What's your 2026 music release strategy?

It's a new year and many of us are thinking about how to plan out our music drops. How should you plan your year? And what about your music video strategy? We look at how music videos remain relevant—and how they don't.Next, a major shift has taken place in the social media landscape with the transfer of TikTok to its new (rightwing billionaire) American owners. What does this mean for the future of the platform, and your fans out there who rely on it to connect with you?Scott LeGere is a major name in the Minnesota music industry, and his recent blog post about the future of music education in light of ICE raids gives us a lot to unpack— from the decision on where to begin your music career, to whether or not music even matters in the face of growing authoritarianism.In news, we look at a new deal between Udio and Merlin, and then yet another Ye apology. Gee, guys, do you think he means it this time?LinksThe Best and Worst Months to Release Music in 2026 by Randi Zimmerman for Symphonic Do music videos still matter in 2026? by IG @shesaid.so Are New Owners Censoring TikTok? Top Democrats, Influencers, Celebrities Raising Concerns by Conor Murray for Forbes TikTok users freak out over app’s ‘immigration status’ collection — here’s what it means by Sarah Perez for TechCrunch Can My Minnesota Classrooms Still be About Opportunity? By Scott LeGere on his Substack Udio Signs New AI Licensing Agreement with Merlin by Harry Levin for New Industry Focus To Those I've Hurt By Ye Formerly known as Kanye West Send us Fan MailSubscribe on YouTubeRecorded ourselves at Secret Spot DTLACameron Ljungkull Augustus Watkins Cocaine Opera - Music PR | Artist & Label Services