Your daily Drop April 23rd
🎶 Music Industry & Artist News
🎤 BTS Surpasses 1.28 Billion Streams in 2025
Despite being on hiatus, BTS has become the first K-pop group to surpass 1.28 billion streams in 2025, showcasing their enduring global popularity.
🎭 ‘Joyful Noise’ and ‘Music and Lyrics’ Headed to the Stage
Producers Katy Lipson and Michael McFadden are developing stage musicals based on the films Joyful Noise and Music and Lyrics, bringing these musical stories to theater audiences.
🎸 The Cure Announces Remix Album ‘Mixes of a Lost World’
The Cure is set to release a remix album titled Mixes of a Lost World on June 13, featuring reimagined versions of tracks from their 2022 album Songs of a Lost World.
📺 Streaming & Entertainment
🦔 ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ Streams from April 24
The third installment of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, starring Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves, will be available for streaming on Prime Video starting April 24.
🌍 Over 30 Artists Release Earth Day Tracks
In celebration of Earth Day, more than 30 artists have released tracks incorporating natural sounds, aiming to raise awareness and support for environmental conservation efforts.
🎶 Spotify to Launch 'Music Pro' Super-Premium Tier
Spotify is set to introduce "Music Pro," a super-premium subscription tier priced at $18 per month, later this year. This new service will offer higher-quality audio, early access to concert tickets, and enhanced streaming functionalities, targeting music enthusiasts and "superfans."
🧪 Music Tech & Innovation
🎛️ Sample Logic Releases ‘GrainScaper’ Plugin
Sample Logic has introduced GrainScaper, a new granular synthesis plugin designed to provide musicians with innovative sound design capabilities.
🎹 Waldorf Ends Production of Quantum MK2 Synthesizer
Waldorf has announced the end of production for its flagship Quantum MK2 synthesizer, marking the conclusion of a significant chapter in hardware synthesis.
🎧 YouTube Music Tests Lyrics Sharing Feature
YouTube Music is testing a new feature that allows users to share specific song lyrics with customizable backgrounds, similar to functionalities offered by other streaming platforms.
🏛️ U.S. Political News
🇺🇸 Judge Blocks Trump's Rapid Deportation Policy
A U.S. District Judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration's plan to expedite deportations to third countries without allowing migrants to claim fear of persecution or torture. The judge ruled that the policy lacked sufficient safeguards to protect migrants' rights, emphasizing the necessity of due process and legal recourse before deportations can proceed.