In this comprehensive guide, NxtNow Music will explore proven strategies tailored for emerging artists aiming to thrive in 2026. From personal branding and content distribution to marketing tactics and monetization, these tips are drawn from current trends like the rise of short-form content, AI integration, and blockchain for ownership.

Splice, the platform that powers music creation for millions of producers worldwide, has announced the release of the John Legend: Ordinary People Piano, bringing the piano sound at the heart of Legend’s celebrated ballad “Ordinary People” to Splice INSTRUMENT.

Vocana has joined forces with MassiveMusic (formerly 7digital, part of the Songtradr brand portfolio) to build a truly innovative music service devoted to indie music, user-centric payment, and more interaction and discovery.

Launched by Mongolmusic (part of Mongol Content LLC) and powered by Tuned Global’s white-label streaming technology, Sonsy brings top quality streaming features, such as CD-quality sound, offline mode, subscription tiers, and AI-driven recommendations, while channeling real value back to Mongolian musicians.

Native Instruments is proud to present LCO Producer Strings. The new Kontakt instrument puts the sound of one of the world’s most adventurous ensembles into the hands of producers everywhere, from bedroom creators to film composers.

LabelWorx, the leading global digital distribution and label services company for the independent electronic music community, has unveiled Pick N’ Mix Promo, an exclusive new in-house marketing solution designed to help labels create fully tailored promotional campaigns for their releases.

As a preferred partner with YouTube, StrmMusic will now be able to offer artists even stronger relationships with this crucial service, reinforcing its commitment to providing real growth tools, personalized support, and data intelligence for independent artists around the world.

MusicTeam, the all-in-one platform for music makers now lets artists working with labels deliver their tracks directly to their point of contact at major companies like UMG, thanks to a partnership with A&R service Connex.

Avex Music Group, the global music company of Japanese entertainment giant Avex led by CEO Brandon Silverstein, has announced that it has signed Elyas, the producer behind a number of Drake songs including his current hit single “What Did I Miss?”…

StrmMusic, the music career accelerator, is now the official distribution partner of Breaking Sound, the live showcase organization dedicated to highlighting emerging artists in premium venues.

Beatport, the global leader in music for DJs, producers and their fans, has unveiled the next chapter of its You’re Already a DJ campaign.

oiid, the interactive music app platform known for turning listening into a studio-like experience by letting anyone play with their favorite tracks, is now integrating Music AI’s industry-leading stem separation tech, making it easier than ever for artists to engage their superfans in new, creative ways.

SymphonyOS, the marketing tech platform for musicians, just unveiled a powerful new version of Maestro, its AI music marketing assistant—and announced a new partnership with global artist promo platform Groover to match.

FreshTunes is built around accessibility and transparency. Artists from over 140 countries now use the platform to get their music on global streaming services, promote releases, and track performance, all without giving up ownership or paying recurring fees.

StrmMusic is a music tech platform or “smart label” that provides royalty-based advances (no contracts, no rights lost), AI-powered career planning, and a proprietary “Career Navigator” that maps the artist journey in 10 clear stages.

NxtNow Music recently had the chance to connect with Carlos Palop, the founder of music rights administration platform UniteSync, for an in-depth interview.

UniteSync is a platform built specifically to address missed royalties. It was created by Carlos Palop, a library scientist and electronic artist who saw the gaps firsthand while trying to get paid for his own work. He designed UniteSync to help artists, managers, and estates simplify registration and track down missing royalties.

Splice, the leading platform for music creation, has announced the acquisition of Spitfire Audio, the UK’s premier developer of high-end virtual instrument libraries.

BandLab, the world’s leading social music creation platform, has been named a winner at the 29th Annual Webby Awards, receiving the People’s Voice Award for Technical Achievement under the Apps & Software category.

Kobalt, the largest independent music publisher in the world, has announced the signing of Bizzy Crook, the acclaimed songwriter who played a pivotal role in crafting Leon Thomas’ breakout hit “Mutt.”