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ESSENTIALS: “Bird Set Free” – Sia

Sia‘s newest single, “Birds Set Free“, gave her fans a second wind while waiting for her upcoming album due early next year, This Is Acting. Despite her strong efforts not be seen as “famous,” Sia’s popularity and rise to mainstream music has skyrocketed in the past year, and it can be credited to the depth and intimacy of [continued]
ESSENTIALS: Focus – Ariana Grande

Pop music’s notorius doughnut-licker and “America-hater”Ariana Grande comes out strutting with “Focus,” a sassy, clap-back to those very labels given to her earlier this year. The sound of “Focus” brings familiar vibes from Ari’s last summer hit, “Problem”, and “Hands On Me” from her platinum-status album, My Everything. Bruce Dickenson can go to sleep happy at night [continued]
NEWS: Youtube’s New Deal Concentrates on Transparency With Artists

Youtube and AMRA have agreed to a deal that grants musicians more access to information, and in turn, control over their earnings from their videos. ARMA, “a global digital music collection society,” looks to put the artist first with extreme care and communication. On its site, their services are strongly and proudly defined: guaranteeing their clients [continued]
ESSENTIALS: “Hello” – Adele

After 3 years of hiatus, the multi-platnium, award-decorated Adele everyone grew to cry with about their problems is back in seasoned form. “Hello” was a surprise commercial during the UK’s “X-Factor” airing: leaving countless of fans anxious for the release today. Many might have thought that Adele might have run out of material since she has [continued]
ESSENTIALS: “All My Friends” – Snakehips feat. Chance the Rapper, Tinashe

Wrapping up a tour for the Forever (Pt. II) EP, the London-hailing duo, Snakehips, graced us with their collaboration with Chance The Rapper and Tinashe. Chance’s singing voice sounding smoother than ever on the track, warmed up from his cover of Kanye’s “Family Business” and keeping it strong for his Family Matters tour through next month. Tinashe going [continued]
Essentials: Drake Releases “Hotline Bling” Music Video

Overshadowed by all the hype of the Meek Mill v. Drake “beef”, “Hotline Bling” was released along side with the Meek Mill diss track, “Back To Back“. Fast foward two months, it’s popping up all over the national radio, tops iTunes’ Top Songs list, and sits at #2 on the Billboard charts behind fellow Canadian and [continued]
ESSENTIALS: Jessie Ware Covers Cinderella – “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes”

Jessie Ware, the South London songstress and lifelong Disney-lover, has covered “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from the 1950 animated film Cinderella for the upcoming compilation album, We Love Disney. Ware had big shoes to fill when working with David Foster of Verve Music Group and notable producer for music legends like Whitney Houston and Barbara Streisand. In the [continued]
“B-Boy,” Meek Mill ft. Big Sean

Meek Mill surprised us with a third single off his sophomore album, Dreams Worth More Than Money. 808-heavy “B Boy” boasts straight bars, no hook: having all three rappers going off on each their verses. Take a look at their best lines. Recently a free man (and Nicki Minaj’s man?), Meek Mill has a lot going for him in [continued]
“You Are Luhh,” Frank Ocean

About a week ago, Frank Ocean paid tribute to Aaliyah for what would be her 36th birthday. [continued]
Fresh Faces: Lido

Norwegian native, Peder Losnegård, made a big splash this year. Not under the water sample-enthused, Jersey club sounds of his counterpart, Trippy Turtle, but under his original moniker Lido. [continued]