Persuasive Writing In Three Steps: Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis

Great writing persuades. It persuades the reader that your product is right for them, that your process achieves the outcome they desire, that your ...

The history, ingredients, and techniques behind jazz hop

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Learn about where jazz hop originated, its key characteristics, and how you can approach creating your own tracks in the genre.

Terrace Martin (Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott) talks his favorite synths and makes a beat

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Terrace Martin shows us how he uses Arturia\'s V Collection 8 to make music for some of the world\'s biggest artists. Read more

Yves C. Pierre on mentorship, The-Dream, and confidence | The Come Up

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ICM agent Yves C. Pierre tells us about her beginnings in the music industry, her favorite anecdotes, the importance of confidence, and ...

What is music copyright? | Breaking Down the Biz

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Learn about music copyright, the two key concepts that constitute it, and why understanding how it works is pivotal to your career ...

The evolution of production in BTS’ discography

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We explore how the changes in production trends over the course of BTS\' notable releases tie into the larger landscape of ...

Why ‘Vertical Volatility’ Is the Missing Link in Your Keyword Strategy

As content marketers, we base our keyword strategies on the most accessible—and simplest—data points we have: domain ranking, monthly search volume, and ...

What makes the audio of Mario Kart 8 so fantastic?

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Let\'s discuss all of the different elements that constitute the audio design of Mario Kart 8, and what makes each one so ...

5 techniques for improving your drums

From adding additional flavor to hi-hat rolls to making use of foley in creative ways, we explore five music production techniques for improving ...

Common on the state of hip hop and his new remix contest

Hip hop legend Common sat down with us to discuss his beginnings, his new album, where the genre is headed, and more.

3 tips on leveling up your sampling from Boston Chery

New York-based DJ, producer, and In Session instructor Boston Chery sat down with us to share three tips around sampling.

What it means to be heard

10 artists including Chelsea Cutler, Tayla Parx, and mxmtoon tell us about what it means to be heard.

3 simple ways to use randomization in your music

We take a look at three simple but effective ways to start adding some musical randomization to your productions.

The history of randomness and chance in music

From Nikolaus Simrock to John Cage, learn about the pioneers who used randomness in their music, and how it lives on in music ...

Experiment, Systematize, Differentiate: The Content Strategy Maturity Model

We often criticize the use of ultimate guides and listicle content, and with good reason. Many companies operate in content-saturated industries where these “classic” ...

Behind the beat in Ariana Grande’s “34+35”

Up-and-coming producer Xavi gives us an inside look into how he produced the beat for Ariana Grande's chart-topping single, "34+35."

Phil Greiss (J Balvin, Jason Derulo) on the stories behind “Mi Gente,” “Savage Love,” and more

Veteran producer, composer, and engineer Phil Greiss tells us about the stories behind three particularly notable releases he has worked on across his ...

Celebrating the record label execs who lifted others up

Learn about the stories of influential women who have been elevating and empowering others across the music industry since as early as the 1940...

Tayla Parx (Ariana Grande, Panic! At The Disco) on writing anthems and collaboration

GRAMMY-winning vocalist and songwriter Tayla Parx (Ariana Grande, Panic! At The Disco) discusses her journey, her approach to collaboration, and more.

How to promote your music on TikTok

Let's explore some strategies and best practices for how you can get started with TikTok and use the platform to get your music ...

Persuade Like a Lawyer: How to Write to Convince a Jury of Readers

Weak arguments are like chains: If one claim breaks, the whole argument falls apart. Lawyers—i.e., people who argue as a profession—know ...

How to use reharmonization in your remixes

In this tutorial video, we demonstrate how you can use reharmonization to add a whole new flavor to your remixes' chord progressions.

The long road: How to stay motivated on your artistic journey

We explore some ways you can restructure your days and mindset to better achieve your goals and have a more positive outlook on ...

How to beat the algorithm and grow your social following as an artist

Use the algorithm to your advantage and get your music in front of a larger audience than ever with these social media tips ...

The 3 most important MIDI controllers

We highlight three particularly impactful MIDI controllers that have made their mark across bedroom and studio setups alike.

The Animalz Method for Writing High-Quality Content

Many content marketing agencies say they can define high-quality content. Some say it’s original and relevant. Others say it uses data and achieves ...

Abhita Austin on The Creator’s Suite, making space, and more

Abhita Austin tells us about The Creator’s Suite, how the community-driven platform is making space for more women creators in music, and ...

8 tips for writing better lyrics

From experimenting with new rhyming schemes to being more intentional about your message, we explore eight tips and techniques that can help you ...

Konrad OldMoney on breaking into the world of video game music

Award-winning composer Konrad OldMoney (EA Sports, Skrillex) shares his perspective on breaking into the world of video game music, building a network of ...

How to Write a Blog Post Outline

A road trip across America can take a thousand different roads and take in a thousand different sights. Your map makes the journey possible. ...

JetsonMade (Jack Harlow, DaBaby) on his sound and the importance of authenticity

JestonMade (Jack Harlow, DaBaby) sat down with us to discuss his journey, creative process, and thoughts on the future of hip hop.

Tiffany Miranda on Girls Make Beats and their music placement in Coming 2 America

Girls Make Beats founder Tiffany Miranda tells us about the organization's roots, their music placement in Coming 2 America, the future of music, and ...

5 free instrument plugins every music producer should have in 2021 (VST / AU)

Spanning grand pianos to wavetable synths, these five high-quality free instrument plugins are must-haves for any music producer.

4 non-profit organizations on the importance of accessible music education

The founders of four non-profit organizations tell us about the importance of accessible music education and the profound impact it can have on ...

Monique Blake on taking career risks, calls from Idris Elba, and more | The Come Up

Monique Blake tells us about her experiences working alongside Swizz Beatz (Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Ruff Ryders), breaking into the music industry, and more. Read more

The Hybrid Content Team

The best content teams are hybrids. In most world-class content organizations, you’ll find in-house employees, freelancers and content marketing agencies working in unison, ...

Exploring the world of open tunings on guitar

Five guitarists across various genres tell us why they use open tunings and how alternate tunings can help expand our creativity.

How to build a creative ecosystem as a musician

Career musicians share how they foster a music industry ecosystem, discussing everything from building meaningful relationships to approaching studio sessions.

How to find your voice with sampling

In this tutorial video, we explore the many different avenues for finding and utilizing samples in our own music.

Beyond hearing: Perception, notation, and expanding our senses

We explore the expansive topic of how music has been documented over time, going beyond traditional notation and exploring more nonconformist approaches.

Why you should change your artist name (and how to do it right)

Learn about the reasons you might want to consider changing your artist name, and how to navigate the process across streaming platforms, social ...

TM88 (Lil Uzi Vert, Drake) on Eternal Atake, type beats, and creative philosophies

TM88 (Lil Uzi Vert, Drake, Future) sat down with us to discuss his creative philosophies, signature techniques, and advice for other producers.

How to create melodies for different moods

In this tutorial video, we explore three examples that help us better understand how we can effectively capture specific moods using melodies.

A look at hyperpop production with Angelus, Blackwinterwells, and Alice Gas

Three producers tell us about how they became involved with the world of hyperpop, how they craft their sounds, the future of the ...

Mjeema Pickett on curating music, radio, and overcoming challenges | The Come Up

Mjeema Pickett discusses her beginnings in the music industry, how her love for curation led her to spearheading R&B and soul music ...

How to Do a Content Audit (the Strategic Way)

Content marketing is one of the few marketing channels that gets more valuable over time. Pay for an article once, and you can generate ...

Nija on the future of R&B

Producer and songwriter Nija (Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Drake) tells us about her history with R&B music, the evolution of the genre, and ...

How 5 screen composers got their start and sustain their careers

Hear firsthand stories about how five composers got their first gigs, what lessons they've learned along their journeys, and how they find balance ...

Sango (Frank Ocean, Bryson Tiller) showcases his workflow in Reason+

Sango uses the sounds of Jay Dee (aka J Dilla) and the tools available in Reason+ to whip up a garage beat in ...

Electric piano sound design tips with J3PO

J3PO uses the Mark One instrument from Addictive Keys Complete Collection to walk through sound design techniques that explore the full potential ...

3 timeless songwriting lessons from Alex Winston

Veteran singer-songwriter Alex Winston (Charli XCX, Ryn Weaver) shares three invaluable songwriting lessons she's gathered across her career.

3 tips for using microphones and recording live instruments

Saxophonist and engineer Mario Castro gives us three insightful tips around how to create colorful recordings of live instruments.

KAYTRANADA on shaping his sound and the future of funk

KAYTRANADA shares his early influences with us as we explore how he has shaped the present and future landscape of funk.

How to Interview Someone for an Article

Over the course of a few hundred interviews, we’ve learned a few things. For one, interviewing doesn’t always come naturally. It can ...

The intersection of music and recycling

Let's explore some simple but meaningful actions musicians can take to help build a more sustainable future.

How to design a dynamic game audio mix

Learn about the various techniques game audio designers use to create dynamic, cohesive, and immersive sonic experiences.

How to create drum patterns across genres (lo-fi hip hop, metal, and more)

Learn about how to create original drum patterns in genres spanning lo-fi hip hop to metal, and download our free MIDI files to ...

Child on creating music videos and commanding respect | The Come Up

Artist and director Child (Big Sean, Janelle Monáe) discusses her journey, advice to other female professionals in the industry, and more.

Braxton Cook on the future of jazz music

Saxophonist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Braxton Cook discusses his history with jazz music, the evolution of the genre, and more.

How to Get Competitors Speaking Your Language

In 2014, I read an article that has remained lodged in my brain ever since. Competition was growing in content marketing, the author argued, and ...

Pudge Tribbett on what Gospel music taught him and the power of performance

Drumming legend Pudge Tribbett (Stevie Wonder, Lana Del Rey) sat down with us to discuss musicianship, the impact Gospel music has had on ...

How to Go Viral: A Content Marketer’s Guide

Over the years, we’ve watched an elite club of articles generate hundreds of backlinks and rack up hundreds of thousands of views. These ...

The ‘Google Knows Best’ Fallacy

The way most companies approach content marketing is predicated on the unspoken idea that Google knows best. For any keyword, they search through results ...

Deep Cuts and Smash Hits: The Best of Animalz in 2020

There’s a lot to be learned from a year of content marketing. High traffic articles provide a blueprint for future content. Real-world feedback ...

6 Lessons Learned from a Year of Content Strategy

Our team of content strategists spend all day, every day, creating content strategies. They partner with dozens of customers in dozens of industries. They ...