stayc main image

The Rise of Punjabi Music in Canada: A Cultural Renaissance

April 5, 2024

In the heart of Canada's diverse music scene, Punjabi music is making significant strides, marking a new chapter in the country's cultural tapestry. This shift is not just a testament to the...

Read more
stayc main image

Portugal. The Man: Through Songwriting Triumphs and Trials

April 5, 2024

At the heart of Portugal. The Man is a songwriting process deeply influenced by their experiences, emotions, and the landscapes of their Alaskan upbringing. John Gourley, the band's frontman...

Read more
stayc main image

Stephanie Poetri: Navigating the Stars and Soundscapes

April 3, 2024

Indonesian-born artist Stephanie Poetri is not just a musician; she's a sonic storyteller whose narratives unfold against the backdrop of a world obsessed with digital connectivity and astrological...

Read more
stayc main image

Universal Music Group and HYBE Forge Strategic 10-Year Distribution and Collaboration Agreement

April 1, 2024

In a significant move that underscores the evolving dynamics of the global music industry, Universal Music Group (UMG) and HYBE, a prominent South Korean entertainment company, have announced...

Read more
stayc main image

The National: A Journey Through Melancholy and the Art of Songwriting

March 31, 2024

Since its inception in 1999, the National has meticulously crafted a sound that resonates with the subtle complexities of human emotion, blurring the lines between melancholy and a peculiar sense....

Read more
stayc main image

NIKI: A Profile on Self-Discovery and International Acclaim

March 29, 2024

Nicole Zefanya, known professionally as NIKI, has carved a unique space for herself in the contemporary music scene, transforming from a self-made YouTube artist into a history-making star...

Read more
stayc main image

Jhené Aiko Embarks on the Magic Hour Tour: A Celebration of Resilience and Artistic Collaboration

March 27, 2024

In the dynamic world of contemporary R&B, few artists possess the ethereal quality and lyrical depth of Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo. Known for her soulful voice and introspective songwriting, Aiko...

Read more
stayc main image

SZA's "Saturn": Chart-Topping Success and Insight into Her Songwriting Process

March 22, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of R&B music SZA stands as a beacon of innovation. Her latest single, "Saturn," marks a significant milestone in her illustrious career. Debuted during the 2024 Grammy...

Read more
stayc main image

The Rap Challenge of Drill Beats: Why Cardi B Didn't Release Ice Spice 'Munch' Remix

March 20, 2024

Drill beats, with their gritty textures and relentless rhythms, represent one of these challenging frontiers. Cardi B's recent experience with recording a verse for a remix of Ice Spice's "Munch"...

Read more
stayc main image

Ariana Grande's Lyrical Odyssey: Love and Loss in 'Eternal Sunshine'

Ariana Grande has once again captured the spotlight with her latest album, "Eternal Echoes." This time, Grande embarks on a deeply personal journey, weaving her narrative through the thematic...

Read more
stayc main image

Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar Triumph: Crafting Oppenheimer's “Unplayable” Score

March 14, 2024

In the grand auditorium of dreams, Ludwig Göransson clutched the Oscar statuette for Best Score, a testament to his monumental contribution to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. This win adds another...

Read more
stayc main image

The TikTok-UMG Standoff: A Battle Over Music Rights and Its Ripple Effects

March 10, 2024

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music company, has withdrawn its catalog from TikTok, the leading platform for music promotion...

Read more

Snapchat Announces a $100,000 Monthly Grant for Artists

stayc main image

Photo: How to Geek

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. Snapchat claims that through this fund, they want to recognize and support independent artists for their role in the entertainment space. The criteria for artist selection remains undisclosed, however, most likely Snapchat will analyze the artists’ level of engagement and choose the top-performing uploaders. Popular sounds will also be included in Snapchat Lenses to further increase exposure and potential for audience reach.

Currently, there are 2.7 billion videos created using the “Sounds” feature on Snapchat, resulting in more than 183 billion collective views. Thus, proving Snapchat’s key role as a distribution tool for music creators that wish to share their music globally and gain recognition.

Photo: Tubefilter

Although Snapchat claims to be driven by altruistic motivations, the Sounds Creator Fund is probably an attempt to compete with TikTok’s popularity. It is evident that music creators and artists have been a critical component of TikTok’s engagement and new user growth. TikTok has quickly amassed 1 billion global users in a short span while Snapchat only has 332 million users. Additionally, Snapchat is facing financial pressure as it revealed that it missed its financial forecast for the second quarter of 2022 despite already reducing it. Snapchat’s market cap is now at $16.1 billion, which is less than half of what it was at the start of 2022, and is only 12% of its peak market cap reported in September 2021. Hence, the Sounds Creator Fund may be a strategy employed to replicate TikTok’s success.