What is a “Modern Creative?” More importantly, how does a modern creative effectively tap into the force that drives their creativity?
Working in music and film through my entire professional career, I’ve seen, experienced, and worked with a multitude of creatives, and I’ve found that what it takes to be a modern creative is the ability to effectively build and tap into one’s own creative conduit. Your creative conduit provides you with the diversity of thought, new ideas, experiences and perspectives that bring your projects to the next level. Once it’s properly nurtured, the limits to your creativity will no longer exist. While building it will take time and purposeful actions, you’re going to see the results in ways you never imagined.

– Ralph Torrefranca, Billboard

In MIDiA’s third annual independent label and distributor survey, “less is more” is the name of the game. Drawing from a survey of 144 labels and distributors that self-identify as independent, MIDiA’s latest report explores how the indie sphere is adapting to the rapidly-changing industry landscape and where they see themselves going next. According to the survey, independent labels are going back to the drawing board, turning their focus to building a solid core roster rather than signing as many artists as possible. If 2024 was about recalibrating, then 2025 was about refining.

– Olivia Jones, MIDiA

Universal Music Group‘s in-house creative division °1824 is launching a dedicated channel on Twitch to help artists reach audiences globally via livestreaming.
The new channel called Universal Music Live will stream performances, industry events and artist conversations, while also providing production and marketing support to musicians looking to build audiences on the platform.
The channel will debut on February 1, with coverage from UMG’s Grammy afterparty red carpet in Los Angeles.

– Mandy Dalugdug, Music Business Worldwide

The COVID-19 pandemic caused untold human misery, but it also inspired one of the best-received production ideas in Grammy Awards history: the best new artist segment where all eight nominees are given a chance to perform.
The Grammys rolled out the idea on last year’s show. It worked so well, they’re doing it again on this year’s show, which is set for Sunday, Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. There will be performances by Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, sombr and The Marías.

– Paul Grein, Billboard

We’ve heard from artists, labels, publishers, managers, streaming services, tech companies, politicians and regulators about the impact AI might have on the creative industries. But what, you may have been wondering, does the actual pope think about all this?
Today, we have an answer for you, courtesy of Pope Leo XIV’s message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications. And it turns out he’s more in the creative sector’s corner on the matter.

– Stuart Dredge, Music Ally

Spotify’s global head of music, Charlie Hellman, released a letter to users on Wednesday (Jan. 28), highlighting the platform’s contributions to the music industry ahead of its famous Best New Artist Grammy party in Los Angeles. “Spotify paid out more than $11 billion to the music industry, the largest annual payment to music from any retailer in history,” he writes, noting that indie artists and labels accounted for over half of those royalties.

– Kristin Robinson, Billboard

The concert industry is still growing. The streaming business continues to boom. But as investors pour billions into artificial intelligence, rights holders are seizing a historic opportunity to drive the value of music to new heights. The ranking of this year’s top 40 reflects the force these leaders are showing as they forge strategic partnerships with new technology juggernauts to revolutionize the way fans interact with the artists and songs they love.
With great power, of course, comes great responsibility — and the stakes are high. Here’s to the success of this year’s honorees as they work to safeguard creators’ rights and shepherd music into a fruitful new era.

– Billboard