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This article was written in partnership with No Fortune
Harvey Brittain, the 21-year-old sensation hailing from the UK, is making waves in the music industry, and his journey is nothing short of inspiring. With a unique blend of pop and jazz influences, Harvey’s music stands out in a crowded field, capturing the hearts of listeners around the globe.
Harvey’s love affair with music began at the young age of four when he first laid his hands on a piano. Growing up in a musical household where his father was a musician, it’s no surprise that Harvey’s soul resonated with the magic of music. He immersed himself in melodies, and his innate talent allowed him to recreate tunes by ear, much to the chagrin of his piano teacher. Despite the classical music exams he reluctantly endured, Harvey’s heart was drawn to the world of jazz. Influenced by legendary artists like Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, and Chick Corea, he yearned to improvise and explore the uncharted territories of music. As he honed his skills, he discovered his singing voice and began crafting his own compositions.
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Harvey’s journey took a pivotal turn when he started performing at small gigs while still in school. He even auditioned for major television shows like Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor, gracing stages at prestigious venues like Wembley Arena and The London Palladium. Yet, Harvey felt that these avenues weren’t authentic to his artistic vision.
In 2020, a golden opportunity arose when Harvey secured a scholarship to the illustrious Berklee College of Music in the USA. The acceptance letter was a dream come true, but the financial shortfall threatened to shatter that dream. Undeterred, Harvey embarked on a quest to secure sponsors and support. His determination led to a remarkable encounter with bestselling author Lee Child, who graciously backed his journey to Berklee. Lee Child’s act of generosity left an indelible mark on Harvey, instilling in him the importance of paying it forward. Harvey is determined to support others in their pursuit of dreams, just as he was supported on his journey.
Fast forwarding to June of 2022, Harvey used his momentum to release his debut record, “Honest.” Produced in collaboration with American producer H4RRIS, this single skyrocketed into the top 50 of the iTunes Pop Top 100 in the US. The accompanying music video, shot around Boston and executively produced by Lee Child, showcased Harvey’s creative spirit and boundless energy.
Harvey Brittain’s journey from a young piano prodigy to a rising star in the music industry is a testament to the power of talent, determination, and the support of those who believe in you. As he continues to create music that resonates with audiences worldwide, Harvey’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists everywhere. Keep an eye out for his upcoming singles, and remember his promise to pay it forward, ensuring that the magic of music continues to thrive in the hearts of future generations. Harvey Brittain is a name you’ll want to remember as he continues to light up the music scene with his passion and talent.
This article was created in partnership with FortuneZ.
There’s a new video trending in dance music with ties to the cryptocurrency industry entitled ‘We Are X’, launched by CruxDecussata, by the ticker of $X (CRUX).
The music video features notable crypto influencer Herbert Sim commonly known as the Bitcoin Man; actress Valeriia Karaman, and DJ Nicole Chen from Singapore.
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The song was performed by Valeriia Karaman, remixed by DJ Nicole Chen, to fit the cyberpunk image of the cryptocurrency industry.
The music video’s creative direction is the brain-child of Herbert Sim, who took inspiration from the novel Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James, with elements of BDSM – leather restraints, black tape covering private areas, models dancing alluringly in slow motion. And the video was filmed in monochrome, inspired by American fashion photographer Herb Ritts, known for his black-and-white photography.
The founder of CruxDecussata, known only as ‘The Dev’ or ‘CP33’, is an anonymous person, who bought the domain URL of xn--33h.com from Herbert in July, and launched the project in August.
The URL of ☓.com, was first used back in 2010-2014 by the world’s first repository for compiling crypto and blockchain research papers – Crypto Chain University (CCU), founded by Herbert himself, which also educated people about the Cypherpunk movement.
English alphabet X.com also created a notepad signature on 3rd January 2009, with the words xn— 33h.com and 666, which goes to show there is correlation between English alphabet X.com, and crux decussata symbol – ☓.com, dating back to 2009.
The music video was shot by Pavel Egorov with photography by Vitaly Dmitriev and styling by Ariana Jiang. Other models include: Panina Vasilina, Camilla Grado, Leya Blonde. Additional Credits: Egor Tarasov, Sasha Estrina.
CruxDecussata owns the domain name of St. Andrew’s cross symbol – ☓.com, by the punycode of xn--33h.com; not to be confused with English alphabet X.com which is owned by Elon Musk.
This article was created in partnership with Highkey Enterprises.
Music fills our souls with hope, inspiration, and comfort. Highkey Enterprises Top Artists of 2023 exemplify these traits and have conquered the music world by rising above all the noise and rejection.
This article is created celebrate the visionary artists who have fearlessly carved their own path in this tightly competitive industry, propelling them to the forefront of the music world in 2023. Join us as we explore the stories of these extraordinary individuals who have dared to be different, leaving an indelible mark on the global music landscape and inspiring generations to come.
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GhostLuv Me
GhostLuvMe can trace his musical journey back to two pivotal moments from his childhood when he was 10 years old. The first was when he started learning to play the flamenco guitar, eventually leading him to create his music. The second moment was a tragic one, where he lost his mother and two sisters to gun violence. This event gave him a unique perspective on life, a source of inspiration for his rap name, and an insurance claim that helped finance his music career.
Born and raised in Broward County, Florida, GhostLuvMe moved to Los Angeles in 2017 to pursue his music career. However, he soon realized the city was geared more toward established artists than those trying to make a name for themselves. Nevertheless, his time in L.A. allowed him to work with renowned producer Scott Storch on developing his sound.
After his brief stint in L.A., GhostLuvMe moved back to the East Coast, this time to Atlanta. It was here that he achieved a significant milestone in his career with the release of the Ghosttoven tape, a collaborative effort with Zaytoven. Since then, he has collaborated with several artists, including Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Raekwon, and Ghostface Killah.
As a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, GhostLuvMe is highly proficient at playing anything with strings, piano, and drums. He is a prolific music creator, with thousands of songs to his name. While he can assemble, play, and produce his music, he enjoys collaborating with outside producers to add variety to his style. In 2023, he is set to release two tapes, Bohunk and Popstar Degenerate, produced by Brandon Finessin and Tragic, respectively.
Liam McDonald
Liam McDonald, known by his stage name OPLIAM, is a dynamic solo artist and the charismatic frontman of a three-piece rock band out of Chicago. Born and raised amidst the landscapes of Minnesota, Liam was deeply influenced by the region’s rich tradition of Indigenous activism, which ignited his passion for music and social change.
From a young age, Liam set the stage ablaze with his electrifying performances. He made his debut at numerous grassroots Native American environmental events across Minnesota.
Immersing himself in the vibrant Indigenous music scene, Liam had the privilege of sharing stages with renowned bands across the nation, including Grammy award winners Portugal The Man, Gogol Bordello, and The Halluci Nation. He has solidified his presence within the alternative rock community with a unique fusion of blues rock, alternative rock, and reggae influences.
Liam’s music acts as a powerful conduit for his dedication to Indigenous rights and environmentalism. One of his notable compositions, “Land Back,” serves as an anthem for the repatriation of native lands and highlights the connection between Indigenous people and their environment.
Liam has received well-deserved acclaim for his activism efforts. Penguin Random House even approached him to contribute to the esteemed “True History” literary series by writing an Indigenous history book. This opportunity allowed Liam to further amplify Indigenous voices and enlighten readers about the rich tapestry of Indigenous culture and struggles. Liam’s book, “Indigenous America,” received critical acclaim from the coveted “Starred Review” of The School Library Journal.
He’s not stopping there. Liam has just released his 3rd big project entitled “All Roads Are Good.” Wrote while on the road, the new album features a mixture of rock ballads and experimental and acoustic tracks. Recorded during quarantine, the project paints a painful yet beautiful representation of our current times. With each new artistic endeavor, Liam is changing the way we listen to music.
Robbie Tripp
Few artists this year have matched the creative output of viral rapper and internet personality Robbie Tripp. The polarizing Las Vegas artist has been on an impressive run of releases, adding an array of star-studded co-signs and collaborators to his projects.
Tripp made his mainstream debut with his single, “Chubby Sexy,” a catchy body-positive anthem that GQ Magazine crowned a “Moment of the Year” in its annual “Men of the Year” issue. Robbie’s next single, “Luka Doncic,” became a favorite of billionaire Mark Cuban at Dallas Mavericks games. Tripp—a former college basketball dropout—performed the song during the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City.
Robbie Tripp’s true breakout moment as an artist arrived last summer when his Tik Tok viral track “Big Girl Banger” started a global trend of dance trend on the app. The official music video for “Big Girl Banger”—directed and produced by Tripp through his independent media production company, Desert Money—led Flaunt Magazine to refer to Tripp as “the wholesome Post Malone of body positivity.”
In 2023, Tripp shook the hip-hop world with the release of “Basic Bro,” a fiercely energetic single and music video that garnered millions of views across Tripp’s global platforms and spawned viral reactions on popular rap blogs WorldstarHipHop and No Jumper. Tripp followed up with “They Said” featuring BlocBoy JB, securing a massive co-sign from the Memphis rap star known for his song “Look Alive” with Drake, which peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Las Vegas creator is currently riding the wave of his latest release, highly-anticipated single “I Wanna Have Fun…” produced by Andrew Dawson, a three-time Grammy-award winner and longtime mixing engineer for Kanye West’s best-selling albums.
Tripp tells Billboard: “I’m charged up on a dream!”
Youngest Flexer Alive
Youngest Flexer Alive is a rising music artist from Canada, now based in the vibrant city of Miami, where sunshine and blue skies fuel his creative energy. At 19 years old, this young prodigy is making waves in the music industry with his undeniable talent.
Born and raised in Toronto, Youngest Flexer Alive’s journey to success has been shaped by his passion for music from an early age.
Youngest Flexer Alive’s music resonates with audiences of all ages, capturing hearts with his unique blend of infectious beats and relatable lyrics. His upcoming debut single promises to be a compelling showcase of his talents, and his fans eagerly await its release. Committed to authenticity, he infuses each song with youthful energy and an honest reflection of his life experiences, ensuring a genuine connection with his growing fan base.
As an artist, Youngest Flexer Alive takes immense pride in his independence and creative control. He has actively collaborated with top-notch producers and fellow artists, channeling his vision into a captivating musical journey. The studio has become his sanctuary, where he refines his craft and unleashes his boundless creativity to push the boundaries of his musical expression.
Beyond his musical pursuits, The Youngest Flexer Alive is also focused on building his brand and expanding his reach. Recognizing the significance of connecting with his audience, he has skillfully utilized social media platforms to engage with fans and share glimpses of his artistic process. His presence on Spotify and other online platforms reflects his commitment to making a lasting impact in the music industry.
With unwavering determination and an unwavering drive to succeed, The Youngest Flexer Alive is destined for greatness. As he prepares to release his highly anticipated debut single, excitement and anticipation mount as his infectious energy and innovative approach promise to propel him toward a bright and promising future as an artist and young trailblazer. With the world at his feet, The Youngest Flexer Alive is ready to conquer the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide and leave an indelible mark on the industry.
Elyrix
Broken dreams can be rebuilt, no matter how shattered. The proof? The person whose work enchanted the masses and earned him a place on this list: the ingenious and incredible musician called Elyrix.
By 17, he’d pocketed his first million, vibing to Rick Ross daily with his friends. But the high-rolling lifestyle of gambling, exclusive clubs, and endless nights out took its toll, draining every dollar. Yet, when many would’ve crumbled, Elyrix dug deep. Fueled by sleepless nights of coding and the beats of Rick Ross’ anthems, he hustled harder than ever. Through it all, the rhythm of music remained his anchor.
His early music provided a raw, unfiltered reflection of his journey. By the third album, collaborations with industry giants took center stage: beats with Atl Jacob, a track alongside Lil Baby, and a powerful feature with the very inspiration for his first million, Rick Ross. With other big-name features peppered throughout, the album showcased Elyrix’s undeniable pull in the music world. And as we await his fourth art piece at the end of the year, it’s evident: Elyrix isn’t just a name on a playlist. He’s an atmosphere, an emotion, a movement.
His fearless exploration across genres keeps listeners on their toes, always anticipating his next move. Each track is a fresh experience, a testament to his innovative spirit.
From Montreal to global stages, Elyrix’s story isn’t just about music. It’s about reinvention, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of one’s passion. Dive into his sound, and you’ll get it: Elyrix isn’t just making music; he’s crafting memories.
This article was created in partnership with Digital Nod News Desk
DVBBS, the Canadian dance/electronic duo composed of brothers Alexandre and Christopher van den Hoef, is back with a new single that is set to make waves in the music world. The track, titled “Breathe,” features the vocals of Jesse Jo Stark, the heir to the Chrome Hearts empire and a rising star in the rock world. This new single has been created with Spinnin’ Records/Warner and dropped on September 29th.
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“Breathe” is a powerful and energetic song that showcases DVBBS’s signature sound of big drops, catchy melodies, and anthemic vocals. The track also highlights Stark’s sultry and soulful voice, which adds a touch of rock and roll flair to the electronic production. The song is a perfect fit for festivals, clubs, and radio, as it delivers a message of living in the moment and enjoying life.
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“Breathe” is the first single from DVBBS’s upcoming album, which is expected to feature more collaborations with some of the hottest artists in the industry. DVBBS has already proven its versatility and talent by working with artists such as Blackbear, Wiz Khalifa, 24kGoldn, Galantis, Quinn XCII, Martin Garrix, Aloe Blacc, Icona Pop, Benny Benassi, Steve Aoki, 2 Chainz, powfu, Alida, Cody Simpson, Johnny Orlando, YBN Nahmir, Roy Woods, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Cheat Codes, Juicy J, and Belly.
In addition to releasing its new single and album, DVBBS has also announced some exciting news for fans and aspiring artists. The duo has finalized a joint venture with a soon-to-be-named major record label as well as launched their independent label, KANARY RECORDS. KANARY RECORDS is a platform that aims to discover and nurture new talent in the music scene and provide creative freedom and support for DVBBS and its collaborators.
DVBBS has been making music since 2012 when the duo debuted with its EP “Initio.” The van de Hoef brothers rose to fame with their smash hit “Tsunami” in 2013, which became a platinum-selling song in nearly a dozen countries and reached over 1 billion streams. The vocal mix of the song “Tsunami (Jump)” featuring Tinie Tempah topped both the UK Singles and UK Dance charts in 2014. Since then, DVBBS has released 12 more platinum singles, including “Tinted Eyes,” “West Coast,” “IDWK,” and “Not Going Home.” It has also performed at some of the world’s top festivals, such as Lollapalooza, Creamfields, Tomorrowland, EDC, and Ultra Music Festival.
DVBBS is one of the most successful and influential acts in the dance/electronic scene today. With its new single “Breathe,” its upcoming joint venture, and the launch of its independent label KANARY RECORDS, DVBBS is ready to take its music to the next level and dominate the music charts for decades to come.
This content was created in partnership with Ascend Agency
In the relentless pursuit of innovation that defines today’s financial landscape, few events stand like Triller’s public listing. As a company at the intersection of AI technology, influencer marketing, combat sports, and entertainment, Triller’s announcement of its filing for a public listing on the NYSE represents a defining moment in investment history. With Cantor Fitzgerald as its bank and Citadel as its market maker, it has attracted leaders in the financial industry to ensure the brand is successful.
Here’s an in-depth look into why Triller’s listing is one of the most exciting of 2023:
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Triller’s AI, initially called Amplify.AI, has redefined user experience. Tailoring content to individual preferences, this innovative tech not only improves user experience but also opens up avenues for monetizable interactions, breaking 750 million every quarter. With comparisons to Open.AI and a valuation north of $23 billion for OpenAi’s similar technology, Triller’s AI machine stands as a significant pillar of growth.
Leveraging influencers has been a transformative element for Triller. Starting with deals with virtually all of the top 100 influencers in the world, Triller followed up by acquiring and building Julius, connecting over 25,000 brands with 2.2 million influencers as one of the largest influencer marketing platforms today.
Julius used by many of the largest companies in the world is effectively an EBAY for influencers and other brands alike. Triller has created a unique ecosystem, allowing it to navigate a crowded market with finesse, and have a very unique offering to brands, influencers and users.
While it may not seem natural, Triller’s journey into combat sports further deepend its offering, user base and connectivity. When Triller put on the Tyson V. Jones pay per view extravaganza, it was considered a very risky move. Many didn’t believe it would work and were quick to dismiss it as a soon to be failed experiment.
Triller, however, seemed to understand that its unique AI, which finds users or customers from its patterns across the various social media networks, connecting them with relevant brands, products or offerings, could also apply to digital products, not just physical.
As Combat Sports both crossed into influencer marketing and the core audience was used to paying for it as a product, Triller was able to capitalize on these trends. By using its AI to push digital PPV’s it was able to create what went on to become the most successful Digital PPV event of all time, of its kind. It followed this up with a number of events including the Jake Paul, Ben Askren, The Trillerverz events, setting numerous records, including Verzuz being 8 of the top 10 live Instagram events of all time; and eventually its acquisition of BKFC and FiteTV.
Although Triller presented itself as a pre-revenue company in 2020 it recognized $3.7 million in 2020. Its growth from 2020 to 2021 was approximately a 7x increase, and it has double both from 2021 to 2022 and projects to double again from 2022 to 203 reaching over a projected $100 million+ in 2023. The numbers narrate a tale of unprecedented growth, driven by strategic planning, innovation, and adaptation to market trends.
Triller’s story is a financial odyssey that started as a platform for short music videos. The proposed TikTok ban first catapulted Triller into a global sensation, when it became the only app to ever reach number one app in the app store in 80 countries. Since that time the company has steadily been building its user base which now stands tall with over 500 million registered users and it effectuates more than 750 million interactions per quarter, driven by an understanding of market dynamics and agility.
Triller’s public listing on the NYSE is a momentous occasion that could resonate throughout the financial and tech worlds. In the era of relentless innovation, Triller is leading the way. The Triller story illustrates that when the right components align, not only can 1 + 1 equal more than 2, it can equal more than 10. A lesson for entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses alike, the Triller phenomenon is a masterstroke in financial innovation, and its reverberations may be felt for generations to come.
This article was written in partnership with Allison Parker.
If you are just hearing about Stacy Schlagel, you are not alone. And yet, the San Antonio-based singer and writer has been making serious waves across the internet for the past three years due to her heartfelt, hopeful words and bouncy, club-ready music.
Schlagel had always felt a deep connection to music but hadn’t imagined pursuing a full-time career in the arts until recently. Forced to reckon with the joblessness, anxiety, and depression that came with the 2020 pandemic, Schlagel channeled her woes and her compassion for others first into words and then into song. Teaming up with producer Corey Chorus (aka TheCHORUS), Schlagel was able to easily translate her feelings into an uncanny, original sound, as evidenced on her singles “HateA” and “Quick To Walk,” both of which have since garnered over one million plays on YouTube.
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In addition to the songs created during 2020, Schlagel also recently published her first collection of poetry entitled Personification of Entelechy, which she first began at the onset of the pandemic. Ever one to aspire to new heights and conquer new feats, Schlagel also founded her own record imprint called Regal Recordings, where she serves as owner and operator as she promotes and produces her own releases.
Born in Tucson, Arizona to a U.S. Air Force Missile Command Officer and a high school trigonometry and calculus educator, Schlagel’s parents instilled community-first values into their daughter, with an emphasis on the importance of self-improvement and furthering your education. This background may be part of the reason why the former model, cheerleader, and beauty pageant competitor dons so many hats, which currently include being a mother, homemaker, musician, writer, business woman, and entrepreneur.
Check out the videos for “HateA” and “Quick To Walk” below, be sure to grab a copy of Schlagel’s latest book, Personification of Entelechy on Amazon and Barnes & Noble today, and check Billboard for all of the latest news and updates on the exciting career of Stacy Schlagel.
This article was written in partnership with Allison Parker.
Ryan Kavanaugh’s Proxima entertainment company has acquired a “significant strategic stake” in movie-streaming platform ROW8 and formed a joint venture, Proxima 8. Combining the individual strengths of the two separate brands, Proxima 8 aims to revolutionize the way audiences experience cinema and disrupt the current theatrical window models – like PVOD, SVOD, and PPV – and change how movies are distributed and made available to consumers.
The partnership aims to cater to the preferences of today’s younger audiences, tapping into the vast potential that lies within influencer communities as well as digital platforms. Through the acquisition, Proxima Media will be able to leverage the technology that ROW8 offers, further expanding its distribution capabilities, which includes its ability to geolocate by proximity to specific theaters. Additionally, this partnership will allow Proxima to reduce marketing costs while maximizing revenues on highly commercial genre-specific films. By focusing on distributing Proxima’s youth-focused genres –including horror, thriller, action, love stories, and American comedies – and utilizing its social media and influencer connections, Proxima 8 aims to create a platform that caters to today’s generation.
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With involvement in Proxima as well as the 450 million user-rich social media app Triller, Ryan Kavanaugh has had an impressive career in the entertainment industry, marked by a series of achievements and a track-record of staying ahead of the curve. From bringing comic book universes to the big screen to penning market-defining deals for subscription video on demand platforms, Kavanaugh has proven again and again to embrace new innovations and trends in technology as well as change with market shifts. In a 2014 keynote address at a leading industry conference, Kavanaugh stated, “if the studios don’t change soon, the customers will change it for them as they now have the ability to get (content) where they want it, when they want it, and how they want to pay for it.”
Currently, ROW8 is one of the larger independent digital Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) movie platforms, offering its customers access to a vast library of high-quality movies available to stream instantly on their favorite devices. With agreements in place with many of the biggest studio production houses as well as a recent merger with Rad – a blockchain-based streaming platform – ROW8 has quickly become a key player in the industry. The acquisition of ROW8 by Proxima, according to Kavanaugh, “allows [Proxima] to give the influencer stars of our films a way [and] a destination to send their fans and followers to where they can really participate in [their] journey, not just watch the movie. It will be the first time there will be a two-way connection from fan to movie and movie to fan; it’s not just a platform, but a destination.”
Through his connections with Triller, which Kavanaugh held a controlling stake in from 2019 to 2022, the film financier has unique connections to some of the platform’s top influencers. With Proxima 8, Kavanaugh and ROW8 have shown that they are willing to take risks and embrace change, positioning themselves at the forefront of a dynamic market shift. As video distribution markets further develop and mature, the burgeoning platform will definitely be an industry player to watch in the coming years. Keep checking Billboard for the latest on all things Proxima 8.
This article was written in paid partnership with Triller.
Triller, the U.S.-based answer to foreign social media video sharing services, is poised to have a big 2023. The startup first rose to prominence in 2020, as it made headlines for producing blockbuster pay-per-view boxing matches as well as launching careers for a slew of up and coming combat sports athletes. Beyond its emphasis on sports promotion, the company was also embraced by many creators in 2020 as its China-based competitor faced increasing hostility from Congress and former President Donald Trump. While its competition readies itself for its first-ever testimony before Congress later this month, the future couldn’t look brighter for Triller, who is currently on the cusp of being publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “illr.”
For Triller Executive Chairman and Owner Bobby Sarnevesht, the company’s success is due in no small part to the fact that it’s the only big tech company that isn’t owned by big tech. “Our primary stakeholders are the artists and the influencers themselves,” Sarnevesht says. “What people don’t understand is that we aren’t just ‘for the artists,’ we are the artists.” With a string of celebrity endorsements spanning social media, music, sports, and more, Sarnevesht claims that Triller might be “the largest creator owned company ever to exist.”
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While Triller does see itself as a bold competitor to other video sharing social media platforms, it does not define itself as such. “A lot of people came rushing onto Triller a few years ago when Trump first brought up the idea of a ban [on the foreign competition],” Sarnevesht says. “We definitely leaned into that…but that is not who we are, that is not how we define ourselves.”
Sarnevesht knows first hand how hard it is to build an audience on social media, and prides himself on Triller’s creator-first positioning. “I hear daily horror stories about hard working artists who spent the last three years building their following – whether it’s to 5,000, 500,000 or 50 million people – only to wake up and find that [their platform] is literally blocking them from marketing to their own audience if they don’t pay [them]. [These platforms] put up a paywall where they actually block you from posting to all your own users without paying for…access [to] them,” Sarnevesht says.
On Triller, Sarnevesht explains, companies are set up to actually give the creator direct ownership of the relationship with their followers and maximize their revenue. “That’s why our products like Cliqz, our SMS app for influencers, get over a 70% open rate and an unheard of over 30% click through rate,” Sarnevesht says. “Creators literally can make 10x or more on Triller [than] they can on any other platform.”
Triller alleges to be majority owned by actual artists, influencers, and talent who in turn can maximize engagement with their followers and take home more revenue versus other platforms where big tech takes the lion’s share. According to Sarnevesht, the company’s “secret sauce” lies in its use of AI. “Triller at its core is an AI company. Its base of AI comes by way of an acquisition approximately two years ago [when Triller bought AI startup] Amplify.AI,” Sarnevesht says. Sarnevesht and team refer to Triller’s Conversational AI system as “ChatGPT for Brands,” claiming that to date, the technology has enabled over 20B conversations with more than half a billion users. “While others are just discovering ‘ChatGPT’ and trying to find some AI angle for valuation purposes, Triller literally is built on AI and always has been,” Sarnevesht says.
Ahead of what could surely be the brand’s biggest year to date, Sarnevesht and team have launched a custom social media converter for creators to transfer their entire video sharing accounts, including usernames, to Triller. “This is our coming out party,” says Sarnevesht. “Transfer your [other accounts] now.”
For Sarnevesht and team, Triller isn’t just a social media app but an entire creator ecosystem unto itself. According to Sarnevesht, Triller has conducted 10 acquisitions since 2020, making it more than a single app but a marketplace setup to allow influencers to, as Sarnevesht puts it, create the best content and share it as broadly as possible across all other social media networks while retaining control of their own users and maximizing what they can make.
Keep your eye on this space for more from Triller and Sarnevesht.
This content was created in partnership with Ascend Agency.
Viral TikTok star Bryce Hall has become an investor and partner in Dog For Dog, a cause-based dog food and products company founded by Ryan Kavanaugh, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Bublé in 2011. In celebration of the partnership, Dog For Dog has launched a new dedicated site called “Bryce’s Dog House,” at BrycesDogHouse.com, which will offer special products, giveaways, and offerings only available to fans and followers of Bryce through the partnership site, BrycesDogHouse.com.
Dog For Dog is the first one-for-one cause-based dog food company that specializes in high-quality, natural dog food, treats, and supplements, among other products in key categories. The company is committed to providing the best possible products for dogs, and now it is taking that commitment further by donating a significant portion of its net sales to help dogs in need.
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Dog For Dog’s primary products include “DogsFood,” “Dogsbutter” (an all-natural line of peanut butter made especially for dogs), “Dogstreats,” “Dogsbars,” these products were developed using innovative ingredients with the goal of improving and extending the health of dogs.
“Dog For Dog is not just a company but a movement,” said Ryan Kavanaugh, founder of Dog For Dog. “When we created Dog For Dog, we realized there is a huge need in the market for dog products that use the newest breakthroughs in medicine, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, nutrition, and advancements in genetics to help extend both the quality and lifespan of dogs. That is our goal,” said Kavanaugh.
“We are thrilled to add Bryce as an investor and partner, and to launch ‘Bryce’s Dog House’ to help bring the best dog products to first-time dog owners and help educate people on the importance of helping dogs in need,” said Tamoor Shafi, CEO & Managing Partner of DogForDog.com. To date, Dog for Dog has donated more than one million pounds of dog food, and the company aims to donate four million pounds in the near future, fueled by its mission to get shelters to “zero kill”. “We are incredibly grateful for our loyal customer base and partners who share our values and support both our mission and the products we offer,” remarked Shafi.
Initially, for every product sold, the company donated a meal to a dog in a shelter or rescue organization. It has since upgraded the program to providing resources for organizations like Labelle to reach even more dogs in need. The program is designed to help provide much-needed nutrition to dogs who may not otherwise have access to high-quality food.
“I have always loved dogs,” said Bryce Hall. “I feel it is my generation’s responsibility to end the idea of any dogs being killed in a pound or shelter because they can’t be fed or can’t find a home, which is why I put my time and money behind such a worthy company. To stand side by side with industry titans like Snoop, Michael, and Ryan is an honor, and I have agreed to take on the responsibility of making sure my generation understands the importance of helping shelter dogs.”
Bryce Hall is passionate about ending the needless killings of dogs in shelters and is committed to educating his generation on the importance of helping shelter dogs. “I feel it is my generation’s responsibility to end the idea of any dogs being killed in a pound or shelter because they can’t be fed or can’t find a home, which is why I put my time and money behind such a worthy company,” said Hall.
Dog for Dog is not just a business but a movement to help stop the millions of dogs euthanized in pounds around the world. The company’s commitment to using only the highest quality, natural ingredients in its products and providing exceptional customer service has earned it prestigious awards, such as “best in show.”
Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé, both founders of the company, are both passionate dog lovers, and share the same commitment to providing the best possible care for their own pets. This commitment is reflected in the quality of the products they offer through Dog for Dog. “Michael and I believe in giving our own dogs the best possible nutrition, and we wanted to extend that same quality to all dogs,” said Snoop Dogg. “We’re proud to offer high-quality, natural products through Dog for Dog, and to give back to dogs in shelters in need.”
For more information about Dogfordog.com and its products, please visit the new website at www.dogfordog.com.
The music marketing scene is rapidly evolving. With streaming services rising to become the number one income source for most artists, there is a declining interest in record deals for independent artists.
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The evolution of streaming services has provided new and more exciting ways for artists to market their work, from playlist marketing to social media reels and trends. In many ways, social media, and music streaming have leveled the playing field in the music industry, and everyone is grappling for their place. Over the last decade, it has become normal to see independent artists’ work at the top of Billboard’s charts.
Ascend Agency has built a powerful reputation around taking brands from relative obscurity to profitable visibility. In the last two years, Ascend Agency has distinguished itself as a top player in the PR and Content Marketing space, rising to the very top of the game in record time purely on the wings of its genius strategy.
CEO of Ascend Agency, Jonathan Jadali told Billboard, “At Ascend, we have an uncanny ability to reach across the gap between Fortune 500 companies and startups. We service the million-dollar brands while at the same time pitching our tent with the underdogs and bringing them visibility on a budget.”
Ascend Agency’s revolutionary strategy has always depended upon building strategic partnerships. According to Jadali, partnerships trump patronage any day.
“In the PR space, we have built strategic partnerships with hundreds of publications as well as some of the top publishing chains in the country, like A360 Media and Modern Luxury. These partnerships have been the lifeblood of our amazing success. We are great at building networks, and that’s what the music game is about; getting the right type of music heard by the right people on the right platforms. We are only replicating our winning strategy in the music scene.”
Brauch Owens, who oversees Ascend’s Music Department sees the music marketing and reputation management space as a newly evolving industry. While these industries have always existed in some form, the explosion of independent artists creates a huge vacuum to fill by marketing agencies and brand management platforms like Ascend.
“Many creatives are creating on Youtube and releasing songs on streaming platforms. The volume of phenomenal talent on display in some places is amazing, but many of them remain relatively unknown. This is where we come in.” Owens explains, “At the end of the day, we love variety in our music, just like we love it in our food. There will never be enough music or enough artists to serve the tastes of all the music lovers out there. This means that the room for expansion in this industry is limitless.”
Ascend Agency has built an extensive network of playlist curators on platforms like Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music, and Soundcloud and is leveraging these partnerships to great effect to deliver phenomenal results for their clients in record time. This strategy is consistent with Ascend’s plan to build and maintain a valuable network.
“We try to have partners everywhere who are doing it at a very high level,” Jadali opines, “This makes it much easier to give our clients the desired results faster. Playlists are to today’s artists what radio used to be in the past. We are careful to find the right playlist fit for each client. While many independent artists are trying to reinvent the wheel, we can give our clients faster results by partnering with the right people. When it comes to music, the first on the scene often takes the day.”
Ascend Music Group a Subdivision of Ascend Agency has quickly become a one-stop shop for independent artists’ needs, from playlist marketing to providing press, reputation management, iTunes charting, distribution, and Album/Single releases. Ascend has entered the music game with clear intent and is gradually translating all its previous success in the PR space into the music space.
Ascend’s success in the music space in this short time has taken many by surprise, but not the company’s CEO Jonathan Jadali, “The market is there and has been growing for a long time, not many are taking advantage of it.” he says. Ascend Agency hit $2.5 million in 2021 its first year of operation and has now hit the $7.5 million mark in 2022 its second year.
We live in a streaming era as all other forms of music consumption continue to decline. Global subscribers to music streaming platforms grew by 26.4% in 2022 and now average about 523.9 million subscribers. The music streaming revenue in America now makes up 84% of the U.S. music industry revenue and is projected to grow to 90% in the next few years. “The pie is enormous, and independent artists want a slice of it,” says George Nellist.
The reason for this growth in independent artists can be tied to the growth in sound engineering technology, making it relatively easier to create music and the relative visibility social media provides. According to Owens, “the sheer volume of independent artists building a following outside the establishment is impossible to ignore. Independent artists will likely become the future of the industry or at least a major player, and Ascend will be right there at the forefront making sure that their amazing art gets heard.”
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