BTS is one of, if not the, biggest pop acts in the history of music. Few times have an artist been so successful in so many different parts of the world at once — and, interestingly enough, their predecessors have achieved similar or lesser success without facing the language barriers BTS does.

Most of the global phenomenons of pop music we can think of (The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, One Direction) sung or sing in English, which is one of the most spoken languages in the world, and one of the most familiar even to non-speakers (for…

“Like a Prayer” (1989) is a historic song for many reasons. It was the first song to be released as an ad before being released as a single. Its music video gathered huge controversy for its symbolism and subtext of race and religion taboos. It also marked a moment in which Madonna started being seen as a true star instead of an ephemeral pop sensation, and would become one of her most popular songs. …

Either combined with video or text, or as standalone media, audio is an engaging and ascending tool for entertainment, journalism, and marketing. In 2020, when the Covid 19 pandemic began, audio content became a way to feel more connected with humans during isolation: an estimated 100 million individuals in the United States listened to podcasts in 2020; and in Brazil, in the first 5 months of 2020 alone, podcasts grew to 103%.

In 2021, the format is still on a rise, with new audio-based social media platforms (like Clubhouse), features (like Twitter Spaces), radio shows, and podcasts forms emerging every…

From 2017 until May 26th 2021, the Grammy Awards' songwriter eligibility rule for Album of the Year nomination was that they should be credited with at least 33% playing time of the album. This rule changed recently: now, any songwriter or producer working on the album can be nominated. (Source: AP News)

This is one of the many ways in which the participation quota of a songwriter or producer can impact their career, for better or for worse.

Naturally, the Grammy rule is not related to copyright law and doesn't make that much difference for Brazilian songwriters.

But if you…

[ This post was first published as an article on LinkedIn ]

In my mini-review of Lorde’s song “Solar Power” for PopMatters, I mention that the song uses the same chord progression as George Michael’s “Freedom ‘90”, and a lyric from A Tribe Called Quest’s “Can I Kick It?” (I make some other comparisons with Fiona Apple and Tori Amos too).

In music criticism/analysis, pointing references or making comparisons like these is a way to place a song or album in the landscape of popular culture as a whole. Art pieces are always in conversation with other art pieces, after…

If you’re a fan of some unapologetic, somewhat ludic, sugary pop, Oh My Girl is a group you will enjoy. I don’t follow them too closely, but every now and then they come with pretty exciting songs that remind me why I love this kind of music so much.

But also, if you’ve ever wondered how the septet would sound if they experimented a bit more with their sound, then their 8th extended play (EP), Dear OHMYGIRL (2021), might be the right work for you.

In 6 tracks, Dear OHMYGIRL makes a strong case for how their sweet signature functions…

Journalism and media have long expanded their brands and branches to adapt to market trends, especially in digital spaces.

In 2021, boundaries are expanding as media outlets and publications are partnering with startups and creative initiatives, providing platforms for their content.

On May 17th (2021), music website Consequence (formerly Consequence of Sound) announced a new partnership with CREATV University, to share content for aspiring musicians, students, and industry professionals. CREATV describes itself as an “entrepreneurial hub of learning, mentorship, collaboration and democratized access and opportunity”.

Also on May 17th, music magazine Rolling Stone announced a partnership with startup accelerator Techstars…

Profit potential of copyrights and concerts (once the Covid pandemic is under control) have led Brazilian investment funds to create numerous products based on the music and entertainment industry, such as collective financing of copyright royalties, and concert investments specialized funds.

In 2020, singer Paulo Ricardo negotiated rights to 590 compositions and masters with a fintech (finance startup). (Source: Estadão’s E-Investor).

He recorded and co-wrote some of Brazil’s biggest pop hits in the 80s, reinvented himself as ballad singer in the late 90s, and enjoyed new popularity in the 2000s and 2010s as the song “Vida real” was chosen as…