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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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Writer's Block is Real, Even for J.Cole: Here are 8 Tips to Overcome

January 19, 2023

Rapper J. Cole has recently announced that he had been struggling with writer's block, but found a way to break free from it by using a type beat from Youtube music producer BVTMAN's YouTube...

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Hania Rani: A Virtuoso in the World of Classical and Electronic Music

January 19, 2023

Hania Rani is a Polish pianist and composer whose music has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "evocative." She is known for her unique blend of classical and electronic music, which she...

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Ryan Tedder’s Studio Review: Writing Three Songs From Scratch

January 16, 2023

Ryan Tedder is a highly accomplished and sought-after music producer and songwriter. He is known for his work with a wide range of artists including: Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and OneRepublic...

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Quentin Miller only got paid $30,000 for writing 6 Drake songs.

January 6, 2022

Drake's ghostwriter controversy has been a topic of conversation since the rapper's feud with Meek Mill in 2015. Quentin Miller, a lesser-known rapper from Atlanta, was named as the ghostwriter....

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Timbaland’s Beatmaking Masterclass Review: A Class on Feeling the Flow

December 28, 2022

Many artists are using their personal brand and influence to educate artists, from beginners to fellow professionals. Timbaland has partnered with Masterclass to teach musicians how to make unique...

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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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Blackpink’s Lisa Dominates iTunes with New Single ‘Rockstar’

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Music enthusiasts and aspiring creators, take note! Blackpink’s Lisa is making waves in the U.S. with her latest single, "Rockstar." Released late on Thursday, June 27, the song quickly shot up the American iTunes charts, showcasing the power of strategic releases and the dedication of her fanbase.

What makes Lisa’s success with "Rockstar" particularly interesting for music creators is the strategy she employed. Instead of just dropping one version of the song, Lisa released five distinct versions. These included the standard take, an extended version, instrumental, slowed down, and sped up editions, all bundled together as an EP.

This approach is worth studying for anyone looking to maximize their music’s impact. By offering multiple versions, Lisa ensures that different listening preferences are catered to, which can lead to increased sales and streams. Importantly, Billboard counts all versions of a single song as one entity, meaning every purchase and stream contributes to "Rockstar" climbing the charts.

As of now, the standard version of "Rockstar" sits at No. 6 on the U.S. iTunes chart, with the extended version not far behind at No. 8. The instrumental version holds the No. 15 spot, while the slowed down and sped up versions occupy Nos. 17 and 18, respectively. This impressive performance across multiple versions demonstrates the effectiveness of this release strategy.

For aspiring music creators, Lisa’s success is a case study in how to engage your audience with variety and keep them coming back for more. While "Rockstar" is currently a standalone single, it’s clear that Lisa’s innovative release tactics and the strong support from her fans are paving the way for future hits.

Keep this in mind as you plan your own music releases. Offering multiple versions of a track can cater to different tastes and keep your audience engaged, ultimately driving more sales and streams. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your music career to the next level, learning from successful artists like Lisa can provide valuable insights into the ever-evolving music industry.