A number of established artists are leaving Spotify. Should you? Should we? How artists support each other as they stand up against the genocide in Gaza. Yung Thug and the RAP act. The collective building the next Bandcamp. We have an update on Super Fans. We spotlight ONErpm. What's YouTube doing to combat AI slop on their platform? And how can artists use AI to help their careers — without generating songs?

• Massive Attack, Kneecap, Brian Eno, Fontaines D.C. announce formation of musicians’ alliance to repel Zionist attacks by David Walsh https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/07/21/ckjv-j21.html
• Music Industry Backs Reintroduced ‘RAP ACT’ That Would Bar Lyrics From Being Used As Evidence In US Court Trials by Daniel Tencer via Music Business Worldwide https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/music-industry-backs-reintroduced-rap-act-that-would-bar-lyrics-from-being-used-as-evidence-in-us-court-trials/
• Subvert https://subvert.fm/
• Super Listeners https://artists.spotify.com/blog/super-listeners-your-guide-for-developing-fans-who-go-deeper
• ONErpm’s Emmanuel Zunz: ‘There Are No more Distribution Companies, There Are No More Record Labels. There Are Just Companies Providing Solutions to Creators.’ by Dave Roberts via Music Business Worldwide https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/onerpm-emmanuel-zunz-no-more-record-labels/
• Humanable - certified non-generative AI https://www.humanable.com
• It Looks Like YouTube Is Getting Serious About Eliminating AI Slop by Bobby Owsinksi for Music 3.0 Blog https://music3point0.com/2025/07/11/it-looks-like-youtube-is-getting-serious-about-eliminating-ai-slop/
• I created a music manager with AI. Here's how... by Musicben on their Substack https://ziggyziggymusic.substack.com/p/i-created-a-music-manager-with-ai

Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com

Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com

Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com

Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

We got so excited to talk about DIY music videos that we came back around for another round. When should you shoot vertical or horizontal? How can you find great locations? What video editing software is best?

After that, we look at the proliferation of music business education. How does a degree stack up against real-world experience? We talk about superfans, their importance, and caveats when promoting to them. What kinds of communities will develop as a backlash against AI music? And a look at how Soundcloud updated their AI policy.

• 🎵 Superfans are deeply engaged fans who actively support artists beyond casual listening
• 🎥 How to make affordable DIY music videos
• 🎓 Music education is shifting from hands-on internships to degree programs, but practical experience remains essential
• 🤝 The roles of managers and agents are increasingly overlapping, especially in the indie music scene
• 🤖 SoundCloud clarified it does not train generative AI on artists’ music, focusing AI on discovery and support instead
• 💼 The EU is investigating Universal’s $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music Group due to antitrust concerns
• 🌐 How music culture is fragmenting across decentralized platforms, with superfans driving engagement and community

• Everyone’s A Manager Now by Maria Picard for The B-Side https://nouxme.substack.com/p/everyones-a-manager-now
• Superfans Must Be Made, Not Just Mined by Sammy Andrews, on Music Business Worldwide https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/superfans-must-be-made-not-just-mined/
• SoundCloud Updates AI Policy in Terms of Use After Backlash By Nina Corcoran at Pitchfork https://pitchfork.com/news/soundcloud-updates-ai-policy-in-terms-of-use-after-backlash/

Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com

Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com

Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com

Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

What's it take to make a DIY music video? Also, some rare good news from the government in 2025: the HITS act is a new tax break for indie musicians! We discuss layoffs at Warner Music Group. And what's the latest news for TikTok, and what does it mean for musicians?

• SoundCloud Still Matters for Emerging Artists - Here’s Why by Ben Jolley on Chartmetric.com https://hmc.chartmetric.com/soundcloud-trends-2025-josh-baker-electronic/
• HITS Act becomes law in a Big Win For Independent Artists by Randi Zimmerman via Symphonic Blog https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2025/07/hits-act-becomes-law-in-a-big-win-for-indie-artists.html
• Warner Music Group announces $170 million in layoffs as part of larger restructuring plan by Kaitlyn Huamani for LA Times https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-07-01/warner-music-announces-mass-layoffs-larger-restructuring-plan

Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com

Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com

Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com

Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/