Autor: Producer Gang

As the year winds down and the studio lights start to feel a little more festive, we’ve been looking back at what made 2025 so special at pointblank. Beyond the late-night studio sessions and the shared playlists passed around like holiday treats, one thing stands out: our students and graduates keep showing up for their craft, and for each other in ways that genuinely inspire us. This Student Spotlight Wrapped is our way of celebrating those wins, big and small. Some of these stories are about stepping into new industries, others are about levelling up inside them. Some students are…

Image Image Credit Gilbert Flores / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Cardi B at the 67th Grammy Awards Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Cardi B seemingly addressed online criticism of her romance with Stefon Diggs in a candid video. Fans reacted after Diggs shared holiday photos with his other children, sparking backlash. Cardi highlighted her priorities, including motherhood and her upcoming “Little Miss Drama Tour.” Cardi B’s fans have been “a little bit too mean” lately. On Monday (Dec. 29), the “Magnet” rapper seemingly addressed the online chatter about her newborn son’s father, Stefon Diggs, who welcomed three children…

Image Image Credit Megan Briggs / Stringer via Getty Images Image Alt Anthony Joshua works out during the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua – Fighter Showcase & Open Workout on Dec. 16, 2025, in Miami Beach, Florida Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: The crash occurred when a tire burst, causing the SUV to collide with a stationary truck. Footage shows Anthony Joshua being helped out of the vehicle, and he is currently receiving medical attention. The incident has raised concerns about road safety and Joshua’s upcoming boxing schedule. Anthony Joshua sustained minor injuries after a car crash in Nigeria that…

Image Image Credit Prince Williams / Contributor via Getty Images, JC Olivera / Stringer via Getty Images, and Barry Brecheisen / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt BunnaB performs during Spelhouse Homecoming Concert 2025, Destin Conrad attends the 2025 GQ Men Of The Year, and OsamaSon performs during the 2025 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash Image Size landscape-medium There was no shortage of good music in 2025. And as much as we love our mainstays, rising artists clearly played a huge part in shaping the year, too. In rap and R&B especially, we watched PLUTO break through with “WHIM WHAMIEE,” saw…

Image Image Credit Pascal Le Segretain / Staff via Getty Images Image Alt Lola Abecassis Sartore and Kid Cudi attend the Saint Laurent Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Lola Abecassis Sartore is learning music production and may appear on Kid Cudi’s next album. The couple plans to hit the studio together, with Cudi teaching her how to build beats and use equipment. Their collaboration signals a growing trend of women entering Hip Hop production and reshaping the creative process. Kid Cudi might be getting a production boost from inside his…

Image Image Credit Prince Williams / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Drake performs during “Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert” on Dec. 9, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Drake surprised influencer J Mulan with a $10,000 birthday gift during her celebration at Area 29 in Houston. The moment was captured on video, with J Mulan sharing the clip and thanking Drake for the surprise. Drizzy also used the club as a recording space, teasing new music and continuing his streak of public generosity. Christmas and the holiday season might be over, but that certainly…

Image Image Credit Kathryn Riley / Contributor via Getty Images and Amy Sussman / Staff via Getty Images Image Alt Stefon Diggs before the New England Patriots vs. New York Jets game on Nov. 13, 2025, and Cardi B attends MISTR’s National PrEP Day on Oct. 09, 2025 Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Stefon Diggs was seen scanning the crowd for Cardi B after the New England Patriots’ win over the Jets. Online reactions dubbed Cardi his “good luck charm” following his strong performance. Cardi also posed with Patriots owner Robert Kraft during the game. Cardi B spent Sunday (Dec.…

If you want to start incorporating live elements into your shows, think about small things you can do to heighten and emphasize the moods you want to create while DJing. You could start by adding some of the live performance instruments from Maschine into your DJ sets to emphasize builds and breakdowns. That might be one-off sounds, vocal drops, or risers that heighten key suspenseful moments. These can help you shape the energy and mood you want while you play. These moments can help you engage with your audience. There is something special about sharing that feeling with them, where…

Image Image Credit Kevin Mazur/Contributor via Getty Images Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Beyoncé joins the billionaire club as the fifth musician to reach the milestone. Her COWBOY CARTER era and mini-residency tour model reshaped country music economics. Strategic ownership of her catalog and Parkwood Entertainment fueled long-term profits. Beyoncé has officially crossed into billionaire territory, and Forbes credited a bold pivot to country music — and a massive 2025 touring run — for pushing her to the incredible mark. Of the 22 billionaire entertainers Forbes identified, nearly half were added in the last three years. The milestone also made…

Image Image Credit Jeff Kravitz / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Kanye West and Bianca Censori attend the 67th Grammy Awards Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Kanye West confirmed his next album, BULLY, during a surprise appearance at Deon Cole’s Hollywood Improv show. The project is now scheduled to drop on Jan. 30, 2026, following several missed dates in 2025. The onstage moment included jokes about a possible interlude and a YZY care package. Deon Cole had the rare opportunity to invite Kanye West onstage during one of his recent performances. While sort of engaging in banter with the…