Author: Caleb White

Spend a few minutes scrolling through a music app today and one thing becomes clear: listeners are no longer following the rules that once shaped the industry. A decade ago, music trends often started at record labels, radio stations, and major award shows. Today, the journey is far less predictable. A song recorded in a bedroom studio can compete with a major-label release. An artist with a niche audience can build a global fan base without traditional promotion. Even older tracks can suddenly return to popularity years after their original release. The music world feels more open, more fragmented, and…