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Easy Travel for Students: Take the Bus from NYC to Binghamton

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By Mitch Rice

Binghamton, New York, is well-known among domestic and international students for its proximity to Binghamton University, a public institution formed in 1946. The university is ranked #73 among national universities. Students from around the world study here for its academic excellence, advanced research opportunities, and outstanding post-graduation outcomes. You may have enrolled at this university because of its strong reputation and its ability to compete with Ivy League schools. It’s undoubtedly a good decision, as Binghamton also enjoys superb connectivity with surrounding cities and states. Hence, you can travel between your home and university during weekends or holidays without a hassle.

In the past, you could take a train to reach your destination. Today, intercity buses have become the primary mode of transportation, particularly for residents of New York City. Search for an NYC to Binghamton bus, and you will find the desired options. Some people opt for rental cars, which are expensive. Bus tickets can be obtained at an affordable price. Buses can cover a distance of 178 miles between NYC and Binghamton in around four hours, provided there are favorable weather and traffic conditions. Once you reach the bus terminal, you can hop on any local transit option to get to the university. Even your parents can use intercity buses to meet you when they want. There is a lot to do and see in the city itself.

Artistic atmosphere

The city organizes several events for creative people. You can find many museums here. At the same time, it hosts the First Friday Art Walk every month with a focus on art exhibitions. Students can also attend Broadway shows.

Unique, fun opportunities

When here, you can enjoy your time throughout the year. During the fall season, you can visit Apple Hills Farm to pick some apples. If you go to Ross Park Zoo, you can meet a lot of furry friends. At the regional farmers’ market, you can buy fresh produce.

Scenic views

The city also provides a peaceful and seamless connection to nature through its parks and green spaces. You can take a stroll in Cutler Botanic Garden and Otsiningo Park. Even Binghamton University boasts an 182-acre Nature Preserve, from which you can witness the charm of a beaver pond, a bridge, and beautiful trails. For swimming or other scenic opportunities, you can consider visiting Nathaniel Cole Park.

Your decision to study in a college town like Binghamton can prove rewarding. While the institutions nourish your mind and soul with rich knowledge, the city’s natural beauty and close-knit community elevate your overall experience. You can pursue your education in peace and look forward to going home whenever breaks begin. Since intercity buses offer affordable and comfortable rides between NYC and Binghamton, you can make a quick travel plan anytime, hesitation-free. However, choose only reliable bus services. Some ticket booking agencies offer various bus options from NYC. You can select a suitable schedule according to your convenience and reach your university at a preferred time. Most buses are equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing you to stay connected with your loved ones online. Their apps also provide precise route details, allowing you to track buses and estimate your arrival time.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

10 Reasons Grunge Never Really Died

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Back in the early ’90s, grunge exploded like a distorted power chord from a Seattle garage. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains lit the rulebook on fire, then made something poetic about it, even as they battled internally with the punk ethos performing to 50,000 people a night. With its scruffy guitars, scuffed-up jeans, and songs that sounded like therapy sessions set to drums, grunge gave a voice to the disenchanted, the disillusioned, and the kids who never quite fit in.

And then, just as suddenly as it arrived, it was pronounced dead. But here’s the thing: grunge never left. It just stopped trying to be cool and went back to doing what it always did best—telling the truth, loudly.

Here are 10 reasons grunge is still very much alive and riffing:

1. Flannel Is Forever
No matter the year, someone somewhere is rocking a flannel shirt like it’s their emotional armor. Fashion trends come and go, but flannel? That’s a lifestyle. And grunge lives in the folds.

2. Every Teen Still Finds Nirvana
Whether it’s on a vintage CD, a TikTok deep dive, or a vinyl from dad’s collection, teens still have that moment where “Smells Like Teen Spirit” blows their mind. And just like that, they’re in.

3. That Dirty Guitar Tone Lives On
Grunge guitar isn’t clean—it’s gritty, growling, and glorious. And it’s everywhere. From alt-pop to indie rock, that thick, fuzzy tone keeps crawling back like feedback after a power chord.

4. Angst Is Timeless
You can’t schedule an identity crisis. Whether it’s 1993 or 2025, someone’s feeling misunderstood, over it, and ready to scream into the void. Grunge gives that scream a chorus.

5. Gen Z Discovered Pearl Jam
And Soundgarden. And Alice in Chains. And they didn’t just stream a song—they made playlists, wore the shirts, and started bands. The torch was passed without anyone noticing.

6. Lyrics That Feel Like a Journal Entry
No metaphors. No sugarcoating. Just raw, poetic honesty. Grunge lyrics read like someone cracked open their notebook and pressed record. That level of real never goes out of style.

7. The DIY Spirit Never Left
Grunge taught us that you don’t need perfection—just passion, distortion, and maybe a 4-track. Today’s bedroom producers and indie artists owe a lot to that ethos. Long live lo-fi.

8. Movie Soundtracks Still Love It
From teen dramas to crime thrillers, when you need something emotional, moody, and loud, grunge shows up. It’s the sonic shorthand for “everything’s falling apart but I look cool doing it.”

9. Post-Grunge Became a Whole Thing
It evolved, it morphed, it got shinier—but it never vanished. Bands like Foo Fighters kept the grunge DNA alive, even as they turned the distortion knobs a little cleaner.

10. It Was Never Just a Marketing Tool
Grunge was an attitude. A refusal to pretend. A celebration of flaws. That energy still pulses through music today—even if the jeans are a little less ripped and the eyeliner more precise.

Grunge didn’t die. It took a break, wandered through the rain, picked up an old guitar, and kept playing—just a little quieter, until the rest of the world catches up up again.

10 Tips for Turning TikTok Comments Into Music Ideas

Because sometimes your next big hit is hiding right below the “Part 2 please” comment.

1. Screenshot the Gold
If a comment makes you laugh, cry, or go “Wait, that’s deep,” screenshot it immediately. Comments disappear fast—capture the moment like it’s a flash of inspiration. Future-you will thank you.

2. Let “Storytime?” Be Your Muse
When someone begs for the backstory, give them one—in song form! A vague video can lead to a very specific verse. Turn mystery into melody.

3. Embrace the Misinterpretation
Someone totally misunderstood your post? Perfect. Write the song they thought it was about. A new meaning can be the start of a whole new idea.

4. Turn Fan Fiction Into Lyrics
TikTok commenters love to imagine drama. Use it. That fake breakup in the comments section? Make it the chorus. The love triangle someone invented? There’s your bridge.

5. Make a Hook From a Catchphrase
“THIS lives in my head rent-free.” “Certified bop.” “I felt that in my soul.” Turn these viral phrases into your chorus. If it sticks in a comment, it’ll stick in a hook.

6. Ask a Question, Answer in Song
Drop a question in your video and use the best or weirdest answers as your lyrics. It’s call-and-response, internet-style. TikTok gives, you sing.

7. Use the “Too Real” Comment for Truth-Telling
When someone says “This is too real,” dig into why. That raw emotion is songwriting fuel. Real moments connect—just like good songs do.

8. Take a Comment Thread and Make It a Verse
The comments under a video often tell a full story. One person relates, another adds context, someone cracks a joke. Boom—your verse writes itself.

9. Turn Spam Into Surrealism
Even the bots have something to offer. That odd comment selling sunglasses on your breakup ballad? Use it as inspiration for a left-field line. Get weird.

10. Credit the Crowd
When your lyric is born in the comments, shout them out! It builds community, encourages more interaction, and shows the magic of making art together.

Sometimes your best co-writer isn’t a famous producer—it’s someone commenting “This made me cry in Target.”

Navigating Digital Shifts with Strategy and Precision

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By Mitch Rice

Marketing today moves faster than most businesses can adapt. Every platform update, algorithm tweak, or shift in consumer behavior demands a recalibration of strategy. While trends rise and fall, brands need more than just reactive tactics. They need a framework for navigating change with intention. This is especially true for companies operating in large, diverse markets where competition and innovation collide. A strategic approach helps turn constant disruption into sustainable advantage. That’s why understanding the evolving landscape of digital marketing is more than helpful; it is necessary.

From content strategy to performance tracking, alignment across teams and platforms has become a central challenge. Many businesses struggle not with ideas, but with execution that truly makes a difference. Bridging the gap between brand promise and digital performance requires more than flashy campaigns. It calls for clarity in roles, consistency in messaging, and smart allocation of creative and paid media. When those components connect, brands begin to operate from a position of strength, not just survival. The rest of this blog explores how agencies and brands can achieve that cohesion while managing the realities of modern digital ecosystems.

Strategic Thinking as the Foundation for Growth

Every digital initiative must begin with strategic intent. Without a unifying purpose behind campaigns, creative assets often fail to convert or connect. Strong digital marketing agencies in New York often prioritize strategy first because fragmented efforts rarely yield consistent returns. These agencies understand that even the most visually impressive campaigns need planning frameworks that align with larger business goals. A tactical approach only works when it’s anchored to a clear understanding of audience, timing, and platform expectations. Strategic thinking also enables more flexible execution as new challenges arise. That flexibility is vital to maintaining relevance without losing focus.

Moreover, strategy acts as a lens that helps teams make better decisions across the board. Whether it’s media buying or influencer outreach, strategic clarity reduces the guesswork. Such clarity doesn’t just protect budgets; it sharpens creative outcomes. Businesses operating in fast-paced markets benefit when agencies advocate for long-term frameworks rather than trend-chasing. In practice, such clarity means building systems that support testing, refinement, and learning. Strategic discipline frees up creative freedom by removing ambiguity from the process. The result is a smarter, more coordinated marketing engine.

Content Operations that Scale Without Losing Focus

As digital ecosystems expand, content production has to scale without compromising brand clarity. The task requires more than volume; it demands systems that keep production aligned with messaging. A social media marketing agency in New York, for instance, might work across dozens of platforms and client verticals, each with different voice requirements. To keep output up, these agencies often develop effective modular content strategies and templated asset systems. This process helps ensure every post or campaign fits into a broader communication goal. Content then becomes an asset, not just a deliverable. Proper planning also helps reduce creative fatigue among internal teams.

Scaling content also depends on collaboration across departments. From strategy to design to analytics, every stakeholder must understand the role content plays in reaching objectives. When workflows are siloed, content loses direction and results become harder to measure. But when all parts of the system work together, content becomes a reliable growth lever. Repurposing strategies, editorial calendars, and dynamic creative optimization are just a few ways high-functioning teams deliver more with less. That level of operational consistency often separates average campaigns from those that build real momentum. Sustained impact is rarely accidental; it is the outcome of deliberate execution.

Data Visibility and the Feedback Loop

Campaign data is only useful when it feeds back into planning in a timely and usable format. Without that loop, brands can’t tell whether they’re optimizing for performance or simply repeating past mistakes. An internet marketing company typically faces intense pressure to turn performance data into insight fast. That’s because clients in competitive urban markets expect results and transparency. To meet that demand, agencies build custom dashboards and analytics systems that surface key trends, not just raw numbers. Real-time access to insights enables rapid iterations that improve targeting, messaging, and channel mix. These optimizations increase efficiency and lower acquisition costs over time.

The feedback loop also strengthens collaboration across disciplines. When creative teams understand what’s working, they can produce with purpose. When strategy teams have access to fresh signals, they can adjust campaigns proactively. Such an approach creates a cycle where performance fuels smarter planning, not just retrospective analysis. It also ensures the budget isn’t wasted on underperforming tactics or outdated assumptions. Ultimately, the agencies that build the best systems for insight delivery also build the best campaigns. Feedback isn’t just a metric. It is a mechanism for evolution.

Aligning Paid and Organic for Sustainable Reach

Too often, paid and organic efforts operate in silos, undermining overall performance. When these efforts work together, however, brands extend their reach while improving cost efficiency. This alignment begins by identifying shared goals across teams and building content pipelines that support both paid distribution and organic engagement. High-quality evergreen content, for example, can fuel both SEO and remarketing campaigns. By using organic insights to inform paid strategy, teams reduce friction in the buyer journey. Audiences receive more relevant messaging, and conversion rates improve as a result. Integrated efforts also help balance short-term wins with long-term visibility.

Additionally, aligning paid and organic enables more consistent brand messaging. Too often, paid ads prioritize urgency, while organic content centers on education. This disconnect can create confusion and reduce trust. By weaving both into a single funnel strategy, brands maintain tone and clarity across touchpoints. Paid placements provide immediate traction, while organic strategies build authority and long-term equity. Smart agencies ensure content, timing, and targeting work together seamlessly. That harmony drives performance and strengthens brand identity at every level.

Creative Execution That Reflects Purpose

Design and storytelling are still central to digital success, but their value depends on alignment with business goals. Creative work that looks good but does not serve a purpose drains resources and weakens results. The most effective campaigns tie visual choices to performance metrics, ensuring every asset earns its place in the funnel. From typography to call-to-action language, every element plays a role in how users engage and respond. Successful agencies treat creativity not as decoration but as a conversion tool. This mindset helps unify art direction with brand strategy and user behavior insights.

As the digital environment becomes more cluttered, clarity matters more than novelty. While experimental formats can stand out, consistency in voice and design supports recognition and recall. This is especially important for businesses with complex products or long sales cycles. They rely on familiarity and trust, both of which are built through repeated, coherent exposure. Agencies that master creative alignment don’t just produce content; they craft experiences. These experiences guide users from interest to action in subtle but deliberate ways. That is the difference between creative that entertains and creative that drives outcomes.

Wrap Up

Digital marketing continues to evolve, but the need for clarity and cohesion remains constant. Businesses navigating this space must balance short-term gains with long-term strategies. They must also coordinate creative content, data, and distribution into a system that supports growth. Without alignment, even the best ideas lose momentum before they deliver results. That’s why structured thinking and feedback loops are more than technical necessities. They are strategic assets. When every team works from a shared understanding of goals, performance becomes more predictable. The process becomes less about chasing trends and more about building value. And that shift transforms execution into leverage.

Ultimately, the agencies and businesses that thrive aren’t just those with flashy campaigns or large budgets. They’re the ones that build systems designed to evolve with the market. Such development means continuously refining how strategy connects to execution and how insights shape creativity. It means scaling content without losing quality and testing without losing vision. Each part of the system should reinforce every other part, leading to compounding results over time. While platforms and preferences may change, the foundation of smart marketing stays the same. Success comes from purpose, alignment, and adaptability. That is how modern marketing sustains impact in a crowded digital world.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

20 Songs That Will Take You Right Back to the 2000s

The 2000s were a time when your iPod shuffle was your most prized possession, burning mix CDs was a love language, and LimeWire downloads felt like buried treasure. It was a decade where pop collided with indie, hip-hop redefined itself, and rock got weird, loud, and emotional all over again. From dancefloor anthems to genre-defying experiments, these songs didn’t just top charts — they soundtracked our lives. Whether you were cruising with the windows down or crying on your bedroom floor, these are the songs that instantly pull you back to a moment.

The Postal Service – “Such Great Heights”
Delicate, sparkly, and deeply romantic. If you burned this song onto a mix CD for someone, you were either falling in love or falling apart. Ben Gibbard made longing sound like sunlight.

Coldplay – “Clocks”
The piano loop that launched a million movie trailers. Ethereal and soaring, it was the sound of both hope and hesitation.

Missy Elliott – “Work It”
The definition of creative genius. Missy twisted language like origami and made Timbaland’s beats feel like they were from the future. Still sounds ahead of its time.

Radiohead – “Everything In Its Right Place”
The moment you hit play on Kid A, everything shifted. Yorke’s processed voice drifted over synth landscapes and nothing in alt-rock was the same again.

Rihanna – “Umbrella”
From the moment she said “ella-ella-ella,” the world knew Rihanna had arrived. A thunderstorm of emotion and strength, wrapped in one of the best hooks of the decade.

OutKast – “B.O.B.”
Breakneck tempo, chaotic energy, and lyrical fire. This track felt like a church revival and a mosh pit at the same time. You didn’t listen to it—you survived it.

Kelly Clarkson – “Since U Been Gone”
Pop-rock with a punch. This track handed the mic to anyone who ever wanted to scream-sing their way out of heartbreak.

Johnny Cash – “Hurt”
A cover that became a goodbye. Fragile, raw, unforgettable. Cash turned Reznor’s song into a gospel of regret.

50 Cent – “In Da Club”
If you turned 21 in the 2000s, this song was your anthem. From the first “Go shorty,” the party was on.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Maps”
Tenderness disguised as noise. Karen O made heartbreak sound like art, and “wait” never hit so hard.

Gnarls Barkley – “Crazy”
No other song defined the decade’s emotional chaos like this. Soulful, strange, and universal. It united dance floors, headphones, and generations in 3 perfect minutes.

Beyoncé – “Crazy in Love”
With that horn blast and strut-heavy beat, Beyoncé kicked off her solo reign with pure fire. This was the sound of arrival—and she made sure we all knew it.

Amy Winehouse – “Rehab”
Retro soul with razor-sharp wit. Amy’s refusal was defiant, infectious, and heartbreakingly prophetic.

U2 – “Beautiful Day”
The band looked back to their big-chorus roots and made something that felt like a sunrise in song form. Hope never sounded so epic.

MGMT – “Time to Pretend”
Glitter-drenched disillusionment set to a synth-pop dream. This was every art kid’s anthem for both fame fantasies and existential dread.

Jay-Z – “99 Problems”
A rock riff, a Rick Rubin beat, and Jigga at his defiant best. It was hip-hop, punk, and poetry rolled into one explosive track.

Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”
Gaga gave pop a new persona with this icy, robotic masterpiece. Glam, camp, and cool all collided behind her perfectly unreadable expression.

Green Day – “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”
Post-punk loneliness dressed up as arena-rock anthem. Billie Joe Armstrong gave voice to a generation still figuring things out.

Missy Elliott – “Get Ur Freak On”
Bhangra beats, boundary-pushing rhymes, and unapologetic swagger. Missy had us dancing to rhythms we didn’t even understand yet.

Arctic Monkeys – “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor”
Lightning in a bottle. This track was British indie rock at its peak—fast, frantic, and effortlessly cool.

    Eric Hilton Blurs Borders and Genres on Hypnotic New Album ‘Midnight Ragas’

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    Montserrat House Music and trip-hop pioneer Eric Hilton are pleased to announce the release of Midnight Ragas, the godfather of downtempo’s brand new “compilation mix” LP.

    Featuring three different vocalists – Puma Ptah, Natalia Clavier and Kristina Westernik-Dandridge of The Infinite Daisy Chains – and lyrics sung in French, Spanish and English, Midnight Ragas has the distinct feel of international exotica, a sound that Hilton has cultivated over 30 years of album releases.

    Compilation albums have always been a great tool for discovery, especially in electronic music. A couple of familiar artists or tracks, sequenced amongst unknown treasures, taking the listener on a satisfying journey through different moods and sounds. It’s not easy to make a good compilation album, one bad track can throw off the whole vibe, the flow. A great compilation album can elevate the individual tracks and put them into a context where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

    With Midnight Ragas, Eric Hilton has made a great compilation album. Except not really. We’ll explain.

    Midnight Ragas is a new album by the downtempo electronic music producer, with vocal contributions by longtime collaborators Natalia Clavier and Puma Ptah, along with newer recruit Kristina Westernik-Dandridge. And while the tracks are all new Eric Hilton recordings, the album sounds like a killer compilation record, with shifting tempos, moods, vocalists, and languages across twelve tracks. The vintage age of mix CDs may be long over, but listen to Midnight Ragas and you’ll think it never left.

    Hilton has plenty of experience with compilation albums. Tracks by Thievery Corporation, the downtempo combo Hilton co-founded in 1995, have been featured on over 600 mix CDs, according to music database website Discogs. “I loved compilations back in the day. You bought them to get turned on to new sounds, or you liked the artist compiling it. ‘Midnight Ragas’ was not conceptualized as a compilation; the album is a moment of eclecticism,” says Hilton.

    The opener, “Life In the Deep End”, hits like an even more laid-back Khruangbin, soundtracking a vintage Billy Dee Williams Malt liquor advert. Next up: “Leave It All”, a ballad in the Massive Attack/Zero 7 wheelhouse – minimal groove, smart sounding, sounds like a single. Puma Ptah pours it on smooth here. Track three is “Je ne t’aime plus” (I don’t love you anymore) – imagine it’s 1970 and you’re Alain Delon or Catherine Deneuve, driving a light gold Ferrari Daytona along the coast from Cannes to Monaco. Clavier provides the vocal accompaniment, singing for Hilton in French for the first time. The third song is “Behind My Eyes” (’70s crime flick meets ambient drum & bass). “I love the wildness of this track, we really nailed the production on this one, it’s tough and sets the tone for the next few tracks,” says Hilton.

    “All I Want” also features Ptah; the track is an ass-shaking, purple crushed velvet groove, hard but smoooooth. Track six, “Burkina Faso”, will be a standout track for longtime Thievery fans, a tough D.C. bounce and “you know what time it is” feel. Things start to shift with the title track – seven songs in and things start sounding mysterious on “Midnight Raga”. “Traditional ragas are improvisational but repetitive; this song somehow is repetitive but doesn’t hit you that way,” opines the producer. Next up: “Sol Interior”, with gorgeous vocals from Clavier amid Ipcress File/John Barry twinkles. It sounds a bit like a great lost track from Air’s classic debut Moon Safari.

    The album closes out with a trifecta of late-night slow burners. “Madame Asha” is classic trip-hop, a nod to legendary Indian American vocalist Asha Puthli. “L’Ocean” stays on the ’90s trip-hop wavelength and is a standout for Hilton, as good as any track of the era/genre. And it all comes down to “Beautiful Moment”, unquestionably the most romantic track on the album. Vocals by Westernik-Dandridge summon thoughts of the late summer evening sun, slow kisses and dew drops on agave leaves. It’s as perfect a sonic representation of apres-release afterglow that you’re likely to hear.

    And then it’s all over, sigh … unless you’ve put your CD player/turntable/streamer on auto repeat, which is the right idea. Midnight Ragas is the compilation album that isn’t; perhaps that’s why it’s so listenable, and so unforgettable. Get it here

    Madilyn Mei Shares Dreamy Western-Tinged Single “At Least I’d Be A Cowboy!” With Animated Music Video

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    Gaining traction as an innovative, singer, songwriter, and visual artist, Madilyn Mei shares a dreamy, wild west-infused new single entitled “At Least I’d Be A Cowboy!”, along with the official music video that was animated by Kohana Wilson.

    The new track rolls like tumbleweed in the wind, with its breezy sing-song melody swept up in rattling percussion, steady claps, and distant echoes of guitar. As a climactic chorus takes hold, the hazy groove bleeds into an utterly hypnotic hook, “I don’t wanna be a self-fulfilling prophecy, but I’ve been here before, it doesn’t end well in my dream. If I were a cowboy, it wouldn’t change a thing, but at least I’d be a cowboy!” The song delicately unfolds as an unshakable and nostalgic anthem evocative of Madilyn’s ever-expanding artistry. At the same time, the accompanying visual translates this vibe to the screen.

    About the song, Madilyn commented “”At Least I’d Be A Cowboy!” is about a rodeo clown who longs to be a cowboy. It’s also about trying to cope with feelings of abandonment and trying to find your independence.

    I was particularly inspired by Dean Martin’s “My Rifle My Pony and Me.” I wanted to write a song about cowboys, and I also really wanted to attempt that old western call and response style of vocals. Growing up in Arizona, I’ve always loved anything having to do with the old west, and it felt about time I wrote a song using that inspiration.

    To me, cowboys represent independence and self-reliance. I was going through a really hard time when I wrote this song, and I wanted to be so independent that my trials couldn’t even phase me. But instead I felt like a lost puppy and a fool. I felt shaken up, afraid and truly alone for the first time ever. The idea of writing a song about being a cowboy felt ridiculous! I couldn’t be any further from the tough lone rangers I’d seen in the movies. So I wrote about a clown who had the same longing as me: to be able to cope with the hard times alone, to be a cowboy.

    It’s a very personal song, though I hope others are able to see themselves in the lyrics and interpret it in whatever way fits them!”

    Erykah Badu and The Alchemist Drop Visionary New Single “Next To You” and Announce Japan Tour

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    Erykah Badu has returned with her first lead single of this decade called “Next To You”-self-executive produced and in collaboration with legendary hip-hop producer The Alchemist. Queen of Neo-Soul, Badu, wrote, composed, arranged, and produced the single, released under her own imprint, Control Freaq Records-established in 2025.

    The Alchemist describes the collaboration as him tossing the beats to Badu, who made the alley-oop. The record-whispered to be one of the biggest collaborations of the decade-was The Alchemist providing the foundation and Badu putting her ‘izm’ on it.

    Badu, recognized as a fashion icon by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and renowned for her distinctive style, also conceptualized every aspect of the ancient futuristic stage show in Dallas. The custom costume design, lighting, and set design were created by Badu and inspired by graphic designer Voltage. The concert and upcoming tour promises a theatrical and visual spectacle reflecting Badu’s unique ability to make the ancient feel revolutionary and the futuristic feel deeply rooted in cultural tradition.

    For the first time ever, the duo will hit the stage together in a series of highly anticipated live shows for The Abi & Alan Japan Tour. Beginning June 24 at Billboard Live Osaka, continuing June 28 at Billboard Live Tokyo, and concluding June 30 in Yokohama.

    The Kid LAROI Drops Hypnotic New Single “How Does It Feel” Featuring Thundercat

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    GRAMMY nominated, multi-platinum chart-topping global superstar The Kid LAROI releases his highly anticipated new single, “How Does It Feel” via Columbia Records.

    LAROI officially announced the single on socials earlier this week, attracting buzz from eager fans. The track features a special appearance from renowned musician, Thundercat, playing the song’s hypnotic baseline. LAROI also dropped the flirty new video counterpart starring actress Talia Ryder alongside himself, directed by CALMATIC (Kendrick Lamar, The Rolling Stones), showcasing his smooth dance moves at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

    “HOW DOES IT FEEL” follows LAROI’s first release of 2025, “ALL I WANT IS YOU.” Last year, he released the deluxe version of his full-length debut album, THE FIRST TIME, featuring five new tracks. He also embarked on The First Time Tour, which brought him across Europe, North America and Australia. He released three new singles “Girls,” which he debuted live on tour ahead of the release, “Aperol Spritz,” and ended the year with “Slow It Down” featuring Quavo. LAROI was also recently featured on Tate McRae’s new album with their song “I know love.” With no signs of slowing down, LAROI continues to excite fans with his chart-topping hits and cinematic videos.

    Miranda Lambert’s “Fill the Little Red Wagon” Returns to Help Local Shelters on Tour

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    Country music icon Miranda Lambert will be rolling with MuttNation Foundation’s much-loved “Fill the Little Red Wagon” activation in support of local shelters on select tour dates this summer.

    Launched with Lambert’s Keeper of the Flame Tour in 2016, “Fill the Little Red Wagon,” in partnership with Live Nation, teams up with local animal shelters in cities where she performs, collecting pet toys, food and supplies for each stop’s selected shelter while giving pet-loving fans the opportunity to win pit tickets.

    “For me, it’s always been music and mutts, so whenever I’m able to make something happen with both at the same time, it’s magic,” said Lambert. “It’s been nearly a decade since we started ‘Fill the Little Red Wagon’ to help shelters while I’m on the road – it’s one of my favorite things about touring.”

    This year, until noon local time the day before each show, fans can drop off their donations at the designated animal shelter and register for the chance to win pit tickets. The winners will be randomly selected and notified prior to the show.

    Founded by Miranda Lambert and her mom, Bev, in 2009, MuttNation is a donation-supported 501c(3) nonprofit organization that has raised over $10 million to date in support of its mission to promote the adoption of shelter pets, advance spay & neuter and educate the public about the benefits of these actions. Through the MuttNation-Tractor Supply Relief For Rescues Fund, MuttNation provides financial support to shelters and other supporting organizations during times of natural disaster. MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert, a pet line of toys and supplies that benefits the Foundation, is available exclusively at Tractor Supply Company stores throughout the U.S. To learn more, visit www.muttnation.com.

    Critically acclaimed groundbreaker/songwriter/superstar Miranda Lambert has defined her multifaceted career as an artist, entertainer, entrepreneur, advocate and businesswoman with an unflinching quest for excellence, honesty and conviction. Her 10th solo studio album, Postcards from Texas, available everywhere now via Republic Records, continued her unbroken streak of 10 consecutive Top 10s on the Top Country Albums chart. The most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history, including their top honor for Entertainer of the Year, she has also won three GRAMMYs and 14 Country Music Association Awards. A TIME100 honoree and perennial best-of-the-year list maker at the New York Times, TIME, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Stereogum, People and more, NPR has called her “the most riveting country star of her generation.”

    A multi-dimensional superstar, she’s earned seven No. 1 solo albums, 10 No. 1 hit radio singles, more than 80 prestigious awards and countless RIAA certifications; conquered Las Vegas with her twice-extended Velvet Rodeo residency; blurred genres with Leon Bridges, the B-52s, Loretta Lynn, Enrique Iglesias, Sheryl Crow and Elle King; and delivered her LGBTQ+ inclusive anthem “Y’All Means All” for Netflix’s “Queer Eye.” She’s taken those standards to become a New York Times bestselling author and the first female restaurateur on Lower Broadway with her Tex-Mex cantina Casa Rosa, while also expanding her creative reach with her Wanda June Home collection exclusive to Walmart and her Idyllwind clothing and boot line at Boot Barn. Her passion for rescue animals inspired the creation of her MuttNation Foundation, which has raised over $10 million since inception to promote adoption, support shelters across the country, advance spay & neuter and assist with the transport of animals during times of natural disaster.