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Max Martin: Why a Pop-Hit Songwriter and Producer Created a Musical

March 31, 2023

Even if you don’t know who Max Martin is, you’ve definitely heard his songs. Hit-pop songs are kind of his thing after all. Martin first stepped into the music world in 1985 as a frontman for....

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MANILA GREY: Vancouver's Rising R&B Duo

March 18, 2023

The Filipino-Canadian duo from Vancouver has been releasing new tracks left and right, and they are known for their most streamed songs on Spotify, “Timezones,” and “Silver Skies.” Previously .......

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How did Miley Cyrus’ Heartbreak Song “Flowers” Break the Spotify Record?

March 17, 2023

The singer, songwriter, and actress Miley Cyrus has recently released a record-breaking song called “Flowers” in January 2023. This song recites her 10-year long relationship with her ex-husband....

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Men I Trust: Canada’s DIY Indie Band That Could Be Your New Favourite

March 4, 2023

Men I Trust is a Canadian indie pop band known for their dreamy and mellow sound. Their music is laid back, incorporating elements of funk, disco, and R&B to create a smooth and groovy vibe that is

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Basics For Building an At-Home Recording Studio

March 3, 2023

Artists like Kaytranada have proved that you don’t need access to a professional recording studio to create well-produced music. As technology and social media have advanced, it is now easier than eve

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Facing the Music: Legal Challenges With AI and Copyright Laws

February 25, 2023

People draw inspiration from others when forming their ideas, it’s a fact of life. Sampling in music is no exception - and artists do it for a variety of reasons. Traditionally, copyright laws and

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Tobias Jesso Jr.: GRAMMY-Winning Canadian Sells His Song Rights

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

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How Popular TV Shows and Movies Resurrect Classic Songs

February 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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Ginalina: Bringing Her Taiwan Roots Into Her Latest Album

February 21, 2023

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’s Super Bowl Performance

February 21, 2023

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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How do Streaming Platforms Pay Artists - Is It Fair?

February 20, 2023

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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Why Jay-Z Was Named The #1 Rapper Of All Time

February 23, 2023

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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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.