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Ryan Tedder’s Studio Review: Writing Three Songs From Scratch

January 16, 2023

Ryan Tedder is a highly accomplished and sought-after music producer and songwriter. He is known for his work with a wide range of artists including: Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and OneRepublic...

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Quentin Miller only got paid $30,000 for writing 6 Drake songs.

January 6, 2022

Drake's ghostwriter controversy has been a topic of conversation since the rapper's feud with Meek Mill in 2015. Quentin Miller, a lesser-known rapper from Atlanta, was named as the ghostwriter....

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Timbaland’s Beatmaking Masterclass Review: A Class on Feeling the Flow

December 28, 2022

Many artists are using their personal brand and influence to educate artists, from beginners to fellow professionals. Timbaland has partnered with Masterclass to teach musicians how to make unique...

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Rina Sawyama -- The Voice of a Genre-Spanning Pop Star

December 7, 2022

Rina Sawayama has burst into the consciousness of queer music listeners in recent years. My first time listening to her work was Cherry, a track that is bubbly ...

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YouTube Announces New “Creator Music” Platform

October 4, 2022

In the wake of Tiktok’s rapid expansion and growing dominance in the short-form video market, YouTube has felt the pressure to adapt to keep up with the shifting demands of its audience...

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Deep Dive: How Conan Gray Writes His Songs

October 5, 2022

Conan Gray is an American YouTuber turned singer-songwriter, most well-known for his songs about heartbreak and unrequited love. Throughout his career, Conan has written songs like “Crush Culture”...

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Phoebe Bridgers: A Deep Dive into Songwriting

October 17, 2022

Phoebe Bridgers is an American songwriter, singer, and producer who has, in recent years, gained mainstream recognition with the release of her sophomore album “Punisher” in 2020...

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How Steve Lacy Makes the Most with Less

October 18, 2022

Steve Lacy is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and living proof that you don’t need the most advanced or high-tech studio equipment to create music that listeners will love...

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Has the Pandemic Changed the World of Live Music?

August 31, 2022

For the last two years, there has been something missing in the lives of music lovers around the world—live music. The advent of a global pandemic meant the absence of concerts, festivals........

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Like the Early Days of Hip-Hop: The Future of Blockchain in the Music Industry

August 19, 2022

One of the biggest questions many spaces face today is how blockchain technology may overhaul industry norms, and the music industry is no exception. In particular...

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Snapchat Announces a $100,000 Monthly Grant for Artists

August 19, 2022

Snapchat has recently announced Snapchat Sounds Creator Fund, a monthly grant program of up to $100,000 awarded to independent artists distributing music on the platform...

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TikTok Plans to Introduce a New Music Streaming App

August 15, 2022

Over the past few years, TikTok’s popularity has significantly increased resulting in 1 billion global daily users by early 2022. The app has also become extremely influential in the current music....

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Blackpink’s Lisa Dominates iTunes with New Single ‘Rockstar’

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Music enthusiasts and aspiring creators, take note! Blackpink’s Lisa is making waves in the U.S. with her latest single, "Rockstar." Released late on Thursday, June 27, the song quickly shot up the American iTunes charts, showcasing the power of strategic releases and the dedication of her fanbase.

What makes Lisa’s success with "Rockstar" particularly interesting for music creators is the strategy she employed. Instead of just dropping one version of the song, Lisa released five distinct versions. These included the standard take, an extended version, instrumental, slowed down, and sped up editions, all bundled together as an EP.

This approach is worth studying for anyone looking to maximize their music’s impact. By offering multiple versions, Lisa ensures that different listening preferences are catered to, which can lead to increased sales and streams. Importantly, Billboard counts all versions of a single song as one entity, meaning every purchase and stream contributes to "Rockstar" climbing the charts.

As of now, the standard version of "Rockstar" sits at No. 6 on the U.S. iTunes chart, with the extended version not far behind at No. 8. The instrumental version holds the No. 15 spot, while the slowed down and sped up versions occupy Nos. 17 and 18, respectively. This impressive performance across multiple versions demonstrates the effectiveness of this release strategy.

For aspiring music creators, Lisa’s success is a case study in how to engage your audience with variety and keep them coming back for more. While "Rockstar" is currently a standalone single, it’s clear that Lisa’s innovative release tactics and the strong support from her fans are paving the way for future hits.

Keep this in mind as you plan your own music releases. Offering multiple versions of a track can cater to different tastes and keep your audience engaged, ultimately driving more sales and streams. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your music career to the next level, learning from successful artists like Lisa can provide valuable insights into the ever-evolving music industry.