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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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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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Sabrina Carpenter's Meteoric Rise: 'Please Please Please' and the Surge of a Pop Phenomenon

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In the ever-evolving landscape of pop music, Sabrina Carpenter is a name that’s resonating louder with each passing day. This week, Billboard's Trending Up newsletter highlights Carpenter's extraordinary ascent, driven by the phenomenal success of her latest single, "Please Please Please." As the streams keep soaring, it's not just this track that's benefiting—her entire catalog is experiencing a significant lift.

Carpenter's new single "Please Please Please" is not just another release; it's a pivotal moment in her burgeoning career. The song, a breezy, country-inflected tune, has captivated listeners and collected over 25.6 million streams in its first four days, along with more than 4,000 digital downloads. This impressive performance underscores the track's instant appeal and the growing anticipation for her forthcoming album, Short n’ Sweet, set to drop on August 23.

"Please Please Please" builds on the momentum of her previous hit, "Espresso," which continues to enjoy a strong presence in the Billboard Hot 100’s top ten. But the Jack Antonoff-produced single isn't merely riding the coattails of "Espresso." It stands on its own with its cinematic music video, starring Carpenter's boyfriend, Oscar-nominated actor Barry Keoghan. Directed by Bardia Zeinali, the video serves as a sequel to "Espresso," featuring a Bonnie and Clyde-esque storyline that has garnered over 19 million views in less than a week.

The song's success is also fueled by its viral appeal. The lyric, "Heartbreak is one thing, my ego’s another/ I beg you, don’t embarrass me, motherf–ker," has resonated widely on social media. Users have creatively adopted this line as captions for iconic film characters, amplifying its reach. On TikTok, the official "Please Please Please" sound has been used in over 32,600 posts, with an unofficial sound contributing to an additional 32,200 clips. This viral traction was further boosted by Carpenter's live debut of the song during her set at New York’s Gov Ball festival, an event that generated considerable buzz.

The ripple effect of "Please Please Please" extends to Carpenter’s entire catalog. During the weekend of June 7-10, her other songs also saw a significant spike, pulling in an additional 38.5 million official on-demand U.S. streams—a 35% increase from the previous week. This surge is a testament to her growing influence and the anticipation surrounding her new music.

With her new LP due at the end of the summer, Sabrina Carpenter's pop supremacy seems to be just getting started. Her ability to create catchy, emotionally resonant music paired with a strong visual and viral component is setting her apart in the competitive pop landscape. As "Please Please Please" continues to dominate, it’s clear that Carpenter is not just having a moment; she's cementing her place as a significant force in music.