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Spotify Launches POPSTARS* to Spotlight Morocco’s New Wave of Pop Icons

Eric Alper
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Spotify Launches POPSTARS* to Spotlight Morocco’s New Wave of Pop Icons

A new generation of artists is redefining Morocco’s pop music scene, blending their deep-rooted heritage with contemporary influences to create sounds that are both authentic and globally relevant. These are the voices of POPSTARS*, a fresh and energetic rebrand of Spotify’s Top Maghreb Pop playlist, designed to amplify Moroccan pop around the world.

This new campaign features exclusive interviews with six artists who are shaping Moroccan pop in strikingly different ways: Manal, Zouhair Bahaoui, Nouaman Belaiachi, DYSTINCT, Douaa Lahyaoui, and RYM. Hit play on the video below to hear from these rising stars:

“It was really important for us to connect with the pop audience and create a space where listeners from all over the world can experience the best of Moroccan pop,” said Mehdi Zim, Spotify’s Senior Editor for the Maghreb. “Our goal is to support today’s Moroccan pop artists and make sure the playlist keeps evolving—telling the story of a genre that’s growing, changing, and going global.”

Manal is known for her hyper-stylized visuals and feminist edge, weaving traditional motifs into futuristic soundscapes, while Zouhair Bahaoui and Nouaman Belaiachi each ground their sound in unmistakably Moroccan local textures. DYSTINCT, who grew up in Belgium, is making music in Darija (Moroccan Arabic), aiming to position Moroccan pop on the global stage alongside Afrobeats and Latin pop. Douaa Lahyaoui and RYM, meanwhile, are carving out new narratives—penning vulnerable lyrics, fusing genres, and giving voice to a new kind of Moroccan pop star.

Zouhair Bahaoui 

Manal 

RYM 

DYSTINCT 

Nouamane Belaiachi 

Douaa Lahyaoui 

Zouhair Bahaoui 

Manal 

NEXT 

“The POPSTARS are true stars in every sense,” added Mehdi. “The asterisk in the playlist name is a small but meaningful nod to the star on the Moroccan flag. We want Moroccans to feel proud when they see and hear this playlist—it’s a reflection of the new wave of voices shaping the future of Moroccan pop.”

Stream their POPSTARS* playlist.

Spotify Expands “Create Cover Art” Feature Worldwide, Unlocking Creative Playlist Expression

Eric Alper
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Spotify Expands “Create Cover Art” Feature Worldwide, Unlocking Creative Playlist Expression

When a music fan creates a playlist on Spotify, it’s not just for listening—it’s a canvas for creative expression. Around the world, listeners have created more than 8 billion playlists to tell stories, set moods, and soundtrack their lives. Now, they’re making it even easier for more listeners to add a visual dimension to their creations: Starting today, their “Create Cover Art” feature is available in 41 new languages and 63 additional markets.

With this expansion, both Free and Premium users on mobile in these markets can design and customize their playlist covers with unique images, text, graphic elements, and more. Whether you want your cover to reflect your mood, highlight a favorite artist, or simply add a personal touch to your go-to mix, you can now make any playlist look as good as it sounds—right from the Spotify app.

How to customize your playlist cover

    • Open the Spotify mobile app on iOS or Android (make sure it’s up-to-date) and select a playlist that you created (or create a new one).
    • Tap the three-dot menu and choose “Create cover art.”
    • From there, you can upload original photos and add or update a variety of elements, including:
      • Text styles, colors, and effects
      • Background colors and gradients
      • Image masking and visual effects
      • Exclusive stickers
    • Once complete, save and share your playlist with friends.

Pro tip: You can only save one custom cover art per playlist at a time, and each new cover you create will override the previous one for that specific playlist. If you’d like to create multiple covers for a playlist, make a copy of the playlist first: Open the playlist, tap the three-dot menu, select “Add to other playlist,” and then tap “New playlist.”

Summertime stickers 

To celebrate, they’re also rolling out their latest digital sticker pack: a summer-themed collection of 13 stickers, from bumblebees and butterflies to rainbows and waterdrops. This marks their fourth sticker pack release, joining their Valentine’s Day collection and limited-edition Tyler, The Creator and COWBOY CARTER packs. Users in all markets where the feature is live can access the summer stickers to personalize their playlists for the season.

Johnny Carson Teaches Michael Caine the Art of Stand-Up on ‘The Tonight Show’

Eric Alper
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Johnny Carson Teaches Michael Caine the Art of Stand-Up on ‘The Tonight Show’

Watch screen legend Michael Caine get a crash course in stand-up comedy from the king of late night himself, Johnny Carson. This vintage gem from a 1971 episode of The Tonight Show proves that even Oscar winners can learn something from a master of timing and charm.












Gunna Launches New Era With Turbo-Produced Single “Won’t Stop”

Eric Alper
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Gunna Launches New Era With Turbo-Produced Single “Won’t Stop”

Kickstarting what promises to be a bold era, four-time GRAMMY Award-nominated, multi-platinum Atlanta rap superstar Gunna returns with a new single entitled “Won’t Stop” out now via Young Stoner Life Records/300 Entertainment. It marks his first solo release of 2025, and it begins the next phase of his journey as one of hip-hop’s leading rappers and a generational artist. 

Gunna reunites with renowned producer and longtime collaborator Turbo on this latest track. Their creative partnership continues to evolve, with the new single being recorded during a recent trip to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Won’t Stop” showcases Gunna and Turbo’s seamless chemistry over a stripped-back beat, accented by moody piano and sharp cymbals. Gunna’s crisp flow delivers both confidence and drive, declaring, “I thought I told you time and time again. This shit won’t stop.” The song speaks to his transformation as not only an influential artist, but also as an inspiring presence in the culture ready to leave a positive mark on the game. 

Gunna has continued his steady rise in 2025, showing up with a string of standout features that prove he’s not slowing down anytime soon. From Werenoi’s “Gulfstream” to Wiz Khalifa’s “5 Star” and Turbo’s “Classy Girl,” he’s remained a constant presence in the conversation. He closed out 2024 strong with “GOT DAMN,” which racked up over 36 million Spotify streams and 13 million YouTube views, earning praise from Rolling Stone as “an ode to his jet-setting lifestyle and his gratitude for the perks that come with it.” That followed the success of “HIM ALL ALONG,” which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 and soared past 80 million streams on Spotify and 32 million YouTube views. Now, with a headlining slot at Hot 97 Summer Jam and the release of “Won’t Stop,” Gunna is making one thing clear: he’s locked in, leveled up, and not letting up.

Hailing from Atlanta, Gunna has carved a distinct path in hip-hop, reshaping its sound, style, and cultural language. A diamond-certified, multi-platinum superstar, he has influenced a generation with his unique flow, redefining “drip” and popularizing the phrase “Pushin P.” His impact extends far beyond the charts, with appearances on Saturday Night Live and placements on former President Barack Obama’s playlists, underscoring his crossover appeal.

Gunna’s breakout came with the iconic Billboard Hot 100 Top 5 hit “Drip Too Hard” (with Lil Baby), which earned rare diamond certification. Since then, he’s amassed billions of streams, dozens of gold and platinum certifications, and four GRAMMY Award nominations. His 2023 album a Gift & a Curse” debuted in the Top 3 of the Billboard 200 and featured the 4x platinum hit “fukumean.” In 2024, he continued his chart dominance with One of Wun, debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200 and marking his fifth consecutive Top 5 project. The release set the stage for his highly anticipated THE BITTERSWEET TOUR, further solidifying his position at the forefront of modern rap. With more music and major milestones on the way, Gunna remains a transformative force in hip-hop, pushing boundaries, breaking records, and shaping the future of the genre.

Rye LaChance Shares “My Father And Me” For Father’s Day Reflection

Eric Alper
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0
Rye LaChance Shares “My Father And Me” For Father’s Day Reflection

Today, New England-born, Nashville-based singer songwriter Rye LaChance shares her version of Father’s Day on new single “My Father and Me” out now via Arista Records. With potent vocals and emotional honesty, LaChance reflects upon the not always harmonious relationship with her father through the lens of acceptance and self-love she’s grown to learn.

Starting off on the somber side, Rye works toward the eventual embrace of the role her father played in her identity, a journey she hopes will make those who might relate feel less lonely. She explains, “‘My Father and Me’ is a song that follows my rocky relationship with my father over the course of several years. Writing it was a way for me to come to terms with my pain and turn it into something meaningful that I could carry as I healed those parts of me.”

Years of emotion pour through Rye LaChance’s vocals as she reconciles her complicated relationship with her father, from being “sixteen and your enemy is the man who lives in your home” to wanting to “cherish the days where I look at myself and I see my Father in me.” 

Years of emotion pour through Rye LaChance’s vocals as she reconciles her complicated relationship with her father, from being “sixteen and your enemy is the man who lives in your home” to wanting to “cherish the days where I look at myself and I see my Father in me.” 

Penning hundreds of songs since she was only six years old, Rye LaChance writes with the prowess of a veteran songwriter, working to make the world a less lonely place. “My Father and Me” is no exception pairing the same reflective storytelling and poignant delivery that landed her debut track “Widows of Normandy” an inclusion on Spotify’s Best Songs of 2024. 

Clay Aiken Reimagines “Measure Of A Man” In Powerful Father’s Day Release

Eric Alper
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0
Clay Aiken Reimagines “Measure Of A Man” In Powerful Father’s Day Release

More than twenty years after the release of the iconic album “Measure of a Man”, his triple-platinum debut record, Clay Aiken returns today, Friday, June 13, with a moving reimagining of the title track, “Measure of a Man (Father’s Version).” The updated ballad reframes the 2003 song through the lens of fatherhood, offering an intimate reflection on how love, patience, and presence—not perfection—define true strength. The single drops just ahead of Father’s Day weekend, marking a poignant moment of growth and reconnection for one of America’s most cherished voices. Listen to the single HERE.

Clay became a household name on American Idol Season 2, captivating nearly 40 million viewers for the finale—the most-watched regularly scheduled TV episode of the 21st century. His debut single, “This Is The Night,” made Billboard history by entering the Hot 100 at No. 1, and his album Measure of a Man debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 613,000 first-week sales and eventually earned triple‑platinum certification.

Now a father, Aiken brings newfound vulnerability to “Measure of a Man (Father’s Version).” The stripped-down arrangement highlights his gorgeous vocals and the emotional resonance as he reflects on how parenting reshaped his understanding of strength. “The original was about asking what defines a good man,” Aiken explains. “This version is my answer—what I’ve learned through being a father.”

“For me, part of coming back to recording after almost 15 years has been about having the opportunity to do things on my terms this time,” Aiken shares. “So much of everything I recorded and sang between 2003 and 2010 was what I was given or told to record—not necessarily what had meaning to me.… Revisiting this song now, and looking at it through the lens of the past 17 years I’ve had as a father, has been an opportunity to make it personal to me in a way it never was before.”

In recent years, Aiken took a break from entertainment to pursue advocacy and public service, and now after 10 years, he’s returning back to his first passion,  music. His work was centered on education, healthcare, and inclusion—issues reflecting his lifelong dedication to service. That spirit is also evident in his philanthropic activity: he co-founded the National Inclusion Project to support children with disabilities, and served for over a decade as a UNICEF Ambassador, focused on child protection in global crisis zones.

Ryan Pinkard Explores the Rise, Fall, and Revival of Shoegaze in ‘Shoegaze’ From The 33 1/3 Series

Eric Alper
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Ryan Pinkard Explores the Rise, Fall, and Revival of Shoegaze in ‘Shoegaze’ From The 33 1/3 Series

What the hell is shoegaze? A scene? A movement? A sound? Back in the Nineties, many would have said the so-called genre was entirely fabricated. The term itself, an offensive piss-take given by the notoriously catty and scene-obsessed British music press, was plainly rejected by the absurdly small collection of bands to which it supposedly applied.

Today shoegaze is undeniable. As a descriptor and as a source of influence, it is used in more ways and by more bands than anyone could have dreamed of 30 years ago. Between those periods of invention and ubiquity, the term, along with the bands it first described, all but disappeared off the face of the earth.

In this ambitious oral history of a genre that has eluded definition for three decades, Ryan Pinkard unearths the first wave of shoegaze, following the core bands, their sounds, their influence, and their journeys in and out of obscurity. His analysis is woven through dozens of original interviews with artists, label heads, and critics. What he discovers is the unlikely odyssey of this esoteric, experimental music form, which nearly became a mainstream entity, only to be viciously killed off, forgotten, and rediscovered by a new generation that regards it as one of the most influential alternative music events since the Velvet Underground.

Skylar Blatt Drops Self-Love Anthem “I Look Good”

Eric Alper
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Skylar Blatt Drops Self-Love Anthem “I Look Good”

– Today, Cincinnati born rapper Skylar Blatt releases her motivational new single “I Look Good” out now via Saint Ka$h and Arista Records. The genre bending artist is back with her affirmation anthem blending equal parts throwback and her signature original flow. 

Listen to “I Look Good” Here

On the feel good track, Skylar shares, “‘I Look Good’ is a record that has this bop to it. It’s literally made to boost and build up people’s self-esteem and get them hype. Very often we, as humans, feel that other people be trying to play us in certain situations. This record was made for the haters in the back. The theme is to wake up feeling like you looking good,and knowing that you are looking good!!”
 

Following the momentum of March’s “Major League,” which also coincided with the newly coined “Skylar Blatt Day” in her hometown city of Cincinnati, Skylar continues to prove she is in a league of her own. Skylar keeps the haters blocked rapping, “Haters be yelling at the crowd / I don’t come down that’s low vibration / I ain’t tryna lose my patience / Don’t ever play me like an average bitch. Drop dead gorgeous like these prezzies.” Skylar is keeping us confident and unbothered. 

Fans will recognize the same signature swagger, humor, and heat as Skylar’s previous team-ups including Brooklyn’s Lola Brooke on “F**k Fame, Pt. 2,” “Super Bowl” with Doe Boy, and “God Forbid” with Icewear Vezzo. Last year’s “Hold Me Down,” put her melodic charm on full display over a sexy drill-inspired production — a fitting followup to R&B-inflected “Wake Up,” whose official video (shot at Brown’s mansion) recently surpassed 13 million views. 

“Wake Up” dropped last April to much fanfare, with TMZ Hip-Hop calling it a “song of the summer,” ESSENCE crowning it a “banger” and one of the “Best New Music” releases that week, and Angela Yee tapping Skylar for a wide-ranging chat on Lip Service. Meanwhile, Billboard selected “Hold Me Down” as one of its R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks, writing, “Blatt is always cool, calm and collected. No matter the tempo of a track, the Cincinnati-bred artist remains in control of the steering wheel.” Before that came “Laughin to tha Bank.”

When a lane doesn’t exist, Skylar Blatt will create one. The Cincinnati-born rapper has always thought beyond the confines of her circumstances and her city. She spits raw truth about the struggle, holding nothing back as she recollects trials, tribulations, and triumphs via her music. As the second oldest of six kids raised by a single mother, she and her family endured everything life threw at them. Strife at home would be compounded with the unforgiving nature of a flawed system. Eventually, she and her siblings settled in with her grandmother. Regardless of where she went, hip-hop always provided safe harbor as she listened to the likes of Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Future, Young Thug, Gucci Mane, 50 Cent, Jadakiss, and Juelz Santana. Picking up a mic, she uploaded freestyles of her own to Facebook. She slowly but surely built an audience through consistent posts, gaining serious traction with originals “I Can Tell” and “Urgent Care.” Around the same time, Meek Mill cosigned her. She generated north of 738K YouTube views on “Exactly” [feat. Babyface Ray & Midwest Milly] followed by “God Forbid” [feat. Icewear Vezzo] and “Superbowl (BENGALS)” [feat. Doe Boy]. Reflective of Skylar’s burgeoning buzz throughout 2022, Lyrical Lemonade professed, “her story is so raw and genuine, that it’s hard not to fall in love with her aura,” and Respect My Region pegged her as “Cincinnati’s next big female.” Her hunger has no comparison on a series of releases this year including “F*ck Fame PT. 2” feat. Lola Brooke, “Laughin To Tha Bank” and “Wake Up” feat. Chris Brown, all via Saint Ka$h/Arista Records.

Skid Row Revive the Fury With “Disease” Lyric Video and ‘Revolutions Per Minute’ Reissue

Eric Alper
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0
Skid Row Revive the Fury With “Disease” Lyric Video and ‘Revolutions Per Minute’ Reissue

Today,legendary American hard rock band Skid Row unleash a video track ’Disease’, offering fans a first taste of the upcoming reissue of their fifth studio album, ’Revolutions Per Minute’. The newly mastered edition is set for release on June 20, 2025.

Originally launched in 2006, Revolutions Per Minute marked a bold shift in Skid Row’s evolution – pushing boundaries and fusing their trademark edge with a more modern, aggressive sound. The reissue brings that raw energy back to life, offering a fresh spin on a pivotal chapter in the band’s career.

The lyric video for “Disease,” the album’s explosive opening track, captures the song’s aggressive tone and introspective lyrics. Exploring themes of self-destruction and personal turmoil, the video enhances the emotional weight with visuals that evoke chaos and inner conflict.

The Vans Warped Tour Guide Returns With 2025 Anniversary Revival

Eric Alper
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0
The Vans Warped Tour Guide Returns With 2025 Anniversary Revival

The Vans Warped Tour is making a highly anticipated return in 2025, celebrating its 30th anniversary with three major two-day festivals in Washington, D.C.; Long Beach, California; and Orlando, Florida. Also making its highly anticipated return is the Official Vans Warped Tour Program. 50,000 physical copies and 200,000+ digital editions will be distributed free to all ticketholders of the 2025 Vans Warped Tour.

Vans Warped Tour Founder Kevin Lyman tapped Josh Bernstein of Z2 Comics to produce these custom manga-sized collectible guides for fans, as Bernstein and his team had previously produced similar programs for the Warped, Mayhem, Uproar and Taste of Chaos Festivals.

“Back in the day, the Vans Warped Tour program was more than just a guide-it was a snapshot of a moment in music history. People used it to map their day, jot down set times, collect autographs, or just feel plugged into something bigger than themselves” says Kevin Lyman, Founder of Vans Warped Tour. “Bringing it back now isn’t just about honoring that past-it’s about making the experience whole again for a new generation that deserves something just as tangible.”

The Official Vans Warped Tour Guide features brand new cover art from Erik Rodriguez and Josh Bernstein reimagines a swinging ’60s-themed Warped pool party where all are welcome. This honors Kevin’s longtime tradition of aftershow BBQ parties and this cover features 2025 performers Avril Lavigne, Ice-T, Johnnie Guilbert, mgk, and members of A Day To Remember, All American Rejects, All Time Low, Black Veil Brides, Dance Hall Crashers, Dropkick Murphys, Falling In Reverse, Ice Nine Kills, mgk, Motionless In White, Rise Against, Simple Plan, Slaughter To Prevail, Sublime, The Funeral Portrait, The Interrupters and even the late Lou Dog. The BBQ is naturally headlined by Warped stalwarts, Pennywise.

“We can’t thank Kevin and the entire Insomniac Team enough for this opportunity” says Josh Bernstein of Z2. “Getting a chance to produce the Vans Warped Tour Guide again for all these fans and brands is a dream come true. Long live print!”

Edited and written by Vans Warped Tour Guide alums Rabab Al-Sharif and Mackenzie Hall, this 88-page guide features brand new interviews with 25+ bands, spotlights on brand new artists, charity partners, activities and things to do in each Warped city as selected by the Warped artists themselves. The guide also proudly features the art of Jimbo Phillips, who is responsible for all of the great 2025 Vans Warped Tour art and logos we’ve seen so far.

Z2 tapped famed underground cartoonist Luke McGarry to bring a series of “Warped Memories” back for some of the Vans Warped Tour’s most famous alumni, including brand new comics with Mark Hoppus of blink-182 showering with a hose, Hayley Williams of Paramore meeting Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides meeting his future wife, Juliette Simms and the time Kevin Lyman kicked Sublime off the very first Vans Warped Tour for dog-biting.

Finally, Warped’s incredible legacy is perfectly encapsulated with the photo gallery and interview with Lisa Johnson, the Vans Warped Tour photographer since day one. Her iconic shots of My Chemical Romance, Rancid and Simple Plan perfectly capture the continuing spirit of Warped.

The Official Vans Warped Tour Guide would like to thank the following partners for their incredible support: American Musical Supply, Beatbox, CAA, Death Valley Dreams, Ernie Ball, Hopeless Records, Ghost Energy, Rise, Sumerian, Alternative Press, Jeffree Star, Killer Merch, Live Nation, Manic Panic, Marshall, Mercury Records, MNRK Music Group, The Music Experience, Punk Rock Museum, Slice, Thriller Records, The University of South Carolina, Vans, and Veeps.

The 2025 Official Vans Warped Tour Guide will be available free at the Washington, D.C., Long Beach, California, and Orlando, Florida, Vans Warped Tour weekends as well as the Z2 Booth at the San Diego Comic Con International (Booth #1529)

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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