Grammy-nominated artist and multi-hyphenate entrepreneur Meek Mill has released ‘Indie Pack (Vol. 01)’, a surprise four-track EP marking a bold new chapter in his independent career. The project’s lead single “4th of July” features co-collaborator Fridayy in a sequel to their critically praised single “Proud Of Me,” which earned a nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the forthcoming 2026 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The track reunites the Philadelphia natives, underscoring the depth of their artistic synergy that continues to define their collaborations. Other tracks on ‘Indie Pack (Vol. 01)’ include “Save Yourself,” “How Far We Came,” and “Free Smoke.” The set will be distributed by the global music distribution company Stem.
Ken Carson Releases New Track “Margiela” Following “Yes” And “Catastrophe”
Ken Carson continues his streak of releases with new track “Margiela,” produced by Akachi, 16yerold, Gfelds, Lolaxva, and DJ Moon via Opium/Interscope Records. The release marks his third consecutive drop, following “Yes” and “Catastrophe.” Directed by Gunner Stahl, “Catastrophe” has already garnered nearly two million views, while “Yes” reached nearly a million first-day streams on Spotify alone, marking it as Ken’s second track to hit that milestone alongside “Overseas,” which is now certified platinum. The momentum continues as Ken tours with Playboi Carti for the Antagonist 2.0 arena tour, following a defining 2025 that saw the release of his chart-topping album ‘More Chaos’, which earned him his first number one on the Billboard 200. Since its release, he’s earned four new RIAA platinum certifications for “Fighting My,” “Overseas,” “SS,” and his critically acclaimed album ‘A Great Chaos’.
‘More Chaos’ showcases production from his trusted circle, including Starboy, Lil 88, F1LTHY, Outtatown, Lucian, and Legion. On release night, Ken surprised fans with bonus track “Off The Meter,” marking the first official Opium collaboration between Ken, Playboi Carti, and Destroy Lonely, a landmark moment for the label. The album represents a bold evolution of the style Ken introduced on ‘A Great Chaos’, a revolutionary blend of rap, punk, and electronic music he defines as “chaos.” Ken’s influence extends beyond music, earning co-signs from icons like Young Thug, Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jay-Z, Justin Bieber, and LeBron James. In 2024, he toured as an opener for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, sold out a collaboration with Ed Hardy, took the stage at Rolling Loud Miami, and performed at ComplexCon in Las Vegas. Carson is continuing his rise in 2025 with major milestones including a standout performance at Rolling Loud California, his first-ever headline festival slot at Rubicon, and starring in the latest Y/Project x Heavn by Marc Jacobs campaign.
The Dead Daisies Release ‘Live At Stonedead’ Album, Announce 2026 Studio Plans
The Dead Daisies have released ‘Live At Stonedead’, a powerful new live album capturing their electrifying closing performance at the Stonedead Festival in Newark earlier this year. The digital release immortalizes the raw, high-voltage energy of that night, delivering pure, unadulterated Daisies power and the grit and atmosphere the band is known for. “We were pumped to wrap up a great UK Tour at the Stonedead Festival in Newark,” shares Doug Aldrich. “It turned out to be such a great show, we decided to release it for you guys. The audience was fired up and it was an awesome night of Rock.” A live video for “Long Way To Go – Live At Stonedead” is available now.
The band’s immediate focus for 2026 will be returning to the studio to begin writing and recording their next album, expected to deliver another round of their signature hard-hitting rock. In 2027, the group will hit the road for an extensive tour across Europe, the UK, and the United States, bringing new music and fan favorites to stages worldwide. Further details, including confirmed tour dates and venues, will be announced in the coming months.
iHeartMedia And TikTok Launch Multiplatform Partnership Featuring TikTok Podcast Network And Radio Station
iHeartMedia and TikTok have announced a groundbreaking multiplatform partnership that brings TikTok creators into iHeart’s ecosystem across podcasting, broadcast and digital radio, and live events. The collaboration includes the launch of the TikTok Podcast Network, featuring up to 25 new podcasts hosted by TikTok creators, a national broadcast and digital radio station called TikTok Radio, and a series of live event integrations. TikTok creators will bring their voices and perspectives to long-form audio and video content, from lifestyle and personal stories to insights on trends and culture, expanding their reach across new platforms.
The TikTok Podcast Network will feature up to 25 newly created and curated podcasts bringing audiences closer to their favorite voices. iHeartMedia is introducing new co-branded, state-of-the-art podcast studios in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta with advanced audio and video infrastructure for both podcasting and video production. The podcasts will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app as well as everywhere podcasts are heard, with highlights and clips available on TikTok. TikTok Radio will pair TikTok creators with experienced iHeartRadio personalities in a fast-paced format available across broadcast radio stations nationwide and digitally on iHeartRadio. Built on the music architecture of marquee iHeart stations like KIIS FM in Los Angeles and Z100 in New York, TikTok Radio will feature TikTok’s hottest new songs alongside trend-driven storytelling and segments like “Behind-the-Charts,” “New Music Fridays,” and “On The Verge.”
iHeartMedia and TikTok will join forces to unlock access for creators at iHeart’s signature events including the iHeartRadio Music Festival and iHeartRadio Jingle Ball, empowering brands to activate with content creators on the biggest stages. “This partnership connects TikTok’s cultural energy and creator community with the unmatched scale and reach of iHeartMedia,” said Rich Bressler, President, COO and CFO for iHeartMedia. “We’re giving creators access to the biggest audio platforms in America, creating new ways to tell stories, entertain, and build deeper connections with fans.” Dan Page, Global Head of Media and Licensing Partnerships at TikTok, added: “This partnership with iHeartMedia opens up exciting new opportunities for creators and brands to reach wider audiences, collaborate across platforms and extend their creativity beyond TikTok.”
Facebook Gives Group Admins Option To Convert Private Groups To Public While Protecting Member Privacy
Facebook has rolled out a new update that allows private group admins to convert their groups to public, giving communities more flexibility to grow while maintaining privacy protections for existing members. When an admin converts a private group to public, all previous posts, comments, and interactions will remain visible only to admins, moderators, and people who were members before the conversion. The member list will also remain visible only to admins and moderators after the conversion takes place.
Group admins can make the change directly from the group’s settings page on Facebook. When a group admin initiates the change, all other admins will be notified and there is a three-day review window to cancel the conversion. If no admin cancels during this period, the group will become public at the end of the review window. All members are notified when a group changes from private to public, and when posting or commenting for the first time in a converted public group, users will see a reminder that their content will be public.
Any new posts shared in the public group, including comments and reactions on new content, will be visible to anyone, including people who are not on Facebook. A globe icon appears when posting in a public group to indicate that content will be visible to anyone. Groups can also be converted back to private, at which point only people approved by an admin can join and view shared content. The update is designed to help admins grow their groups and foster deeper connections while protecting the privacy of content shared before the conversion.
Nate Smith Teams With Tyler Hubbard On High Energy Duet “After Midnight”
Continuing an unstoppable hot streak, Nate Smith has teamed with Tyler Hubbard on “After Midnight” via Sony Music Nashville. The duet marks their first collaboration together. Jeff Johnson and Kaiser Cunningham directed the video. “Having a song with Tyler Hubbard is a bucket list for me since I have always been a huge fan of his voice, energy, and songwriting,” shares Smith. “When I first heard ‘After Midnight,’ I was immediately hooked because it embodies everything I love in a song, and it’s just so freakin’ fun. I can’t wait for the world to hear it!”
Hubbard adds, “I’m so excited and honored to be featured on this song. I love Nate, and getting to work with him has made me love him even more. He’s as good as they come and this song is a good-time anthem that I can’t wait to live out and play live. I hope the world has as much fun jamming to this one as we did making it.” Co-written by Hubbard, Casey Brown, who also produced the track, and Corey Crowder, “After Midnight” packs a campfire-style sing-along into the framework of an arena-size anthem. Right out of the gate, Smith lets everybody know the party’s about to start.
Lyrically, he sets the scene in the song’s verses and paints a picture with lines like “Tailgates go down / Solos get flipped / Girls get to dancing / When headlights get lit.” A robust riff electrifies the chantable chorus, and you can practically hear him grinning, “Something good always happens after midnight / Gettin’ loud a little later just hits nice.” As it rolls on, Hubbard matches this energy with an equally vivid cameo until locking in with Smith for the seismic hook. The adjoining visual further reflects this throw-down spirit. Smith and Hubbard hold court as friends gather around a rowdy bonfire. Red cups are raised, beer pong is played, and four-wheelers are revved, as they trade vocals back and forth while passing the good vibes all around.
Spotify Updates Shuffle Feature to Reduce Song Repetition
Spotify has announced updates to its Shuffle feature designed to keep playlists feeling fresh by reducing the likelihood of recently played songs repeating. The new default setting, called Fewer Repeats, takes users’ recent listening history into account to create a more varied listening experience.
The update is part of a broader set of improvements Spotify has introduced this year to give users more control over their listening experience. These include the ability to refresh Discover Weekly with genre deep dives, exclude specific songs from Taste Profile, and use the Snooze feature.
Shuffle Improvements
The new Fewer Repeats version of Shuffle ensures that songs heard recently are less likely to repeat soon, helping playlists stay fresh and surprising. Premium users who prefer the previous version can switch to Standard Shuffle in their settings, though Spotify notes that more randomness can mean hearing the same tracks more often.
Additional Shuffle improvements include the ability for Premium users to toggle off Smart Shuffle, and for both Free and Premium users to tap any song while shuffling to play it next without reshuffling the entire queue.
How to Adjust Settings
Premium users will have their Shuffle automatically set to Fewer Repeats, but can switch back to Standard Shuffle by following these steps:
- Go to Spotify Settings
- Select Playback
- Choose preferred Shuffle mode: Fewer Repeats or Standard
Spotify indicated it continues to work on improving Shuffle to provide the best possible listening experience, helping users discover more music, enjoy more variety, and get the most out of every playlist.
TikTok Launches Bulletin Board Feature for Creator-Fan Communication
TikTok has announced the launch of bulletin board, a new in-app broadcast channel that enables creators to communicate and share content directly with their fans and followers. The feature provides a one-to-many communication tool designed to help creators post news and updates, share exclusive content, and build communities on the platform.
The feature has already been tested by a diverse range of creators during its beta phase, including artists, publishers such as People Magazine, and sports teams like Paris Saint-Germain. Musicians and artists can use bulletin board to share newly-released tracks or albums with their fans, or to invite them to pre-save forthcoming releases. Fans can then save the music to their favorite streaming service through TikTok’s Add to Music App feature.
How Bulletin Board Works
To start a bulletin board, creators can navigate to their inbox and select create a bulletin board. They can toggle the Show on profile setting to control visibility and choose a unique name for their bulletin board.
Followers can join a creator’s bulletin board by visiting the creator’s profile page and clicking the bulletin board’s name under the bio. Once joined, followers receive notifications in their inbox whenever the creator posts, and can react with emojis, creating a streamlined communication channel at scale.
Safety and Moderation
All content on bulletin board must adhere to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, which are enforced through a combination of technology and human moderators. Safety tools for muting, blocking, and reporting users and content are available within bulletin board to maintain safe and positive communities.
Availability
Bulletin board is rolling out globally for all creators who are at least 18 years old with 50,000 followers or more. TikTok indicated the feature will empower creators to engage and grow their communities further on the platform.
Facebook Marketplace Introduces Social Shopping Features and AI-Powered Tools
Facebook has announced a major update to its Marketplace platform, introducing new social and collaborative features alongside AI-powered shopping tools designed to enhance the user experience for young adults.
The updates come as Facebook reports that one out of four young adult daily active users in the US and Canada visit Marketplace every day, primarily searching for home decor, fashion, and vehicles. The new features aim to make the shopping experience more interactive, personalized, and informative.
Collections and Collaborative Buying
Facebook is launching collections, a feature that allows users to create groups of Marketplace listings and invite friends to join. Users can save a listing, start a new collection, and choose whether to make it public or private. Collections can be shared via Feed, Messenger, WhatsApp, and other platforms.
The company is also testing collaborative buying, which enables users to invite friends to join their chat with sellers. This feature is designed to help coordinate pickup, negotiate prices, and get answers to questions together, making the buying process more social.
Personalization Through Engagement
Users can now react and comment directly on Marketplace listings, helping others learn about item quality and discover unique finds. When users like an item, Marketplace will learn their preferences and show more aligned items, creating a more personalized shopping experience.
AI-Powered Shopping Assistance
Facebook is testing AI-powered features to help users make more informed purchases. When starting a chat with a seller, users will see a “Suggested questions to ask” button. Meta AI will use details from the listing and the conversation to suggest relevant questions.
For vehicle listings, one of the top five search categories for young adults on Marketplace, the platform is testing AI-powered insights that gather information including engine options, safety ratings, transmission type, seating, cargo capacity, reviews, and price insights in one place.
Expanded Inventory and Improved Shipping
Facebook has integrated inventory from eBay and Poshmark into Marketplace, giving users more options across categories like fashion and electronics. With over 200 million fashion items listed on Facebook Marketplace in the US, fashion is the second largest category after home decor. Partner listings are marked with an icon and integrated throughout the Marketplace feed.
The platform is also rolling out an improved checkout experience for shipped purchases. Buyers will see total costs, including shipping and tax, upfront, and receive notifications as order status changes. This ensures clarity at every step and makes it easier to buy from sellers regardless of their location.
Facebook indicated that more updates to the Marketplace experience for both buyers and sellers will continue throughout 2026.
Rick Moranis Discusses Radio Career And Showcases DJ Impressions In 1977 Peter Gzowski Interview
Rick Moranis sat down with Peter Gzowski in 1977 before his rise to fame. The interview captures Moranis discussing his day job as a radio disc jockey and showcasing his talent for impersonation. During the conversation, Moranis entertains with a very accurate impersonation of every radio DJ, demonstrating the comedic chops that would later make him a household name in films like “Ghostbusters,” “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”
The 1977 interview offers a fascinating glimpse into Moranis before he became one of the most beloved comedy actors of the 1980s and early 1990s. His ability to capture the voices and mannerisms of radio personalities reveals the observational skills and vocal range that would become hallmarks of his comedy career. The conversation with Gzowski provides rare insight into Moranis during his formative years in broadcasting.