Most local musicians that I interview say that most of their fans discovered them via social media, streaming videos, or live performances. In turn they discover new music via streaming services and friends. No one says radio.
I loved radio. It shaped my taste in music. There is nothing quite like serendipitously discovering a song that you like, but then you have to keep it playing in your head so you don’t forget how it sounds like because you didn’t hear the DJ announcing the song title and you want to hear the song again.
The first is the Apple Music Hits and the other is Apple Music Country. Their names are pretty descriptive of that they are. Apple Music Hits has chart toppers and favourites from the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s while Apple Music Country has, well, country music.
It’s easy to see why I would like Apple Music Hits, but that is mostly nostalgia. But, do not underestimate Apple Music Country. Country music had come a long way and with its focus on selling singles instead of albums, the sound has evolved and is more complex than most of the albums today.
Speaking of current music, Apple also announced that they rename their premier radio offering on Apple Music from Beats 1 to Apple Music 1.
I like Apple Music 1 some of the time. Not always. It is the home to the most diverse offering of music from the contemporary to the exotic. I’m not a fan of all of it, but it is one of the best places to step out of your comfort zone and discover new music.
“Apple Music is home — it’s home to artists, it’s home to fans, and it’s home to incredible music,” said Zane Lowe, Apple Music’s global creative director and host. “I’m an obsessive music nerd. I love searching for the most exciting new artists and playing them right alongside the most essential, established artists of our time because great music does not know the difference and Apple Music fans just want to hear great music. That’s what Apple Music radio is all about.”
Azizul Rahman Ismail 