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Up Next Short Shot on iPhone Debuts Exclusively on Apple Music Today

Watch the trailer HERE

Apple Music today announced Puerto Rican reggaetón singer-songwriter Jay Wheeler as the latest addition to its Up Next program, Apple Music's monthly artist initiative geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent. 
 
Jay Wheeler grew up in a musical family, and what was a hobby took a new turn in 2016 when a video of him singing "Querida Ex (Love Yourself Justin Bieber Rap Cover)" in a car went viral after his best friend published it on social media. 2019 marked a new milestone in Jay's career. After performing for the Puerto Rican intercollegiate sports competition Las Justas, the audience surprises him by singing his song "Mejor" back to him, and video of his tears of happiness sparked another viral moment. In 2018, Wheeler released "Por Tu Culpa" catching the attention of reggaetón pioneer and legend DJ Nelson. The renowned producer saw in Jay a raw and organic talent, and took him under his record label, Flow Music. Their alliance led to two albums, 'Platónico' and 'Platónicos.' 
 
In the summer of 2020, Wheeler's song "La Curiosidad" feat. Myke Towers became an instant smash streaming upwards of 760 million streams and earning him triple platinum certification in the United States and Spain. Across Apple Music, the song peaked at #1 on the Daily Top 100 chart in 9 countries, spent over 6 months on Shazam's Global Latin chart and hit No. 1 in the Shazam Top 200 Colombia and Venezuela. Wheeler also earned two nominations for Premios Tu Música Urbano 2020 and his first nomination for Premio Lo Nuestro 2021 as "Best New Artist." The music sensation is currently promoting two remixes of his song "La Curiosidad" — the "Blue Grand Prix Remix" with Myke Towers and Rauw Alejandro feat. Dj Nelson, Jhay Cortez, Lunay & Kendo Kaponi, and the "Red Grand Prix Remix" with Myke Towers and Becky G. featuring DJ Nelson, Arcangel, Zion & Lennox, De La Ghetto & Brray — both of which trended globally on the day of their release. Wheeler was recently featured in Apple Music's 'Las Voces Del Mañana' original short and 'Supernova' playlist, as part of 2021's Latin Heritage Month, and recorded an exclusive version of Marc Anthony's "Me Voy a Regalar" for Apple Music's 'Carols Covered 2021' exclusive holiday collection.
 
"Being part of 'Up Next' means a lot for me and my career," said Jay Wheeler. "The film represents myself as an artist but also tells the story of that young man who not long ago dreamt of having a music career. Honestly, this is a film that is true to who I am and to be the first 'Up Next' artist of Apple Music for 2022 is an honor, something that I never imagined and definitely a unique experience."
 
"Jay Wheeler hit the scene right before we all got sucker punched with confusion and a massive strain on life," said Apple Music 1 host Sandra Peña. "Yet, we still found our way to his real world romantic words and embraced him and his music no matter how lost we felt. Just a confirmation of how real his talent and connection with his fans is."
 
In his Up Next film out today, Jay Wheeler shares his journey facing bullying as a child and the importance of having a supportive family, believing in your better self, and love. He tells Apple Music, "I used to be in school, get bullied... And when I went to my grandma's house, she was like, 'Oh, don't worry about that. You're amazing. You're going to do great things.'" Jay also explains how being a good person, the person his grandmother told him he was, influenced his music and career. "I worked on myself and I became this better person," he continues. "Everything started getting, piece by piece, together. It's going to be tough. It's going to be rough. I'm going to cry. I'm going to suffer. I'm going to fall. I'm going to get up. And I'm going to always love, and I will never stop loving."
 
Additional Up Next campaign moments include a Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance tonight, and a sit down interview with Apple Music 1's Sandra Peña, where he discusses his career and rise in Latin music. 
 
Watch the Apple Music Jay Wheeler Up Next film HERE
 
Check out his Apple Music 1 interview with Sandra Peña HERE

12 Dec 2025 | Press release

Nile Rodgers honoured with Outstanding Achievement Award at 65th MPA Christmas lunch

Iconic CHIC co-founder and global hitmaker recognised for five decades of musical innovation as the MPA celebrates a Disco-themed 2025 Christmas Lunch   The Music Publishers Association (MPA) today presented the legendary Nile Rodgers with its prestigious Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting &...more

12 Dec 2025 | Press release

FAC & Amazon Music offer a step up boost to five more UK artists

  Gigi Moss, lleo, Maya Lane, Nia Wyn and Richard Carter will all receive three days of studio time at The Breakthrough Lab - the bespoke, state-of-the-art production facility operated by Amazon Music and Metropolis Studios This expansion of Step Up Fund...more

12 Dec 2025 | Press release

‘You could go for years without knowing you can earn a penny’: Kojey Radical on songwriter royalties

Exclusive recording of 101 Part Time Jobs podcast with BRIT, Ivor Novello and Mercury Prize-nominated Kojey Radical out now.   The launch of the Livelihood campaign from PRS for Music highlights the crucial need for greater education  around live performance royalties. An...more

12 Dec 2025 | Press release

Over 137,000 Hate Crimes in England and Wales Last Year - Ask For Clive Leads the Charge Against Hate and Builds Inclusive Nightlife Spaces

  Hate crime isn’t just a statistic, it’s a harsh reality affecting thousands daily. Over 137,000 hate crimes were recorded in England and Wales last year, though the true figure is closer to 176,000. Marginalised communities, including LGBTQ+ people and disabled...more

12 Dec 2025 | Press release

rekordbox for iOS/Android now supports SpotifyDJ on mobile devices – rekordbox for Mac/Windows supported

AlphaTheta announces that its DJ application rekordbox for iOS/Android is now compatible with Spotify. Spotify is the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, offering over 100 million tracks and billions of playlists. With this update, in addition to rekordbox for...more

12 Dec 2025 | Press release

Rebecca Allen promoted to Chief Artist and Strategy Officer at Universal Music Group UK

 ALLEN TAKES ON BRAND NEW LEADERSHIP ROLE FOLLOWING SUCCESS AT THE HELM OF EMI, DECCA, AND UMG UK’S AUDIENCE, MEDIA & STRATEGY DIVISION   Universal Music Group UK (UMG UK), the UK’s leading music company, has today announced the promotion of Rebecca...more

12 Dec 2025 | Press release

Ticket Fairy announces deal to provide millions in funding for promoters worldwide

Ticket Fairy expands global financing, unlocking funding of up to £5M in the UK, €3M across Europe and $3M in the US, for venues, festivals and events promoters   Ticket Fairy has announced a significant expansion of its global financing capabilities that...more

12 Dec 2025 | Press release

Warner Chappell unifies music publishing and production music sync teams under Rich Robinson

Well respected creative leader also adds Audio Asset team to remit   Warner Chappell Music (WCM) today announced it has unified its global sync operations, bringing its frontline, catalog, and now Production Music sync teams together under Rich Robinson, EVP, Global Synchronization and...more

12 Dec 2025 | Press release

MIT Climate Machine with support from Coldplay, Warner Music Group, Live Nation, and Hope Solutions release first ever total emissions of live music in US and UK

Findings from over 80,000 shows across the U.K. and U.S. provide a foundation to decarbonize the future of live entertainment Click HERE for the full report The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Climate Machine (formerly part of the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative) with support from Coldplay,...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

2025 Through Music Video: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” Was the Biggest U.K. Premiere on Vevo

  Skye Newman and Olivia Dean were also among the chart newcomers in the UK on Vevo  A first for K-Pop, JENNIE’s “like JENNIE” was the most watched premiere on Vevo globally UK fans rewatch “Die With a Smile”, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”,...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

It's Beginning to Sound A Lot Like Last Year - new analysis finds Christmas music is on repeat

New study finds 63% of the songs in the 2024 Christmas Top 40 were exactly the same as the year before  In contrast no songs were repeated in any of the Christmas Top 40s between 2000 and 2005 Fairytale of New York has...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Music Studios Business Rates

The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves 11 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA Dear Chancellor, 7 December 2025 As you are doubtless aware, the United Kingdom is famous for its music industry, and part of that is being home to the finest recording studios in the...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Chancellor's budget sparks alarm as nightlife businesses say Treasury modelling fails reality, new flash poll shows

  The lights are dimming on Britain’s night-time economy. From buzzing pubs to packed music venues, local businesses are sounding the alarm after a new flash survey of 345 night-time economy businesses revealed that the Chancellor’s latest Budget will hit them...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Producer/musician/multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin signs worldwide publishing deal with Peermusic

  Global independent music publishing company, Peermusic, has signed producer, musician, and multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin to a worldwide publishing administration deal as announced today by Jamie Cerreta, President U.S. and Canada, Peermusic and Tuff Morgan, Vice President of A&R, Peermusic. Through the deal, Peermusic will also represent Terrace Martin...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Drowned in Sound Announces Partnership with Qobuz

25 year old music publication and ethical streaming platform partner to support mission-driven journalism and music discovery   Drowned in Sound, the independent music publication, podcast and online community, has today announced a new partnership with Qobuz, the independently-owned high-quality music streaming...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Saudi Arabia’s EIF and Legends Global score big joint venture announcement

  Saudi Arabia’s Event Investment Fund (EIF) and Legends Global have announced a joint venture to support the Kingdom’s vision and investment in its fast-growing venue industry.   This partnership will become the venue operator for venue projects within the Kingdom of Saudi...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Angry Mob Music Signs Foreign Sub-Publishing Agreement With D-Version Music Publishing in Greece

  Angry Mob Music, an independent music publisher boldly serving songwriters, composers, artists, and creatives, has signed a new sub-publishing agreement with D-Version Music Publishing to represent their catalog in Greece, bringing the Angry Mob Music catalog to the Greek market for...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Universal Music Group announces new UMusic shops in New York and London

Today, Universal Music Group (UMG), the world-leader in music-based entertainment has announced the launch of two UMusic Shop locations in New York and London, dedicated to reimagining the fan experience.  Each UMusic Shop offers exclusive custom collections and pieces inspired by UMG's iconic artists,...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Jeff Sosnow named President of Reprise Records

Widely admired exec takes on new role alongside his post as EVP of A&R for Warner Records   Warner Records Group today announced that Jeff Sosnow has been promoted to President, Reprise Records, in addition to continuing in his role as EVP...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Openstage Puts Artists in Control of Fan Relationships by Uniting Once Fragmented Data

Artists struggle with one basic issue: Control.  They don't know who their fans are. Even with large followings, most artists struggle to identify real fans, understand who is engaged, or build relationships over time. Fan information is scattered across ticketing platforms,...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Seventeen live music sector organisations sign open letter to UK Prime Minister calling for urgent review of Business Rates

Dear Prime Minister, We are writing on behalf of the live events sector to urge you to review the devastating, unintended consequences for live venues of changes announced to the Business Rates system at the Budget.  The combined impact of disproportionate, inappropriate,...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

Sony Music Publishing Signs Global Deal with BigXthaPlug

Sony Music Publishing today announced it has signed a global publishing deal with award-winning, multi-platinum selling breakout star BigXthaPlug. BigXthaPlug, aka Xavier Landum, has quickly established himself as one of music’s most powerful new storytellers. With an unmistakable sound that delves into...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

The Live Awards 2025 - Winners announced

The LIVE Awards 2025, which took place in association with Skiddle at The Troxy, in East London, on the evening of Wednesday 10th December, has published its full list of winners. Attended by over 500 guests including promoters, venues, agents, festivals,...more

11 Dec 2025 | Press release

IMPF Key Principles for CMO Licensing Models for Generative AI

  Generative AI is rewriting the rules of the music ecosystem, at speed and scale we have never seen before. For independent publishers and the songwriters and composers they represent, this shift brings both opportunity and profound risk. At the core...more

10 Dec 2025 | Press release

beatBread Surpasses $100 Million in Deal Funding as Company Marks its Fifth Anniversary

1700 Deals Representing 67 Billion Streams Funded,With Platform Expanding To 42 Countries    beatBread, a leader in funding for independent labels and musicians, today announced a series of major milestones that underscore its accelerating global scale and industry impact as it celebrates...more

10 Dec 2025 | Press release

BDi Music signs exclusive worldwide publishing deal with artist, producer and topliner Jack Critchlow

Critchlow has had significant support at radio at DSPs.   BDi Music has signed emerging artist, producer and topliner Jack Critchlow to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. Hailing from the North of England, 22-year-old Critchlow is one of the most exciting upcoming acts...more

10 Dec 2025 | Press release

Bucks Music Group appoints Rick Lansdell as COO alongside key promotions

Flash Taylor,  James Paterson, Rhiannon Bramley, Maria McDonald, Sevana Mehrunnesa and Andrea Loizidou all step up at independent publisher.   Bucks Music Group has announced the appointment of Rick Lansdell as the company’s Chief Operating Officer, as well as a number of...more

10 Dec 2025 | Press release

Tyler West and Chloe Burrows announced for KISS Breakfast Show

KISS have announced that Tyler West will be the new host of the KISS Breakfast Show. However, he won’t be alone as podcaster and TV personality, Chloe Burrows, will be joining KISS as his co-presenter.   Tyler and Chloe will be taking over KISS Breakfast when,...more

10 Dec 2025 | Press release

Live Music Company DHP Family Brings Two Senior Women To The Board

  Two senior colleagues have joined the board of DHP Family, the live music company behind a host of iconic live music venues, award-winning festivals and a thriving concerts business.  Julie Tippins becomes a non-executive director as she steps away from the...more

10 Dec 2025 | Press release

Music League and Roxxem Win Music Tectonics’ 2025 Swimming with Narwhals Startup Competition

  Music Tectonics is here to shout about the winners of its annual Swimming with Narwhals competition for innovative startups in music tech. These winners show how music is everywhere, shifting the status quo of media, tech, and entertainment. This year, two...more

12 Dec 2025

  • The 10 biggest AI music stories of 2025 (see Features)

11 Dec 2025

  • Do pop stars write their own hits—and if not, who does? (see Analysis)

10 Dec 2025

  • TikTok unveils its Year in Music Report (see Digital)

09 Dec 2025

  • Coldplay, U2, Ed Sheeran named most popular touring artists of the millennium (see News)

  • King Gizzard, having pulled music from Spotify in protest, find genAI clones on the platform (see Digital)

08 Dec 2025

  • UK parliamentarians join call to regulate most powerful AI systems (see News)

  • Martin Mills is trying to thwart a record industry takeover by Universal (see Features)

05 Dec 2025

  • IMPF says members should reject AI deals that do not value songs properly (see News)

  • Which songs do we replay the most? (see Analysis)

04 Dec 2025

  • Spotify Wrapped 2025 goes live (see Digital)

03 Dec 2025

  • Daddy Yankee files lawsuit against former manager and third parties for alleged royalty scheme (see News)

  • EU touring: Impact of Brexit worsening, says UK Music report (see Reports)

02 Dec 2025

  • ORCA released a report analysing the economic investments and social impact of nine leading independent record labels (see Reports)

  • Jorja Smith’s label requests share of royalties from ‘AI-cloned’ song (see News)

01 Dec 2025

  • A creative nation is a thriving nation (see Opinion)