TheFutureParty
A Community-based Media Company
Napster is getting a second shot at relevance with its acquisition by 3D-tech company Infinite Reality, which wants to turn the brand into a hub for metaverse-style digital concerts. The Big Play: Napster’s acquisition sits at the intersection of two major trends — the creation of cutting-edge digital concert venues and the re-emergence of platforms […]
Snoop Dogg announced that he’s moving his entire music catalog off Spotify and exclusively onto the Web3 streaming platform, Tune.FM. The Big Play: Snoop has been one of the biggest supporters of all things Web3, NFTs, and the metaverse since they blew up in popularity during the pandemic. His ideas haven’t all taken off as expected, but the legendary rapper is […]
Spotify released its first-ever concert film, Billions Club Live with The Weeknd: A Concert Film, directly on its platform. The Big Play: The film is a major step in the company becoming a video-streaming competitor that could compete against Netflix and Prime Video for music-driven projects and concert films. Considering its immense reach and engagement, it could already be viewed […]
Drake has filed the first step towards an incendiary lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, alleging that the two companies colluded to inflate streams of Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-nominated Drake-diss track, “Not Like Us.” Why It Hits: On top of being a first in the world of hip-hop beefs, Drake’s swing-for-the-fences legal action (which may or may […]
Hangout — part social media app, part music streamer — has pulled back its velvet rope, stacked with music from the biggest labels in the industry. Why It’s A Hit: Social audio and metaverse platforms surged in popularity during the pandemic… and then quickly faded away. But Hangout’s sign-off by the music industry could give it enough legitimacy […]
Halloween-themed music is surging in popularity, quickly becoming a tentpole for the industry looking for surefire seasons to launch new singles, albums, and playlists. Why It Hits: Considering the insane popularity of Christmas music for two months of the year, Halloween could precede it as the antithesis of the cheery genre — allowing artists with a darker […]
Top artists like Morgan Wallen and Adele are launching their own music festivals in a bid to build long-lasting cultural moments. The Main Stage: The post-COVID IRL-event boom is in full swing, especially as fans look to build community with like-minded people. Artists, who already have credibility with their music, are able to break through […]
Artists are ensuring that they stay in the conversation all year long by releasing remixed and expanded albums that increase their lifecycles. Why It Hits: The ease and immediacy of streaming is turning album rollouts into strategic plays, allowing artists to time releases in an effort to juice tour sales and game the Billboard charts. Behind The Cover: Charli XCX is […]
Thanks to a wave of distinctive (and confessional) new albums from female artists, Universal Music was behind the biggest songs of the summer. The Big Picture: Charli XCX may not be a Universal client, but brat summer reached far and wide for female artists, giving the girls reign over the top of the charts just a year […]
The Future. The last few years have seen a wave of top artists selling stakes in their music catalogs for major windfalls. The investments have become a significant asset class for labels and PE firms. As the gold rush continues, some innovative companies may look to offer their own version of an ETF in individual […]