Facebook and Instagram will allow users to hide likes and view counts. This moment was coming as big tech companies were facing pressure from various groups of the psychological effects of social media. On the flip side, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram were built off of LIKES.

Changing the way people view like counts is a big shift,” the company added. “We’ll continue working on new ways to give people more choice, so they feel good about the time they spend on our apps.”

No doubt it’s a big shift. Social media is a perceived popularity contest. Removing the LIKE option is a kick in the gut. A kick in the gut to the platform as well as the advertisers, influencers and brands who cash in on the LIKE business. And what about the click farms selling fake likes? They’re in danger of irrelevance, but so is traditional social media.

If LIKES and view counts disappear, then when it is the next metric for popularity and influence?

The Spotify Fresh Finds Playlist was launched in 2016 and features up-and-coming artists which used data from music blogs and tastemakers.

Now the playlist has expanded into an “artist program” that will help independent artists by providing education and resources as well as opportunities for collaboration.

Artists selected by Spotify will have access to one-on-one mentorship with members of Spotify and a personalized Masterclass to learn how to best use Spotify for Artists tools (like Canvas and Marquee). There will be collaboration opportunities with songwriters and producers and the artists and producers/songwriters will release an original Spotify Singles track.

The four artists that debuted on the first Fresh Finds program are Wallice, Unusual Demont, Julia Wolf and EKKSTACY— they all just met up this morning in Times Square to see themselves on the Fresh Finds billboard.

Spotify is also rolling out new Fresh Finds playlists in the UK, Australia, Brazil, Spain, India, and more.

Watch out for eydrey and the emotional piano ballad track Song For You. It’s sad and beautiful, and a easy song to sync. Song For You, sounds like a song for everybody.

The track comes off of  the upcoming debut EP “Things We Cannot Change”.

She first gained attention in 2019 with her YouTube channel where covered popular songs in English and Spanish. She was born in the Sun City of El Paso and raised across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Give the song a stream on KOAR’s Indie Invaders Playlist.

Soundcloud launched a new series of weekly artist events at Clubhouse.

The weekly artist event series starts at the Clubhouse on May 26th and will be hosted by a DJ, producer and former MTV host. Jasmine Solano will join the artists First on SoundCloud 2021, including Charmaine, She less, Child pen, Lourdiz, Otis kane, Payday, Sofia mills, Y SoFaygo.

SoundCloud says artists will invite collaborators, friends, and fans each week to join in live conversations and connect artists with musicians, influencers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

German born Piper 57 drops the mid tempo electro track Love Triangle Dramas. It’s a cool track and you will like if you’re a fan of Bebe Rexha, Zara Larsson, and Rita Ora.

The track was produced by Pascal “Palle” Martin (Clide, KAYEF, a.o) and co-written with songwriter Luisa Kutza ( Lions Head, twocolors a.o).

Although she’s based in Berlin, it’s a temporary stop. “I want to learn new stuff, be around interesting people and see inspiring places. There are so many experiences waiting out there, and I can’t wait to turn them into music” shares Piper.

Give the track a stream on KOAR’s Indie Invaders Playlist.