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Ben Folds worries about becoming uncool (not really)

Aug 7, 2019
"As satisfying and safe as it can feel to have mastered a craft, it also can be a sign that it’s time to learn a new trick," the musician writes.
"I cannot grow artistically if I am beholden to the opinions of an industry I’ve outgrown," Ben Folds writes in his memoir.
Joe Vaughn

Song lyrics are a big business online. Here's how it works.

Jul 9, 2019
Once upon a time, lyrics were extras. If you were lucky they were stuffed inside the sleeve of an LP. Now, they’re all over the place.
The original handwritten lyric sheet for the song "Royals" by New Zealand musician Lorde.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
For violinist Keiko Tokunaga, her instrument is more than just a tool for work. "It is a part of me," she says.
Arthur Moeller

Billboard takes a closer look at bundling

Jun 11, 2019
A recent spat with DJ Khaled is making the music industry question what really counts as a sold copy of an album.
Rich Fury/Getty Images

Taylor Swift proves that, on YouTube, it's all about "ME!"

Apr 29, 2019
The artist used a new feature of YouTube's to launch her latest single.
Taylor Swift performs onstage during The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The business of being Taylor Swift

Apr 26, 2019
Let’s do the numbers on the 29-year-old star.
Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on October 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 
Kevin Winter/Getty Images For dcp

Beyoncé and her brand, by the numbers

Who run the world? Queen B, probably.
Beyonce performs onstage during The 59th GRAMMY Awards in February 2017
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NARAS

For public good, not for profit.

MC Hammer embarks on "nostalgia" tour

Apr 5, 2019
Guess what time it is?
MC Hammer speaks onstage during a Capitol Music Group event in Los Angeles, California in 2018.
Rich Polk/Getty Images for Capitol Music Group

How to be a music supervisor

Dec 26, 2018
There's someone choosing the music for your favorite TV and movie scenes. Morgan Rhodes explains how she does her job — and how she got to where she is now.
A still from the 2014 film "Selma."
Paramount Pictures/YouTube

We're still not sick of Christmas music, believe it or not

Dec 24, 2018
Holiday music is more popular than ever, but that doesn't mean it's easy to make jingle bells rock.
The brothers in Hanson — Zac, Taylor and Isaac — are reissuing their 1997 holiday album "Snowed In" this year. Their second holiday album, "Finally it's Christmas," came out in 2017.
Peter Balonon-Rosen/Marketplace