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 Up Next Short Shot on iPhone Debuts Exclusively on Apple Music Today
 
Watch the trailer HERE 
 
Apple Music today announced artist/producer Amorphous as the latest addition to its Up Next program, Apple Music's monthly artist initiative geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent. 
 
Since Jimir Reece Davis was a young child, the Philadelphia artist was always making things—from films to his own beats. On Thanksgiving Day 2020, Amorphous set out to make his father proud and wound up releasing an internet sensation—which has received 2.7 million views—when he posted his mash-up of Rihanna's 2016 hit song "Kiss It Better" and Luther Vandross' 1981 classic "Never Too Much" on Twitter. The mix garnered attention from many artists, such as LL Cool J, DJ Khaled and Bronx rapper Fat Joe, who called him to collaborate on the song, "Sunshine (The Light)," which the two released this year. The track was playlisted across Apple Music top tier playlists R&B NowToday's Hits and It's Lit! and helped catapult his global rise across the platform in just a few short months. 
 
"I am beyond honored and blessed to be selected as Apple's Up Next Artist this month!" said Amorphous. "As a young Black producer, filmmaker, and overall creative, a moment like this is so huge for representation. Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being in a position where I'd be fortunate enough to not only share my talents with the world, but inspire others from a multitude of generations with my own life experiences and creativity. I want to continue the work that has been paved before me and by my producer peers beside me by showing that we deserve to be treated as main artists, because that is what we are. I am so thankful to Apple for getting behind that vision."
 
"Amorphous is a DIY success story that has been amazing to watch in real time," said Apple Music 1 host Dotty. "Many of us have been there since he first began uploading mash ups online and now we get to see the beginnings of his transformation into a production superstar. Amorphous is a creative force that is destined for incredible things in music and beyond."
 
In his Up Next film out today, Amorphous shares details of his journey, from growing up in a supportive household with three different generations of musical influences to channeling his creative energy into music and film after being outed in 7th grade. He tells Apple Music: "I just was like 'You know what, at this point, you might as well just embrace who you are and embrace your creativity.' I think for me, the way that I kind of expressed myself even in a way of like dealing with certain traumatic events, was just me creating....it was a way for me to kind of like discover other people that were just like me. That's when I became the behind-the-scenes person."
 
Additional Up Next campaign moments include a Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance on July 12 and a sit down interview with Apple Music 1's Dotty, where he discusses what it was like working with R&B superstar Brandy, how Oprah gave him a new computer, and other guest vocalists that will appear on his debut EP.
 
Watch the Apple Music Amorphous Up Next film HERE
 
Check out his Apple Music 1 interview with Dotty HERE
 
Stream the Things Take Shape (Apple Music Up Next Film Edition) album today and add the Apple Music Up Next Playlist into your listening rotation.
 
 

02 May 2025 | Press release

Downtown's CD Baby Appoints Industry Veterans Sean Hallarman and Craig May to Lead Product and Artist Development

In addition to new appointments, executives Jean Mischler and Whitney Thomas step into expanded roles across marketing, revenue, finance, and business operations CD Baby, Downtown Music’s artist direct distribution and music services platform, today announced the appointment of Sean Hallarman as...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

BBC announces programming to mark 40 years since Live Aid

  This July, BBC Two and Radio 2 will mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, which took place on Saturday 13th July 1985. BBC Two and BBC iPlayer broadcasts Live Aid at 40, which reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the 1985 concert that brought the...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

Alison Goldfrapp launches own record label A.G Records

New album, Flux, will be released in partnership with Absolute Label Services on August 15. “If you’re lucky enough to have the option, owning your own masters feels like a no-brainer!” - Alison Goldfrapp   Electronic pop star Alison Goldfrapp is set to...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

Integrity First: Merlin Joins Music Fights Fraud Alliance to Protect the Music Ecosystem

Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, announced today that it has joined the Music Fights Fraud Alliance (MFFA), the industry’s united front against streaming fraud and illegitimate activity. By contributing to the goals...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

BBC Radio 6 Music announces spring and summer programming

  Today, BBC Radio 6 Music reveals a range of upcoming programmes coming to the station this month and beyond. Early June sees the return of Mary Anne Hobbs to 6 Music, who will present a brand new show on Sundays, 6-8pm,...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

Data Bill amendments: BPI comment

BPI Chief Strategy Officer Sophie Jones said:   "While these amendments may be welcome in acknowledging the complexity and time needed to fully consider some of the most damaging aspects of the Government's proposals, they should not be taken as a gain for the creative...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

LA Sync Mission 2025 announced for 9th – 13th June

  This year's LA Sync Mission, organised jointly by the BPI, MPA and the UK's Department for Business and Trade (DBT), will take place between 9th – 13th June 2025. The event founded to create global opportunities for British sync and to grow UK music exports will be...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

Watford Colosseum confirms first artists for reopening season

AEG Presents newest venue will stage its inaugural show on August 29th    AEG Presents announced today (Friday May 2nd) the first artists to perform as part of Watford Colosseum’s reopening season beginning with a show from iconic band Ocean Colour Scene...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

IMPEL welcomes Musou Music Publishing — the first Greek publisher to join its collective

  Musou Music Publishing is part of Musou Music Group, which was founded in 2006 and also includes Musou Music Production, Musou Studios, and Musou Records.  Musou Music Publishing has been awarded a total of three Grand, eight Golden, three Silver and...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

BPI's new Yearbook reveals Country music's surging popularity, achieving its biggest annual share of the UK recorded music market this century

  BPI’s newly-published All About The Music 2025 discloses Country’s share of the UK singles market increased by over 50% year-on-year in 2024, thanks to artists including Beyoncé, Dasha and Shaboozey. Country music claimed it highest share of artist albums consumption in the UK...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

ABBA co-founder and CISAC President Bjorn Ulvaeus urges UK government not to weaken copyright for AI

CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus has concluded two days of meetings in the UK, urging the government to safeguard human creators in the AI age and avoid weakening creators’ rights. Speaking at an open discussion with Members of Parliament and Lords in...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

KiTbetter Brings Dolby Atmos to KiTalbum

Fans can experience TWS’s New Album ‘TRY WITH US’ in Dolby Atmos Through KiTalbum KiTbetter, the music technology brand pioneering hybrid physical-digital music experiences, today announced Dolby Atmos® is now available through KiTbetter’s flagship product, KiTalbum. The first album to launch as...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

Music Economy Development Initiative Launched at Global Citizen NOW Summit

Landmark Initiative’s Mission is Expanding Music’s Potential to Combat Extreme Poverty Led by the Center for Music Ecosystems and Global Citizen, Backed by the International Finance Corporation and Universal Music Group  Today at the Global Citizen NOW summit in New York, the...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

Latest PPL Momentum Music Fund and PPL Momentum Sbardun | Accelerator grantees announced

Latest round features multi-award winning and critically acclaimed artists 9 exciting Wales-based artists and 3 industry professionals selected for the latest PPL Momentum Sbardun support   PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, together with PPL, Creative Wales and Arts...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

Earthfest Music Summit 2025

Shaping a Sustainable Future for the Music Industry Sponsored by Ecotricity   The Earthfest Music Summit, a significant feature of the wider Earthfest event, will unite the most progressive sustainability leaders in the music industry for a full-day programme dedicated to tackling the...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

Co-op Live celebrates first year as top arena in UK and Europe

Innovative, music first venue reaches #1 in gross ticket sales aided by UK arena exclusives Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena, has been named the No.1 venue for gross sales in the UK and Europe since its opening in May...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

Casio Sessions returns for 2025 - an inspiring singer-songwriter competition for emerging artists

  Applications to Casio Sessions 2025 are now open to UK-based singer-songwriters Musicians will compete to win a PX-S7000HM digital piano, one of Casio's premium models worth £2,249, plus an exclusive studio mastering session and their winning song pressed to vinyl -...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

Key Production Group strengthens European team with new hire

Julia Völkel joins as Account Manager Julia Völkel expands Key Production Group's EU team The former Senior Sales Manager at Optimal Media GmbH will support Key Production as Account Manager for the German and European market Key Production expands its offering for German...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

Rock en Seine 2025 unveils its exceptional lineup

Rock en Seine continues to unveil its breathtaking lineup. After confirming its 100% pop female-led opening day a few weeks ago, headlined by Chappell Roan, London Grammar, Suki Waterhouse and Luvcat, it’s time for the festival to share more exciting...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

The Battle - John Niven's First Comedy Play

The Battle -  John Niven's First Comedy Play on the Greatest Chart Battle of All Time - BLUR vs OASIS - to Tour Ahead of West End Written by John NivenDirected by Matthew Dunster www.thebattleplay.com   Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep co-present The Battle, a new comedy play based (mostly) on real...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

Opting Into Fair AI: CreateBase and Musical AI Partner on Consent-Driven AI Training Practices

Musical AI, the attribution and rights management platform for AI, has joined forces with CreateBase to build one of the first fully transparent, consent-based music training ecosystems,  addressing a persistent challenge in the relationship between AI and the music industry....more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

Revolutionising Direct-to-Fan Ticketing: Music Glue Launches Enhanced Platform Empowering Artists Worldwide

Music Glue, the London-based global e-commerce platform for the music industry, has unveiled a newly enhanced, direct-to-fan ticketing solution.  Designed specifically with artists in mind, the upgraded platform offers a seamless, powerful, and transparent way for artists to sell tickets directly...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

IMPALA announces the launch of new Artist Camp project as part of EU network programme

  IMPALA is proud to announce the launch of its new Artist Camp project, co-funded by the European Union as part of IMPALA’s 2025–2028 network programme.Starting in 2025, IMPALA and its member associations will organise an Artist Camp each year, each based on a unique partnership between...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

28 leading A&R professionals confirmed for A&R Sessions at Brighton Music Conference

The award-winning Brighton Music Conference (BMC), the UK’s leading electronic music and networking event, is excited to welcome 28 leading A&R professionals in the electronic music scene to the ‘A&R Sessions’ at BMC25.Taking place from 21st to 23rd May 2025 at some...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

How UnitedMasters Used SymphonyOS to Push BigXThaPlug to the Top of the Billboard Hot 100

  BigXThaPlug is having a moment. Building on years of hard luck and hard work, the Texas rapper has broken through with a triumphant Jimmy Kimmel appearance and a chart-storming new single.  “All The Way,”’ BigXThaPlug’s genre-blending collab with rising country star Bailey Zimmerman,...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

Sony Corporation and Bandlab Technologies Announce Strategic Partnership to Empower Creators With Cutting-Edge Technology and Opportunities That Make Music Creation More Accessible

Collaboration brings new technology and artist support to millions of creators, starting with spatial sound integration in BandLab  Sony Corporation and BandLab Technologies today announced a strategic partnership set to redefine music creation for independent and emerging artists worldwide. By bringing...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

RHEI Data Pro Adds $20M in New Licensing Agreements to its Initial $35M, With Eight Figures in Partner Earnings So Far

RHEI Data Pro emerges as one of the world’s largest audio-visual content databasesRHEI, a leading tech company that builds AI to amplify human creativity, scale its audience, and enhance its impact, today announced the addition of $20 million in new...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

BeatStars and Sureel Partner to Strengthen Intellectual Property Protection for Creators

  First-of-its-Kind Collaboration Protects the Work of Creators on BeatStars in the Age of AI   BeatStars, the world's #1 music marketplace, is reinforcing its commitment to ethical AI and creator empowerment by announcing a strategic partnership with Sureel.ai. This collaboration ensures the...more

30 Apr 2025 | Press release

One Media report full year results

One Media iP Group Plc ("One Media", "the Company" or the "Group")   Audited results for the year ended 31 October 2024   One Media iP focused on music rights investment   One Media iP (AIM: OMIP), the digital music rights acquirer, publisher and distributor, announces its...more

29 Apr 2025 | Press release

Payday Music Publishing expands LA operations

New Synch Hires, Coachella Sessions and Studio Expansion Payday Music Publishing (‘Payday Publishing’), the leading independent publishers of Electronic Dance Music, Pop, Hip-Hop, Jazz and Reggae, has announced two senior hires to further bolster its LA based sync department.Jamey Sussman and...more

02 May 2025

  • BPI responds to government’s proposed amendments to the Data Bill related to AI and copyright (see News)

  • ‘AI and intellectual property — a pivotal moment for the UK’s creative industries’ (see Opinion)

30 Nov 1999

    01 May 2025

    • BPI's new Yearbook reveals Country music's surging popularity (see News)

    30 Apr 2025

    • How Live Nation calls the tune for the live music industry (see Features)

    29 Apr 2025

    • How economic volatility will impact US labels’ fandom monetisation push (see Comment)

    28 Apr 2025

    • Spotify is said to be raising its subscription prices across Europe and Latin America (see Digital)

    • Culture Secretary to review the Music Export Growth Scheme (see News)

    25 Apr 2025

    • The music industry wants solutions. But do listeners see problems? (see Comment)

    • The next generation of independent music tastemakers (see Features)

    24 Apr 2025

    • BPI survey confirms music consumers believe human creativity is fundamental to music (see Reports)

    23 Apr 2025

    • Eight UK cities join forces for 'Music Fans Voice' survey (see Reports)

    22 Apr 2025

    • Did the Spotify 1,000 stream rule cost artists $47m?

    • Meet the editors crafting some of Spotify’s top playlists (see Features)