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SG Lewis: Who Is He - and What’s Next For This Rising Star?

February 6, 2023

SG Lewis (Samuel George Lewis) is a rising star in the dance/electronic music realm. He is a DJ/producer turned singer-songwriter, and is known for his disco-inspired, transcendent sound. He routinely

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Lessons to Learn From the Launch Of Sam Smith’s “Unholy”

February 4, 2023

Sam Smith just released their new album “Gloria” on the 27th of January. As described by Pitchfork, “Gloria flips between hyperpop, country, dancehall, disco, 2-step, and intimate, Kehlani-esque R&B”.

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Are Virtual Idols the Future of Music?

February 5, 2023

Virtual reality and the metaverse have become popular topics in the music industry where more and more technology and music have been combined, creating something that could revolutionize the entire

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Grammy Awards Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: The Category Songwriters Deserve

February 5, 2023

The 65th annual GRAMMY Awards are here, and there's a long-awaited addition to the awards. This year marks the introduction of a new category: the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical Award. For all

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How Zach Bryan’s Authenticity Makes His Music So Appealing, Even to Non-Country Fans

January 31, 2023

Zach Bryan released his first album in 2019, and in the short time since he has become one of the biggest names in country. His biggest album, “American Heartbreak”, broke single-day album streaming

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Miley Cyrus is Going to Take Over Pop in 2023

January 31, 2023

Miley Cyrus was born into the music industry, and has spent her career channelling her Nashville and Hollywood roots into a diverse discography stacked with hits. Add to that countless covers that are

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Why This Pop-Rock Band Got Hate For Starting On YouTube

January 31, 2023

Before the invention of TikTok, many music artists gained popularity through YouTube. However, similar to the TikTok stars of today, people in the music industry saw ‘YouTube bands’ as lesser because

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Will Google End Work for Music Creators with their New Music AI?

February 1, 2023

Google has done it. They have created an AI that can generate music from text descriptions. The announcement of this is timely because recently Chat GPT, (a language learning model created by OpenAI

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The Road to Success: What qualities can we learn from Kpop Idols?

January 28, 2023

What does it take to be a professional singer in South Korea? On stage, these Kpop idols capture our attention with catchy songs and amazing choreographies, but what about off-stage? Behind the ...

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Songwriter's Block: Inspiration Tuning in From Around the World

January 26, 2023

Writer’s block is real, and it’s not just authors, but also songwriters and composers. Thinking of top hit songs can be difficult, so how do the pros do it? Where do they get their inspiration from?

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Arcane: How A Video Game Adaptation Ended Up With A Banger Soundtrack

January 26, 2023

What does a TV show based on a video game and the music industry have in common? Near the end of 2021, Arcane took the world by storm after debuting on Netflix. Not only did it dazzle us with its...

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How Black Pink Should Negotiate Their New Contract with YG Entertainment

January 23, 2023

As the contract between Blackpink and YG Entertainment nears its end, fans of the popular South Korean girl group are wondering if the group will renew their contract with the agency...

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Kendrick vs. Drake: The Diss Track Showdown

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In the hip-hop world, nothing lights up the scene like a fierce diss track battle between the industry's top artists. Lately, all eyes have been on Kendrick Lamar and Drake as they trade lyrical punches. This conflict isn't just a series of diss tracks; it's a battle that resonates deeply within the music creator community, reminding us of the power of lyrics, beats, and the raw energy of competition. As artists, every line and beat in these songs holds lessons in storytelling, production, and strategic branding. 

The Tracks That Defined the Battle

The saga began with Kendrick Lamar's masked jabs at Drake in the track “Like That” featuring Future. It was a spark that awaited Drake’s fiery response. Drake’s retaliation came through two explosive tracks, “Push Ups”  and “Taylor Made Freestyle,” setting the stage for an epic lyrical war. Kendrick did not hold back, responding with “Euphoria,” a track that quickly sent fans into a frenzy due to its direct hits and sharp lyrical prowess.

The battle reached its peak with Lamar's “6:16 in LA,” followed by an even more personal attack with “Meet the Grahams,” directly targeting Drake's family. The retaliation from Drake came swiftly with “Family Matters,” but it was Kendrick's “Not Like Us” that seemed to have the clubs and social media buzzing with its fierce delivery and hard-hitting lines.

The Impact on Music Creators

For music creators, this feud is a goldmine of inspiration. The rapid production of high-quality tracks over such a short period illustrates the importance of readiness and responsiveness in the music industry. The use of personal and public narratives within these songs shows how artists can weave their personal experiences into their music, enhancing relatability and depth.

Moreover, the engagement on social platforms and the use of memes, reaction videos, and live streams to amplify the feud highlight the importance of understanding the digital landscape. It's not just about making music; it’s about making moments that capture the zeitgeist, leveraging social media to enhance reach and impact.

The Bigger Picture

Despite the excitement, the feud brings with it a cautionary tale about the potential for real-world consequences stemming from lyrical warfare. The shooting incident at Drake’s residence is a stark reminder of the line between artistic expression and personal safety.

As we follow this unprecedented battle, it serves as a reminder of the competitive spirit of hip-hop and its roots in verbal sparring. However, it also calls for a reflection on the impact our words can have beyond the studio. Whether you're a budding rapper, a seasoned producer, or someone interested in the dynamics of musical feuds, there’s much to unpack and learn from this high-stakes lyrical showdown.

For every music creator watching this unfold, the Drake-Kendrick feud is not just entertainment; it's a masterclass in marketing, lyricism, and the art of battle through music. It's a vivid reminder of why hip-hop remains at the cutting edge of cultural conversations and how, at its best, it challenges both its artists and its audience to think harder, listen deeper, and engage more fully.

Kendrick vs. Drake: The Diss Track Showdownkendrick-vs-drake-the-diss-track-showdownHla Eid May 10, 2024In the hip-hop world, nothing lights up the scene like a fierce diss track battle between the industry's top artists. Lately, all eyes have been on Kendrick Lamar and Drake as they trade lyrical...