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Behind Kaytranada’s Unique Sound

February 18, 2023

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

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The Creative Act: Rick Rubin’s Knowledge Turned Into A Book

February 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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Behind the Music: The Audio Engineer

February 14, 2023

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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Koji Kondo: Nintendo’s Melody Maestro

February 14, 2023

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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Taylor Swift on Industry Sexism and Music Rights

February 8, 2023

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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What’s the Ideal Length for a Single— Are Songs Getting Shorter?

February 8, 2023

“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

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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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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.