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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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How Steve Lacy Makes the Most with Less

October 18, 2022

Steve Lacy is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and living proof that you don’t need the most advanced or high-tech studio equipment to create music that listeners will love...

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Has the Pandemic Changed the World of Live Music?

August 31, 2022

For the last two years, there has been something missing in the lives of music lovers around the world—live music. The advent of a global pandemic meant the absence of concerts, festivals........

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Like the Early Days of Hip-Hop: The Future of Blockchain in the Music Industry

August 19, 2022

One of the biggest questions many spaces face today is how blockchain technology may overhaul industry norms, and the music industry is no exception. In particular...

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Snapchat Announces a $100,000 Monthly Grant for Artists

August 19, 2022

Snapchat has recently announced Snapchat Sounds Creator Fund, a monthly grant program of up to $100,000 awarded to independent artists distributing music on the platform...

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TikTok Plans to Introduce a New Music Streaming App

August 15, 2022

Over the past few years, TikTok’s popularity has significantly increased resulting in 1 billion global daily users by early 2022. The app has also become extremely influential in the current music....

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Are Charlie Puth’s Music Classes Worth $300?

August 4, 2022

Charlie Puth has paired with Studio to create a 30-day online course that outlines the entire songwriting and production process for $279 USD. This hands-on learning experience has been marketed....

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Success Through Self-Exploration: Lexie Liu's Rise to Stardom

August 2, 2022

Whether you know Lexie Liu from her performance as Seraphine in K/DA’s “MORE” or her fourth-place finish on The Rap of China 2018, there’s no denying that the Chinese hip hop star is a global ...

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BTS: The First K-Pop Band to be Invited to the White House

June 17, 2022

BTS is the most famous K-Pop band in the world now, and recently, they were invited to the white house to speak about anti-Asian hate crimes and inclusivity. Being the first K-Pop band to be...

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SEVENTEEN is Going "HOT" This Summer

June 6, 2022

SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) is a 13 member Korean boy band under Pledis Entertainment. They are split into 3 teams, the Hip Hop unit (S.coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon), the Vocal unit (Jeonghan, Joshua, Woozi...

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What Makes a Harry Styles Hook So Infectious

June 3, 2022

On May 20, Harry Styles released his new album Harry’s House, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart. This is his third studio album in which all thirteen songs are in the top 30...

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Kendrick Lamar’s Rise to the Top: Chart-Topping Success Amidst Rap Feud

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Photo: Joseph Okpako, Getty Images (2022)

Kendrick Lamar's recent success on the charts marks a significant milestone in his career, highlighting his influence and dominance in the music industry. His diss track "Not Like Us" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, signaling not just a victory in his ongoing feud with Drake, but also a broader cultural impact. This achievement underscores Lamar's ability to capture the public's attention and translate controversy into commercial success.

The surge in Lamar's streaming numbers is remarkable. Billboard reported a 50% increase in his entire music catalog's streams compared to the previous week. This surge propelled him to the second most-streamed artist globally on Spotify for the week of May 9, just behind Taylor Swift. Such impressive statistics reflect the widespread appeal of his music and his strategic use of high-profile feuds to maintain and grow his fanbase.

Lamar's diss tracks, particularly "Not Like Us," "Euphoria," and "Meet the Grahams," collectively garnered 208 million streams on Spotify. This massive streaming success demonstrates his mastery in crafting tracks that resonate with listeners and keep them engaged. His presence at the top of both Apple Music and Spotify daily charts further cements his position as a leading figure in the music world.

The commercial success of "Not Like Us" extends beyond traditional music charts. The track debuted at number nine on the TikTok Billboard Top 50, making it Lamar's highest-ranking song on the platform. This entry is significant as it highlights Lamar's ability to adapt to new digital landscapes and reach younger audiences through social media. The success on TikTok, a platform known for its viral trends and younger user base, indicates that Lamar's music transcends generational boundaries and continues to be relevant in various contexts.

Kendrick Lamar's rise to the top charts during this period of intense public and media scrutiny exemplifies his resilience and strategic acumen. It shows how an artist can leverage personal and professional conflicts to enhance their public profile and achieve new heights in their career. For Lamar, this moment is not just about winning a feud; it's about solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential artists of his generation. His ability to turn controversy into chart-topping success is a testament to his artistry and the powerful connection he has with his audience.