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Sampling Like a Pro: How to Flip Samples and Avoid Legal Issues

October 6, 2024

Sampling has been a cornerstone of modern music production, allowing producers to reimagine and breathe new life into old tracks. Whether you're producing hip-hop, EDM, or any genre, knowing how to...

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What Makes an EQ or Compressor VST High-Quality: Insights and Examples from Pros

October 6, 2024

When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...

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Sound Design 101: Crafting Killer Drum Sounds Using Synthesizers

October 6, 2024

Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...

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Mastering Multiband Compression Sidechaining: A Solution to Clashing Frequencies

October 6, 2024

In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...

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Studio One Workflow Tips for Faster Music Production

October 1, 2024

Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...

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Solving the Issue of Buried Crash Cymbals in the Mix

October 1, 2024

Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...

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GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

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Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

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Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

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Should You Write Music or Lyrics First? Solutions from Famous Creators

September 20, 2024

One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...

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How to Plan the Perfect Release Day for Your Single or Album

September 20, 2024

Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...

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Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

September 20, 2024

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...

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Chance the Rapper Returns: Star Line Album + “And We Back Tour” Breaks His Silence

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After a six-year silence, Chance the Rapper is officially back. On August 15, 2025, he will drop his sophomore album, Star Line, marking a new chapter filled with growth, travel, and creative evolution.

Chance collaborated with longtime producer DexLvL to shape the album, incorporating his vision and sound from his trips to Ghana, Jamaica, and international art fairs. Lyrical themes of identity, resiliency, and cultural legacy will be paired with a blend of hip-hop, soul, and experimental textures.

Chance the Rapper teamed up again with Brandon Breaux, the artist who designed the covers for Chance’s earlier mixtapes: 10 Day (his first project in 2012, inspired by being suspended from high school), Acid Rap (a 2013 breakout mixtape that made him famous for mixing rap with trippy sounds), and Coloring Book (a 2016 Grammy-winning mixtape full of gospel and uplifting themes). 

For his new single “Tree,” Chance features Lil Wayne and Smino. The track also pays tribute to India Arie, an R&B/soul singer famous for her empowering songs about self-love and Black identity. Alongside the music, Chance directed a short film that flips stereotypes about marijuana businesses; he centers the story on a Black women-owned dispensary, showing it not as something negative, but as a space of joy, independence, and cultural pride.

He’s Touring and We Are Back Too

Right as the album drops, Chance will embark on the “And We Back Tour”, a 15-city North American journey starting September 26 in Houston. Stops include stops in New Orleans, Toronto, NYC, Los Angeles, and a homecoming in Chicago, concluding mid-October. Fans are ecstatic for the new tracks and fresh performances.

The Significance of This Moment

Departure and Return: Many questioned whether Chance had permanently regressed. On the contrary he is building on legacy; and this record tells a tale of Black spiritual advancement, artistic diaspora, and mobility. However, Chance is forceful and optimistic, reclaiming storytelling agency in both the album art and the video's setting.

Lessons for Creators

  • Whether it’s visuals or setting the tone, being original with your aesthetic can define your narrative.
  • Chunked releases like singles, listening events, and tactile merch can build anticipation while staying authentic.
  • Chance ingeniously blends sound, story and spiritual depth, which highlights how modern music careers often go beyond just streaming.

Chance the Rapper Returns: Star Line Album + “And We Back Tour” Breaks His Silencechance-the-rapper-returns-star-line-album-and-we-back-tour-breaks-his-silenceLienor KatasAug 19, 2025After a six-year silence, Chance the Rapper is officially back. On August 15, 2025, he will drop his sophomore album, Star Line, marking a new chapter filled with growth, travel, and creative...