SoundCloud launches fan-driven Buzzing Playlists to spotlight new artists and musicSoundCloud has launched ‘Buzzing Playlists’, a new “fan-powered” feature that spotlights up-and-coming artists and their music.
Updated weekly, these playlists are sourced from Next Pro artists (Soundcloud’s paid subscription program) who have opted in to have their tracks analysed by First Fans. The feature will help expose artists to more listeners, lending them the opportunity to be heard by potential new fans. Meanwhile, fans can discover new music based on what other fans are connecting with

READ MORE: UMG is returning to TikTok after settlement of months-long dispute

Featuring songs “based on genuine fan engagement”, Buzzing Playlists will showcase fresh tracks from the best up-and-coming Next Pro artists across various genres including Pop, Hip Hop, R&B, and Electronic.
Here’s how the feature works:
First, SoundCloud Next Pro artists can upload a fresh track and opt-in to have it analysed by First Fans, the platform’s AI recommendation algorithm (Launched last year, First Fans uses machine learning to match people’s music tastes to a song’s profile).
After analysing these uploads, First Fans will recommend the track to up to 100 listeners – “real listeners, not bots”, Soundcloud emphasises – who are most likely to love it, based on their past listening behaviour.
From there, the top tracks are then recommended to more listeners, up to 1000. The highest performing tracks of those recommended i.e. the ones that listeners engage with the most (engagement, plays, replays and playlist adds) will earn a spot on Buzzing playlist.

BUZZING is here. We’re highlighting tracks from emerging pop, hip hop, r&b and electronic artists on our brand new, engagement-based playlists.
Check them out now: https://t.co/WIF7FhgqGy pic.twitter.com/j6IDYuh7fj
— SoundCloud (@SoundCloud) May 2, 2024

In other news, a recent BBC investigation revealed that Illegal synthetic opioids, which have been linked to nearly three UK deaths a week on average, have been advertised on SoundCloud and X.
The drugs, known as nitazenes, were reportedly advertised across nearly 3,000 posts on SoundCloud and more than 700 on X. The investigation found that these ads often appear in the form of brief, seconds-long audio clips, with the drug’s name and dealer contact details appearing as the title of the track.
Learn more at SoundCloud.
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“DJ Khan is available for bar mitzvahs, weddings and birthdays”: London Mayor Sadiq Khan showcases DJ “skills” at youth clubLondon Mayor Sadiq Khan has been spotted DJing at a youth club ahead of the city’s mayoral election.
In a video shared by The Telegraph, the Labour Party incumbent can be seen playing a “mini set” at Croydon Voluntary Action, mixing Dancing Queen by Abba with Jack Harlow’s Lovin’ On Me.
Khan was also heard telling the audience: “You know you wanna dance!”

READ MORE: More Co-op Live Arena shows postponed after air conditioning unit falls from ceiling during soundcheck

“DJ Khan is available for bar mitzvahs, weddings and birthdays,” he joked to The Telegraph.
The London Mayor also took the chance to promote community projects like Croydon Voluntary Action, telling reporters: “What we’ve seen over the last 14 years is lots of youth clubs closing down, lots of youth workers losing their jobs as a consequence of Conservative austerity.”
“What we’ve tried to do is support youth workers and youth clubs, often bringing them together because we’re duplicating services, duplicating provision… This isn’t just about reducing crime, it’s also about young people flourishing and thriving, so lots of things we’re doing from City Hall,” he said.
Watch the clip below.

Last year, Khan was in the headlines for alleging ‘hijacking’ plans for London’s planned Vegas-style Sphere venue with his “bogus last-minute report”.
The plans, put forth by the same company behind New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden arena, were rejected by Khan, who cited the “unacceptable negative impact on local residents.”
The firm later released a statement slamming the move: “The entire five-year planning process was hijacked by the mayor and his bogus last-minute report,” MSG said.
“Londoners should be dismayed that they are not going to benefit from this groundbreaking project, and others looking to invest in London should certainly be wary.”
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The samples used in every album from The Prodigy have been tracked down in one colossal YouTube videoEver wondered where The Prodigy got all of their samples from? Well, this YouTuber has tracked all of them down and shared them in a mighty video.
At nearly two hours long, the impressive video from user Eightminutesupsidedown lists where the samples originate from and which song and album from The Prodigy it appears on, with a sound bite of each.

READ MORE: Seven iconic producers who changed sampling

The samples are incredibly varied, with snippets taken from artists such as Kate Bush, Kool & The Gang, Thin Lizzy, Public Enemy and a whole lot more.
Take a look in the video below. We cannot begin to imagine how long it took to put together:

Back in 2023, The Prodigy’s Liam Howlett spoke to NME about plans for new music. “I think I finally realised that I can’t write new finished Prodigy music unless we are doing gigs and [are] out there submerged in it,” he said.
“The best time to write for me is after I come off stage – that’s when the clearest vision is. The sweat and peoples faces are fresh in my mind, the feeling is present.”
He added, “I’ve been in the studio writing loads of beats and pieces but now we are back on tour it’s easier to feel what is the strongest shit and smash that into new tunes. I always write Prodigy music with a strong vision of us playing it live on stage… Nothing else comes into it.”
“Keef [late vocalist Keith Flint] always used to say, ‘In the studio the music is 2D, but when it hits the stage it becomes 3D. Playing it live brings it to fuckin’ life’ – and he was right,” he concluded.
View all upcoming live dates for The Prodigy.
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Crypto leaders should stop flirting with CBDCsCryptocurrency enthusiasts largely oppose CBDCs — but industry leaders including Consensys, Ripple and Stellar are throwing their weight behind them.

Microsoft bans US police departments from using enterprise AI tool for facial recognitionMicrosoft has changed its policy to ban U.S. police departments from using generative AI for facial recognition through the Azure OpenAI Service, the company’s fully managed, enterprise-focused wrapper around OpenAI technologies. Language added Wednesday to the terms of service for Azure OpenAI Service prohibits integrations with Azure OpenAI Service from being used “by or for” […]
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Audec Releases FREE Transient Shaper Plugin For macOS And Windows
The Audec Transient is a free transient shaper available to download for macOS and Windows in VST3 and AU formats. Audec describes the plugin as a “transient shaping effect that adjusts the dynamics of the percussive sound. It can make the attack part of the sound punchy or soft and the release part fat or [...]
View post: Audec Releases FREE Transient Shaper Plugin For macOS And Windows

Bypass PoE And Power Your Starlink Terminal DirectlySometimes, you will want to power a device in a way it wasn’t designed for, and you might find that the device in question is way too tailored to the original power source. Today, [Oleg Kutkov] is here to give us a master class on excising unnecessary power conversion out of your devices, with the Starlink terminal as an example. This device can only be officially powered from 48V PoE, but can technically work from about 12V – and, turns out, many people want to mount a Starlink terminal to their cars.
[Oleg] shows us the power circuit of the Starlink terminal, explaining which component is responsible for what, and gives us a block diagram. Then, he shows you the 12V rail that all internal components actually draw power from, and where to feed power into it. Plus, he warns you about possible caveats, like having to disable the builtin 12V regulator to prevent it from backfeeding-induced damage. If you’re looking to modify a similar device, this tutorial gives you heaps of insight on what you might need on your foray.
Thinking to modify your own Starlink terminal, perhaps, and wondering about the power consumption? [Oleg] has current consumption graphs for you, collected with a data logger for Uni-T UT800 of his own design, providing detailed figures on just how much energy you ought to supply to power the terminal from 12V, and where to (not) get it. After all, even a seemingly suitable power supply might not do.

Concord Label Group hires former UMG execs Brad Clark and Kristen Reed to its data analysis teamsThis is the second round of senior hires at Concord Label Group just this week
Source

Cute Solar Power Gauge Brightens the DayWhat’s the first thing you want after installing solar? All the sunshine you can get, of course. Especially if you did it in the wintertime. And what would be more fun than monitoring your power generation, especially leading up to the equinox, or start of spring? Probably not much, especially if you built a cute solar power gauge like [Ben] did to keep him from obsessively checking his phone.
At the heart of this build is the affordable Seeed Xiao ESP32C3, which controls an equally cost-effective automotive stepper via an L293D H-bridge driver. Then it was just a matter of hooking it into Home Assistant. As power is generated by the solar system, the cute little sun on the gauge rises and shows the kilowattage gained.
Unfortunately there’s no real data sheet for the stepper, so [Ben] opted to use the 5 V from the USB that’s powering the ESP32. However, it seems like this might not be enough power because the gauge appears to drift a bit. To fix this, [Ben] runs the stepper_init script twice a day, which cranks the dials all the way forward then all the way backward before settling on the last known value.
Are you interested in solar? Here’s how you can build a small power system.

TELEFUNKEN Introduces TF17 Large Diaphragm FET MicrophoneTELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik has introduced the TF17, newest voice in the TEC Award-winning Alchemy Series and latest vintage-inspired phantom-powered condenser microphone. Combining the iconic mid-forward "German" voicing with modern FET technology, the TF17 is sonically bold with a punchy transient response, high SPL handling, and very low self-noise. 

The new TF17's extended low frequency response, strong midrange, and smooth top end is ideal for vocals, drums, electric guitar, and piano. The mic features a K47-style center-terminated capsule, premium through-hole components and a UK-made OEP/Carnhill transformer with high-grade nickel-iron core. Designed with a broad variety of recording environments in mind, the fixed true cardioid TF17 is ideal for home, studio, or stage.  

Designed and assembled by hand in the USA, the TF17 provides depth and detail with extended low frequency response, bold midrange, and a smooth top end. 

Learn more: https://www.telefunken-elektroakustik.com/product/tf17

MSRP: $895

Richard Tandy (1948 – 2024) Richard Tandy, the keyboardist of Birmingham-based rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), has sadly passed away aged 76. 

Steve Redmond to step down as Global Head of Communications at BMG“Steve Redmond has played a pivotal role over more than a decade in helping define BMG as a new kind of music company," said BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld said
Source

SoundCloud enhances Music Discovery with fan-driven Buzzing PlaylistsSoundCloud has added Buzzing Playlists, a set of genre-specific playlists featuring songs based on genuine fan engagement. These playlists are available to all users.....
The post SoundCloud enhances Music Discovery with fan-driven Buzzing Playlists appeared first on Hypebot.

Sonicware Lofi-12 XT ready for launch The upgraded version of Sonicware's compact sampler is available to pre-order, and the company are also running a limited-time pricing offer.

More Co-op Live Arena shows postponed after air conditioning unit falls from ceiling during soundcheckA brand new arena situated in Manchester, England, has had to postpone further shows due to a “venue-related technical issue”. The arena, Co-op Live, has a capacity of 23,500 people and is the largest in the UK.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s show, which was due to take place on 1 May, was called off just 10 minutes after doors opened. Olivia Rodrigo’s scheduled dates on 3-4 May have also been postponed.

READ MORE: Nearly half of DJs say gigs are harder to find and pay less post-Covid, per IMS business report

So, what is actually going on? Let’s take a quick look back. The venue was originally set to open with shows from comedian Peter Kay on 23 and 24 April, which were pushed back as the venue’s power testing had fallen “a few days” behind schedule, as NME reports. A gig from The Black Keys was then also postponed.
According to new reports from Manchester Evening News, a venue spokesperson claims that the technical issue which led to A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s gig being called off was caused by part of an air conditioning unit falling from the gantry inside the venue during soundcheck. They say nobody was injured.

Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed. Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund at point of purchase.
— Co-op Live (@TheCoopLive) May 1, 2024

The boss of the Co-op Live Arena, Gary Roden, also resigned last week. He did not say why he chose to do so. Roden had been criticised for comments he made about grassroots venues, in which he suggested some were “poorly run”.
Jessica Koravos, the president of international at US-based venue operator Oak View Group (OVG) – which runs the Co-op Live Arena – has since said in a statement, “Neither Co-op Live nor Oak View Group share the sentiment expressed by former Co-op Live general manager Gary Roden regarding the grassroots industry.” Koravos also said that Co-op Live “remains committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond”.
MusicTech has contacted Co-op Live for comment. Find out more about Co-op Live.
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