stayc main image

Tomorrowland’s Main Stage Fire Is Changing Music Festivals Forever

July 19, 2025

A massive fire damaged Tomorrowland 2025's famed main stage, codenamed "Orbyz," two days before the event was set to begin in Boom, Belgium. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the fire was...

Read more
stayc main image

Dinner Is Served… Again! The Last Dinner Party Returns with a Grittier Feast

July 19, 2025

British baroque-pop sensation The Last Dinner Party has unveiled details of their highly anticipated second album, From the Pyre, set for release on October 17 via Island Records. Alongside the...

Read more
stayc main image

Why Gen Z Is Obsessed with a 1962 Song: A Cultural Deep-Dive

July 19, 2025

Connie Francis’s “Pretty Little Baby” was originally a B-side in 1962. Fast forward 63 years, and it’s now topping the Viral 50 and Top 50 charts, used in over 600,000 TikToks per day, and amassing...

Read more
stayc main image

SZA Calls Out AI and Environmental Racism: "Tech Can’t Ignore Pollution in Our Communities"

July 19, 2025

In a recent interview, singer-songwriter SZA reportedly linked the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) to broader systemic issues like environmental racism, urging tech companies to address the...

Read more
stayc main image

Ariana Grande Says It’s ‘Very Silly’ to Think She’s Abandoning Music Amid New Acting Roles: ‘I Plan to Sing for You All Next Year’

July 19, 2025

Ariana Grande has addressed recent rumors suggesting that she was planning to leave the music industry, calling the speculation "very silly" and reinforcing her commitment to her craft. In a candid...

Read more
stayc main image

A Love Letter to K-Pop: Why Fans Are Falling for K-Pop Demon Hunters

July 16, 2025

K-Pop Demon Hunters is bursting with passion for K-pop culture from the first scene to the final encore, which is one of the key reasons why fans adore it. The film appreciates and understands the...

Read more
stayc main image

From Studio Booth to Superstardom: Michael Sandecki's Unseen American Idol Revolution

July 16, 2025

You remember the performances – Kelly Clarkson’s star-making “Natural Woman,” Carrie Underwood’s explosive “Alone,” Adam Lambert’s haunting “Mad World.” But you’ve never heard the name Michael...

Read more
stayc main image

Some of Beyoncé’s unreleased music and set lists stolen from choreographer’s car

July 16, 2025

In a shocking turn of events, some of Beyoncé’s unreleased music and set lists were stolen from the car of one of her choreographers, sparking concerns and raising questions about security...

Read more
stayc main image

Dave Meyers: The Visionary Behind Pop’s Most Iconic Music Videos

July 16, 2025

In an era where music and visuals are inextricably linked, one name continues to shape the language of modern music videos: Dave Meyers. With a career that spans over three decades, director Dave...

Read more
stayc main image

4 Toronto artists make the Polaris Music Prize short list, but Quebec leads the way

July 16, 2025

This July, the Polaris Music Prize jury unveiled its 10-album shortlist for 2025—a list led numerically by Quebec acts but featuring four shining entries from Toronto. For a city whose scene often...

Read more
stayc main image

Fictional Idols vs. Real Charts: K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Unbelievable Spotify Takeover

July 16, 2025

What happens when a fictional K-pop boy band outsells the real ones? In a twist straight out of a dystopian idol fanfic, the animated groups Huntr/x and Saja Boys—created for Netflix’s explosive...

Read more
stayc main image

Conan Gray’s “Vodka Cranberry” Is a Late-Night Cry for Closure—and a Glimpse Into His Most Vulnerable Album Yet

July 16, 2025

Drunk calls. Crying in the dark. Lingering heartbreak. Conan Gray’s new single “Vodka Cranberry” isn’t just a song—it’s a full-blown emotional unraveling, and fans are already bracing themselves...

Read more

Hitmakers on Netflix: The Songwriting Show Everyone’s Talking About

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet

There's a new voice in music reality, and it's about creating rather than competing. Hitmakers, a six-episode documentary series that follows 12 elite composers and producers as they work together to create songs meant to dominate the charts, was released on Netflix this week.

What Sets Hitmakers Apart

Offering an unfiltered glimpse inside the creative process of seasoned songwriters as well as producers (Tommy Brown, Jenna Andrews, Harv, and Trey Campbell), it's the first series of its sort.

Viewers receive genuine collaboration, with live writing, demos, lyric changes, and production insight—all in one room—instead of backstabbing and judgment.

The icing on the cake? Lisa from BLACKPINK makes an unexpected appearance, participating in a session, providing feedback, and formally making her Netflix debut.

Why This Is Important for Up-and-Coming Performers

1. Cooperation over rivalry

This program demonstrates that collaboration, not competition, is the key to successful music production. Hitmakers serves as a reminder that networking, co-writing, and mentoring might be your quick route to success if you're just starting out.

2. Craft's Power

Every hit has a backstory of writing room hustle, including the countless edits, the sound experiments, and the "almosts" that nearly turned into something different. Hitmakers demystifies the work and demonstrates the true requirements.

3. Creativity Meets Brands

Seeing someone like Lisa stop by demonstrates that this is mainstream validation rather than a niche. Connecting with other creatives leads to visibility, whether you're an independent artist, producer, or songwriter.

Hitmakers on Netflix: The Songwriting Show Everyone’s Talking Abouthitmakers-on-netflix-the-songwriting-show-everyones-talking-aboutZeina EzzatJul 27, 2025There's a new voice in music reality, and it's about creating rather than competing. Hitmakers, a six-episode documentary series that follows 12 elite composers and producers as they work together...