February 23, 2023
Tobias Jesso Jr. You may know his name from his 2015 solo album Goon. Or maybe from his work on various popular songs, such as “When We Were Young” by Adele and “Alive” by Sia. Or even from his rece
Read moreFebruary 23, 2023
HBO’s The Last of Us is arguably the hottest show out right now, receiving near universal acclaim from viewers and critics alike. This holds especially true for episode three: “Long, Long Time”.
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Folk singer. Songwriter. Canadian. Polyglot. All of these titles belong to Gina Lam, also known by her stage name Ginalina. In November 2022, she released her latest album titled Going Back: Remembe
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Rihanna is an illustrious artist. She is among the best selling female artists of all time, and was one of the greatest hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. She has since grown to become the richest...
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Streaming is now the driving force of the music industry, making up 84% of the industry revenue in the U.S. While streaming is much more convenient for listeners, many artists argue that it is near im
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Who is the greatest rapper of all time? Is it even possible to crown just one person? Well, Billboard and Vibe did exactly that. And, according to them, that person is Jay-Z. In honor of Hip-Hop’s
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Kaytranada (Louis Celestin) is a Haitian-Canadian record producer and DJ. He is a highly acclaimed electronic artist, having earned two Grammys and countless other awards for his work. Kaytranada has
Read moreFebruary 17, 2023
What happens when a famous music producer takes an interest in self-help books? The Creative Act is your answer. But who is Rick Rubin? Without a doubt, Rubin has an impressive track record in the
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The music industry is a place full of musicians, producers, and creators who have the magical ability to make those perfect sounds we hear everyday through our digital devices. We want to listen close
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What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...
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Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.
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“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are
Read moreFormer Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall isn't mincing words about artists who avoid political engagement, specifically calling out The 1975's Matty Healy for what she sees as a privileged stance. In a candid Guardian interview, the solo artist argued that pop stars have a responsibility to address social issues, a sharp contrast to Healy's recent Glastonbury declaration that music should prioritize "love and friendship" over politics.
Thirlwall, who has vocally supported LGBTQ+ rights and Palestinian causes, dismissed Healy's apolitical approach:
"It's very easy for someone who's white and straight and very privileged to say that. Good for you, hun!" Her comments reference Healy's June 2025 Glastonbury performance where the rocker stated: "We don't need more politics. We need more love."
The criticism comes as Thirlwall prepares to release her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby! on September 12 a project she says finally lets her speak unfiltered truths. One track, "IT girl," directly addresses the restrictions she faced in Little Mix:
"Those are my experiences, and now that I'm on my own, there's nothing holding me back."
The clash between Thirlwall’s activism and Healy’s "good vibes" philosophy exposes a generational fault line in pop culture. Where artists like Jade use their platforms to amplify Palestinian voices and LGBTQ+ rights, others retreat into what she calls the "privilege" of neutrality, a tension magnified as global crises demand accountability. Her willingness to critique peers like Healy by name (a rarity in the industry) turns personal conviction into a public litmus test for artistic responsibility.
The debate highlights growing tension in pop culture between artists who view their platforms as megaphones for change and those who prioritize escapism. Thirlwall's outspokenness particularly about Palestine contrasts sharply with many peers' silence, making her critique of Healy particularly pointed. In an industry often criticized for performative activism, Thirlwall's willingness to name names sets her apart while ensuring her solo debut will be as discussed for its politics as its melodies.