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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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Are Charlie Puth’s Music Classes Worth $300?

August 4, 2022

Charlie Puth has paired with Studio to create a 30-day online course that outlines the entire songwriting and production process for $279 USD. This hands-on learning experience has been marketed....

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Success Through Self-Exploration: Lexie Liu's Rise to Stardom

August 2, 2022

Whether you know Lexie Liu from her performance as Seraphine in K/DA’s “MORE” or her fourth-place finish on The Rap of China 2018, there’s no denying that the Chinese hip hop star is a global ...

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BTS: The First K-Pop Band to be Invited to the White House

June 17, 2022

BTS is the most famous K-Pop band in the world now, and recently, they were invited to the white house to speak about anti-Asian hate crimes and inclusivity. Being the first K-Pop band to be...

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Conan Gray: The Vulnerable Pop Star Redefining Authenticity

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In an era where pop music often celebrates perfection, Conan Gray has emerged as a beacon of authenticity. With his introspective lyrics, haunting melodies, and relatable vulnerability, Conan has become one of the most compelling young artists of his generation. His journey from a small-town YouTuber to a chart-topping pop sensation is a testament to the power of staying true to oneself, even when the world pushes for conformity.

From YouTube to Stardom: Conan’s Rise to Fame

Before dominating the charts, Conan Gray was a YouTube creator, uploading videos of his life, music, and personal thoughts. His early videos, filled with candid reflections on growing up, love, and loneliness, resonated with viewers who felt like outsiders. This raw honesty laid the foundation for his music career, offering fans a glimpse into the mind of an artist who wasn’t afraid to share his vulnerabilities.

In 2018, Conan made the leap from YouTube to music with his debut single, “Idle Town”. The track, a nostalgic reflection on his experiences growing up in a small town, quickly went viral. His ability to blend personal storytelling with a catchy pop sound caught the attention of both fans and industry professionals alike. From there, Conan’s career snowballed, and he went on to release successful tracks like “Crush Culture”, “Maniac”, and “Heather”, which further cemented his place in the pop world.

Raw Emotion Through Music: The Art of Vulnerability

Conan Gray’s music stands out because of its deeply personal nature. Unlike many pop songs that focus on surface-level topics, Conan’s lyrics are rich with emotion and introspection. Tracks like “Heather” and “The King” explore themes of love, heartbreak, and self-doubt with an emotional depth that is rarely seen in mainstream pop. He isn’t afraid to show his scars, and in doing so, he creates a space where listeners feel seen and understood.

In “Heather,” Conan addresses the pain of unrequited love, longing for someone who is in love with someone else. The song’s bittersweet lyrics, paired with its haunting melody, capture the feeling of being an outsider—something many listeners, especially young people, can relate to. It’s this blend of personal storytelling and universal emotion that makes Conan’s music resonate with such a wide audience.

Conan’s ability to express complex emotions in a simple yet powerful way is one of his greatest strengths. Whether he’s exploring loneliness in “Lookalike” or grappling with identity in “Fight or Flight”, his lyrics invite listeners into his world, creating an emotional connection that goes beyond just the music.

Breaking Free from Expectations

One of the key aspects of Conan’s artistry is his refusal to conform to industry standards. In a music world often obsessed with image and perfection, Conan remains refreshingly real. He’s never been shy about his struggles with mental health, his queerness, or his feelings of not fitting in. Rather than hide these parts of himself, he has embraced them fully, using his platform to encourage others to do the same.

In interviews and on social media, Conan is open about his experiences with anxiety and depression, making him a relatable figure for fans who share similar struggles. His music and public persona reflect a desire to break free from societal expectations, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves without shame.

His ability to blend vulnerability with a sense of strength has made him a role model for many. In a world where social media often promotes curated perfection, Conan’s authenticity is a breath of fresh air.

The Evolution of Sound: From “Kid Krow” to New Horizons

Conan Gray’s debut album, “Kid Krow”, released in 2020, was a breakthrough moment for the artist. The album explored themes of heartbreak, identity, and the complexities of youth, all while featuring a mix of introspective ballads and upbeat pop anthems. Songs like “Heather,” “The Story,” and “Maniac” became fan favorites, showcasing Conan’s ability to shift between different sounds while staying true to his core emotional storytelling.

With the release of his sophomore album “Superache” in 2022, Conan continued to evolve as an artist. The album’s raw, confessional lyrics and moody production further solidified his reputation as a pop artist unafraid to explore darker themes. Tracks like “Yours” and “Disaster” are introspective deep dives into love, regret, and self-doubt, while songs like “Astronomy” feature a more experimental, orchestral sound.

Each project has shown Conan’s growth not just as a musician, but as a person—constantly experimenting with sound, while never losing touch with the emotional core of his music.

A Voice for the Outsiders

One of Conan Gray’s most powerful qualities is his ability to speak to those who feel like they don’t fit in. His music offers comfort to listeners who have felt marginalized, whether it’s because of their identity, their mental health, or simply because they don’t align with mainstream culture. His lyrics encourage fans to embrace their individuality, reminding them that it’s okay to be different.

In an era where many pop stars focus on the glamorous side of fame, Conan Gray’s music embraces the messier, more complicated parts of life—emotions that are real and unfiltered. His honesty about his struggles, coupled with his ability to articulate those experiences so beautifully, has made him a hero for many young fans who see themselves in his words.

Conclusion: The Power of Authenticity

Conan Gray’s rise to fame is proof that there is immense power in being authentic. Through his deeply personal music and his commitment to staying true to himself, Conan has created a space for listeners to explore their own emotions, vulnerabilities, and experiences. His music is a reminder that it’s okay to not have everything figured out, and that our imperfections are what make us human.

As Conan Gray continues to grow and evolve as an artist, his influence will only increase. In a world where so many pop stars prioritize image over substance, Conan’s unwavering commitment to vulnerability and authenticity sets him apart. For anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider or struggled to find their place, Conan Gray is a voice that says, “You are not alone.”