an Era
Introduction: A Mixtape Era Staple For countless fans, DatPiff wasn’t just a website; it was a gateway to a golden era of hip-hop. I...

Hip Hop, R&B, and NFTs: A New Era of Creative Control
“The Boss” Gold Death Row Lil Bitcoin. Courtesy of Crypto.com In 2025, the intersection of music and NFTs continues to transform how...

Inside Empire: A Day in the Life of a Label Content Producer
It’s not every day that we get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what goes on at a record label—even more so when it’s one as cool and...

Streamed Out: The Struggles of Indie Artists on Spotify and DistroKid
The world of independent music is facing a storm of challenges, and recent revelations from Curtiss King TV have shed light on the...

Lupe Fiasco's AI-Powered Radio Station: Endless Innovation or Cultural Betrayal?
In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping every creative industry, hip-hop stands at a unique crossroads. At the center of...

Spotify's AI-Powered Future: Innovation, Exploitation, and the Independent Artist Dilemma
As streaming giant Spotify embraces the era of artificial intelligence (AI), a stark divide is emerging between those who see the...

No Labels, No Excuses: 7 Marketing Mistakes Artists Must Avoid in 2025
In an era where the music industry evolves daily, independent artists face constant pressure to market themselves effectively. Enter No...

Independent Artists Push Back Against Spotify’s New Royalty Rules
Spotify's updated payout terms, set to take effect, yesterday actually, Jan 2, 2025, have reignited long-standing frustrations among...

Youngthreat Reflects on Kendrick Collaboration, Life Lessons, and Taking Off—Literally—on His First Flight
Rising South Central rapper Youngthreat recently joined DJ Carisma on Saturday Night Loud at Power 106 LA, bringing his infectious...


Blurring Genres: Our Favorite Indie Crossover Tracks of 2024
In 2024, the lines between genres have become more fluid than ever. Crossover Records —a term we’ve chosen to define these tracks—exists...

Natalie Prosper talks the Dedication Required to Manage a Grammy-Winning Artist like Lucky Daye
Belief in an Artist Natalie Prosper first met Lucky Daye at Harmony Samuels' studio in Los Angeles in 2010, where he was working as a...

Data, Dollars, and Deals: Sherrese Clarke Breaks Down the Future of Music Rights at Trapital Summit
At the recent Trapital Summit , industry leaders, investors, and innovators gathered to discuss the evolving landscape of music rights,...

SoundCloud CEO Discusses Profitability, Superfans, and the Future of Music at Trapital Summit
In a candid conversation at the Trapital Summit, SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton offered a deep dive into the platform's journey from...

Freddie Gibbs Reflects on Life, Music, and Growth at UC Berkeley Forum
Grammy-nominated rapper Freddie Gibbs took center stage at the UC Berkeley Forum in last December, offering students and fans an intimate...
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