We continue our History of Music Production series with the history of microphones. Then we take a look at some prominent hip hop music college programs, and discuss what the state of hip hop in higher education says about the times we live in (also, Cameron reveals some more of his lore). In news, we discuss Casey Wasserman selling his namesake agency, Spotify's next "AI Derivatives" move, UMG's acquisition of Downtown, and finally finally(!) get some clarity on what Sony's AI strategy is.

Our Take It Or Leave It advice is all about microphone technique.

• The first human voice recorded
• World's oldest recordings
• Princeton Launches Spring 2026 Course Centering Women as Architects of Hip-Hop by The Source
• Casey Wasserman to Sell Talent Agency Amid Fallout Over Epstein Files (Report) by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide
• Spotify eyes AI ‘derivatives’ as new revenue stream for artists – says its tech to let fans make remixes and covers is ready by Murray Stassen for Music Business Worldwide
• UMG's Downtown Acquisition Approved by EU Competition Regulator by James Hanley for Music Business Worldwide
• Sony Group Launches New Tech to Track Copyrighted Material in AI-Generated Music by Harry Levin for New Industry Focus

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Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com

Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com

Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com

Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

We kick off our "History of Music Production" series with The History of Mixing and Mastering: what is mixing, how does it differ from mastering? Then, Casey Wasserman, founder and CEO of Wasserman agency, who represents a huge swath of the music industry, is in the Epstein files, and his clients and employees are speaking out. Udio and Suno have differing visions for the future of AI music. Finally, Cameron leaves you with some sage advice about how to fix your most common mix issues.

• Bethany Cosentino Calls on Wasserman CEO to Step Down Over Epstein Emails by Hattie Lindert for Pitchfork
• Wednesday leaves Wasserman over CEO’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein
• Music Agents Give Casey Wasserman Ultimatum: Leave Over Epstein Ties or They Will by Sharon Waxman for The Wrap
• Universal and Suno are in a PR battle over ‘walled gardens’ in AI music
  by Murray Stassen for Music Business Worldwide
• ElevenLabs, Creator of SUNO Rival Eleven Music, Raises $500M at $11BN Valuation by Music Business Worldwide

Send a text

Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com

Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com

Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com

Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

Plus, how can you keep your venue safe from ICE? We have a checklist that will help you prepare. Also, Spotify and the major labels are suing activist and archive group Anna's Archive for 13 trillion dollars (that's "trillion" with a "T"). Then, which musicians are in the Epstein files so far? Finally, this week's Take It Or Leave It advice helps your songs get more radio play.

• Women Won Big at the Grammy Awards and Used Their Platform for Good by @amplifyhervoice
• Bon Iver Talks about the Whistle on His Jacket" by @rollingstone
• "You give America color" by @revolt
• This is what Using Your Platform for Good Looks Like... by @naacp
• The Queer Artists Who Won At the 2026 Grammys by @soundfynd
• Preparing for Immigration Enforcement: Keeping Music and Performing Arts Venues, Staff, Artists, and Audiences Safe by Tamizdat
• Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas by Immigrant Legal Resource Center
• Spotify, Major Labels Sue Anna’s Archive for $13 Trillion by Rod Yates for New Industry Focus
• Jay-Z, Harvey Weinstein and Pusha T mentioned in latest batch of Epstein files released to public by Poppy Burton NME

Send us a text

Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com

Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com

Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com

Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/