Kristin Robinson
@wordsbykristin.bsky.social
Senior writer @ Billboard. Covering all things music business and technology.
Follow my *free* music tech newsletter Machine Learnings and catch me on other social sites here: https://linktr.ee/wordsbykristin
Follow my *free* music tech newsletter Machine Learnings and catch me on other social sites here: https://linktr.ee/wordsbykristin
Had so much fun doing this pod episode with the one and only AU!
Also highly recommend checking out all the episodes of the Greatest Popstars podcast. It’s SO great. Andrew is an excellent host.
Also highly recommend checking out all the episodes of the Greatest Popstars podcast. It’s SO great. Andrew is an excellent host.
Bon Iver a pop star? For one year... almost.
Looking back with Bonhead @wordsbykristin.bsky.social on the Long Winter of 2011.
Includes:
-Is Jason Aldean indie?
-'We Bought a Zoo' thoughts
-Beef with Bonnie Raitt (?)
-BUGGLE WUGGLE DON'T BE A MUGGLE www.billboard.com/music/pop/bo...
Looking back with Bonhead @wordsbykristin.bsky.social on the Long Winter of 2011.
Includes:
-Is Jason Aldean indie?
-'We Bought a Zoo' thoughts
-Beef with Bonnie Raitt (?)
-BUGGLE WUGGLE DON'T BE A MUGGLE www.billboard.com/music/pop/bo...
How Did Bon Iver Break Into the World of Pop Stardom in 2011?
This Vintage Almost-Pop Stardom episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast looks at 2011 Bon Iver, collaborating with Kanye West and winning Grammys.
www.billboard.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Had so much fun doing this pod episode with the one and only AU!
Also highly recommend checking out all the episodes of the Greatest Popstars podcast. It’s SO great. Andrew is an excellent host.
Also highly recommend checking out all the episodes of the Greatest Popstars podcast. It’s SO great. Andrew is an excellent host.
Reposted by Kristin Robinson
A totally charming profile – with a little news, too – of Faye Webster by @wordsbykristin.bsky.social www.billboard.com/music/rock/f...
How Indie Thinking Helped Faye Webster Create Her Own Musical Universe — And Prepare For Her Move to a Major
Faye Webster on tour, her first major-label deal with Columbia Records, Minions, Alison Krauss and more in an interview with Billboard.
www.billboard.com
June 5, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A totally charming profile – with a little news, too – of Faye Webster by @wordsbykristin.bsky.social www.billboard.com/music/rock/f...
Reposted by Kristin Robinson
Is Maren Morris a pop star? Digging into a surprisingly tough question (and a surprisingly -- though maybe not *that* surprisingly -- great new pop album) with the fantastic @marissarmoss.bsky.social. Insurrection Barbies not welcome. www.billboard.com/music/pop/ma...
Is Maren Morris a Pop Star?
This Greatest Pop Stars podcast looks at Maren Morris' career and if she ever made the jump to pop stardom during her rise and fall in country.
www.billboard.com
May 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Is Maren Morris a pop star? Digging into a surprisingly tough question (and a surprisingly -- though maybe not *that* surprisingly -- great new pop album) with the fantastic @marissarmoss.bsky.social. Insurrection Barbies not welcome. www.billboard.com/music/pop/ma...
Reposted by Kristin Robinson
on a professional level, i sympathize with the reporter who's being asked to provide breaking news updates and can only offer "uh... it's kinda cold out?"
May 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
on a professional level, i sympathize with the reporter who's being asked to provide breaking news updates and can only offer "uh... it's kinda cold out?"
JD Vance said we have been “too self conscious, too risk averse” with AI
In the Trump admin’s race for AI dominance, is it possible the copyright protections the music business has fought for get cast aside too??
I ask the experts:
www.billboard.com/pro/trump-up...
In the Trump admin’s race for AI dominance, is it possible the copyright protections the music business has fought for get cast aside too??
I ask the experts:
www.billboard.com/pro/trump-up...
The Trump Administration Is Upending the AI Race. What Does That Mean for Music?
As the Trump administration appears to be removing the regulatory guardrails around AI, experts weigh in on the possible consequences for musicians.
www.billboard.com
March 13, 2025 at 11:01 PM
JD Vance said we have been “too self conscious, too risk averse” with AI
In the Trump admin’s race for AI dominance, is it possible the copyright protections the music business has fought for get cast aside too??
I ask the experts:
www.billboard.com/pro/trump-up...
In the Trump admin’s race for AI dominance, is it possible the copyright protections the music business has fought for get cast aside too??
I ask the experts:
www.billboard.com/pro/trump-up...
New story about the business of ambient music, which has been booming in the streaming era and as wellness culture continues to rise
Newcomer labels are flocking to the genre but not all have the best intentions
Read more:
www.billboard.com/pro/can-ambi...
Newcomer labels are flocking to the genre but not all have the best intentions
Read more:
www.billboard.com/pro/can-ambi...
Genre Report: Can the Ambient Music Boom Withstand AI?
Ambient music has been on the rise in the streaming era. But with royalty reform and the threat of AI-generated sounds, its future is still uncertain.
www.billboard.com
March 13, 2025 at 10:57 PM
New story about the business of ambient music, which has been booming in the streaming era and as wellness culture continues to rise
Newcomer labels are flocking to the genre but not all have the best intentions
Read more:
www.billboard.com/pro/can-ambi...
Newcomer labels are flocking to the genre but not all have the best intentions
Read more:
www.billboard.com/pro/can-ambi...
Most affordable instruments are made abroad, w top guitar brands like Fender, Taylor + Martin all having hubs in MX. Drum makers like Pearl, Yamaha + PDP all make product in China.
W/ Trump's tariffs, it could threaten people's chance at learning a new instrument.
www.billboard.com/pro/how-trum...
W/ Trump's tariffs, it could threaten people's chance at learning a new instrument.
www.billboard.com/pro/how-trum...
How Trump’s Tariffs Could Be ‘Devastating’ for Musical Instrument Manufacturers
Here's how Trump's tariffs could hurt musical instrument manufacturers who create guitars, drum kits and more, according to NAMM CEO John Mlynczak.
www.billboard.com
March 5, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Most affordable instruments are made abroad, w top guitar brands like Fender, Taylor + Martin all having hubs in MX. Drum makers like Pearl, Yamaha + PDP all make product in China.
W/ Trump's tariffs, it could threaten people's chance at learning a new instrument.
www.billboard.com/pro/how-trum...
W/ Trump's tariffs, it could threaten people's chance at learning a new instrument.
www.billboard.com/pro/how-trum...
Here's my question: With Trump's Mex/Canada tariffs set to start tomorrow, how will this affect instrument brands, like Fender and Taylor, which make their lower priced goods in Mexico?
...and more importantly how will this affect people who can't afford pricey instruments?
...and more importantly how will this affect people who can't afford pricey instruments?
March 3, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Here's my question: With Trump's Mex/Canada tariffs set to start tomorrow, how will this affect instrument brands, like Fender and Taylor, which make their lower priced goods in Mexico?
...and more importantly how will this affect people who can't afford pricey instruments?
...and more importantly how will this affect people who can't afford pricey instruments?
In every one of my Machine Learnings newsletters I include a story from Billboard's archives... Back in 1982, Clive Davis urged the music biz to not be “proclaimers of doom” about the rise of early video games in an op-ed.
“They have seen our demise and have named it Atari,” Davis said.
“They have seen our demise and have named it Atari,” Davis said.
March 3, 2025 at 10:34 PM
In every one of my Machine Learnings newsletters I include a story from Billboard's archives... Back in 1982, Clive Davis urged the music biz to not be “proclaimers of doom” about the rise of early video games in an op-ed.
“They have seen our demise and have named it Atari,” Davis said.
“They have seen our demise and have named it Atari,” Davis said.
Honest question, how can we make it through 4 years (if not more) of this.
February 16, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Honest question, how can we make it through 4 years (if not more) of this.
Listening to “Dawn Chorus” on the tube right now, as god intended
February 12, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Listening to “Dawn Chorus” on the tube right now, as god intended
Reposted by Kristin Robinson
Been a very packed start to 2025 in pop stardom -- surprise releases, breakout hits, benefit concerts, maybe the best Grammys ever. @stephenrdaw.bsky.social, Kyle Denis & I recapped it and listed our own top five pop stars of the year so far. open.spotify.com/episode/4Vmx...
Which Pop Stars Won January 2025?
Greatest Pop Stars · Episode
open.spotify.com
February 6, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Been a very packed start to 2025 in pop stardom -- surprise releases, breakout hits, benefit concerts, maybe the best Grammys ever. @stephenrdaw.bsky.social, Kyle Denis & I recapped it and listed our own top five pop stars of the year so far. open.spotify.com/episode/4Vmx...
What’s the drama between Spotify and songwriters/music publishers?
If you need a full debrief, I gotchu. I made a TikTok explaining it in great detail
www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2rN2jSn/
If you need a full debrief, I gotchu. I made a TikTok explaining it in great detail
www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2rN2jSn/
Spotify and songwriters/publishers have had a hard time getting along… what’s the story?
TikTok video by Kristin Robinson - Billboard
www.tiktok.com
February 4, 2025 at 11:10 PM
What’s the drama between Spotify and songwriters/music publishers?
If you need a full debrief, I gotchu. I made a TikTok explaining it in great detail
www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2rN2jSn/
If you need a full debrief, I gotchu. I made a TikTok explaining it in great detail
www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2rN2jSn/
Why didn’t Billie come out for Guess???
February 3, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Why didn’t Billie come out for Guess???
Drake is crashing out right now
February 3, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Drake is crashing out right now
Reposted by Kristin Robinson
Doechii… a star is born
February 3, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Doechii… a star is born
Reposted by Kristin Robinson
i just cannot get over how much the administration’s response to the crash shows a profound disrespect for the lives of the people they are supposed to serve
January 31, 2025 at 3:15 AM
i just cannot get over how much the administration’s response to the crash shows a profound disrespect for the lives of the people they are supposed to serve
In an interview with 'The Town,' longtime music exec Irving Azoff was asked by major label CEOs are so old now. He countered by saying "well, you're missing the point...why are they so ENGLISH" lol
January 30, 2025 at 11:51 PM
In an interview with 'The Town,' longtime music exec Irving Azoff was asked by major label CEOs are so old now. He countered by saying "well, you're missing the point...why are they so ENGLISH" lol
Spotify + UMG made a deal which sources say helps pay UMPG + its songwriters better than b4. Good for them.
This opens the door for other big pubs + their writers to get similar deals. Also, good...but what about the indies? Do they get left behind?
My analysis:
www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-...
This opens the door for other big pubs + their writers to get similar deals. Also, good...but what about the indies? Do they get left behind?
My analysis:
www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-...
The Spotify/UMG Deal Signals Hope for Publishers — What Comes Next?
Spotify's new direct deal with the Universal Music Group is good news for publishers and songwriters. Will other companies get to benefit as well?
www.billboard.com
January 30, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Spotify + UMG made a deal which sources say helps pay UMPG + its songwriters better than b4. Good for them.
This opens the door for other big pubs + their writers to get similar deals. Also, good...but what about the indies? Do they get left behind?
My analysis:
www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-...
This opens the door for other big pubs + their writers to get similar deals. Also, good...but what about the indies? Do they get left behind?
My analysis:
www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-...
My 10 Biggest AI Music Stories of the Year list has arrived! Read up on what you missed this year below.
And again, i don't know why but Drake always seems to be part of this... but he is 🤷♀️
www.billboard.com/lists/bigges...
And again, i don't know why but Drake always seems to be part of this... but he is 🤷♀️
www.billboard.com/lists/bigges...
The 10 Biggest AI Music Stories of 2024: Lawsuits, ELVIS Act, ‘BBL Drizzy’ & More
The biggest AI music stories of 2024 involve a Drake diss track, the TikTok-UMG fight, several lawsuits, Tenneessee's ELVIS Act on deepfakes and more.
www.billboard.com
December 10, 2024 at 7:55 PM
My 10 Biggest AI Music Stories of the Year list has arrived! Read up on what you missed this year below.
And again, i don't know why but Drake always seems to be part of this... but he is 🤷♀️
www.billboard.com/lists/bigges...
And again, i don't know why but Drake always seems to be part of this... but he is 🤷♀️
www.billboard.com/lists/bigges...
ICYMI: Jerry Garcia's estate has partnered w ElevenLabs to create an AI voice model for the late Grateful Dead member.
This is the latest case of AI being used to help market deceased or elderly celebs (+ their catalogs) to the next gen. Def a lil controversial!
www.billboard.com/pro/jerry-ga...
This is the latest case of AI being used to help market deceased or elderly celebs (+ their catalogs) to the next gen. Def a lil controversial!
www.billboard.com/pro/jerry-ga...
Jerry Garcia’s AI Voice Can Now Read Books and Articles to You
Jerry Garcia's AI voice can read books, articles and more to you following a partnership between the artist's estate and AI tech company ElevenLabs.
www.billboard.com
November 14, 2024 at 5:49 PM
ICYMI: Jerry Garcia's estate has partnered w ElevenLabs to create an AI voice model for the late Grateful Dead member.
This is the latest case of AI being used to help market deceased or elderly celebs (+ their catalogs) to the next gen. Def a lil controversial!
www.billboard.com/pro/jerry-ga...
This is the latest case of AI being used to help market deceased or elderly celebs (+ their catalogs) to the next gen. Def a lil controversial!
www.billboard.com/pro/jerry-ga...