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Canada Cuba Summer Jazz Academy Launches in 2025: A Life-Changing Musical and Cultural Experience for Young Musicians

Eric Alper
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Canada Cuba Summer Jazz Academy Launches in 2025: A Life-Changing Musical and Cultural Experience for Young Musicians

The inaugural Canada Cuba Summer Jazz Academy (CCSJA) is set to take place July 1st-8th, 2025, in Varadero, Cuba, offering an unparalleled opportunity for high school musicians to immerse themselves in Afro-Cuban music, culture, and history.

A collaboration between Canadian and Cuban music educators, CCSJA is designed to provide young musicians with hands-on workshops, masterclasses, and performance opportunities led by top Cuban and Canadian artists. Participants will explore the rich traditions of Mambo, Rumba, and Son Cubano, guided by Daya Aceituno Rodríguez, one of Cuba’s foremost music educators. The weeklong program will also feature daily excursions to culturally significant sites, including a full-day trip to Havana, providing students with a deep understanding of the island’s history and its profound influence on jazz music.

“This is more than just a music program—it’s a life-changing experience,” says Jules Estrin, CCSJA Artistic Director. “Students will not only refine their musicianship but also gain a deep appreciation for Cuban culture through direct engagement with its music and people.”

CCSJA builds upon the 25-year history of Canada Cuba Sports and Cultural Festivals, which has successfully introduced thousands of Canadian students to Cuban arts, culture, and education through immersive travel programs. The Academy will be hosted at the Hotel ROC Arenas Doradas in Varadero, an all-inclusive resort offering a comfortable and inspiring environment for students to learn, collaborate, and perform.

Program Highlights Include:

  • Masterclasses & Workshops with expert Cuban musicians
  • Afro-Cuban Drumming & Dance instruction
  • Rehearsals & Performances with local Cuban artists
  • Excursions to historical and cultural sites, including a full day in Havana
  • Salsa Dancing & Cultural Exchange opportunities

Parents are also welcome to travel with their children, making this a unique experience for families looking to explore Cuba together.

The cost for the program is $2,395 CAD, which includes round-trip airfare from Toronto, accommodation, all meals, ground transportation, and program fees. A deposit is due by December 20, 2024, with final payments due by April 15, 2025.

For more information or to register, visit the CCSJA website at: https://canadacuba.com/summer-jazz-academy/

Rex Linn to Host Western Heritage Awards at National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Eric Alper
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Rex Linn to Host Western Heritage Awards at National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is pleased to announce that Rex Linn—who has appeared in more than 50 feature films and 45 television shows—will once again emcee the Western Heritage Awards ceremony on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

Beyond his on-screen achievements, Texas-born, Oklahoma-raised actor Linn is a passionate advocate for preserving and celebrating Western culture. He has proven to be a delightful addition to the premier event honoring individuals who have made remarkable contributions to Western heritage through their creative endeavors in literature, music, television and film.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome Rex back to The Cowboy,” said National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum President and CEO Pat Fitzgerald. “He has a very special connection to Oklahoma, the Museum, and, most importantly, the West, which makes him the perfect choice again for this year’s awards.”

The star-studded awards ceremony and dinner also serves as the induction ceremony for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Hall of Great Westerners and Hall of Great Western Performers, as well as the presentation of esteemed honors such as the Lifetime Achievement Award and Chester A. Reynolds Award, named after the museum’s founder.

Presenters scheduled to appear at the ceremony include Bailey Chase, Mo Brings Plenty, Bruce Boxleitner and more.

This year’s Western Heritage Awards are presented by the National Western Stock Show’s Honoring the Legacy Campaign.

In addition to the Saturday night awards ceremony, the Museum will host several events over the weekend tied to the Western Heritage Awards.

Full List of Events

Western Heritage Awards Ceremony, presented by the National Western Stock Show’s Honoring the Legacy Campaign

  • Saturday, April 12, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Tickets are sold out.
  • To join the waitlist if tickets become available: WHA Ceremony Ticket Waitlist

Kickoff Party, presented by Pendleton Whisky

  • Friday, April 11, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Includes complimentary cocktails and live entertainment
  • $70 Museum Member, $85 General Admission
  • Tickets can be purchased here: WHA Kickoff Party Tickets

Additional Programs

Western Heritage Awards Workshop, “Rescuing Classic Westerns and How to Become a Filmmaker” with 2025 Honoree Bob Terry and Johnie Terry

  • Friday, April 11, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Free with Museum Admission

Inductee Panel Discussion with Brooks & Dunn and Graham Greene

  • Saturday, April 12, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Free with Museum Admission

Shopping Opportunities

Lucchese Bootmaker Custom Boot Fittings

  • Thursday, April 10, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Friday, April 11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Persimmon Hill, the Museum’s store for Western goods, will host designer trunk shows

  • Friday, April 11, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Cara Brown Designs (jewelry)
  • The Bohlin Company (custom buckles)
  • Hallett Peak (jewelry and leather goods)
  • Mahota Textiles (blankets, pillows, accessories)
  • Phoebe Duncan (jewelry)

For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/western-heritage-awards.

Rex Linn’s acting career has been nothing short of prolific. Over the last 25 years, Rex has appeared in over 50 feature films and 45 television shows.

Adding to his extensive career, Linn can currently be seen in recurring roles on the critically acclaimed series Better Call Saul, CBS’s hit sitcom Young Sheldon, and Nicole Kidman’s Apple TV+ series Roar. Linn’s additional key television credits include recurring roles on HBO’s The Brink, Netflix’s Golden Globe winner The Kominsky Method, FOX’s hit series Lethal Weapon and a ten-year series regular role on CSI: Miami. Linn also co-starred opposite Reba McEntire in the true-life inspired Lifetime original feature film, The Hammer, as well as the ABC series Big Sky.

Linn is currently co-starring in the number one sitcom on television, NBC’s hit series Happy’s Place. Linn plays Emmett, the gruff but popular short order cook.

Linn’s past film credits include many prestigious projects, such as Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained and Ed Harris’s Appaloosa. He is also known for the classic blockbusters Cliffhanger, Clear and Present Danger, Tin Cup and Rush Hour, to name a few. Linn’s comedy chops have also allowed him to work with some of the greats, including Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon in Neil Simon’s Odd Couple II, Steve Martin in Cheaper by the Dozen and John Lithgow in 3rd Rock From the Sun.

Linn was born and raised in Texas and Oklahoma and is based in Los Angeles. He is represented by Fourward.

About Bob and Johnie Terry

Bob and Johnie Terry are dedicated to preserving the American West. Since 2009, they have worked in the film industry, producing original Western-based productions while also preserving and hosting classic Western films.

In 2017, they began producing The Forsaken Westerns, a TV series dedicated to rescuing and broadcasting rare, unsold Western TV show pilots, Western anthology series, Western-focused episodes of TV series and Western movies. Many of these were transferred from 8mm and 16mm film and were thought to have been lost forever.

Since 2020, they have worked on Red Steagall’s Somewhere West of Wall Street TV show, with Bob serving as director, cinematographer and editor, while Johnie has been assistant director, cinematographer and closed-caption creator.

Bob Terry’s documentary, Playing Cowboy, is being honored at this year’s Western Heritage Awards.

Western Heritage Awards Honorees

Western Lifestyle Program: The Roundup: A Cowboy State Daily Podcast With ‘Longmire’ Author Craig Johnson, hosted by Wendy Corr and produced by Jimmy Orr.
Theatrical Motion Picture: Tokyo Cowboy, starring Arata Iura, directed by Marc Marriott, written by Dave Boyle.
Documentary: Playing Cowboy, directed by Bob Terry, produced by Westerns on The Web Productions.
Fictional Drama: Desire Is All You Need (from Yellowstone), directed by Christina Alexandra Voros, produced by Taylor Sheridan.
Nonfiction Book: The Colfax County War: Violence and Corruption in Territorial New Mexico, by Corey Recko, published by University of North Texas Press.
Art Book: Making the Unknown Known: Women in Early Texas Art, by Victoria H. & Light Townsend Cummins, published by Texas A&M University Press.
Juvenile Book: Glory Be! It’s Punkin’s Story! by Carolyn Wills (self-published).
Magazine Article: After Birth, by Kathryn Wilder, published by The Missouri Review.
Western Novel: Malas, by Marcela Fuentes, published by Viking.
Poetry Book: Earl’s Own Dakota Odyssey, by Bruce Roseland, published by Scurfpea Publishing.
Original Western Composition: I Am a Cowboy, recording artist Caleb Martin, composed by Montie Carol Montgomery.
Traditional Western Album: On the Trail With the Lonesome Pines, recording artist Hilary Gardner.

Western Heritage Awards Inductees and Lifetime Achievement Honorees

Hall of Great Westerners
Louise S. O’Connor
Dr. Baxter Black (1945–2022)

Hall of Great Western Performers
Graham Greene
Anthony Quinn (1915–2001)

Chester A. Reynolds Award
Warner Glenn

Lifetime Achievement Award
Brooks & Dunn

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is America’s premier institution of Western history, art, and culture. Founded in 1955, the museum collects, preserves, and exhibits an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts while sponsoring dynamic educational programs to stimulate interest in the enduring legacy of the American West. For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org.

Lizzo Drops New Single “Still Bad” Ahead of Highly Anticipated Album ‘Love In Real Life’

Eric Alper
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Lizzo Drops New Single “Still Bad” Ahead of Highly Anticipated Album ‘Love In Real Life’

urning up the heat yet again, 4x GRAMMY Award and Emmy award winning, RIAA multi-platinum certified superstar Lizzo serves up her new single, “Still Bad”, available now on all streaming platforms via Nice Life Recording Company/Atlantic Records. Listen here and watch the official music video directed by Collin Tilley.

Lizzo remains as unapologetic as ever on the enthusiastic and self-assured anthem. A thumping bass line sets the tempo for the track between pulsating eighties-style keys and  head-nodding claps. She comes to a realization on the chorus,  “I don’t need him. I need a drink , ”  giving way to fiery funk guitar. Embracing confidence, charisma, and her power, she incites an irresistible chant,  “After everything, I’m still surviving and I’m still bad, baby, so bitch I can’t complain . ”  The music video translates this energy to the screen!

She’s not just “Still Bad;” there’s no one badder in 2025…

The track lands in the wake of “Love In Real Life,” which took flight as her first solo release in three years since 2022. Its Colin Tilley-directed music video has already amassed over 7 million YouTube views and counting, while the song has posted up north of 2 million Spotify streams so far.

“Love In Real Life” has also incited widespread critical applause. People applauded how, “Sonically, ‘Love in Real Life’ finds Lizzo channeling her late mentor Prince as she sings lyrics about overcoming hardship to enjoy a night out over funky upbeat production inspired by the rock icon’s ‘Let’s Go Crazy’.” Pitchfork professed, “Lizzo is back,” and The FADER stated, “‘Love In Real Life’ is filled with fuzzy guitar riffs and agile drums.” HYPEBEAST raved, “Exploring the complexities of both self-love and romantic relationships, ‘Love In Real Life’ delivers an uplifting message through Lizzo’s powerhouse vocals and dynamic instrumentation.” Billboard christened it a “rollicking, uptempo pop rock tune.” 

EUPHORIA. declared, “A little bit of pop, a little bit of soul and a little bit of rock was what it took to make ‘Love In Real Life,’ and if you’re not dancing, nodding your head, or tapping your feet as the high tempo song plays, what kind of person are you?” 

Everything heralds the arrival of her fifth full-length LP and one of the most anticipated albums of 2025, Love In Real Life. To celebrate the start of this chapter, Lizzo is performing three super intimate fan shows. She just graced the stage of The Wiltern in Los Angeles this week and will rock Irving Plaza in New York, NY on March 16 and First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN on March 18.

In February, she ignited social media by teasing “Love In Real Life.” First up, she bid “farewell” to her Special era in a viral post followed by the reveal of a flute-soundtracked trailer for “Love In Real Life,” generating hundreds of thousands of views and “likes.” Rolling Stone noted, “She 

is entering a ‘new era’ of music,” and Billboard excitedly proclaimed, “It’s about damn time for some new Lizzo music.” 

Lizzo delivers now.

Stay tuned for more music and surprises soon.

This chapter is all about love, life, and Lizzo…

MARINA Celebrates FROOT’s 10th Anniversary with Limited Edition Vinyl Featuring an Unreleased Track

Eric Alper
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MARINA Celebrates FROOT’s 10th Anniversary with Limited Edition Vinyl Featuring an Unreleased Track

Platinum-selling artist MARINA marks the 10th anniversary of her critically acclaimed third album FROOT with a special Limited Edition Red EcoRecord, set for release on 25th July 2025.

Originally released in 2015, FROOT was a turning point in MARINA’s career, showcasing her songwriting and artistic independence. The album debuted at #10 on the Billboard 200, making it her highest-charting release at the time, and included fan-favorite tracks such as Happy, Forget, Blue, and the title track FROOT. Praised for its lush production and introspective lyricism, the record remains a cornerstone of MARINA’s discography, celebrating themes of growth, love, and self-discovery.

To honor its milestone anniversary, this EcoRecord will include a Tropical scented Sticker and features the unreleased track ‘I’m Not Hungry Anymore’ from the FROOT era.

MARINA burst on to the scene in 2009, and has since released five acclaimed albums including Electra Heart (2012), which debuted at Number 1 on the UK’s Official Charts, FROOT (2015), Love + Fear (2019), which debuted TOP 5 in the UK and Top 10 on the U.S. Albums chart, and most recently Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land (2021), which featured the Ivor Novello nominated hit “Man’s World”. Each of MARINA’s records have been accompanied by global sell-out headline tours with shows at some of the most prestigious venues in the UK and US. With her latest single “Butterfly” (Listen | Watch) marking a new and exciting era for the internationally acclaimed, award-winning artist and author, MARINA will be bringing her live show to the stage at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, World Pride Music Festival in Washington D.C., The Governors Ball in New York, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN and Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal this year.

5 Surprising Facts About Beastie Boys’ ‘Licensed To Ill’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Beastie Boys’ ‘Licensed To Ill’

Some albums don’t just change the game—they are the game. Licensed to Ill, the Beastie Boys’ 1986 debut, didn’t just introduce hip-hop to the mainstream; it bulldozed its way into history. The first rap album to ever hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200, it blended rock and hip-hop in a way no one had dared before, making it a blueprint for countless artists that followed. But for all its accolades, there are still stories hidden beneath its legendary beats that will make you fight for your right to party.

  1. The Beastie Boys Originally Started as a Hardcore Punk Band

Before they became hip-hop pioneers, the Beastie Boys were a punk band. In the early 1980s, they were part of New York’s thriving hardcore scene, playing gritty, fast-paced music inspired by bands like Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Their 1982 EP Polly Wog Stew is a full-on punk record, featuring thrashing guitars, shouted vocals, and absolutely zero rap. It wasn’t until they started experimenting with turntables and beats—thanks in part to meeting Rick Rubin—that they transitioned into hip-hop. But their punk roots never faded, fueling their rebellious attitude and raw energy throughout their career.

  1. Fight for Your Right Was a Joke That Became a Party Anthem

When Fight for Your Right (To Party) was written, it wasn’t meant to be an anthem for frat boys and wild nights—it was a parody of exactly that culture. The Beastie Boys had crafted the track as a satire of rock songs that glorified excess, poking fun at the party-hard attitude of bands like Mötley Crüe and Twisted Sister. But irony was lost on the masses. Instead of realizing it was a mockery, the same party bros the song ridiculed embraced it as their personal soundtrack. Mike D later admitted that the band was shocked by how seriously people took the song, saying, “There were tons of guys singing along to Fight for Your Right who were oblivious to the fact that it was a total goof on them.”

  1. Kerry King of Slayer Shredded on Two Tracks

Hip-hop and metal had collided before, but Licensed to Ill took it to another level. Slayer’s lead guitarist, Kerry King, played blistering guitar solos on No Sleep Till Brooklyn and Fight for Your Right, adding a layer of rock intensity that helped the album appeal to hard rock audiences. The collaboration happened because Rick Rubin was producing both Slayer and Beastie Boys at the same time. King also appeared in the No Sleep Till Brooklyn music video, reinforcing the band’s rock-rap crossover appeal. His aggressive guitar work helped solidify Beastie Boys as more than just a rap group—they were a force that transcended genres.

  1. The Backwards Drumbeat on Paul Revere Was an Accident

One of the most iconic beats on Licensed to Ill came from a studio experiment gone wrong—or right, depending on how you look at it. During a recording session, Adam Yauch (MCA) suggested flipping a standard drumbeat backwards to see what it would sound like. The result was the hypnotic, looped beat that drives Paul Revere, giving the track its distinct, futuristic groove. Run-D.M.C.’s Joseph Simmons (Run) was there when it happened and immediately recognized its potential. Yauch’s outside-the-box thinking created a beat that remains one of hip-hop’s most unique and recognizable.

  1. The Beatles Blocked One of the Album’s Tracks

Beastie Boys originally planned to include a cover of The Beatles’ I’m Down on the album, complete with sampled elements from the original track. However, they ran into an unexpected roadblock: Michael Jackson. At the time, Jackson owned the publishing rights to The Beatles’ catalog and refused to grant permission for the sample’s use. As a result, I’m Down was cut from the final tracklist, though bootleg versions of the Beasties’ take on the song have since surfaced online. Given their later legal battles over sampling, it’s ironic that their first major copyright clash came from a pop superstar rather than the record industry itself.

Licensed to Ill opened doors for rap’s mainstream takeover, and redefined what hip-hop could be. Behind every track is a story of innovation, rebellion, and, let’s be honest, a bit of accidental genius. Next time you crank up Brass Monkey or No Sleep Till Brooklyn, just remember: it’s not just an album—it’s a chaotic, beer-soaked, punk-fueled, history-making masterpiece. And if you ever find yourself in a bar fight, just ask yourself—what would the Beastie Boys do? (Hint: Probably throw a pie and run.)

Spotify Launches Ramadan Hub with Curated Playlists and Podcasts for Reflection, Wellness, and Celebration

Eric Alper
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Spotify Launches Ramadan Hub with Curated Playlists and Podcasts for Reflection, Wellness, and Celebration

Ramadan, a period of profound spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, is a time for fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Enrich your experience this year with Spotify, where you can discover content designed to nourish your soul, stimulate your mind, and energize your body. Explore our curated recommendations below and find your perfect audio companion in the Ramadan hub.

Nourishing the soul: Spiritual sounds for Ramadan

Music can be a powerful tool for reflection and connection. Spotify offers a variety of Ramadan-inspired playlists to enhance your spiritual journey.

  • Ramadaniyat captures the cultural and spiritual essence of the month with traditional Islamic songs focused on pure vocals and spiritual lyrics.
  • Featuring the soothing sounds of the oud, Chill-oud is ideal for unwinding after a day of fasting and enhancing the tranquility of your Ramadan evenings.
  • For moments of contemplation between prayers, Duaa features a selection of supplications, an integral part of Islamic worship.
  • South Asian Sufi presents Sufi devotional music, known for its rich adaptations of Sufi poetry and enigmatic themes, creating a profound spiritual experience.
  • Titrat features soundtracks from popular Ramadan TV series, a blend of dramatic scores, comedic beats, and poignant melodies that reflect the rich cultural fabric of the Arab world.
  • As the sun sets, the Iftar playlist provides a serene atmosphere, mirroring the gratitude and connection shared as families and friends gather for the fast-breaking meal.

Enriching the mind: Podcasts for reflection and inspiration

Spotify’s podcast selection offers thought-provoking content to stimulate your mind during Ramadan.

  • Finjan with Abdul Rahman Abu Maleh invites listeners to explore new perspectives and gain insights into a variety of topics, from technology and entrepreneurship to personal stories and cultural discussions.
  • Omam Podcast puts a unique spin on the stories of the Holy Quran, allowing listeners to experience these narratives through sensory, evocative storytelling.
  • In Indonesia, video podcast creators are embracing Ramadan with special segments designed to inspire and entertain. Check out Biar Ga Nyesel for mindfulness tips, Rapot for lighthearted iftar inspiration, and PODCAST ANCUR for heartfelt stories from Indonesians living abroad.

Strengthening the body: Music for movement and preparation

Taking care of your physical well-being is also an important aspect of the sacred month. Here are some playlists to help you stay active and energized.

  • As you prepare your suhoor and iftar meals, Cooking Time and the Laper Parah mood mix provide uplifting and catchy soundtracks to enhance your kitchen experience.
  • Need an energy boost during your Ramadan workout? Hit play on Fitness and Health. And to stay energized for a more productive day while fasting, check out the Lebih Produktif di Ramadan mood mix.

Head to the Ramadan hub to discover a world of audio inspiration.

Spotify Audiobooks Launches a New Publishing Program for Independent Authors

Eric Alper
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Spotify Audiobooks Launches a New Publishing Program for Independent Authors

Spotify continues to work daily to lift up new voices, providing creators with opportunities to live off their art. Through Spotify Audiobooks, its in-house publishing imprint, the platform has partnered with various publishers and authors to license and produce hundreds of titles.

Starting today, Spotify Audiobooks is launching a new website encouraging independent authors to submit short-form stories for audiobook creation and publishing consideration.

“Spotify Audiobooks is thrilled to be opening submissions for short-form content written by independent authors who are as passionate about audiobooks as we are,” said Leah Kleynhans, Spotify Audiobooks Producer. “We know Spotify users will love exploring these intense, bite-sized listens, and expanding our audiobooks catalog in this way gives fans even more choice in the content they love to consume on our platform.”

This is a global program, open to any author with an English-language short-form story who controls their own audio rights for that work.

If Spotify chooses to move forward with an author’s submission, Spotify will publish the audiobook, handling all aspects of production, distribution to major audiobook retailers, and payment of an advance and royalties.

How to Submit a Short-Form Story to Spotify Audiobooks:

  • Visit the short-form audiobooks site, which includes frequently asked questions and a link to the submission page.
  • Ensure the story is a novelette of approximately 10,000-20,000 words.
  • Focus on one of three genres: romance, mystery/thriller, or sci-fi/fantasy.
  • Cross-genre works such as romantasy, dark romance thriller, mystery sci-fi, or psychological thriller are encouraged.
  • Do not submit erotica or children’s content.
  • Submissions will be chosen on a rolling basis.

Spotify remains committed to lowering the barrier to entry so that more authors than ever can have their books heard. As part of this initiative, Spotify is also encouraging independent authors who prefer self-publication to upload existing short-form audiobooks via Findaway Voices. With Spotify Audiobooks, authors have the opportunity to have their books produced and distributed through Spotify, while Findaway Voices offers a path for existing content to reach new fans.

Spotify’s Loud & Clear 2024 Report Highlights Record Royalties, Global Artist Growth, and Streaming’s Future

Eric Alper
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Spotify’s Loud & Clear 2024 Report Highlights Record Royalties, Global Artist Growth, and Streaming’s Future

Spotify has just unveiled this year’s Loud & Clear report, a transparent look at how the streaming economy continues to support artists and fuel the music industry’s explosive growth. Loud & Clear is an annual initiative to demystify how artists earn money through streaming, clarify royalty distribution, and highlight the growing and evolving global music landscape. The latest report underscores record-breaking revenues, increased artist diversity, and a more borderless music industry than ever before.

A booming industry

Music streaming services now boast more than 500 million paying subscribers worldwide (IFPI), and a future with one billion paying listeners is within reach. In 2024, Spotify alone paid out $10 billion to the music industry—more than any single company has ever contributed in one year. The best news? This surge in payouts is increasing payouts for artists at all levels.

Breaking borders and expanding representation

The music industry’s growth isn’t just financial—it’s cultural. More artists are succeeding across borders, with more languages and diverse voices breaking into the mainstream. In 2024, the artists who generated at least $100K in royalties were recording music in more than 50 languages, while the artists who generated at least $1 million on Spotify recorded music in 17 different languages, both more than double the languages at those thresholds in 2017.

Women are also making historic gains on Spotify. Female artists generating more than $1 million annually have quadrupled since 2017. Markets like Canada, South Korea, Sweden, and Argentina see particularly strong female representation amongst their top artists.

The export factor: global fandom fuels artist success

Artists today are no longer bound by their home markets. Over 50% of the artists who generated at least $1K in royalties on Spotify in 2024 made the majority of their earnings from listeners outside their home country. This demonstrates the pivotal role that export plays in the success and sustainability of an artist’s career. Around one-third of them saw more than 75% of their royalties come from outside their home countries, showing the power of global streaming in driving artist income. And at the $100,000 level, the connections run even deeper—over 80% of these artists have teamed up with musicians from abroad.

More artists, more success

Spotify has helped level the playing field for artists at every stage of their careers. Since 2017, the number of artists generating between $1,000 and $10 million annually has tripled. Notably, nearly a quarter of the 12,500 artists generating over $100,000 in 2024 weren’t even releasing music professionally five years ago.

Success in the streaming era doesn’t require a decade-spanning catalog nor a chart-topping hit.

More than 80% of Spotify’s top-royalty generating artists weren’t even featured in its Global Daily Top 50, proving that independent musicians and niche genres can thrive in the new streaming economy. Meanwhile, in 2024, independent artists and labels collectively generated more than $5 billion from Spotify — representing about half of total Spotify royalties for another year.

Record-breaking royalties and industry impact

Spotify continues to lead the music industry in payouts, with more than $10 billion distributed in music royalties in 2024 alone—increasing payouts tenfold over the past ten years. The company has now paid out around $60 billion since its inception. Music publishing payouts have also hit new peaks, surpassing $4.5 billion to songwriters and publishing rights holders in just the past two years  – with double-digit percentage growth from 2023 to 2024 alone.

What’s next: fans driving the future of music

The future of music is being shaped by its most passionate force: fans. New opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and creative expression will emerge as they continue to embrace and support artists across streaming platforms. With global access to diverse sounds and cultures stronger than ever, artists will keep pushing boundaries, and fans will play an even more significant role in shaping the next era of music. The industry is not just growing, it’s evolving into an ecosystem where listeners and creators thrive together.

Envy Of None Release New Single “The Story” Ahead of ‘Stygian Wavz’ Album, Out March 28

Eric Alper
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Envy Of None Release New Single “The Story” Ahead of ‘Stygian Wavz’ Album, Out March 28

Ahead of the release of their new album Stygian Wavz (March 28th, Kscope), American/Canadian fourpiece Envy Of None have shared a brand-new single today. The second track from the new album, ‘The Story’ holds a special place in each of the band member’s hearts and is brought to life with a stunning new video by Jaden D.

Speaking about the new single and inspiration behind the video, songwriter and vocalist Maiah Wynne shared “I wrote about wanting to be better, to grow, and the sense of desperation that comes with that desire. To me, the song is about the struggle of not being able to break bad cycles. I had been stuck for a very long time and was trying to be better. I think it’s a theme a lot of people can connect with in some way. Whether it’s habits, addiction, self-sabotage, or just unhealthy patterns, we all are trapped by something we are trying to break away from. If I had the power to write my own story, I’d want to be the hero, but so often I am my own villain.”

Envy Of None announced their new album back in January and have so far shared 3 standout singles, ‘Not Dead Yet’, ‘Under The Stars’ and ‘Stygian Waves’. To promote the album, the band recently appeared on Talk Shop Live in the US with host Steve Harkins to discuss the creation of Stygian Wavz, the writing and recording process and plans for the future.

Though they’d never describe themselves as such, Envy Of None are the living, breathing definition of a supergroup. No other band on earth could rightly claim to have Alex Lifeson – one of rock’s most influential visionaries – heading up guitar duties, with Andy Curran of Coney Hatch and Soho 69 overseeing bass/programming as well as producer extraordinaire Alfio Annibalini on keyboards. However, the star in this band could very well be its youngest member – American singer-songwriter Maiah Wynne – whose wonderfully emotive vocals are able to spin the music in new exciting directions that thrill to the core.

On their self-titled debut of 2022, the group were able to prove that they were a lot more than the sum of their parts, with an abundance of panache and finesse poured into a contemporary alt rock sound that was hard to predict and even harder to categorise. This year’s sophomore release, Stygian Wavz, is the sound of a band basking in the radiant glow of creative confidence and coming into their own, staggering the listener with every twist and turn encased within their heady mix of genre-splicing brilliance.

OK Go Releases Two New Tracks from And the Adjacent Possible, Out April 11

Eric Alper
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OK Go Releases Two New Tracks from And the Adjacent Possible, Out April 11

OK Go have surprised fans with the release of two additional tracks off their forthcoming fifth studio album And the Adjacent Possible. The tracks include the bright, synth-splashed “Take Me with You” released with a psychedelic official visualizer by David McLeod. The second track is the pensive ballad “This Is How It Ends”. And the Adjacent Possible will arrive on April 11.

OK Go set the stage for And the Adjacent Possible with the January release of the album’s lead single “A Stone Only Rolls Downhill” alongside a stunning official music video. Adding to the band’s vast catalog of ground-breaking music videos – they’ve danced on treadmills and with dogs; in time-lapse and slow motion; in zero-gravity, Rube Goldberg machines, and Super Bowl commercials – the clip for “A Stone Only Rolls Downhill” features 64 videos on 64 phones laid out as a moving mosaic. The band did more than a thousand takes over the course of eight days, and the final video crams over two hours and twenty minutes of single-take clips into one frame.

The music video for “A Stone Only Rolls Downhill” premiered on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and arrived to widespread critical acclaim. Consequence proclaimed, “Come for the song, stay for the wildly ambitious music video,” while Fast Company lauded, “OK Go has reintroduced itself as a creative force with a new video that’s a whimsical riff on modern digital life.” Apple CEO, Tim Cook tweeted, “OK Go knows how to make an incredible music video!” and Shots declared, “Whenever a new OK Go video drops, the creative community’s mixture of anticipation and professional jealousy is palpable.” The New York Times praised, “OK Go’s latest single – from what will be its first album since 2014 – arrives, as usual, with an ingenious, playful, effort-packed video clip: a kaleidoscopic mosaic of intricately coordinated cellphone videos, directed by the band’s lead singer, Damian Kulash. Yet the audio can stand on its own.”

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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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