Can Amazon compete with Spotify? Nope. Amazon is the epitome of uncool like Wal-Mart. Amazon isn’t a brand, Spotify is. That’s why Spotify is the top digital streaming platform because it branded itself with artists. Amazon has not. Even though Amazon has created a bully brand running around with slogans like “We are the last company anyone wants to compete with”, it’s tough to compete with Spotify’s monthly active users that reached 248 million with total revenue at $1.7 billion. Plus, Spotify is ahead of the curve. The company started investing in podcast content. Spotify continues to do well and has little to worry about, even though Amazon is raising its fists claiming to be the new market leader.

Fly By Midnight released the track “The Ad Above Your Head”. This is the first track release from the NYC based pop duo since they ventured out into Los Angeles. Although the duo has met with a variety of labels, they are still independent. They wrapped up 2019 with 5M Spotify streams, 100k listeners, and a the single Lovely (feat. Betty Who)” which premiered on Spotify’s Chill Hits and Love Pop. Give it a stream.

Spotify viral artist Ant Saunders joins the 100 million streams club with the track Yellow Hearts. The New Jersey hip-hop artist says in an instagram post:
There’s just no way this number is real…..if you were to tell me 3 months ago that this song I made on FL Studio on my computer at home would get me a HUNDRED MILLION streams on @spotify alone, I would’ve thought you were on crack. I’ve honestly been waiting for a moment like this to happen for such a long time—I’d been making covers and posting them everywhere since the beginning of time and nothing ever really came of it. Then, I guess I came to the realization that that’s how it was supposed to be. It allowed me to continue working on my craft so that I’d be ready to be recognized. This number right here is a mark that represents all the work I’ve put in to make my dream come true. To all the aspiring artists out there, I know it’s hard, but your moment is bound to come. If it happened to me, it can happen to you. Thank you ?. Also..

The Nashville based 21 year old Kat Saul releases the track Compromise along with a video. The pop track was produced by all female writers and producers -Kat Saul, Paige Blue, and Megan Redmond. The 21 year old has worked alongside the who’s who of the industry including John Rausch (Taylor Swift, P!nk),Evren Goknar (The Killers, Snoop Dogg and John Lennon), and Prince Fox (Hailee Steinfeld)
Playlists: Spotify New Music Friday, Amazon Music Weekly One artist of the week
Press: iHeart, Popdust and Pop Justice
Streaming: Over 500k cumulative Spotify Streams.

If it’s any act that has GOD’s anointing it is Hillsong United. The christian act won their first #1 album outpacing P!nk. Without any top 40 radio support and marketing, the latest effort is a LIVE album, not a big budget studio album. The album features 12 live tracks which was recorded in Sydney, Australia.

Joel Houston says “The hope for the project is simply understanding the power of music as a means of bringing people together, and letting it serve as a reminder that in our culture––the call to love our neighbour is a revolutionary act that perhaps rings louder now than ever.”

Now that the christian act scored their first album, is this a once in a lifetime event? Definitely not. With 5 studio albums and 14 Live Albums, the band has been growing in popularity for years. What I do know is that P!nk won’t be releasing her next album during the same week as Hillsong United, that’s of course if she wants a #1 album.