SoundCloud has been struggling to differentiate itself. Maybe rappers are doing it for them. SoundCloud is notorious for birthing big-time rappers. But the platform may be going full-blown hip-hop, thanks to rappers who have doubled-down on the servi…
Category archives: A&R (Artists & Repertoire)
SZA Crushes Taylor Swift, Sam Smith, Eminem for Best SNL Performance of 2017
Solána Imani Rowe, aka SZA, delivered a smashing SNL performance over the weekend. It may be the best one this year. The wind section needed a little work. But the choir was smashing — and so was Solána Imani Rowe, aka SZA. The year’s hottest …
Data: These Are the Most Shazam’d Songs of 2017
Spotify engagement metrics are seriously important for a song’s success. But so are a bunch of other ‘big data’ factors, including Shazam. As the music industry becomes increasingly data-driven, a number of major data hubs are sticki…
Forget SoundCloud, Musical.ly & YouTube: Spotlite Is the Next Talent Incubator
In some senses, future superstars don’t have to be ‘found’ anymore. SoundCloud propelled Post Malone and Kygo; Musical.ly gave us Baby Ariel and Anna Zak. Of course, it’s difficult for one platform to single-handedly deliver a brand-new artist. But t…
Scam Alert: “Atlantic Records A&R” Solicit Musicians For Money For Submissions
I often run into people working in corners of the music industry who just can’t understand why so many musicians’ guards are up so high. Well, it’s because of scams like this. Musician scams, of course, have been going on for as long as I’ve been in mu…
Taylor Swift Makes an Artist Famous — With Two Clicks
If Taylor Swift likes you, you’re famous. Any questions? This is a story about an artist who was doing pretty well. Then, completely blew up because of two clicks from Taylor Swift. Who’s the artist? A Nottingham, UK-based up-and-comer n…
Every BTS Song Ranked (from Worst to Best)
BTS has been around since 2012 — and has amassed a big catalog. Here’s every released BTS song, ranked from the worst to the best. Judging done by Spotify listeners. Like (Slow Jam Remix) Miss Right Spring Day (Japanese Version) Not Today (Japan…