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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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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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Lil Durk Relaunches OTF Label with AWAL Partnership: A New Chapter for Independent Music

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In an empowering move for independent music, Lil Durk has announced the relaunch of his Only The Family (OTF) label, now in partnership with AWAL, a company known for its innovative approach to music distribution and artist services. This collaboration signifies a pivotal shift in OTF's strategy, aiming to enhance its impact in the music industry while maintaining its independent spirit.

The partnership between Lil Durk's OTF and AWAL is a significant development in the music industry, especially for independent labels seeking to expand their influence without compromising their autonomy. AWAL brings to the table a robust network of digital marketing and distribution resources that promise to amplify OTF’s reach across global platforms. This alliance is designed to leverage AWAL's technological capabilities and extensive industry expertise to propel OTF artists to new heights.

Lil Durk’s decision to partner with AWAL is rooted in a shared commitment to empowering artists. This relaunch is not just about scaling operations but also about providing OTF artists with the tools they need to succeed in the competitive music landscape. By collaborating with AWAL, OTF can offer its roster enhanced promotional support, broader distribution channels, and advanced analytics, which are crucial for artists looking to make a mark and sustain their careers in the digital age.

For aspiring artists, especially those in hip-hop and independent sectors, the revitalization of OTF under this new partnership is a beacon of opportunity. It demonstrates the viability of independent labels in offering substantial support to artists while nurturing their creative freedom. The move encourages up-and-coming musicians to explore innovative paths and partnerships that can facilitate their artistic and commercial goals.

The OTF and AWAL partnership underscores the importance of embracing technological and strategic innovation to remain relevant and competitive in the music industry. For independent labels, this means adopting forward-thinking approaches to distribution, marketing, and artist development that align with changing consumer behaviours and technological advancements.

Looking ahead, the success of OTF’s relaunch with AWAL could set a new standard for how independent labels operate and compete in the global music marketplace. It could inspire other indie labels and artists to seek similar partnerships that offer both autonomy and access to state-of-the-art resources, shaping a future where the music industry is more diverse and dynamic.

Lil Durk's relaunch of OTF in partnership with AWAL is more than just a business manoeuvre; it is a strategic move that celebrates the essence of musical independence and innovation. For Lil Durk, this partnership not only revitalises his label’s mission but also reinforces his commitment to supporting and elevating artists within the OTF family. As the landscape of the music industry continues to evolve, the collaboration between OTF and AWAL will likely be looked upon as a critical model of how independent artists and labels can thrive in an increasingly digital world.