MUSIC FEATURES
The Best DAWs for Emerging Music Producers
This NxtNow Music guide will walk you through some of the best Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) for emerging producers and help you figure out which one fits your workflow, budget and creative goals.
Interscope Geffen A&M Records Announces HBCU Focused “Homecoming SZN Compilation Vol. 2”
Homecoming SZN Compilation Vol. 2 – available exclusively on vinyl, features a curated selection of Interscope catalog songs that capture the spirit, pride, and energy of HBCU culture.
Top Strategies for Emerging Artists to Succeed in the Music Industry Heading into 2026
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 INSTRUMENT Unveils First Exclusive With John Legend’s Piano
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.
How to Make Your Friends Obsessed With Music
If you're the sort of person who loves music but your friends don’t, it can make you feel a little lonely. You know what you like, but they don’t seem to be coming along with you for the ride. So, what should you do in this situation? How can you get them into it? Here’s some ideas you could try!
Top 15 Essential Tools and Resources for Emerging Artists in 2025
With digital tools for production, distribution, promotion, and fan engagement, indie artists can build sustainable careers from their home studios. This guide curates the best free and affordable resources to help you produce high-quality tracks, get your music heard, and monetize your passion.
Vocana Connects With MassiveMusic to Build a Better Service for Indie Music
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.
Sonsy Partners With Tuned Global Launching Mongolia’s First World-Class Music Streaming Service
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 & The London Contemporary Orchestra Unveil LCO Producer Strings
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 Introduces Bespoke In-House Marketing Service, Pick N’ Mix Promo
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.
StrmMusic Announces Global Distribution Partnership With YouTube
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 Joins Forces With Connex to End the Chaos of Label Delivery for Artists
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 Signs Elyas, Producer of Drake’s Hit Single “What Did I Miss?”
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 Partners With Breaking Sound, Kicks Off US and Live Music Expansion
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 Connects With London-Based DJ/Writer Elijah for New DJ Series
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 Integrates Music AI to Scale Its Superfan Apps
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 Upgrades AI Marketing Assistant + Announces New Partnership With Groover
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 Connects the World With Longstanding, Truly Free Artist Services
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 the Record Label Alternative Artists are Choosing
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.
Interview: Carlos Palop, Founder of UniteSync
NxtNow Music recently had the chance to connect with Carlos Palop, the founder of music rights administration platform UniteSync, for an in-depth interview.