With Raggaeton remaining a dominant force on TikTok, Karol G, and Shakira’s “TQG” found a way to break through and become the top trending Latin song on the platform last week. Traditional and regional Latin genres that don’t get as much radio airplay have seen improved commercial success because of TikTok.

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A post shared by Music on TikTok (@musicontiktok)

Regional Mexican music, a catch-all word that incorporates genres like norteo, corridos, and banda, is leading the charge. This genre went from being absent to a mainstay on the Billboard charts, in part due to the success of regional songs on TikTok. Both “Soy Él Unico” by Yahritza y Su Esencia and “Botella Tras Botella,” which first gained popularity as an original sound on TikTok, debuted at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021. “Botella Tras Botella” (344k video productions) by Christian Nodal & Gera.MX was the first regional Mexican hit to chart on the Hot 100.

Mexican regional music is having a big year on TikTok, and Peso Pluma, a 23-year-old singer, is leading the push. Peso Pluma, who has over 1.6 million TikTok followers, is behind some of the year’s biggest hits, such as the Natanael Cano collaboration “PRC” (261k video creations), which gained popularity thanks to a dance that utilizes the song’s distinctive trumpet hook, and the Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma joint effort “Ella Baila Sola,” which generated over 470k video creations.

@odalysve Esoeren el final @Natanael Cano ♬ PRC – Peso Pluma & Natanael Cano

Peso is currently in the spotlight thanks to his collaboration with Yng Lvcas, “La Bebe,” which generated over 40k creations and peaked as #2 on TikTok’s list of the week’s most popular songs. Peso Pluma has five singles that have reached the Billboard Hot 100 as a result of TikTok, including “PRC” (#64), “La Bebe” (#26), and “Ella Baila Sola,” which recently reached the highest-charting position for a regional Mexican song in chart history at #17.

The post SOURCE LATINO: TikTok Serving as a Launchpad for Regional Mexican Artists to the Billboard Charts appeared first on The Source.

Nick Cannon is turning his talents to radio, specifically Amazon’s live radio app Amp.

The Daily Cannon, a new morning program presented by Nick Cannon, will debut on Amp on Monday, April 24, at 9 a.m. EDT, according to an announcement made by the live radio app from Amazon. The multidimensional talent will serve as a cultural ambassador as he headlines each raw and uncensored show with personally selected new R&B, hip-hop, and pop songs; the inside scoop on celebrity and culture news; and conversations with today’s best musicians, newsmakers, and Amp innovators.

The Daily Cannon on Amp is a cutting-edge radio show that has been redesigned for a live audience that is primarily social. With Amp, listeners can ring in and have live chats with Cannon on the app, allowing him to interact with them in real-time.

“I’m excited to be joining the next generation of live audio entertainment on Amp. Having a place where I can directly connect with listeners five days a week to spotlight the hottest emerging artists, chat about the latest and greatest in music and entertainment, and share real-time announcements in my world and beyond will make The Daily Cannon a show you don’t want to miss,” said host Nick Cannon. “There’s a magical thing that happens when entertainment is unedited and live, and I am excited for our journey ahead.”

Programs on Amp feature a diverse range of emerging and established hosts across the talent spectrum, including artists Nicki Minaj, Halsey, NBA YoungBoy, Joe Budden, NBA star Draymond Green, and artist, producer, and TV personality Kandi Burruss. Anyone can create their own live shows using just their phone.

Ncredible and Justin “Freeze” Fostar are responsible for producing The Daily Cannon. Ben Sumpter and Nick Cannon are the executive producers. The Weiss Agency’s Heather Cohen, Michael Goldman’s management, Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein’s legal counsel, and Michael Goldman are members of Cannon’s team. Bobb & Lezcano Lezcano.

The Amp app can be downloaded in the U.S. iOS App Store here.

The post Nick Cannon Set to Host New Radio Show ‘The Daily Cannon’ on Amp appeared first on The Source.

Even though April Fools Day was over a week ago, the jokes apparently have not stopped for Elon Musk. Over the weekend, the eccentric Twitter CEO apparently defaced…his own business’s sign.

For reasons completely unclear, Musk had covered up the “w” on the company’s sign outside of its headquarters in San Francisco. While some assumed that it was a routine maintenance or repair issue, it appeared that Musk had done it….just because.

However, while some fans thought that the stunt was funny, the building’s landlord was apparently not having it, stating that the sign could not be altered from its previously-approved design.

Apparently Musk (or one of his staff) may have found a loophole in the contract that allowed them to paint the “w” the background color of the sign (white). While some people were unsure whether the painting was the work of vandalism, Musk proudly took credit on Sunday on (where else?) Twitter, showing off the new sign.

No word if the social media platform will officially be changing its name any time soon.

The post Elon Musk Paints over ‘W’ on Twitter Headquarters Sign, now reads ‘Titter’ appeared first on The Source.

In the past two years, the hip-hop community has embraced technology like never before. In addition to dropping new hits, many artists are also dropping their own custom NFTs. Hip-hop stars Havoc of Mobb Deep, Saigon, and Jahlil Beats became the latest artists to capitalize on this trend, bridging the gap between old school and new with their recent ’50 Years of Hip-Hop’ NFT drop on the new Web3 metaverse platform m.Verse.

The new  NFT pass gives owners an all-access pass to multiple digital experiences on the new platform including over 50 special performances and events featuring Hip-Hop legends and Web3 music innovators as well as other perks including an exclusive area in the m.Verse metaverse, and access to the digital Hip Hop Museum along with exclusive memorabilia, merch, digital albums, and airdrops. 

M.Verse chose this drop to be one of the ones that kicked off their launch as a way to celebrate the immeasurable contribution of hip-hop to global music and culture as well as a way to merge the traditional music space with the new digital Web3 technologies – The NFT collection. 

Additionally, the platform is hosting a celebration of women in the hip-hop space and those pushing forward with Web3 festivities and concerts happening from March 28th to March 30th.

The trio are some of the most recent hip-hop artists with their own NFT. Other artists with their own NFT include Soulja Boy, Quavo, Lil Baby, 2 Chainz, Azealia Banks, Lil Pump, Post Malone, Jack Harlow, and more.

The post Havoc of Mobb Deep, Saigon, and Jahlil Beats Launch ’50 Years of Hip-Hop’ NFT Collection appeared first on The Source.

The tech industry is getting another hit. Amazon has announced the intention to lay off 9.000 additional employees. According to Variety, that number will be on top of the 18,000 jobs that were announced to be cut on Monday.

Among the divisions that will be impacted is Twitch. Amazon is also said to be ready to downsize the Amazon Web Services (AWS), People, Experience and Technology (PXT), and advertising areas. Last week, Twitch CEO Emmett Shear resigned following a 16-year leadership tenure.

The final call for job cuts will be mid to late April, according to CEO Andy Jassy. The job cuts are reportedly fueled by economic “uncertainty.”

“This was a difficult decision, but one that we think is best for the company long term,” Jassy wrote.

The full Amazon memo from CEO Jassy can be read here. Layoffs are also hitting Meta, Facebook’s parent company. You can read that here.

The post Twitch Employees Among 9,000 To Be Laid off by Amazon appeared first on The Source.

The Meta company is making headlines after the Facebook-parent company announced a layoff of an additional 10,000 workers. This is the company’s second round of job cuts in the past four months.

According to CNN Business, CEO Mark Zuckerburg revealed the job cuts will occur “over the next couple months.”

In a memo, Zuckerburg wrote, “We expect to announce restructurings and layoffs in our tech groups in late April, and then our business groups in late May.

The complete run of layoffs is believed to take as long as the end of 2023 to complete.

“At this point, I think we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that this new economic reality will continue for many years,” Zuckerberg added. “Higher interest rates lead to the economy running leaner, more geopolitical instability leads to more volatility, and increased regulation leads to slower growth and increased costs of innovation.”

The post Mark Zuckerburg and Meta Announce 10,000 Layoffs to come to Facebook Parent Company appeared first on The Source.

Wyclef Jean had his first-ever stay in the hospital, but he is delivering a message to fans that he is doing ok.

Speaking with TMZ, Wyclef Jean stated he felt numb on the right side of his face and went to a doctor immediately. That doctor then sent him to the ER.

On Instagram, Wyclef wrote, “Sometimes we forget our body is our temple. Be back soon.”

Wyclef stated Dr. Waleed Lashin let Wyclef know the hospital stay and numbness resulted from exhaustion and stress-related. Wyclef is now back at home, and more tests are scheduled.

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A post shared by Wyclef Jean (@wyclefjean)

Wyclef Jean has always had his hands on many different things.  Now, the former Fugees member is taking his talents to the automotive industry.  On Monday (March 6), Jean showed off his new electric vehicle in an Instagram post.  The caption read, “U S A premier Attucks Apex AP0 welcoming my Electric SuperCar…. Little Haiti We Up!!!!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wyclef Jean (@wyclefjean)

His new vehicle is the Attucks Apex AP0, a two-seat lightweight supercar.  It is said to be the lightest electric supercar in the world, weighing less than 2,700 pounds.  The car was designed in the United Kingdom but built in the United States.  Jean called it his dream car on Twitter.  It was first revealed at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Country and Golf Course this past weekend in Florida.

Though the Attucks Apex has been released, consumers won’t be able to purchase it until the Winter of 2024.  The electric vehicle is set to be priced at $350,000 with a high speed of 190 miles per hour.  The car has the capacity to reach 60 miles per hour in 2-3 seconds!  The “Sweetest Girl” rapper continues to help improve his birth nation, Haiti.  With this new vehicle, Jean has plans to have its headquarters right in Little Haiti, Miami.

Wyclef spoke about his new supercar on Twitter.

“Attucks Apex AP0 EV Supercar also marks the launch of my new platform, #AttucksFuture and technology; we will voice and create dreams in the community.”

The post Wyclef Jean Updates Fans After Hospitalization for Exhaustion: ‘We Forget Our Body is our Temple’ appeared first on The Source.

OpenAI unveiled GPT-4, which according to them, is capable of performing well on standardized tests. OpenAI further reveals that the updated technology passed a law school bar exam with a score in the top 10% of test takers. The older version, GPT-3.5, scored around the bottom 10%. Equally impressive, GPT-4 can also read, analyze or generate up to 25,000 words of text, and write code in all major programming languages, according to the company.

GPT-4 is a multimodal large language model, which means it can respond to both text and images. “Give it a photo of the contents of your fridge and ask it what you could make, and GPT-4 will try to come up with recipes that use the pictured ingredients. It’s also great at explaining jokes, says Sutskever, OpenAI’s Chief Scientist. “If you show it a meme, it can tell you why it’s funny.”

Within hours after its release, several users said they created computer games in less than a minute by simply asking the chatbot to generate code, resulting in near-perfect renditions of Tetris and Connect Four.

We are happy to confirm that the new Bing is running on GPT-4, which we’ve customized for search,” Microsoft said. “If you’ve used the new Bing preview at any time in the last five weeks, you’ve already experienced an early version of this powerful model.”  According to CNN, while ChatGPT has impressed many users with its ability to generate original essays, stories and song lyrics in response to user prompts since its November 2022 launch, it has also raised some concerns. AI chatbots, including tools from Microsoft and Google, have been called out in recent weeks for being emotionally reactive, making factual errors and engaging in outright “hallucinations,” as the industry calls it.

To use GPT-4, users have to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, which has a  $20 monthly subscription, for premium access to the service. 

The post The Technology Behind ChatGPT Gets More Powerful and Scarier appeared first on The Source.

TikTok is on the clock. The Biden administration has warned the tech giant that it is facing a ban in the United States if its Chinese owners do not sell their stakes in the social media platforms.

The order was given by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), highlighting China and the social media app having nearly 100 million users in the United States.

CNN notes TikTok confirmed receiving the request but denied the possibility of providing details.

“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem,” TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said in a statement. “A change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access. The best way to address concerns about national security is with the transparent, US-based protection of US user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification, which we are already implementing.”

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated America has “failed to produce evidence that TikTok threatens US national security.”

In 2022, Congress and Joe Biden passed legislation blocking TikTok from US Government devices, which the European Union and Canada followed.

The post Biden Administration to TikTok: Remove Chinese Ownership or Face U.S. Ban appeared first on The Source.

Wyclef Jean had his first-ever stay in the hospital, but he is delivering a message to fans that he is doing ok.

Speaking with TMZ, Wyclef Jean stated he felt numb on the right side of his face and went to a doctor immediately. That doctor then sent him to the ER.

On Instagram, Wyclef wrote, “Sometimes we forget our body is our temple. Be back soon.”

Wyclef stated Dr. Waleed Lashin let Wyclef know the hospital stay and numbness resulted from exhaustion and stress-related. Wyclef is now back at home, and more tests are scheduled.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wyclef Jean (@wyclefjean)

Wyclef Jean has always had his hands on many different things.  Now, the former Fugees member is taking his talents to the automotive industry.  On Monday (March 6), Jean showed off his new electric vehicle in an Instagram post.  The caption read, “U S A premier Attucks Apex AP0 welcoming my Electric SuperCar…. Little Haiti We Up!!!!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wyclef Jean (@wyclefjean)

His new vehicle is the Attucks Apex AP0, a two-seat lightweight supercar.  It is said to be the lightest electric supercar in the world, weighing less than 2,700 pounds.  The car was designed in the United Kingdom but built in the United States.  Jean called it his dream car on Twitter.  It was first revealed at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Country and Golf Course this past weekend in Florida.

Though the Attucks Apex has been released, consumers won’t be able to purchase it until the Winter of 2024.  The electric vehicle is set to be priced at $350,000 with a high speed of 190 miles per hour.  The car has the capacity to reach 60 miles per hour in 2-3 seconds!  The “Sweetest Girl” rapper continues to help improve his birth nation, Haiti.  With this new vehicle, Jean has plans to have its headquarters right in Little Haiti, Miami.

Wyclef spoke about his new supercar on Twitter.

“Attucks Apex AP0 EV Supercar also marks the launch of my new platform, #AttucksFuture and technology; we will voice and create dreams in the community.”

The post Wyclef Jean Updates Fans After Hospitalization for Exhaustion: ‘We Forget Our Body is our Temple’ appeared first on The Source.

Words by: Brandon Simmons

Compton rapper The Game is one of the many people to invest in cryptocurrency.  He backs a crypto startup company, ParagonCoin Limited, which is mainly involved in the marijuana industry.

Recently, the ex-G-Unit member’s crypto company had its registration revoked via the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.  The SEC claims the company has not filed periodic reports since 2019.  The commission also reports that they have sent letters to ParagonCoin Limited regarding the need to complete the necessary reports.  The letters were never answered.

The “Wouldn’t Get Far” rapper’s company has had issues since its initial offering in 2017.  In 2021, the company was sued for violating securities laws during the initial offering four years prior.  ParagonCoin now owes over $12 million in damages, which is the $12 million the company raised in its Initial Coin Offering.

According to ParagonCoin’s official website, the crypto company is filing for bankruptcy.  In a statement, the firm credits the lawyers they hired as for why the company has become insolvent. 

“Our goal was to build a much-needed decentralized solution for the cannabis industry, however, our plans were impossible to achieve due to several legal mistakes….we sought out the guidance of highly recommended lawyers that were supposed to help, unfortunately they misguided and failed us.”

The post The Game’s Crypto Company Registration Revoked appeared first on The Source.

The Meta company is making headlines after the Facebook-parent company announced a layoff of an additional 10,000 workers. This is the company’s second round of job cuts in the past four months.

According to CNN Business, CEO Mark Zuckerburg revealed the job cuts will occur “over the next couple months.”

In a memo, Zuckerburg wrote, “We expect to announce restructurings and layoffs in our tech groups in late April, and then our business groups in late May.

The complete run of layoffs is believed to take as long as the end of 2023 to complete.

“At this point, I think we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that this new economic reality will continue for many years,” Zuckerberg added. “Higher interest rates lead to the economy running leaner, more geopolitical instability leads to more volatility, and increased regulation leads to slower growth and increased costs of innovation.”

The post Mark Zuckerburg and Meta Announce 10,000 Layoffs to come to Facebook Parent Company appeared first on The Source.

Fans were holding a funeral for legendary mixtape platform Datpiff a little bit too soon. Fans noticed the site was down, leading to rumors that the mixtape hub had run its course.

Hitting Twitter, Datpiff revealed they are still around, just working through tech issues.

“Despite the rumors, we are happy to report that we will still be supplying you with all the mixtapes you love,” Datpiff’s official Twitter wrote. “We’re working through technical issues on our site and app, but still actively update our youtube! Thanks for all the love and concerns but we promise, we are still here.”

A post from Reddit claimed the site was no longer responsive after months of acting slowly. Turns out it is just in update mode. The iOS web app is currently experiencing bugs and the Android version is currently not available.

Thankfully, Datpiff is still around.

The post DatPiff Eases Rap Fans Minds After Rumors of Shut Down: ‘We Are Still Here’ appeared first on The Source.

Words by: Brandon Simmons

In 2011, R&B crooner Miguel released his hit song “Sure Thing.”  12 years later, it remains a hit-thanks largely to TikTok.  Amid finishing up his new album, Miguel just recently found out about the song’s performance on TikTok.  It is performing so well that “Sure Thing” has landed in the Top 10 on the UK charts!  Also, New Zealand and other European countries have seen the song climb their charts too.

TikTok creators have been using the sped-up version of “Sure Thing” to dance to, calling it the “Sure Thing” challenge.  Miguel feels it is “fascinating” how a song so old is still relevant today.

“Getting the information that something of mine from so long ago is picking up, and exponentially picking up, week by week, is just fascinating.”

The Los Angeles singer is no stranger to seeing success on the Billboard charts, as when “Sure Thing” first debuted in 2011, it was highly ranked.  It was number one on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, number seven on their Adult R&B Songs chart, and came in at number 14 on Billboard’s Rhythmic chart.

Now, in 2023, the hit song has reached #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, surpassing the previous position.  In 2011, “Sure Thing” debuted at number 36.

The post Miguel’s “Sure Thing” Is Popular Again, Skyrocketing Up UK Charts Due to TikTok appeared first on The Source.

Words by: Brandon Simmons

Wyclef Jean has always had his hands on many different things.  Now, the former Fugees member is taking his talents to the automotive industry.  On Monday (March 6), Jean showed off his new electric vehicle in an Instagram post.  The caption read, “U S A premier Attucks Apex AP0 welcoming my Electric SuperCar…. Little Haiti We Up!!!!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wyclef Jean (@wyclefjean)

His new vehicle is the Attucks Apex AP0, a two-seat lightweight supercar.  It is said to be the lightest electric supercar in the world, weighing less than 2,700 pounds.  The car was designed in the United Kingdom but built in the United States.  Jean called it his dream car on Twitter.  It was first revealed at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Country and Golf Course this past weekend in Florida.

Though the Attucks Apex has been released, consumers won’t be able to purchase it until the Winter of 2024.  The electric vehicle is set to be priced at $350,000 with a high speed of 190 miles per hour.  The car has the capacity to reach 60 miles per hour in 2-3 seconds!  The “Sweetest Girl” rapper continues to help improve his birth nation, Haiti.  With this new vehicle, Jean has plans to have its headquarters right in Little Haiti, Miami.

Wyclef spoke about his new supercar on Twitter.

“Attucks Apex AP0 EV Supercar also marks the launch of my new platform, #AttucksFuture and technology; we will voice and create dreams in the community.”

Congratulations are in order for the 53-year-old entrepreneur, but he is not the first rapper to have their own vehicle.  Last year, Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, unveiled a new Mercedes AMG 4-Door Coupe.  He called it the WILL.I.AMG as it is a part coupe, part SUV.  His new Mercedes will be present at the Formula One race in Miami this weekend for the first time.

The post Wyclef Jean Announces the Launch of His Attucks Apex AP0 Electric Supercar appeared first on The Source.

By revoking copyright registration it had previously granted for a comic book whose artwork was created by an AI-powered image generator, the U.S. Copyright Office has effectively ruled that AI-generated images are not eligible for copyright protection in the U.S. 

Kris Kashtanova is a New York-based artist who created the graphic novel Zarya of the Dawn.  Kashtonova wrote the story, created the layout and organized the presentation of the images.  The images were generated by Midjourney, a commercial image synthesis service that uses the latent diffusion process.

Latent diffusion models are used to generate detailed images from text descriptions, by mapping an image generator to text descriptions.  Effectively, the user can input a text description of the image they want created, and the latent diffusion model will generate detailed image based on those parameters.

Kashtanova registered the copyright in Zarya of the Dawn with the Copyright Office in 2022, claiming that the artwork was not created entirely by the AI, but had been created by her with AI assistance.  The Copyright Office has previously rejected copyrights registered to AI as the author – however, it has not ruled against copyrights in AI artwork where the author is a person.    Here, Kashtanova was granted copyright registration for Zarya of the Dawn in September 2022.

However, this past Tuesday, the Copyright Office revoked the registration, on the basis that Kashtanova had not disclosed in her application that the images in the comic were created by an AI model.  Apparently, following issuance of the registration, the Copyright Office learned on social media that her comic included AI-generated images.   The Copyright Officer then issued a notice to her in October 2022, requiring her to provide additional information showing why the registration should not be canceled.

Through her attorney, Kashtanova responded that Midjourney was merely an assistive tool, and she had authored every aspect of the work.  The Copyright Office rejected this argument, finding that although she claimed to have “guided” the content of each image, it was Midjourney that had “authored’ the images for purposes of copyright registration.  Accordingly, the portion of her registration covering the images was canceled.

Kashtanova still holds a copyright registration for the other elements of the comic- namely, the text and the selection and coordination of the visual elements.  However, for now, this ruling means that AI-generated images cannot be copyrighted in the United States, and this ruling will likely stand unless it is challenged in court or revised by law.

The post Can You Copyright an AI-Generated Image? The U.S. Copyright Office Says No appeared first on The Source.

Snoop Dogg and Death Row Records have teamed up with TikTok’s SoundOn to exclusively provide the legendary Death Row library to the TikTok audience for one week before its DSP release.

It has been a year since the storied catalog was accessible. SoundOn, TikTok’s all-in-one artist platform for music distribution, development, and promotion, will distribute the catalog in this groundbreaking collaboration.

Your favorite creators can now use the label’s well-known tracks, such as “Gin and Juice” and “Ain’t No Fun,” as the soundtrack to their most recent dance, dish, or narrative. The venerable studio albums Doggystyle and The Doggfather by Snoop Dogg are included in the recently made catalog. Via the TikTok Sounds Page, creators will also have access to a special playlist that was put together in collaboration with Death Row Records.

“I’m excited for y’all, because Death Row Records is back up for you to enjoy. You can go get that playlist right now and you can listen to any song you want off the catalogue strictly on TikTok… Tell ’em Snoop Dogg sent you.”

– Snoop Dogg via Tiktok

The post TikTok’s SoundOn Partners with Snoop Dogg to Bring Death Row Catalog Exclusively to TikTok appeared first on The Source.

Nas is known for arguably being one of the greater rappers of our time. However, in the past few years, Nas has added a different title to his name, that of a tech investor. Nas has invested in over 40 companies as a founding partner of Queensbridge Venture Partners. Queensbridge Venture Partners is a venture capital firm created by the rapper and his manager, Anthony Saleh. Nas said he decided to get involved in tech investments because he wanted “to be surrounded by the smartest people in the world.”

Nas has quite an impressive investment profile. Here are some of the companies he has invested in, along with their valuations: Dropbox- $10 billion valuation, Lyft- $5.5 billion valuation, Tilt- $400 million valuation, and Robinhood-raised $50 million in Series B. He was also an early investor in Ring, the smart doorbell company. After Amazon acquired Ring, he made $40 million, following Ring’s $415 million in sales in 2018. Nas was also an early investor in Coinbase, an online platform for buying, selling, transferring, and storing cryptocurrency. His stake is now worth $40 million. 

Earlier this year, Nas teamed up with Google to raise $20 million in financial banking for Carry1st, a South African gaming company. SpongeBob, Mine Rescue, and Match League are just a few of the games released by Carry1st. In an interview with THR, Carry1st co-founder and CEO Cordel Robbin-Coker said, “We’re excited to partner with this world-class group of investors who, in addition to capital, bring expertise across gaming, fintech, and web3. In 2021, we launched multiple games and digital commerce solutions, achieving really strong growth. Together we can accelerate this growth and achieve our goal of becoming the leading consumer internet company in the region.”

At this rate, it does not look like the Queensbridge rapper is slowing down any time soon, and we are here for it. 

The post From Escobar to Investo-bar: Investments by Nas Continue to Run Up His Net Worth appeared first on The Source.

BuzzFeed says it will use AI tools provided by ChatGPT creator, OpenAI, to “enhance” and “personalize” its content, according to a memo sent by CEO Jonah Perett to his staff. Buzzfeed is a news and entertainment website that covers many topics, including politics, business, food, music, sports, and the latest technology. ChatGPT is an extensive language model chatbot developed by OpenAI that has a remarkable ability to interact in conversational dialogue form and provide responses that can appear surprisingly human. OpenAI gained attention from industry leaders and investors and has been used to write high school and even create legal documents.

 CEO Jonah Peretti said AI would play a relatively significant role in the company’s operations. “To be clear, we see the breakthroughs in AI opening up a new era of creativity that will allow humans to harness creativity in new ways with endless opportunities and applications for good,” he said.   Peretti elaborated that the technology will be used to create quizzes and assist in personalizing content specific to its audience. Experts foresee the technology enhancing the quality of many jobs while taking over administrative tasks and replacing some workers.  

BuzzFeed will not be the first journalism platform to use artificial intelligence. CNET, an American media website that publishes reviews, news, articles, blogs, and podcasts, has been using an AI tool to generate reports that human editors later scan for accuracy before publication.

Last month, the company said it would cut about 12% of its workforce to rein in costs. The hope is that implementing this AI technology will assist in growing and energizing the business. Buzzfeed recently reported a net loss of $27 million in revenue.

The post Creators Watch Out: Buzzfeed To Use AI To Create Content appeared first on The Source.

Microsoft will begin 2023 with massive layoffs. According to CBS News, the tech giant will shed talent due to the impact of the economy.

The news, originally reported by Sky News, states the software company will announce the layoffs in the forthcoming days, and nearly 5% or 11,000 positions will be cut worldwide. Engineering divisions appear to be the target for talent removal.

Microsoft declined to comment, citing the news is a “rumor.” Microsoft currently employs over 200,000 people across the globe.

Microsoft said earlier this month that it would provide all U.S.-based employees unlimited time off under a new “Discretionary Time off” policy.

The post Microsoft Rumored to Cut 11,000 Jobs in Forthcoming Days appeared first on The Source.

In today’s world, where visual content is at the forefront of communication, graphic design, and video editing have become crucial skills. A great design can help a business stand out, while a well-edited video can help convey a message more engagingly. LuckyDesigns is a graphic designer and video editor who understands the importance of creativity and authenticity in these fields. This talented professional made a name for himself by bringing creativity and authenticity to his work.

One of the biggest challenges that LuckyDesigns faced is trying to be creative in its work. He realized that taking inspiration from others is okay, but when you do it too much, it’s like you are not creative at your work. He understood that he needed to find his own voice, style, and way of doing things. By doing this, he broke free from the mold and create something truly unique.

LuckyDesigns learned that the key to being creative is to try your best to be you and never give up on your dreams or goals. It’s important to be true to yourself and let your personality shine through in your work. This sets him apart from other graphic designers and video editors.

When it comes to graphic design, LuckyDesigns focuses on creating designs that are simple, elegant, and timeless. He understands that good design should be functional and visually appealing without being overly complicated. He also knows that good design is not just about aesthetics but about solving problems and effectively communicating messages. This is why he takes the time to understand his client’s needs and create designs that meet those needs.

In video editing, LuckyDesigns believes that storytelling is the key to creating engaging videos. He knows that a good video is not just about the visuals but the message and the story behind it. So he uses his creativity and technical skills to create videos that tell compelling stories and leave a lasting impression on the audience.

One of the things that LuckyDesigns does to stay creative and authentic is to take breaks from work and engage in activities that inspire him. These activities help him stay inspired and develop new and fresh ideas for his work.

LuckyDesigns also believes in collaborating with other creatives. He knows that working with others can bring new perspectives and ideas. He has collaborated with other graphic designers, video editors, photographers, and writers. Each collaboration has been a learning experience that helped him grow as a creative professional.

Being a graphic designer or a video editor requires creativity and authenticity. LuckyDesigns found a way to unleash his creativity and authenticity in his work by staying true to himself, focusing on simplicity and storytelling, engaging in activities that inspire him, and collaborating with other creatives. The lessons we can learn from LuckyDesigns are to never give up on our dreams or goals, stay true to ourselves, and always strive to be creative and authentic in our work.

The post LuckyDesigns: Unleashing Creativity and Authenticity in Graphic Design and Video Editing appeared first on The Source.

Following your creative passion can be challenging in any field, but the music competition can be particularly brutal. Kid Faze is one example of a dedicated rapper who has been producing music since 2013. 

Kid Faze was born and raised in Miami but is currently based in Orlando, Florida. He wanted to establish himself as a musician from a very young age. He produced his first song and sold his first album in middle school.

As a child, Kid Faze was inspired by his uncle, who is also a rapper. He also found inspiration in renowned rappers such as Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Diddy. Their success stories motivated Kid even during his most difficult challenges. 

Social media has been instrumental in Kid’s success and his efforts to bring the music world and the metaverse together, and his goal is to help people understand how Web3 works. 

Web3 is a decentralized digital place where virtual worlds or metaverses are built and creative products like art and music are commodified. For artists like Kid Faze, the metaverse presents a unique and unprecedented opportunity to distribute their work directly to people who want it without a middleman getting in between them to take cuts. There is the prospect of making more money being on a decentralized platform, but for Kid Faze, the motivation stems from beyond getting compensated. His goal is to reach a wider audience on the metaverse and make his music an experience.

Kid Faze has been working on designing a persona called “KiddoBoy”, which is geared toward the youth of the world. “KiddoBoy” will be featured in Kid’s YouTube series. Kid Faze understands that the younger generation will grow up in a decentralized world where the metaverse replaces the internet as we know it today. With his work on KiddoBoy, Kid Faze will open the eyes of a new generation of music enthusiasts.

The series will also promote his latest hit, “I Don’t Care”, which gained a massive audience on various platforms. Kid Faze is also focused on another YouTube series based on fashion with a release date in 2023 and a festival. Will this festival be both in-person and metaverse-based? Precedent suggests it might be the latter, but all will be revealed.

Artists like Kid Faze send an important message to people through their commitment to succeed despite the odds. In this age where the metaverse is still in its infancy, artists that show the drive to learn a new platform and contribute massively on it is an inspiring move. Learning about and educating people on technology while delivering hit songs might sound like a lot on one’s plate, but Kid Faze does it all. Currently, you can listen to his tracks on Apple Music, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Youtube.

Music is Kid’s unique voice, and he plans to continue using music to make a difference in the world well into the future. Hopefully, his work will inspire many other artists to explore the metaverse and bring music to a decentralized world – for the youth and for people of all ages.

The post Kid Faze Is Bringing the Metaverse & the Music World Together appeared first on The Source.

19 Keys is a global thought leader who values high-level conversation, which often leads to the elevation of mind, body, and spirit for the Black community. With every step in progression, there is a foundation that cohesively works with the mindset to take action to effect the necessary change.

19 Keys attributes that foundation to several things: his Muslim upbringing, his experienced life in the streets of Oakland, and being a student of multiple theologies. Keys utilizes his foundation, life experiences, and independent studies to develop his own “original perspective on life,” which he often shares.

“My greatest playground is my imagination,” he says. I keep it childlike, so I can stay creative. I don’t want to get to a rigid point, where I start thinking, ‘this is just the way it is.'”

Despite growing up in St. Louis, MO, and Oakland, CA, 19 Keys understood that his environment did not dictate his future.

“I’ve always been a global thinker, even when I was in a local situation, or on a local budget,” says Keys.

This global mindset has led 19 Keys to create one of the most coveted platforms with “High Level Conversations.” His book Paradigm Keys: Solution Based Mind Reprogramming, speaks to the shift in one’s subconscious habits to create better results. A paradigm is one’s collection of habits. He speaks to the current paradigm in Hip-Hop.

“In Hip-Hop culture right now, a lot of Black men are dying,” Keys explains. “We switch that paradigm with lyric reform. We reform to the thoughts we put out there. Therefore, it changes the frequency that is lived and reality that is instructed.”

He even credits Nas and 21 Savage for creating a new paradigm with their collaboration “One Mic, One Gun” back in Nov. 2022, following Savage’s comments on Nas’ relevance.

19 Keys’ existence is a paradigm shift. His “High Level Conversations” cover various topics that intentionally spread knowledge to enhance and influence the progressive habits of the Black community.

Last month he joined the Oasis investment group for their Rebuild Chicago Seminar.

In addition, he established BWO (Black World Order), the coaching component of his paradigm shift. Every week he coaches students on developing the intangible tools that’ll positively affect their tangible actions.

“Being apart of the BWO is the greatest gift you can give to yourself, your children and those around you,” says Keys.

19 Keys continues to walk in his purpose as a global thought leader for the advancement of the Black community.

The post 19 Keys Says Lyric Reform Will Inspire a Paradigm Shift in the Current State of Hip-Hop appeared first on The Source.

Spotify and leading Livestream shopping platform NTWRK are collaborating to celebrate the streaming service’s “Feelin’ Myself” playlist with an exclusive trading card pack featuring anime caricatures of iconic female rappers Megan Thee Stallion, Ice Spice, GloRilla and Flo Milli. 

The NTWRK x Spotify hype-worthy trading card pack will feature the up-and-coming and established rappers as a modern-day super heroines celebrating women in hip-hop. Fans will have the chance to win the exclusive trading card pack only on the NTWRK app today (Dec. 20) at 1 pm PST / 4 pm EST.  

The back of the cards will include the individual initials of each rapper and a barcode that leads users to the Feelin’ Myself playlist, encouraging collectors to dance along as they unveil their new pack of cards.  

The post Spotify Gives Megan Thee Stallion, Flo Milli Their Own Anime Characters appeared first on The Source.

U.S. lawmakers and politicians have been increasingly waging war on TikTok, the hugely popular social media app owned by Chinese company Bytedance.  

TikTok’s critics have accused the app of being a direct channel to the Chinese government and, thus, a privacy and cybersecurity risk. In particular, they have raised concerns that TikTok collects massive amounts of data from U.S. citizens. It may be shared with the Chinese government and could be used to interfere with U.S. elections by spreading misinformation.

The app is already banned from all devices issued by the U.S. military. This past Wednesday, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill banning the app from all devices issued by federal agencies. The bill contains exceptions for law enforcement, national security, and security research.

Earlier this past week, the governors of Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Utah ordered their agencies to prohibit the app on all state-issued devices. These states join Texas, Maryland, South Carolina, and Nebraska, which already have similar bans.   These bans also include, for example, blocking the use of the app on campus and dorm WiFi at state universities. 

Sen. Marco Rubio (R. Fla.) is leading a bipartisan effort to pass a law banning TikTok altogether in the U.S. The proposed legislation would ban social media companies belonging to “countries of concern,” i.e., China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela. 

In a statement on its website, TikTok states that it stores U.S. user data in the United States and that none of its data is subject to Chinese law. It says further that it has never been asked to remove content by the Chinese government and would not do so if asked.   However, in July 2022, TikTok confirmed in a letter to U.S. Senators that employees outside the U.S., including China-based employees, could access data on U.S. users. 

Implanting a U.S.-wide TikTok ban would present a formidable challenge. Over a billion users visit the TikTok site each month, and substantial commercial interests use TikTok as a platform and rely on its services.   A TikTok ban would likely be politically unpopular. It would raise the question of why foreign social media companies are being singled out when there are domestic social media companies, such as Facebook, that are equally capable of disrupting U.S. elections through the spread of propaganda and misinformation.

The post Remember When They Wanted to Ban TikTok? It’s Already Starting To Happen appeared first on The Source.

Boy Meets Girl and House of Blueberry are releasing a four-piece digital fashion collection. The digital wearables are a representation of bestsellers for Boy Meets Girl in the physical world. Items such as leggings, sweatpants, and two signature T-shirts make up the virtual boutique that Roblox users can browse. Additionally, users can try on designs and create customized digital identities for their avatars. 

House of Blueberry is on a mission to build the largest digital fashion house in the universe. They have had over 20 million assets sold, 10,000 stock-keeping units and more than 400,000 unique customers. The Roblox community has 43.2 million active daily users where nearly 67% are under the age 16. In an effort to set the standard high for their digital space, Boy Meets Girl will carry its anti-bullying mission forward  into the metaverse through positive messaging in the Blueberry virtual boutique. 

Stacy Igel, founder and chief creative officer of Boy Meets Girl said, “As someone who was an early adopter of virtual markets, this was a natural partnership for me. I’m thrilled to bring Boy Meets Girl into the metaverse in collaboration with House of Blueberry. During COVID-19, my son Dylan got to learn a lot about virtual worlds and has been teaching me about Roblox. So you can imagine how excited I am to share this collaboration and how excited he is too.” Roblox is dominated by the youth and many collaborations carried out via the platform shape the perspective of young boys and girls.  

Mishi McDuff, chief executive officer and founder of Blueberry, added, “We love the mission of the Boy Meets Girl brand and can’t wait to bring that positive energy into the metaverse. We think the iconic Boy Meets Girl branding will really come to life on Roblox and make for a fun, welcoming virtual experience for our community.” 

This project expands The House of Blueberry’s collaborations from past projects with Jonathan Simkhai and the Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen.” In the physical world, Boy Meets Girl has partnered with Saks Fifth Avenue, to carry its core kids unisex organic collection on Saks.com. The collection features an eight-piece sustainable kids collection, including its signature logo hoodies, sweatpants and Ts in mint, light pink, blue, black and heather grey. 

The items will be sold exclusively in Blueberry’s metaverse fashion boutique and catalog on January 10th. The T-shirt, leggings, and hoodie sell for 85 Robux and the beanie for 65 Robux.

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The exciting new feature Apple Music Sing, which enables users to sing along to their favorite songs with customizable vocals and real-time lyrics, was unveiled by Apple today. Apple Music Sing provides multiple lyric views to let users take the lead, sing duets, sing backing, and more within Apple Music’s unmatched lyrics experience. Apple Music Sing makes it enjoyable and straightforward for everyone to take part, when and wherever they choose, with a constantly expanding collection that includes tens of millions of the most singable music in the world.

The new Apple TV 4K, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Music Sing will all be available to Apple Music users later this month.

“Apple Music’s lyrics experience is consistently one of the most popular features on our service,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats. “We already know our users all over the world love to follow along to their favorite songs, so we wanted to evolve this offering even further to enable even more engagement around music through singing. It’s really a lot of fun, our customers are going to love it.”

Included in Apple Sing are:

• Adjustable vocals: Users now have control over a song’s vocal levels. They can sing with the original artist’s vocals, take the lead, or mix it up on millions of songs in the Apple Music catalog.
• Real-time lyrics: Users can sing along to their favorite songs with animated lyrics that dance to the rhythm of the vocals.
• Background vocals: Vocal lines sung simultaneously can animate independently from the main vocals to make it easier for users to follow.
• Duet view: Multiple vocalists show on opposite sides of the screen to make duets or multi-singer tracks easy to sing along to.

A collection of over 50 specially curated companion playlists for Apple Music Sing will also be released, encompassing all iconic songs, duets, choruses, and anthems that have inspired people to sing worldwide.

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An enduring Thanksgiving anthem was unveiled by Fetty Wap on TikTok. A cover of “Yamz” by Masego & Devin Morrison titled “Sweet Yamz” was unveiled by the Paterson, New Jersey, star.

The song’s exquisite harmonies, which have been used in over 31k projects to date, provided the background music for a variety of Thanksgiving-themed good times over the previous week, including the first-ever home-cooked Thanksgiving, a washing machine feast, and wonderfully reheated leftovers.

Auto-tune tinkerers and the great singer Charlie Wilson, who astounded everyone with his tremendous performance, both produced cover versions of “Sweet Yamz” that were influenced by the song. The TikTok community was made aware of Devin Morrison’s original version by him duetting one of his favorite “Sweet Yamz” videos as a way to celebrate.

You can catch the trending videos below.

The post Fetty Wap’s “Yamz” Cover Inspires 31K+ Creations on TikTok Through Thanksgiving Weekend appeared first on The Source.

An enduring Thanksgiving anthem was unveiled by Fetty Wap on TikTok. A cover of “Yamz” by Masego & Devin Morrison titled “Sweet Yamz” was unveiled by the Paterson, New Jersey, star.

The song’s exquisite harmonies, which have been used in over 31k projects to date, provided the background music for a variety of Thanksgiving-themed good times over the previous week, including the first-ever home-cooked Thanksgiving, a washing machine feast, and wonderfully reheated leftovers.

Auto-tune tinkerers and the great singer Charlie Wilson, who astounded everyone with his tremendous performance, both produced cover versions of “Sweet Yamz” that were influenced by the song. The TikTok community was made aware of Devin Morrison’s original version by him duetting one of his favorite “Sweet Yamz” videos as a way to celebrate.

You can catch the trending videos below.

The post Fetty Wap’s “Yamz” Cover Inspires 31K+ Creations on TikTok Through Thanksgiving Weekend appeared first on The Source.

It’s no surprise that Tinder knows a thing or two about dating trends, but what might be a surprise, is the way hip-hop has influenced these trends in 2022.

With the year coming to a close, the leading dating app is once again releasing its “Year In Swipe” report, revealing the top dating trends among young singles, many of which are directly linked to hip-hop culture this year. 

Here’s just a few of the key insights on the state of the date:

• 5 of The Top 10 Tinder Global Dating Anthems From Spotify were Hip-Hop. “Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy took the number one spot, butJack Harlow, Future, J.Cole, Drake and more cracked the global top 10 showing that rap may be the secret to love.

1.        Bad Habit – Steve Lacy

2.      pushin P (feat. Young Thug) – Gunna, Future, Young Thug

3.      “Me Porto Bonito – Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone

4.      Heat Waves – Glass Animals

5.      Way 2 Sexy (with Future & Young Thug) – Drake, Future, Young Thug

6.      First Class – Jack Harlow

7.       As It Was – Harry Styles

8.      WAIT FOR U (feat. Drake & Tems) – Future, Drake, Tems

9.      No Role Modelz – J. Cole

10.    Tití Me Preguntó – Bad Bunny

• Sneakers were the fastest growing global interest of 2022. With sneakerhead culture becoming a global phenomenon, thanks to the contributions from Hip-Hop, bonding over your Airforce Ones may help you find the one.
• Pushin P was the #1 emoji used globally.Originally known as theparking symbol,  has been  repurposed to represent Pushin P and was the number one trending emoji globally on Tinder this year. 
• Nostalgia stanning was a flex. Young singles are getting inspo from 90s and noughties dating trends. The fastest growing Interests on Tinder were blasts from the past like 90’s Kid, Anime, and Sneaker Culture. Even everyone’s favorite new old song, Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” made a comeback and was in the top 10 Spotify Anthems noted on Tinder profiles¹. 

The post Tinder’s “Year In Swipe” Reveals “Pushin P” Is One Of The Year’s Biggest Dating Anthems appeared first on The Source.

With over one billion monthly users, TikTok is one of the best social media platforms around when it comes to promoting your latest hit song.

Musicians like Lil Nas X, Sam Ryder, and Baby Ariel all hit the big time using TikTok to showcase their music, and the great news is that you can too!

Why is TikTok so great for artists? With TikTok, users can add audio clips to their videos with just a tap of their phone. This makes it easy to amplify the reach of your song and get new audiences listening in.

Adam Gonzalez’s music industry experience comes from his early days of doing digital marketing for his pop/hip hop band “Thursday Night Out” while attending Eisenhower High School. He was able to build a big online fan base which led to his band getting over 100,000 + streams a day and their songs charting top 5 songs in the myspace music charts. With his band’s online success they were able to open shows for music artists like Drake, Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Miguel, Tyga, YG, and various other major artists at the age of 17 years old. After his band broke up his passion for music continued along with his new love for digital marketing which lead him to work with some of your favorite music artists today. 

Adam Gonzalez has worked with major record labels like Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Capitol Records, Atlantic Records, Hitco Entertaiment, RCA Records, Astralwerks, APG, Empire, Republic Records and more. His digital marketing and social media strategies have built fan bases for internationally acclaimed artists including Pitbull, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Ava Max, Zayn, Bazzi, Magic!, Smokepurpp, Arizona, and many others. Now, Adam Gonzalez is one of the most sought-after marketing experts in the music industry. In 2022, Eisenhower High School recognized Adam as a notable alumni due to his success in music, business, journalism, and marketing and pr.

We asked Adam to give us his top three tips for using TikTok to make your song the next viral sensation:

1. Make your music TikTok Friendly

While you can upload videos up to ten minutes long on TikTok, the reality is that users won’t stick around to listen to your song for that amount of time.

TikTok is centered around short-form videos, and the optimal duration for music content is 15 seconds. That’s not a lot of time to showcase your music, but there are things you can do to increase the odds of people viewing your content.

Find the 15 seconds of your song that is the most catchy. As an example, when ‘Old Town Road’ made it big on TikTok, the clip focused on the drop about 25 seconds in – perfect for that all-important reveal! You ultimately want TikTok users to create their own videos around your sounds.

If you’re looking to create a challenge (more on that later), you’ll want your TikTok clip to connect with the challenge’s theme. Be honest; would the music inspire you to take part?

Need a little inspiration? Check out songs from artists similar to you. What part of their song have they focused on to capitalize on likes, reposts, and comments?

2. Create a challenge people want to get involved in

TikTok is a place where challenges, contests, and dances thrive. If you’re looking for a way to advertise your music, it pays to create an innovative challenge to accompany it.

For example, the ‘Savage’ dance challenge helped launch Megan Thee Stallion to international stardom in 2020, with the #SavageChallenge hashtag being viewed over two billion times on TikTok.

Before you get ready to launch your challenge, it’s essential to do your research. You need to:

• Invent and film a memorable challenge. Whether it’s dance, lip-syncing, comedy, or cosplay-related, make it relevant to your song. Most importantly, make sure your challenge is easy and fun to do!
• Choose the right time to launch your challenge. Due to how quickly content moves on TikTok, most challenges don’t last longer than a week
• Decide whether you want to run the challenge as a contest. Some musicians and bands offer prizes to encourage people to take part, but this is entirely optional
• Come up with a well-thought-out hashtag – it needs to be unique, short, and easy to spell
• Encourage influencers to get involved with your challenge (read on to find out how to do this)

Don’t forget to check your analytics through the course of the challenge if you have a Pro account. This will show you how many times your video has been viewed and how many followers you got off the back of the challenge. 

3. Find influencers that will use your song

TikTok is a hotbed for influencers, with TikTok paying high-profile creators to use the platform and create show-stopping videos. TikTok influencers currently have significantly higher engagement rates than Instagram and YouTube. 

You can use this to your advantage when promoting your latest song.

By reaching out to influencers on TikTok and asking them to use your music in their next video, you can introduce your hit track to brand new audiences.

When people think of influencers, they typically think of celebrities with millions of supporters, but the truth is even influencers with a couple of thousands of followers can help promote your music. As long as they have a loyal fanbase and good engagement rates, these influencers (often known as ‘micro-influencers’) can help boost your songs.

The best way to find the right influencers is to make a list of similar-sounding artists that have gone viral on TikTok in the past. Check out the song’s sound video history and look at the first twenty or thirty micro-influencers that have used the tune in their videos. 

It’s then a case of sending them a DM and asking if they’d be willing to use your song in their next TikTok – you might need to follow them to do this.

Do you have to pay for influencers to use your song? It depends. 

Some influencers will be happy to do this for free if you give them a shoutout or repost their video; others may ask for payment. As a rule of thumb, the more popular the influencer, the more likely they will ask for remuneration. It’s always a good idea to put together a small budget for your song that will cover any requests for money.

In summary: Are you ready to promote your latest song on TikTok?

Marketing your music on TikTok may sound like a challenge. However, three out of four TikTokers say they have discovered brand new artists through the platform, making it a great way to promote your music.

Summary:

1. Choose the most TikTok-friendly part of your song
2. Develop a fun challenge that Tiktokers want to take part in
3. Ask influencers to get involved

With a bit of research and creativity, you can use TikTok to get lots of free or low-cost exposure for your latest song. Good luck!

The post 3 Top Tips For Promoting Your Music On TikTok From Music Marketing And PR Expert Adam Gonzalez appeared first on The Source.

Guapdad 4000 has partnered with Hpnotiq to create the Web3 based HPNOVERSE.

The HPNOVERSE is an exclusive augmented reality destination that welcomes you into the world of Hpnotiq complete with an AR camera app with a variety of experiences, one-of-a-kind digital NFTs, and an opportunity to win prizes to Jack Harlow and Mary J Blige concerts.

In addition to the HPNOVERSE, consumers will also be invited to join an “IRL” scavenger hunt to unlock a one-of-a-kind experience at physical locations in their local markets using QR codes.

“Hpnotiq needed someone who was hip to Web, part of the culture and cool enough to integrate both,” said Guap. “There’s so much going on with the Hpnoverse. I like the fact that it was a bit more exclusive with the amount of NFTs compared to other projects that tend to do tens of thousands.”

Guapdad appreciates the brand’s encouraged approach to allow him to be “hands on” in the integration of space. Fans can experience interacting with Guapdad 4000 as they explore the HPNOVERSE.

Scavenger hunts prizes and NFTs include the HPNOVERSE Skyline, Skyscraper), a bottle of HYPNO spelled with a “Y,” a Hpnotiq branded durag and more.

Guapdad’s effervescent personality parallels perfectly with what the Oakland native has continued to build and foster as a personal brand.

The post Guapdad 4000 Taps Hpnotiq for the ‘HPNOVERSE’ appeared first on The Source.

On Dec. 16, The Notorious B.I.G. Sky’s The Limit: A VR Concert Experience, produced by Meta in collaboration with The Notorious B.I.G. estate, will honor the life and legacy of the late music legend Biggie during the year that would have been his 50th birthday.

In a virtual replica of 1990s Brooklyn, the immersive VR event will feature performances by a hyper-realistic Biggie avatar accompanied by the avatar of longtime friend and partner Sean “Diddy” Combs (The Brook).

The Lox, Latto, Nardo Wick, Lil’ Cease, and DJ Clark Kent will all make special appearances in the narrative concert adventure, which was written and spoken by novelist and music journalist Touré. It will feature beloved Biggie songs from his discography as well as previously unheard material.

Ms. Voletta Wallace, Christopher Wallace’s mother, stated, “Having the ability to create a variance of new opportunity to showcase my son Christopher’s music through the advancement of technology is hard for me to grasp at times, however, I’ve found so much excitement in the process of developing his avatar, understanding the value added for fans to experience him in ways unattainable till now. Thank you to all who have contributed to bringing this project to fruition.”

“Biggie’s music has been streamed over 11 billion times worldwide and 6.5 billion in the US alone, but because of his untimely death there just wasn’t enough content to support the overwhelming demand for his music. This is why I originated the idea and came up with the decision to create a digital avatar,” says Elliot Osagie, founder of Willingie, who spearheaded the technology innovation development with VFX director Remington Scott, CEO of Hyperreal. 

Biggie’s Manager, Mark Pitts, President of RCA Records, stated, “It’s amazing to create new content for BIG. The world was robbed of an opportunity to watch Biggie grow and evolve as an artist. The wonder of Web3 is that it gives us an opportunity to celebrate his music with visuals that Biggie never got to make.”

“Biggie’s untimely death, similar to that of Kurt Cobain and Tupac, was a seminal moment in my prior gig at MTV,” said Van Toffler, CEO, Gunpowder & Sky. “So, having the opportunity to be part of his rebirth in the virtual world – coupling the latest avatar & motion capture technologies with the best music & storytelling – is a dream come to life. Biggie’s impact on music & culture will never have an expiration date.”

You can watch the trailer for the show below.

The post Meta to Host The Notorious B.I.G. VR Concert on Dec. 16 appeared first on The Source.

October’s Very Own (OVO) and CASETiFY have teamed together to debut their first collaboration.

OVO is a Canadian lifestyle company founded in 2008 by Aubrey “Drake” Graham, Oliver El-Khatib, and Noah “40” Shebib. The company produces high-end apparel, outerwear, accessories, and home items that are influenced by its native land.

OVO and CASETiFY team up for the first time to create a signature tech accessory capsule collection that features the iconic OVO owl design. The set includes designs for the iPhone, AirPods, and AirPods Pro.

You can shop the collection here and see the pieces below.

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The post Drake’s OVO and CASETiFY Team for New Collaboration appeared first on The Source.

A little over fifteen years ago, Steve Jobs stood on stage and revealed the first iPhone in a reveal that would change the world as we know it (for nostalgia, the full video can be found here). On Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook continued the tradition of launch announcements to share some new features and updates to the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.

The launch event was pre-recorded and delivered from Apple Park, the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. Cook started sharing a montage of users who had used their Apple Watches in life-threatening situations and then shared some new features of the upcoming Apple Watch 7. The watch’s biggest change (in addition to a slightly new design and bigger screen) is that it is reportedly more durable and able to withstand more extreme conditions than previous models. The watch targets outdoor athletes with increased water resistance, increased durability, a compass, and a depth metric for scuba divers. The 7 series t also has a new “action” button for quick use while working out or wearing gloves. The 7 series has more health tracking capabilities and car crash detection technology, which can detect if the wearer was in a severe car crash and automatically call emergency services. The watch will also reportedly get up to 60 hours of battery life thanks to a new software rollout.

Cook unveiled the iPhone 14, which comes in two models: the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. The Plus will replace the “iPhone 13 mini” model with a bigger model with a 6.7-inch screen. One of the biggest changes is that digital eSIM technology will replace a physical SIM card. However, the 14’s biggest reveal was the phone’s capability to connect to satellites for emergency services in remote areas thanks to a partnership with Globalstar. 

The third product reveal was a new generation of AirPods. An Apple H2 chip reportedly provides better sound quality and clarity. Other new features include an improved volume touch control button, longer battery life, a smaller XS ear tip, and an in-case speaker.

The new Apple Watch will cost at least $799 and will be available in stores on about Sept. 23. Preorders will be available next Wednesday. The iPhone 14 will start at $799 and the Plus will start at $899. Preorders start on Sept 9, but the Plus won’t ship until October. The new AirPods Pro cost $249 and will go on sale on Sept 23.

The full launch video can be seen here.

The post Apple Unveils New Tech in Annual Product Launch appeared first on The Source.

Millions of people have been turning up to Janet Jackson‘s ‘Rhythm Nation’ for over three decades, but some laptop computers apparently are not fans of the chart-topper. Last week, Microsoft revealed a bizarre vulnerability in which playing the 1989 hit can cause certain laptops to crash.

The bizarre story apparently began back when multiple users contacted Windows XP product support to report issues with their devices, mostly the widely used 5400-RPM laptop hard drive that was sold around 2005. It’s common to set up a laboratory experiment on a device or software application whenever there are multiple reports of an issue, such as the reported issue with ‘Rhythm Nation’ and the laptops. The laboratory experiment found that the song didn’t just necessarily crash the laptop that it was being played on, but also nearby laptops that were using the same hard drive model.

Raymond Chen at Microsoft explained it in a blog as such: “the song contained one of the natural resonant frequencies for the model of 5400 rpm laptop hard drives that they and other manufacturers used.”

Since then, the manufacturer has added a custom filter in the audio pipeline that detected and removed the offending frequencies during audio playback. Additionally, this hard drive was a spinning disk hard drive and most spinning hard drives have been gradually phased out in favor of solid-state drives over the years, but as Chen notes, they still persist in a host of devices around the world. 

Ironically, the news comes within a few days of Apple’s announcement of a serious security vulnerability (along with a software update) for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices.

Perhaps listening to music on cassette or record players is truly the only safe bet anymore.

The post Microsoft Reveals that Janet Jackson’s ‘Rhythm Nation’ Could Crash Some Laptop Hard Drives appeared first on The Source.

My Top 5: Kendrick Lamar Projects, a new, interactive in-app experience that allows users to choose their top 5 favorite Kendrick Lamar projects and share them on social media, was introduced by Spotify.

Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, shot to the top of the charts shortly after its release and currently holds the record for being the most listened Hip-Hop album of 2022 on Spotify. Rap and Hip-Hop fans have maintained the discussion on social media. Now, with My Top 5: Kendrick Lamar Projects, Spotify brings this passion for the argument to the fore by enabling fans to simply arrange their favorite Kendrick projects into a shareable visual graphic.

The feature will debut in 23 markets and be offered in 12 languages. On your mobile device, go to https://spotify.com/top5. Choose and arrange your favorites: You can select your top five projects from a list of Kendrick Lamar’s works in the experience, then drag and drop those projects into the visual display to determine the order in which they should appear. After that, tell your pals.

You can learn more about the experience here.

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In an era of digital accessibility, storytelling mediums through art have increased emphatically, giving creators more than one tool to promote their work. As time progresses, the growth will continue to be exponential. 

Two leaders in the space are Michael Epstein and Brendan Laezza from Cinematic Music Group.

The label boasts a roster of artists that includes Skaiwater, Prentiss, Big Yavo, Yungeen Ace, Lul Bob, That Mexican OT, Kenneth Cash & more. The label previously housed “Leave Me Alone” rapper, Flipp Dinero as well.

Before helping to amplify the digital voice of Cinematic Music Group’s roster, Brendan Laezza and Michael Epstein were two hungry digital minds looking to make impactful strides. 

While Mike worked in real estate and scoured Twitter for opportunities, Brendan began working with EOne Music Group. The Jonny Shipes founded label would bring them together years later.

While at EOne, Brendan recalls working with DJ Drama for the release of his Quality Street Music 2 album. At the time he says he encouraged Drama to promote the album on his Facebook, where most of his following was.

Before album live-streams were a phenomenon, Laezza live-streamed the album’s release on Facebook Live with his cell phone. Fans who tuned in to the live stream caught Snoop Dogg, a young Lil Uzi Vert, Drama himself and more.

“I literally connected to the internet and walked around the studio with my phone,” says Laezza. 

He would later bring his talents to Cinematic, where he felt right at home.

“As soon as I came to Cinematic, they had Flipp (Dinero) and all of these young artists that were incubators for new talent.” It was very enticing to bring my forward-thinking ideas to these young artists.”

Since then he has been able to create more digital experiences including NFTs, content and more storytelling opportunities to increase artist’s engagement.

For Epstein, he took a leap of faith that would later pay off by reaching out to Cinematic’s Founder Jonny Shipes on Twitter.

Sidebar: If you follow Epstein (@michaelaepstein) on Twitter, you will most likely catch the gem-dropper offering tools and services to enhance the digital presence for all artists and creators looking to do so. Word of advice, hit that follow button.

Shipes, who is credited with discovering Nipsey Hussle, Joey Bada$$, Big K.R.I.T., Smoke DZA, Sean Kingston & Mick Jenkins to to name a few, would take a chance on Epstein, who had a keen grasp of the digital landscape, but only needed an opportunity.

Epstein and Laezza agree that the”general understanding” of the digital landscape puts one in position to best serve an artist as a digital marketer or strategists.

“There isn’t just one thing that’s going to make an artist pop,'” Epstein says. “Many people think ‘if this Instagram account posts me, it’ll change my life’ and that’s not the case.”

Given the number of interactive platforms, fans want and expect more from their favorite artists in order to build the personable connection. Both Laezza and Epstein agree that growing an artist’s digital engagement is a priority.

 “Create a system for not only the best art, but also a system that allows you to scale that art,” says Epstein. 

Laezza encourages artists and creators to form a community of like-minded individuals, which will ultimately lead to creating traction to build an artist’s core audience. 

Fans can expect to see more from Cinematic Music Group’s eclectic roster of artists including new projects from Skaiwater & Big Yavo in coming weeks as well as new music from a handful of recent signees.

The post Michael Epstein & Brendan Laezza on The Digital Landscape for Artists Today appeared first on The Source.

One of Kid Cudi’s many collaborative brain children have come to reimagine live performance and bridge the gap between concerts and Instagram Live. Encore has officially announced its studio feature, available on the App Store.

With the Encore Studio App, artists can host a virtual show, design an Augmented Reality environment, and add in custom artwork, 3D objects, and visual effects. Once an artist has designed their AR environment, they can go live at any time, from anywhere – transforming a living room into a live stage.  

The Encore Studio app provides a number of distinctive qualities including monetization.

Artists can perform music, interact with fans, host a listening party, hold live polls, or stream an event from an iPhone, all while monetizing the experience via ten-cent claps (Encore’s in-app currency.) Encore is free for artists to use and they take home 80% of the revenue generated through claps from their fans.

“Our mission is to allow any artist to make a living doing what they love,” said CEO and Co-Founder Johnathan Gray. The Encore Studio app enables an entirely new medium of live performance, in between a concert and Instagram live, that allows artists to produce high quality content and foster personal connections with fans.”

The virtual interactive platform has hosted a number of artist performances over the past year including its co-founder Kid Cudi, Trippie Redd, Too $hort, Sada Baby and more.

Users can download the Encore: Interactive Live Music app on the App Store and Google Play.

The post Kid Cudi Co-founded App, Encore, Announces In-app Studio Feature appeared first on The Source.

Albums and official merch from recording artists and musical acts are like the holy grail to loyal fans. Still, sadly, some end up wasting money on counterfeit goods.

One example is the K-Pop scene. Since fake albums, photocards, and light sticks are all over the market, fans now have to carefully examine a product before purchasing it.

But did you know that a QR code generator can help you fight fake goods? You can create a QR code for product authentication to ensure the authenticity of your merchandise.

Wondering how to do this? This article will walk you through this process.

How can musicians use QR codes to authenticate their merch?

A bulk QR code generator is the perfect tool for creating QR codes for product authentication. This paid feature lets you create multiple unique QR codes for every physical album or merch you release.

Each QR code will route scanning users to your official website that shows the product’s verification details to guarantee its authenticity.

You can use static (one-time use QR codes) or dynamic QR codes (think customizable, on-brand QR codes) for this feature.

But it is highly suggested that you go for dynamic ones so you can easily edit the embedded data and keep track of the QR code scans from buyers.

How to use a bulk QR code generator

Using a QR code generator can be a bit tricky, but this guide will simplify it. Here are the steps:

1. Create a CSV file containing your QR code data

A comma-separated values file is a spreadsheet with all the details for your QR codes. Most QR code generators provide their users with a CSV template that they can download.

On the CSV template, fill out three columns: “qrType,” “qrURL,” and “qrCategory.” Each row will then correspond to a unique QR code’s data.

2. Upload your CSV file

Click the “Upload CSV file” button on the bulk QR code generator and select the CSV file you have just edited. Select the “Dynamic QR” option and click the “Generate Bulk QR” button.

3. Customize your QR code’s design

You can modify the appearance of your QR code. Changing its eye shape, pattern, and colors will help you match the QR code with the aesthetic you are going for.

You can even add your logo or picture to the QR code so that your fans will easily recognize the code.

4. Scan the QR code with your smartphone

A test scan lets you check whether your QR code functions properly. If any issues occur, you can quickly fix them while you still haven’t downloaded and deployed your QR code.

5. Download and deploy

Once your QR codes work, you can click “Download” to save your bulk QR codes in a .zip file. You can then extract them on your PC, print them, and place them as a sticker on your merch.

Fans can then scan the QR code to guarantee that their purchased merch is 100% legit.

Album with QR code for authentication

K-Pop boy group PENTAGON released their EP “WE:TH” on October 12, 2020. The physical album came with a Hanteo Chart Authentication card that contains a QR code.

Fans then proceeded on the Whosfan app to scan the QR code as part of its verification process. The scan is then recorded and reflected in the Hanteo music chart.

Other QR code use-cases for musicians

Aside from product authentication, QR codes can also help the music industry in a number of ways:

1. Promotion

You can embed a snippet of the lead single within an mp3 QR code to promote your next album or extended play.

You can also use a video QR code to redirect them to a teaser of your music video.

2. Subscriber/listener boost

Suppose you have a YouTube channel or a Spotify artist’s page. In that case, you can copy your personalized link and embed it in a URL QR code to increase your subscribers and listeners.

3. Increase social media following

Social media is an important part of marketing and promotions today. You can use the all-in-one social media QR code so that your fans can find all your social media handles on one page.

They can instantly follow you on any social media platform with one tap.

Prevent counterfeits with QR codes for product authentication

Modern technology has provided artists with better and faster ways to promote their music.

It has also made it easier for counterfeiters to steal and exploit their intellectual property.

A QR code for product authentication acts as a solid security detail to prevent counterfeiters from creating pirated copies.

This technology also assures fans that they’re spending their hard-earned money on original and authentic products from their beloved idols.

Do you want to use a bulk QR code generator to authenticate your goods? Subscribe to a reliable QR code generator today.

The post How To Use QR Codes To Protect Original Albums and Merch From Counterfeiters appeared first on The Source.

Audiomack Punjabi, a new vertical focusing on enhancing the renowned genre, introducing it to new audiences, and delivering diverse playlists spotlighting the region’s most popular modern musicians, was launched today by artist-first music streaming service Audiomack.

Punjabi will now be available alongside hip-hop, Afrobeats, Latin, Caribbean, and other popular genres on the streaming service. Punjabi Verified, 808 Pind (Village), Ishq, Party Pataka, Punjab to Canada, Punjabi Duets, and more will be added to the newly launched playlists, which will be updated regularly.

Amrit Maan, The PropheC, Himmat Sandhu, Ezu, Jasmine Sandlas & Gur Sidhu, Karan Aujla, Himanshi Khurana, and Baani Sandhu, as well as the late-great Sidhu Moose Wala, will be the initial cover stars of Audiomack’s playlists.

We are excited to officially launch the Punjabi genre on the Audiomack platform,” Audiomack co-founder and CMO David Ponte said. “These new playlists and trending section will position Punjabi artists alongside hip-hop, Afrobeats, and Latin music, rightfully giving them a share of an ever-growing pie of hungry music fans. We are confident that Audiomack’s free suite of tools, including the Creator App, Supporters, and discovery solutions, will connect this growing genre with prospective fans worldwide. Our mission is to be a catalyst for the genre’s international growth, much like our impact on Afrobeats’ popularity in the West, for years to come and share the talents of these undeniable artists with Audiomack’s users.”

The inauguration of the new vertical pays homage to the genre’s long history and legacy in India and Pakistan. It’s an opportunity for Audiomack to better serve fans around the world, educate new listeners about the Punjabi sound, and highlight the region’s cultural achievements.

“Punjabi music has been pushing into the mainstream space like Latin and AfroBeats for a minute. It’s great to see Audiomack have their ear to the ground and have the foresight to give our music the platform it deserves,” Punjabi artist Jaz Dhami said. “I feel Audiomack will help close the gap between genres even further as it’s not your typical streaming site. Globally, this is going to help link artists like never before.”

Beyond Asia, the genre is popular amongst the massive Indian diaspora across the globe.

“We are delighted to formalize the association with Audiomack, allowing our artists and the extensive catalog of Punjabi music to reach global audiences along with the other popular genres like hip-hop, Afro Beats, Latin and many more,” Believe Digital Regional Director (Believe – Artist Services, India) Shilpa Sharda said. “This collaboration will be a great addition to our existing brand relationships and an immense opportunity for our artists to build up their fan base internationally.”

More information about Audiomack Punjabi can be found here.

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The global music search is over for SoundCloud and NBA 2K’s “2K Beats: The Search” to discover the next generation of emerging artists. Today, SoundCloud and NBA 2K revealed the first 10 winning artists including 4KPHIL, J Nolan, Jamari, KC Carter, Lulu Be., Neek, OttoMattic, Samad Savage, Shiwan, and Third Coast Chris whose tracks will be featured in the NBA 2K22 Season 7 soundtrack heard by players around the world. Fans can discover the new tracks in-game starting May 20th, and today in the playlist on SoundCloud here. 

The winning artists were handpicked by SoundCloud and NBA 2K from more than 15,000 submissions and feature some of the hottest new original tracks from emerging artists who are gaining traction from fans on SoundCloud alongside top artists on the soundtrack such as Aitch, Freddie Gibbs, Megan Thee Stallion, Metro Boomin, Saweetie, Skepta, Smino, and many more. Get to know more about the first wave of winning artists from “2K Beats: The Search” below. 

“I grew up playing NBA2K and the NBA as a whole,” says 4KPHIL. “Rap music goes hand in hand with the game of baseketball, and I’m ecstatic to have my song included in the 2022 soundtrack.” 

The post NBA 2K x SoundCloud Announce Winning Artists For NBA2K22 Soundtrack appeared first on The Source.

The Notorious B.I.G. estate dropped a major metaverse announcement on Christopher Wallace’s (Biggie’s) would-be 50th birthday on Saturday, May 21.

Biggie fans can enjoy The Notorious B.I.G. on Web3 via a hyperrealistic model of his likeness in a new metaverse activation called “The Brook.” Fans can register to be the first alerted to when they can enter this unique world.

The teaser of the Brook below features the voice of Mark Pitts, who managed Biggie in life and worked with the teams at Surreal, Zoan and Willingie to give an authentic voice to the creative direction of the metaverse.

“Being born and raised in Brooklyn, I wanted it to feel as close to the Brooklyn that helped raise me. The hyperrealism is authentic to that experience. As we expand, we will use that same authenticity in other cities,” said Pitts.

“Technology continues to create opportunities that are beyond one’s imagination and I’m excited that we are stepping into the future with a beautiful rendition of a hyperrealistic avatar of my son Christopher and I’m thankful for our wonderful team of creative partners for their work to deliver Biggie into new media for his fans to enjoy,” said Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace.

READ MORE: Biggie Would’ve Turned 50 on May 21, New York City Celebrates

The late great cultural icon was born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn, New York. The Brook, by definition, is a small stream or river that flows into other rivers that eventually flows into the ocean. The Brook is also a reference to the four-time Grammy nominee’s hometown and will be realized as a metaverse activation of hip-hop culture, lifestyle, music, entertainment, sports and fashion.

According to the release, the platform will encompass an immersive digital space, giving users the opportunity to experience and explore virtual worlds, buy tickets to and attend virtual concerts, purchase virtual and physical merchandise, buy virtual real estate, and buy, sell and trade NFTs. The platform will launch with The Notorious B.I.G. and then spread to other activations and talent.

The project, developed in partnership with ZOAN, Surreal Events, and Hyperreal, is tied to his hometown in Brooklyn, to deliver Biggie into a new media for his fans and give provide a new platform to experience the culture of Hip-Hop.

Watch the trailer below. Share your thoughts with us on social media.

The post The Notorious B.I.G. Comes Back To Life In ‘The Brook’ Digital Metaverse appeared first on The Source.

Cryptocurrency is becoming a booming industry, very similar to that of the music industry. Flex is now the director of strategy for Jikoro Sciences, a deep tech company as well as an A&R and producer.  Flex is bringing innovation with the implementation of blockchain and cryptocurrency to accomplish their goals.  

For years, Flex worked in the music industry as a producer and A&R working with prominent artists. From that experience, he saw issues that artists faced when it came to ownership and compensation. Flex saw a solution to fix that, and that solution was implementing cryptocurrency because the music industry now uses Blockchain to support artist development and music ownership. Cryptocurrency can distribute rights and open access.   

In working with Jikoro Sciences, he wants to take a similar strategy by implementing cryptocurrency to reach Jikoro’s objectives.   

A major benefit of cryptocurrency is that it is digital. It eliminates the need to carry around large amounts of cash with a greater emphasis on security, transaction speed and cost.  

Flex says investing in cryptocurrency can change lives and free up typical monetary constraints. Plenty of information regarding cryptocurrency is on Crypto.com, NerdWallet and Investopedia.  

He advises that you do your own research and avoid the get-rich-quick schemes because investing takes time for your money to grow. One valuable lesson he has learned in his career is to always demand compensation or be recognized for your work. Doing favors does not always guarantee one in return, Currently Adrian Swish and Flex are working on a few ventures from NFTs, Sports Branding to marketing and giving back to the community. From the music industry to deep tech, there is challenge too big for Flex.

The post Introducing Flex – From The Music Industry to Deep Tech appeared first on The Source.

There is a new kingpin on top the podcast landscape and he wears a cape.

According to The Podcast Charts by Spotify, Batman Unburied is now the No. 1 podcast in the U.S., bumping The Joe Rogan Experience to second place. The Joe Rogan Experience was Spotify’s No. 1 podcast of 2021, after a $200 million deal in 2020 made it exclusive to the platform.

Batman Unburied‘s first two episodes were released on May 3rd Starting with Winston Duke as Bruce Wayne. Joining Duke on the narrative-led podcast are Hasan Minhaj as The Riddler, Jason Isaacs as Alfred, Gina Rodriguez as Barbara Gordon, Lance Reddick as Thomas Wayne, Toks Olagundoye as Martha Wayne, John Rhys-Davies as Dr. Hunter, and Ashly Burch as Vicki Vale.

The description for the podcast reads as follows

“A serial killer known as The Harvester terrorizes Gotham City, but Batman is not coming to the rescue. In fact, Bruce Wayne has no memory of being the Caped Crusader at all. Instead, Bruce is a forensic pathologist, performing the autopsy on the latest victim when he’s attacked by the killer himself.”

New episodes will release each Tuesday exclusively on Spotify and each episode will be released in nine different languages.

The post ‘Batman Unburied’ Podcast Dethrones Joe Rogan For Number One Podcast On Spotify appeared first on The Source.

Diddy has joined Proto Inc., formerly PORTL, as an advisor to the holoportation firm, which operates in a variety of industries, including entertainment, education, retail, enterprise, business, marketing, fashion, and the arts. Interactive holoportation is feasible thanks to Proto’s patented state-of-the-art technology, which allows a person to “beam” in real-time when they can’t physically be there. Proto was first exposed to the singer and entrepreneur when he used the new technology to “beam” from Miami to Los Angeles to sing Happy Birthday to his son King Combs.

“Sean Combs has always been an inspiring pioneer in music and business—constantly changing the game with whatever he does,” said David Nussbaum, CEO and Founder of Proto Inc. “We were honored to bring his family together last Spring, and it became the perfect example of how Proto connects people for meaningful, emotional interactions unlike any other technology. We’re so excited to be working with him as we continue to make the future a reality now.”

Combs was also a part of TRUE Capital Management’s recent $12 million Series A financing (Coinbase, Palantir). Legendary tech investor Tim Draper (Tesla, SpaceX, Twitch), early Uber investors Jillian Manus and Mike Walsh of Structure Management, Migos’ Quavo, and dozens of retired and active pro-athletes such as Marshawn Lynch, Albert Pujols, Robert Griffin III, Luke Walton, and Breanna Stewart were among the investors in the Series A round.

The post Diddy Named Advisor of Hologram Startup Proto Inc. appeared first on The Source.

Does it sometimes feel like technology is moving too fast, and that HipHop culture will once again undergo massive transformations as a consequence?

From Travis Scott performing a concert in Fortnite in 2020, to Snoop Dogg announcing that Death Row Records will be an “NFT label”, it feels like change is happening under the surface without most of us realizing.

Now Loud Crypto Records, an upcoming record label that plans on being the first fully decentralized rap label, is using artificial intelligence to generate digital painting of rap lyrics.

The collective has just released a new art project: “RapScapes”.

According to Loud Crypto Records founder Sam Kovacs, who goes by @dollardollarsam online: “RapScapes are basically an A. I’s interpretation of iconic HipHop lyrics as digital paintings”.

How does it work?

The A.I. leverages two technologies, VQGAN and CLIP, which allow users to give a text prompt, which the A.I. will then use to produce a piece of digital art.

The “secret sauce” lies in tinkering with the A.I. to give it the artist direction and style which matches the project.

It is literally painting with words.

The A.I will paint its interpretation of famous lyrics such as “Cash Rules Everything Around Me”, “Sleep Is The Cousin Of Death”, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” and more.

One such digital painting will be produced every day, and sold as unique NFTs.

Sam Kovacs says “All RapScapes are unique pieces of art which often give more context to the lyrics and provide us with a more profound understanding of our favorite songs”.

Sam Kovacs named the A.I. persona that will paint RapScapes “GunninGAN”.

There is a cryptic meaning to the name, and Sam Kovacs says there will be a reward for the first person who uncovers exactly why it is named this way.

He says “knowledge of street-art culture to uncover the meaning of the name”.

But according to him “RapScapes are just the tip of the iceberg” when it comes to new technology redefining our experience with music.

Loud Crypto Records plans on leveraging NFT technology to launch a decentralized rap label.

In a couple of months, Loud Crypto Records will sell a “genesis collection of 4,500 NFTs” which will fund the decentralized label.

Holders of the NFTs will get to vote for the artists which the label signs, as well as the budgets allocated to each artist.

Interesting detail, holders of RapScapes will get a free Genesis NFT sent to them, making the RapScape “essentially free”.

Rap artists signed by the label will get generous contracts that give them ample funding as well as much higher royalties than the industry standard.

Sam Kovacs says “Today, artists only get 12% of what the industry makes. That’s plain predatory, any way you look at it.”

By leveraging the community, Sam Kovacs expects to redefine how music is made and distributed in upcoming years.

He says that rap artists that are signed will also benefit from having a team which is dedicated to pursuing “Web 3.0 opportunities” for them. This includes everything from selling singles as exclusive NFTs, sending NFT concert tickets to fans, and providing immersive experiences to fans online.

If NFTs and blockchain technology are set to change the music landscape, Sam Kovacs is set on spearheading the change. He doesn’t see Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Records NFT initiative as competition.

“If anything, it’s validation that there is massive opportunity in the industry. I have not reached out to Snoop or Death Row. We are in discussion with a handful of HipHop greats, but if Snoop or anyone else wants to collaborate they can reach out on Twitter or Discord. We’re on a mission to change the industry.”

Sam Kovacs says that he’s doing this to positively impact and change the course of HipHop, in a way which “puts fans and artists at the forefront, and corporate interests in the backseat”.

To follow Loud Crypto Records’ attempt to disrupt the industry, check out their website loudcrypto.io, follow them on Twitter, and join their Discord server.

The post Loud Crypto Records Is Using A.I. To Paint Famous Rap Lyrics in New Rapscapes Project appeared first on The Source.

Adamm Miguest is the go-to person for record labels, musicians, and music managers looking to promote their music organically on TikTok. Adamm’s company Rapid Launch Media has a track record of making previously unknown songs go viral on TikTok and becoming worldwide hits!

TikTok is unquestionably one of the most popular social media platforms available today. Almost everyone is either creating content on the platform, or swiping up to find entertaining content. TikTok’s massive success can be explained by the fact that it provides arguably the most authentic content of any platform. Naturally, from businesses to the entertainment industry, everyone is attempting to leverage the platform to build new relationships. How to get the most out of this platform remains a mystery to the majority of people. But for Adamm and his startup Rapid Launch Media, becoming successful on the video-focused social media platform is second nature.

Launch Of Rapid Launch Media

Adamm Miguest, also known as Adamm on social media, has known from a young age that he would never work a 9-5 job. In college, Adamm started an app company which had moderate success in attracting new users on campus and around the world. It was at that time that he realized that success required a lot of creative thinking and hard work.

Adamm got involved in the influencer world by using his impressive photography skills to shoot for some of the world’s largest social media influencers before launching his start-up, Rapid Launch Media. Following his success as a top photographer, Adamm began to concentrate on entering the business side of Social Media. Adamm used the connections he made in the influencer community to establish an industry around connecting artists with creators, who would use their music to create content.

Adamm launched the startup, Rapid Launch Media, and as the name implies, it helps clients “launch” their music careers rapidly. It also allows record labels, musicians, and music managers to organically promote their songs and become viral on social media, primarily TikTok. The team primarily focuses on TikTok campaigns to make their clients’ music go viral.

Plan For The Future

Rapid Launch Media has now made over $2 Million in revenue, and has made over a dozen of the biggest songs in the world go viral on TikTok. Stunnin’ by Curtis Waters, 24 by Money Man, LMK by Lil Xxel and Kolors by Monte Booker are some of the viral songs Adamm helped go viral and these songs reached the Billboard Top 100. Apart from new artists, Adamm has worked with some of the biggest musicians in the world like Don Toliver, Nicki Minaj, 6ix9ine, Tory Lanez, Kehlani, etc.

Adamm is the foundation of the company. It is because of his deep knowledge of the industry, as well as the relationships he’s created, people know they can trust him and his company to get the job done.

Lastly, Adamm believes that there are a million excuses why a business venture may not work; but if you just start and get in the habit of working on your side hustle every day, it can become a 7 figure company in under a year, as it happened with Rapid Launch Media.

The post Adamm’s Rapid Launch Media Aids New Artists In Gaining Popularity Using TikTok And Going Viral appeared first on The Source.

Back in 2017, Masego and FKJ began a jam session that resulted in the production of the now certified platinum record, “Tadow.” The record helped the “Trap House Jazz” pioneer gain widespread attention. It followed by the release of his debut studio album Lady Lady.

To celebrate “Tadow’s” 5th anniversary, the Virginia artist teamed up with Toronto artist Voidz, in addition to Quincy Jones-backed platform OneOf.

“I’m very proud of what it has become. Any way to take the narrative and move the way that I want to. I wanted to represent, art, cultural exchange and lab musicians so this is a cool art piece for that representation.”

Voidz has collaborated with both Drake and Belgian artist Stromae.

“Tadow” presents a number of different instrumental elements that bring the record to life. Those sonic elements are visually represented within this new NFT. There are 4 tiers of the piece that vary in rarity – green, gold, platinum and diamond. The platinum tier includes a remix contest in which fans have access to WAV files of sounds hear in the NFT.

Fans will also have the opportunity to win signed instruments, a custom NFT created by Voidz, tickets to upcoming shows and the RIAA Certified Platinum record for “Tadow.” 

“I think this is the first NFT to create a digestible visual language of the music making process,” said Masego. “I hope it inspires more musicians to explore ways to translate that process for fans and collectors.” 

The post Masego Releases ‘Tadow’ NFT Collection with Quincy Jones Backed Company, OneOf appeared first on The Source.