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Max Martin: Why a Pop-Hit Songwriter and Producer Created a Musical

March 31, 2023

Even if you don’t know who Max Martin is, you’ve definitely heard his songs. Hit-pop songs are kind of his thing after all. Martin first stepped into the music world in 1985 as a frontman for....

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MANILA GREY: Vancouver's Rising R&B Duo

March 18, 2023

The Filipino-Canadian duo from Vancouver has been releasing new tracks left and right, and they are known for their most streamed songs on Spotify, “Timezones,” and “Silver Skies.” Previously .......

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How did Miley Cyrus’ Heartbreak Song “Flowers” Break the Spotify Record?

March 17, 2023

The singer, songwriter, and actress Miley Cyrus has recently released a record-breaking song called “Flowers” in January 2023. This song recites her 10-year long relationship with her ex-husband....

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Men I Trust: Canada’s DIY Indie Band That Could Be Your New Favourite

March 4, 2023

Men I Trust is a Canadian indie pop band known for their dreamy and mellow sound. Their music is laid back, incorporating elements of funk, disco, and R&B to create a smooth and groovy vibe that is

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Basics For Building an At-Home Recording Studio

March 3, 2023

Artists like Kaytranada have proved that you don’t need access to a professional recording studio to create well-produced music. As technology and social media have advanced, it is now easier than eve

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Facing the Music: Legal Challenges With AI and Copyright Laws

February 25, 2023

People draw inspiration from others when forming their ideas, it’s a fact of life. Sampling in music is no exception - and artists do it for a variety of reasons. Traditionally, copyright laws and

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Tobias Jesso Jr.: GRAMMY-Winning Canadian Sells His Song Rights

February 23, 2023

Tobias Jesso Jr. You may know his name from his 2015 solo album Goon. Or maybe from his work on various popular songs, such as “When We Were Young” by Adele and “Alive” by Sia. Or even from his rece

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How Popular TV Shows and Movies Resurrect Classic Songs

February 23, 2023

HBO’s The Last of Us is arguably the hottest show out right now, receiving near universal acclaim from viewers and critics alike. This holds especially true for episode three: “Long, Long Time”.

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Ginalina: Bringing Her Taiwan Roots Into Her Latest Album

February 21, 2023

Folk singer. Songwriter. Canadian. Polyglot. All of these titles belong to Gina Lam, also known by her stage name Ginalina. In November 2022, she released her latest album titled Going Back: Remembe

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Rihanna’s Super Bowl Performance

February 21, 2023

Rihanna is an illustrious artist. She is among the best selling female artists of all time, and was one of the greatest hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. She has since grown to become the richest...

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How do Streaming Platforms Pay Artists - Is It Fair?

February 20, 2023

Streaming is now the driving force of the music industry, making up 84% of the industry revenue in the U.S. While streaming is much more convenient for listeners, many artists argue that it is near im

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Why Jay-Z Was Named The #1 Rapper Of All Time

February 23, 2023

Who is the greatest rapper of all time? Is it even possible to crown just one person? Well, Billboard and Vibe did exactly that. And, according to them, that person is Jay-Z. In honor of Hip-Hop’s

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Rihanna's Fresh Start with 'R9': A Journey of Rediscovery

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Rihanna's journey towards her ninth studio album, affectionately dubbed ‘R9’, has been a long and winding road. At the launch party for her new Fenty Hair line, she opened up about the delay, humorously noting that while the product line took a long time to create, it pales in comparison to the time taken for her new album. She confessed that she is essentially starting over on the record.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting new material since her last album, ‘Anti’, dropped in 2016. Rihanna shared with Entertainment Tonight that her approach to music has shifted over the years. “Music, for me, is a new discovery,” she said. “I’m rediscovering things. I have been working on the album for so long that I put all that stuff aside, and now I’m prepared to go back in the studio.”

She emphasized that while she is starting fresh, she doesn't intend to disregard the work she has already done. Instead, she plans to revisit her existing songs with a new perspective to see what still resonates with her. This revelation follows a week of speculation after she wore a dress that humorously declared, “I’m retired. This is as dressed up as I can get,” leading some fans to believe she might be stepping away from music.

Rihanna’s foray into haircare with Fenty Hair marks her fifth business venture, aimed at providing products to strengthen and repair all hair types. This launch underscores her expanding empire beyond music, though rumors of a musical comeback have been swirling since December, when reports suggested she had signed a new deal with Live Nation, potentially hinting at a world tour in the near future.

In April, Rihanna shared with Extra that her new music represents an evolution of her sound, and she has a plethora of visual ideas for the album. She also revealed that she and her partner A$AP Rocky have been collaborating, with both artists having to decide who will use their best material.

Rihanna's last musical release was ‘Lift Me Up’, the lead single for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, which she performed at the 2023 Oscars. Her first performance in seven years came when she headlined the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show, followed by a private performance at a billionaire’s wedding in India.

Her achievements in music continue to set records. Rihanna recently became the female artist with the most diamond-certified singles, including hits like ‘Umbrella’ and ‘We Found Love’. Last July, she also became the first woman to have ten songs reach one billion streams on Spotify. Reflecting on these milestones, she remarked, “Bad Gal billi’ … wit’ no new album… lemme talk my shit!”

As Rihanna continues to redefine her musical journey, fans remain on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in her illustrious career.