State of the GRAMMYs / Rap embraces art / YouTube vs Billboards / Spotify hacked

We're back for 2026 with a look at the Grammy's. Are they still relevant? What's it take to get nominated? Is being part of the Grammy's something indie artists should aspire to? Next we look at how rap is embracing the visual art world. YouTube is set to stop reporting to Billboard because of a disagreement between the two organizations about how free streams should be counted. Finally, Spotify has been hacked! Who did it, what did they steal, and how can you get in on it?Plus we're adding a brand new weekly segment called "Take It Or Leave It" where we drop some quick knowledge for you to take or leave as you please. Stick around to the end to hear it!LinksThe Data Behind The 2026 GRAMMY Awards by New Industry Focus 2026 GRAMMYS Nominations: Record Of The Year Nominees 21 Savage & Slawn Kid Cudi Reinvents Himself as Scotty Ramon, a Visual ArtistA$AP Ferg Painted His Album CoversArt is Back on Album Covers in 2025 YouTube removed from Billboard charts by Resident AdvisorPirate Activist Group Spotify Hack By Mitchell Peters for BillboardSend us Fan MailSubscribe on YouTubeRecorded ourselves at Secret Spot DTLACameron Ljungkull Augustus Watkins Cocaine Opera - Music PR | Artist & Label Services