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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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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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Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's Album: Anticipation Builds Amidst Controversy

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Photo Source: XXL Mag

The music world is buzzing with anticipation as Kanye West, now known as Ye, and Ty Dolla $ign are set to release their joint album, a project enveloped in both excitement and controversy. The collaboration, which has been a blend of secrecy and high-profile teasers, has been making headlines for various reasons, from its unique creation process to the artists' recent personal and professional challenges.

The Genesis of the Collaboration

The journey of this much-anticipated album began with Ye and Ty Dolla $ign's collaboration efforts initially taking place in Italy. However, the project soon moved to Saudi Arabia, at the Al Ula luxury desert resort, marking a significant shift in its production. This geographical transition added an intriguing element to the album's creation, sparking curiosity among fans about the influence of these diverse locales on the album's sound and themes.

New Single: "Vultures"

Adding to the growing excitement, the duo recently dropped a single from the album, "Vultures," featuring Bump J. Initially set to include Lil Durk, the final version saw a last-minute change – a signature move by Ye known to his fans. The track has already garnered attention on streaming services, with Ty Dolla $ign's melodic flow and Ye's distinctive sampling and production style receiving notable mentions. The single received a lot of backlash for some of the lyrics and many critics believe that the album needs to be better. Many argue that the production was “lazy” and that the new style Ye has been implementing seems to be off.

Anticipation Amidst Controversy

This album marks Ye's first major project since his series of controversial remarks in 2022, which included antisemitic comments. These statements led to significant backlash, including severed ties with major brands like Adidas and Balenciaga and a distancing by the music industry, including Def Jam. The controversy has undeniably cast a shadow over the album's release, with industry executives reportedly cautious about associating with the project.

Despite these challenges, Ye's musical prowess continues to be a significant draw for fans. His previous album, "Donda 2," released exclusively on the Stem Player, showcased his willingness to innovate and defy conventional music distribution methods. However, its limited release left many fans yearning for more accessible new music from the artist.

There are several reasons for the heightened anticipation surrounding this album. Firstly, the combination of Ye's production genius and Ty Dolla $ign's vocal and lyrical talent promises a fusion of styles that has the potential to be both groundbreaking and commercially successful. Their previous collaboration on ‘Junya Pt 2’ from Ye's 2021 album ‘Donda’ was well-received, setting a high bar for their joint album.

Secondly, the album is expected to be a reflection of Ye's artistic evolution post-controversy. Fans and critics alike are curious to see how his recent personal and professional experiences have influenced his music. The controversial aspects of Ye's personality have often been intertwined with his art, making each new release a subject of analysis and debate.

Furthermore, the unique production circumstances, from Italy to Saudi Arabia, add an exotic and diverse element to the album. This geographical shift is not just a logistical detail but potentially an influential factor in the album's creative process and final sound.

In conclusion, the upcoming album by Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign is not just another music release; it's a cultural event. It represents a complex intersection of artistry, controversy, and innovation in the modern music landscape. As the release date approaches, the music world waits with bated breath to witness what these two prolific artists have created amidst the whirlwind of their careers and lives. The duo is set to host an album listening party event sometime in November 2023. Whether the album will soar like an artistic phoenix from the ashes of controversy or get weighed down by the same remains to be seen.