Essential reading... #1
Five poignant articles from the music industry this week.
AudioActive’s Facebook page can be relied on for regular reading material, with Tom Hines always having his finger on the pulse of music journalism.
We pride ourselves on being up to date with the latest issues that affect the music industry and young people in general. After all, they inform what we do as an organisation.
Every fortnight you can expect a collection of our recommended reads from all over the web, starting here with pieces on a rapping scientist, the late great Toots Hibbert and Facebook’s crackdown on live music streams.
Obituary: Toots Hibbert - the man who coined the word reggae
BBC Music Reporter, Mark Savage paid tribute to the influential reggae artist and more, Toots Hibbert this week. Taking readers through his whole career, it’s a comprehensive reflection on the man’s immeasurable influence on music culture in this country and his homeland of Jamaica.
He described his songs as "a message of consolation; a message of salvation. The youth are going to the school and they have to listen to the words. The parents have to listen to the words.
1% of Artists Generate 90% of All Music Streams, Latest Data Shows
More critique of the current music streaming landscape comes from Digital Music News, who report the shocking data as shown in the headline.
Of the 1.6 million or so artists who have made their music available on streaming platforms during the last year, approximately one percent – 16,000 individuals – have secured 90 percent of listeners’ plays, per Alpha’s figures.
Consensus: when rap gets physical
Lewisham-born rapper Consensus has a degree in aerospace engineering. He combines his two passions to make educational raps like little else out there.
…what’s interesting about ConCERNed isn’t just how it brings physics to life through rap, but how it illuminates life through physics.
Singer, Celeste speaks on early influences in music career
Brighton’s most exciting musical export in years, Celeste, has plenty of new music on the way. She has spoken to V Magazine about her musical background and more.
In my teens, I discovered Édith Piaf, The Clash, The Specials, N.E.R.D., Tyler, the Creator, Broadcast, Gil Scott-Heron, Sun Ra—inspiring artists from all genres. There was a freedom to what they created, which really opened my mind.
Facebook explains its crackdown on live “music listening experiences”
Lockdown and the ongoing crisis that is COVID-19 has led to more and more musicians and DJs taking to live streams to engage with an audience. As anyone who has tried this out will know, it’s far from straightforward. Dummy Mag has looked into exactly why Facebook is particularly tricky to work with when it comes to live music…
The platform’s Music Guidelines state: “We want you to be able to enjoy videos posted by family and friends. However, if you use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience for yourself or for others, your videos will be blocked and your page, profile or group may be deleted. This includes Live.”
Happy reading. If you’re looking for something more to cast your eye over, be sure to read AudioActive’s latest newsletter and subscribe to it, too.