In September 2023, Bandcamp showcased the best new releases in the hip-hop genre. The selection featured a diverse range of styles and themes, from personal reflections to political gravitas[5eab0941]. Meanwhile, CapRadio curated a relaxing and inspiring classical music playlist for October 9, 2023[uuid]. WECB, a student-run radio station at Emerson College, has also joined the celebration of music with their playlist of the week #262[9a62ee77]. This playlist features various music tracks and artists, including songs from Temples, Marie Urbain, Papooz, Ghost, and more. Christopher Johnson, a dedicated writer and contributor to the WECB website, covers music reviews, artist interviews, event updates, and industry news[9a62ee77]. Both Bandcamp and WECB highlight the power of music to evoke emotions and connect people across different genres and styles. Whether it's the rhythmic beats and thought-provoking lyrics of hip-hop, the timeless melodies of classical music, or the diverse range of tracks featured in WECB's playlist, these releases remind us of the universal language of music and its ability to transport us to different worlds and evoke a wide range of emotions. From the streets of Philadelphia to the concert halls of Europe, music continues to be a powerful force that unites and inspires[uuid].
In January 2024, Apple Music announced the expansion of its Classical genre to several new regions, including China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. The expansion is set to take place on January 24, 2024[8aa18501]. Apple Music Classical provides users with access to millions of tracks, curated playlists, and exclusive albums. The app was initially launched in most countries in March 2023 but was not available in select markets. This expansion demonstrates Apple's commitment to making classical music more accessible on a global scale. The app offers free access to over five million tracks, more than 700 curated playlists, exclusive albums, and high-quality audio. Pricing for the standard plan is set at $10.99 per month in the U.S., with a student plan available for $5.99 per month and a Family tier priced at $16.99 per month[8aa18501].
In April 2024, Spotify announced that Apple has rejected its new version of the iOS app, which included in-app pricing information for users in the European Union. Spotify had submitted the new version of its app to Apple with basic pricing and website information, as required by the European Commission's ruling in its music streaming case. However, Apple stated that it would only approve the new version of the app if Spotify accepts the terms of the Music Streaming Services Entitlement in the European Economic Area (EEA) and resubmits it for review. Under Apple's proposal, streaming services can include links to their websites to inform users of payment options outside the App Store, but Apple would charge a 27% commission on transactions made through those links. Spotify did not include the in-app link in the update submitted to Apple. This rejection comes after Brussels fined Apple 1.84 billion euros ($1.97 billion) in March 2024 for impeding competition from music streaming rivals through restrictions on its App Store[uuid][df8397e5].