1. ? For as long as radio has existed, so has pay-for-play

Read Rolling Stone’s coverage on the not-so-secret tradition of paying-for-plays and how it’s affected the radio game

2. ?️ Would you like a side of cool, hip vibes with your steak?

Eater’s Hilary Canvan investigates why all “cool” restaurants seem to play the same songs. 

3. ?️ Teenage Engineering is changing the electronic music game with a $60 synth

Making a tool more accessible is sure to influence the music itself — read more at The New York Times.

4. ?? What was it like as a woman working in music before the internet?

Get insight from 17 women (from artists to talent scouts) working well into the millennium in this multi-interview piece by Topic. 

5. ? Katy Perry’s Dark Horse lawsuit sets up a tricky precedent

According to The Fader, this recent decision could introduce more restrictions to creative freedom.

6. ? Apple Music rebrands their hip-hop playlist as “Rap Life”

Responding to the “speed of culture,” Apple Music’s rebrands their hip-hop playlist.