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The TikTok-UMG Standoff: A Battle Over Music Rights and Its Ripple Effects

March 10, 2024

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music company, has withdrawn its catalog from TikTok, the leading platform for music promotion...

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Jimin's Historic Billboard Hot 100 Triumph: Elevating K-Pop to New Heights on the Global Stage

March 7, 2024

lmost one year ago, BTS's Jimin etched his name in the hall of music history by becoming the first South Korean soloist to clinch the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart with his hit single..

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The Mick Gordon Controversy: A Symptom of Deeper Issues in the Video Game Industry

March 6, 2024

the composer behind the critically acclaimed soundtracks of Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, has come forward with serious allegations against Bethesda, Id Software, and specifically, Id Software...

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"Laufey: Bridging Generations with Jazz's New Groove"

March 1, 2024

In an era where pop and electronic music dominate the charts, Icelandic singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Laufey has emerged as an unexpected champion of jazz for Gen Z listeners...

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The K-Pop Wave Continues: March 2024's Exciting Comebacks and Anticipated Debuts

February 29, 2024

March 2024 is set to be an exhilarating month for K-Pop fans around the globe, with a lineup that promises both the return of beloved artists and the introduction of fresh faces to the music scene....

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Beyoncé Embarks on a New Journey with "Renaissance" Act II

February 28, 2024

This time, the buzz is all about her latest musical venture—a dive into country music with her new album "Renaissance" Act II. Announced during a Super Bowl for Verizon, the album marks a ....

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The Weight Behind the Power of Aretha Franklin's "Respect"

February 24, 2024

‍In the annals of music history, songs that have sparked as much cultural resonance and transformation as Aretha Franklin's rendition of "Respect" are unique to say the least. Originally written....

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IU's "The Winning" and H.E.R. 2024 World Tour

February 24, 2024

IU, South Korea's beloved singer-songwriter and actress, has once again captivated the hearts of fans worldwide with the release of her sixth mini-album, "The Winning."

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The 2024 Oscar Best Original Score Nominees: A Symphony of Talent and Legacy

February 21, 2024

The race for the Best Original Score at the 96th Academy Awards is diverse and compelling to say the least. This year's nominees have painted aural landscapes that are integral to the success of....

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Mariah Carey Masterclass Review: Vocal Production

February 19, 2024

The Mariah Carey Masterclass, aptly titled "The Voice as an Instrument," promises an intimate look into the artistry behind the iconic singer and songwriter's success. Mariah Carey begins the class...

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Shakira Unveils 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran': A Beacon of Empowerment and Personal Rebirth

February 16, 2024

In an era where the global music landscape continually evolves, few artists have managed to redefine their musical and personal journey as profoundly as Shakira. With the announcement of her...

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The Impact of Spotify's New Royalties Model on Music Creators

February 12, 2024

Spotify's upcoming overhaul of its royalties model marks a significant shift in the way the streaming giant compensates artists, aiming to funnel more earnings towards more popular artists, labels...

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5 Upcoming K-Pop Debuts To Watch For 2022

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Photo: @m25_classy on Instagram

Debut: April 2022

After having competed on the reality survival show, “My Teenage Girl”, the seven-member group CLASS:y was formed, signing a seven-year contract with label, M25. The group was selected out of 83 contestants over the course of about three months judged solely on the talents and skills of the contestants. The label and show have been the subjects of controversy lately due to the age gaps between the contestants ranging from 13 to 23, and the subsequent groups’ age difference ranging from 14 to 20 years old. Nonetheless, we’re excited to see what the group has been working on since the show, and how they compare to some of the top girl groups in the industry.

YOUNITE

Photo: YOUNITE 'EVERYBODY (Feat. DJ Juice)' Music Video

Debut: April 20, 2022

Debuting under the label, Brand New Music, YOUNITE is a nine-member boy group, featuring a few familiar faces – former X1 member Eunsang, and “LOUD” contestant, Kyungmun. Despite their official debut being scheduled for April 20 with the release of their first album, the group pre-released their first single and music video, “EVERYBODY” which features DJ Juice. The song is full of funk with influences from 80s hip-hop, while the video is just as funky, with their smooth dance moves and playful personalities. This group is definitely one to watch this year!

MAVE

Photo: Metaverse Entertainment

Debut: Unknown

There’s been some talk around the K-Pop world, that a new virtual girl group will be debuting under the label, Metaverse Entertainment, which is a partnership between Kakao Entertainmnet  (owner of Korean streaming service, Melon) and game developers Netmarble. The group will consist of four fully virtual AI (artificial intelligence) members or meta-idols, conducting fan experiences through the a major metaverse channel. Though the project is still in development, we have no doubts that this group will amaze the world with such a unique concept.

TNX

Photo: @TNX_Official on Twitter

Photo: @TNX_Official on Twitter

Debut: Unknown

Highly decorated creative exec, Jadeon Jeong (known for creative directing EXO, NCT, LOONA), has created his own start-up company, MODHAUS, an upcoming agency set to debut a few of their own groups this year. A new girl group consisting of fan-participants has been in talks for a while, but it is unclear whether girl group is tripleS. Their trailer gives futuristic-dystopian vibes along with the unique synthy-808 background music and we’re totally onboard with the entire concept. Other than this trailer, there is little information to be found about the group members and their debut, but we’re definitely going to be keeping up with whatever they have in store.

Debut: May 17

Formed on the audition show, “LOUD” created in collaboration with J.Y. Park and PSY, TNX has been posting vlogs and behind-the-scenes videos on their YouTube channel ahead of their debut for the past few months. Previously a seven-member group, their label announced it would be moving forward with six members under the name TNX which stands for “The New Six”. They just introduced their members over on their YouTube channel along with a teaser trailer that gives us a little insight as to how hard they’ve been working these past few months leading to their upcoming debut.

tripleS

Photo: @triplescosmos on Twitter