Autor: Producer Gang

We love seeing our students turn ideas into fully fledged releases, and today we’ve got something truly exciting to share. Our very own Leah Haworth has just dropped a brand-new single, ‘Rise’, on our in-house label, pointblank Recordings. Blending acoustic freshness with heartfelt lyrics, it’s the kind of track that lifts your mood and makes you feel ready to take on the day. Stream ‘Rise’ now on Spotify here. Bright, positive, and quietly powerful, ‘Rise’ showcases Leah’s tender vocal delivery, with harmonies in the chorus adding real energy and momentum. Behind that glow sits a deeply personal story – a…

Image Image Credit Dia Dipasupil / Staff via Getty Images Image Alt Pharrell at 2025 Met Gala Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Pharrell brings his sound and vision to MLB’s 2025 postseason with “October Hits Different.” The campaign features a new anthem, “Are You Ready?,” produced by Pharrell and performed by Voices of Fire. MLB’s chief marketing office says the collaboration aims to capture the intensity of October baseball through music and spectacle. October might be the most bittersweet month of the year for baseball fans. On Thursday (Sept. 25), Pharrell led Major League Baseball’s new “October Hits Different” campaign…

Image Image Credit Kevin Mazur / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmermand at 2025 iHeartRadio Music Festival Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Stagecoach 2026 features a genre-blending lineup with Hip Hop, R&B and country stars sharing the stage. BigXthaPlug, Ludacris and Teddy Swims are among the crossover acts redefining the festival’s sound. The festival’s evolution reflects a broader shift toward genre fluidity in mainstream music. Stagecoach is returning for another year. On Thursday (Sept. 26), event organizers announced the lineup for 2026, which will see Lainey Wilson, Post Malone and Cody Johnson respectively headline a night…

Image Image Credit Jerritt Clark / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Metro Boomin speaks during Amazon Music Live Concert Series 2023 Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: A Los Angeles jury cleared Metro Boomin of all allegations in a civil sexual assault case that was filed in 2024. The jury found that Vanessa LeMaistre failed to prove her claims, including allegations of rape and sexual battery. Metro Boomin expressed gratitude after the verdict and acknowledged Young Thug’s support during the trial. On Thursday (Sept. 25), a Los Angeles jury cleared Metro Boomin in his civil sexual assault case. Following a…

Image Image Credit John Nacion / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt A$AP Rocky at A24’s “Highest 2 Lowest” New York Premiere Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: A$AP Rocky says he prayed for a baby girl before the birth of his third child with Rihanna. He honestly revealed his view on therapy, comparing it to psychic readings. The rapper reflected on his growth as a father and how it shapes his creative and personal life. It shouldn’t be a surprise that A$AP Rocky is an insightful interview subject. In a wide-ranging cover story in ELLE magazine published on Wednesday (Sept.…

Image Image Credit Daniele Venturelli / Contributor via Getty Images and Taylor Hill / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Cardi B at 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Afterparty and Latto at Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: “ErrTime (Remix)” showcases Latto’s lyrical spin on a fan-favorite track from Cardi B’s new album. Latto replaces Cardi B’s second verse, adding fresh bars that reference both artists and the album title. The remix arrives just days after the Bronx rapper dropped a “Bonus Edition” version of her sophomore project with a new track, “Don’t Do Too Much.” Cardi…

Image Image Credit Aeon / Contributor via Getty Images, Aeon / Contributor via Getty Images, and Aeon / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Travis Scott, Teyana Taylor and Latto attend NikeSKIMS Launch Dinner Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Many A-list guests like Travis Scott, Latto and Serena Williams turned out for the NikeSKIMS New York City launch. The event introduced a seven-part SKIMS x Nike collab focused on performance wear. Teyana Taylor and PinkPantheress brought standout looks that fueled the night’s cultural buzz. Kim Kardashian brought the stars out for NikeSKIMS’ big launch event on Wednesday (Sept. 24) night.…

Image Image Credit Kristina Bumphrey / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Metro Boomin at the “Hurry Up Tomorrow” world premiere Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Metro Boomin took the stand to deny allegations of sexual assault brought on by Vanessa LeMaistre. The defense argued LeMaistre pursued the case for financial gain after their consensual encounters. A UCLA psychologist testified that LeMaistre has multiple mental health diagnoses unrelated to the alleged incident. On Wednesday (Sept. 24), Metro Boomin testified at his civil trial for sexual assault. Continuing to be adamant that he is not a rapist, the producer took the…

When you think about your favourite songs, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is the hook. A melodic hook is the catchy phrase, riff, or line that grabs your attention and stays in your head long after the track has ended. From a simple vocal melody to a synth lead or guitar riff, hooks are what make songs instantly recognizable and unforgettable.  For producers and songwriters, mastering the art of writing hooks is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. A strong hook can be the difference between a song that listeners forget and one…

Most beginner music producers aren’t stuck because they lack talent—they’re stuck because of a few persistent mistakes. Fix these, and your progress will get unlocked fast.   Mistake 1: Over-Layering & Too Many Sounds You think more = better. So you stack 10 synths, layers of pads, extra percussion, and everything starts competing. At first it feels exciting, but soon the track feels heavy and unclear. Why it’s harmful: The mix becomes muddy. Instruments mask each other. Listeners can’t tell what’s important. Instead of sounding big, the track loses focus. Escape route: Cut down layers: ask, “Does this…