Hey, Creators!

We've been grooving to the new Taylor Swift Album, sipping our coffee watching the Grammy Awards...how about you?

Plus, Lana Del Rey announced her new album. 💃

There's been some interesting happenings this week in the creator economy...let's go straight into it.

TikTok Lost a HUGE Catalog of Artists! What Happened?

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately and feeling like something's missing? You’re absolutely right. 

Turns out, the world’s largest music company, Universal Music Group has left TikTok after a public brawl. Many videos using songs by celebs like Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Drake, and Ariana Grande had gone silent. 

Why the Drama?

• Universal says TikTok isn't paying artists enough royalty and isn't doing enough to fight AI-generated music that steals their shine.

• TikTok says they're being strong-armed for a better deal.

“Ultimately TikTok is trying to build a music-based business,” the label said, “without paying fair value for the music.”

Here’s what’s at stake:

• Millions of videos are muted, leaving creators scrambling for new soundtracks.

• Artists lose out on promotion, potentially hurting their careers.

• TikTok users might have to adjust to a smaller music library.

It’s not just about money. Universal's concerns are real issues that musicians face every day: getting proper compensation for their work and navigating the ever-changing landscape of technology like AI music.

Music companies are starting to realize that fans aren't just listening to music on Spotify or Apple Music anymore. Platforms like TikTok are huge, and while music might not be the only draw, it's a big part of the experience. 

So, the question is: how can both artists and platforms like TikTok work together to create a win-win situation?

X’s Rival: Bluesky is now open for anyone to join

After almost a year as an invite-only app, Bluesky is now open for everyone to join. Funded by Twitter’s co-founder Jack Dorsey, Bluesky is a promising micro-blogging platform that could compete with Elon Musk’s X.

Think of it like a Twitter built on "open-source code," which means anyone can see how it works and even build on it. 

Imagine creating your mini-Twitter with your own rules and algorithms. You can even create your content moderation services to filter out stuff you don't like.

I know what you might be thinking.

“But wait, isn't there already another "open Twitter" called Mastodon?” 

Yes, both the apps might share similar goals but Bluesky has different protocols and wants it to be easier to use, like the Twitter we know and love.

So, is Bluesky the future of social media? 

Before opening to the public, the platform had about 3 million sign-ups. It’s still early days so it’s yet to be seen if it can compete with Threads’ 130 million monthly active users, or even Mastodon’s 1.8 million.

Creator Spotlight 😍

Ever wondered HOW your favorite creators' started? What books spark their imagination, podcasts ignite their minds, or shows leave them buzzing? 

Well, we’re introducing your new favorite section where we'll be shining light on a popular creator every week. 

This week's featured creator: ✨ MR BEAST ✨

Meet Jimmy Donaldson. While he's now a YouTube powerhouse, MrBeast's first viral hit didn't come until 2017, five YEARS after starting his channel. His "I Counted to 100,000!" video took over 40 hours to film, with sped-up segments to fit under YouTube's 24-hour limit.

Addictive:

• Automate 700+ tasks with AI agents. Try Taskade.^*

• Gen Z is turning to influencers for financial advice. A new report dives into 4 main reasons creators are impacting investment decisions.

• YouTube is experimenting with red, blue, and green video feeds.

^*Sponsored

That’s all for today! Can’t wait to see you next Wednesday 👋