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YouTube Announces New “Creator Music” Platform

October 4, 2022

In the wake of Tiktok’s rapid expansion and growing dominance in the short-form video market, YouTube has felt the pressure to adapt to keep up with the shifting demands of its audience...

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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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Remembering XXXTentacion: A Legacy in Music

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Photo Source: Rolling Stone

The music industry has seen its fair share of influential figures throughout its history, and XXXTentacion, born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, was undoubtedly one of the most polarizing artists of his generation. Rising to fame in the late 2010s, XXXTentacion left an undeniable mark on the music scene with his genre-blurring sound and eventful personal life.

XXXTentacion's music was a mix of various styles, blending genres such as hip-hop, R&B, rock, and even emo. His ability to traverse musical boundaries led to a massive and dedicated following, who resonated with the raw emotions and vulnerability in his lyrics. Songs like "Sad!" and "Jocelyn Flores" showcased his emotional side, expressing struggles with depression and mental health. 

However, XXXTentacion's career was filled with controversy. Accusations of domestic violence and assault would cast a shadow over his musical success.  While he faced legal consequences and vehemently denied some of these allegations, his reputation was forever tarnished in the eyes of many. His undeniable musical talent mixed with his troubled personal life made him a lightning rod for discussions on accountability and redemption.

Tragically, XXXTentacion's life was cut short on June 18, 2018, when he was fatally shot during a robbery. His untimely death at the age of 20 sent shockwaves throughout the music world and his fanbase. The loss of such a young and influential artist prompted a reevaluation of his legacy.

After his death, XXXTentacion's music experienced a surge in popularity. His album "?" topped the charts, solidifying his impact on the music industry. Yet, the circumstances of his passing also sparked discussions about the glorification of troubled artists and the need for more awareness about mental health, depression, and violence.

XXXTentacion's story serves as a reminder that artists, like all individuals, are not perfect and are capable of both brilliance and imperfection.