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By Roman Carter The 52nd American Music Awards took place May 25, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. BTS won Artist of the Year in their first appearance since completing mandatory military service, Sabrina Carpenter collected three trophies for her album “Man’s Best Friend,” and Taylor Swift went 0-for-8 for the second consecutive year. What we know: BTS won Artist of the Year…

By Todd McKenzie Rapper Lord Vizion Independent artist Lord Vizion is stepping into a new phase. The Spotify-verified rapper and Christian hip-hop artist, known for his breakout record “New Blessings,” has built a fanbase of over 46,000 monthly listeners across the United States and Africa, and is set to perform live at City Winery Philadelphia on August 16, 2026. What we know: Lord Vizion is…

By Lisa Martins R&B artist Pete Bailey is attracting nearly 79,000 monthly listeners on Spotify with his album Unity, a project centered on intentional love, emotional commitment, and the kind of relationships people rarely write songs about anymore. His audience spans South Africa, Nigeria, and the United States. What we know: Pete Bailey is an independent R&B artist with 78,607 monthly…

By Loud Drip Staff Dua Lipa released Dua Lipa (Live From Mexico) on Friday after premiering the companion concert film on YouTube a day earlier. The project was recorded during her sold-out Mexico City stadium run and packages one of the biggest stops on the Radical Optimism tour into a new release cycle. What we know: Dua Lipa (Live From Mexico) was recorded during Dua Lipa’s three sold-out…

By Loud Drip Staff Paul McCartney closed Stephen Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show with a performance of the Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye,” ending Colbert’s 2015–2026 run inside the Ed Sullivan Theater with a direct nod to one of the building’s most famous music legacies. What we know: Paul McCartney appeared as the final guest on Stephen Colbert’s last Late Show episode, which aired May 21,…

By Loud Drip Staff Lizzy Jeff has built a recognizable independent profile at the intersection of rap, ritual, healing, and cultural advocacy. With more than 62,000 monthly Spotify listeners, nearly 95,000 Instagram followers, and a catalog led by “Goddess Code,” “Drip,” and “Elevation,” she is moving through music with a brand that reaches beyond traditional artist framing. What we know: Lizzy…

By Loud Drip Staff Aura Da Prophet has built an independent rap catalog rooted in introspection, spirituality, and personal growth. With “Metamorphosis,” “The Plot to Self Destruction,” and “The Road Less Traveled” leading his visible streaming profile, the Cincinnati-area artist has established a body of work that leans on substance, reflection, and long-view development. What we know: Aura Da…

By Loud Drip Staff Deveondi is building an independent rap catalog centered on resilience, reflection and hard-earned perspective. With songs such as “Remember The Time,” “Real Events,” “Longest Verse” and “Solve The Problem,” his body of work leans into personal pressure, lived experience and a steady refusal to fold. What we know: Deveondi’s public-facing catalog highlights a run of tracks…

By Loud Drip Staff Qveen Herby has entered 2026 with more than 1 million monthly Spotify listeners and a wide North American run for her ISLE OF QVEEN tour. The current moment matters because it shows how far an independent artist can push music, image and direct fan culture without leaning on a traditional major-label model. What we know: Qveen Herby’s official channels present her as a…

By Loud Drip Staff Shift To Abundance has built a notable audience around affirmation-heavy, wellness-centered music, with Spotify listing about 248,229 monthly listeners and Instagram showing 184,000 followers. The profile points to an artist brand built for streaming, social discovery and self-help culture at the same time. What we know: Shift To Abundance’s public profiles present a music…

By Loud Drip Staff Londrelle has built a sizable independent audience across music and social media, with Spotify listing about 143,945 monthly listeners and more than 124,000 followers, while his official site also promotes books, merch and the Eternal Sunshine meditation app. The result is an artist profile that operates across music, mindfulness and direct-to-fan community. What we know:…

By Loud Drip Staff Lavva has built a measurable independent audience, with Spotify listing about 24,400 monthly listeners while Apple Music and Bandcamp point to a catalog shaped by spiritual themes, feminine energy and self-directed world-building. The current profile places her in a growing lane of artists treating rap and soul-inflected music as both sound and identity. What we know: Spotify…

By Loud Drip Staff FR33SOL has entered May with a larger digital footprint, including roughly 47,000 monthly Spotify listeners, more than 33,000 Spotify followers and a verified Instagram account with 162,000 followers. The current numbers matter because they place the independent rapper inside a broader conversation about artists building recognizable reach without a major-label machine. What…

By Loud Drip Staff The immersive fandom trend is gaining momentum as media companies push fans into physical, themed experiences tied to major franchises. Recent moves from Cosm and Universal Studios Hollywood show how entertainment brands are extending audience engagement beyond streaming and traditional moviegoing. What we know: Cosm is rolling out dome-based “shared reality” screenings with…

By Loud Drip Staff The body-as-art trend emerged as one of the clearest visual patterns from the 2026 Met Gala, where celebrities and designers used the body itself as part of the statement. Prosthetics, painted details, sculptural silhouettes and art references gave the carpet a look closer to performance than standard red-carpet dressing. What we know: The 2026 Met Gala and the Costume…

By Loud Drip Staff The Cinco de Mayo authenticity trend is becoming more visible as Mexican American business owners and local organizers push the holiday back toward history, culture and community. The shift matters because it reflects a broader effort to reclaim the day from caricature, commercial excess and flattened ideas about Mexican identity. What we know: Mexican American restaurant…

By Loud Drip Staff Carly Pearl is building a modern independent career around warmth, reflection and emotional clarity. With more than 235,000 monthly Spotify listeners and a strong social following, the New York artist is carving out space between soul, pop and jazz while leaning into music that feels intimate without sounding small. What we know: Carly Pearl’s public profiles show a growing…