Songwriters tend to stay behind the scenes avoiding the spotlight allowing the full spectrum to shine on the artist. That’s why writers are the most overlooked creative professionals in music.  Spotify will shine the spotlight on the community of songwriters and has introduced the Songwriters Hub which allows listeners to follow their favorite songwriters. Spotify have added pages for songwriters including Sia, Ant Clemons, Bebe Rexha, Gregg Wattenberg, Noonie Bao, Ashley Gorley and Irving Berlin.
Songwriter Nija who worked with Ariana Grande on Positions says this: “Having a hub for songwriters is extremely important because people need to know who these people are who are helping create the soundtrack to our lives. Songwriters deserve to be praised for their contributions just as much as artists and producers. A lot of times we get the short end of the stick, so I’m glad that there’s a place where people can see who’s writing their favorite songs.”

Check out the video for Waterfalls by Reed. The song will hit the DSP’s tomorrow via 12/18 via Substream Records.  He’s a producer/songwriter who’s from San Antonio and now resides in Los Angeles working with Jacob Sartorius, Lil Xan, Dying In Designer, Picturesque, and Stephen Puth. His new project includes features from friends including OG Maco, $teven Cannon, Myke Terry, lilbootycall and Ty Talaban.
Who is reed. influenced by? Everything from metalcore to emo to hip hop. reed. says, “All of my music is meant to be a collection of all the crazy things I think but I’m too afraid to say out loud. This new EP is about what it’s like to overcome all odds when everything seems darkest. It’s a letter to every outcast, nerd, overweight person who was ever told they weren’t good enough, to let them know the only barrier is themselves. I put my 100% raw honest thoughts in this record, I hope everyone can enjoy it and learn not to be afraid of being honest with their feelings.”

The most viewed artists on Tik Tok of 2020 happen to be the most famous musicians. Not surprising. The List includes Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Pop Smoke, DaBaby, Roddy Ricch, Melanie Martinez, Don Toliver, Dua Lipa, 24kGoldn, and Lil Uzi Vert.
Although not the most famous, these new artists made their mark on the platform:

24kGoldn, Flo Milli, ppcocaine, The Kid Laroi, Avenue Beat, Curtis Waters, Tate McRae, Natalie Taylor, and Corpse.
According to the video-sharing social networking service 70 artists that have broken on the platform have received major label deals, including Claire Rosinkranz, Dixie D’Amelio, Powfu, Priscilla Block and Tai Verdes
The biggest genre on the platform by far is Hip Hop/ Rap followed by Pop, Electronic and R&B.

Elise Eriksen arrives with the chill-pop track track Less. It’s a mid tempo song that’s fun and quirky that has mix of BENEE and Julia Michaels. In fact, the track was co-written by Julia Michaels & features Shoffy. Originally from Norway, Elise moved to New York City before hunkering down in Los Angeles. Her craft of writing songs may point to the fact that she is the daughter of Mikkel Eriksen who makes up the Stargate songwriting duo that wrote massive hits for Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Coldplay. You learn a thing or two growing up with mega artists and songwriters. Elise also just released music video for the track on YouTube that you can view here. ‘Less’ speaks about things that are meaningful, but I wanted it to feel upbeat and fun because it has been such a tough year,” says Elise. Check out the track on KOAR’s Indie Invaders.

The 1960’s and 70’s brought us great protest songs. The Vietnam War was a dominant musical theme in the ’60s and ’70s.  Antiwar songs was the centerpiece at the Woodstock festival in 1969. Music can change the world and it did. Music was the most powerful means of voicing opposition. Artists were protesting against a war and rallied for international peace.

But with all the divisiness today, where are the protest songs? Today, a protest more or less looks like a  cringeworthy rant on social media from  laymen.
In 60’s and 70’s there was a red line between the artist class and the ruling class. Today, the creative community have aligned themselves with the political class which also includes the big tech billionaires who run Facebook, Google, Twitter and Youtube.
Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins notes, “I mean, there’s friction against one political party, but there doesn’t really seem to be a counterculture, which is kind of strange.”
Where is the friction and the divide? Nobody is raging against the machine. Has the machine become too powerful to rage against? I don’t know, but let it face the music – a proven enemy!