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Splice & MIDiA Research unveil “Sounds of 2025”, 2024’s Genre Shifts Provide Key Insights Into What We’ll Hear in 2025

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What will the music of tomorrow sound like? According to the latest report from Splice, the global music creation platform, and MIDiA Research, the leading global authority in music, the creator economy and cross-entertainment, the answer is already being written.

NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — What will the music of tomorrow sound like? Global music creation platform Splice and MIDiA Researchhave today released “Sounds of 2025,” a deep dive into the music trends of 2024 and the genres, sounds, and creative shifts that are set to define the musical landscape in 2025.

“Splice is uniquely positioned to see the sounds that are driving music production globally. This report gives us a sense of how music producers are bending and blending genres in real time and just what genres and regions will define what we hear in 2025 and beyond.” Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice

The “Sounds of 2025” report reveals that music will be characterized by genre fusions and global influence. Among the hundreds of genres across Splice, one is raising its volume louder than the rest: “pluggnb“. Fusing the trap sub-genre “plugg” with ’90s R&B and gospel harmonies, “pluggnb” is the fastest-growing genre on the platform with downloads spiking 342.8% in 2024. Unofficial “pluggnb” remixes dominated TikTok in 2024 and led to adoption of the genre by K pop heavyweights like LE SSERRAFIM and ILLIT.

The report also takes a look at the top sample creators on the Splice platform, where KSHMR and Oliver continue to be leaders. Grabbing the number one spot in the Top Ten Sample Packs of 2024 is Sounds of KSHMR Vol. 3. Oliver’s Power Tools series (which features prominently in the Julian Bunetta-produced Sabrina Carpenter hit “Espresso”) continues its reign with three volumes in the Top 10.

Creators in LA drive the most Splice downloads by far, 30.7 million in 2024, with New York creators driving roughly half as many, 15.2 million. And while American cities make up half of the ranking for Splice’s top ten cities, the Splice user base is increasingly global. Australia has both Sydney and Melbourne in the Top 10, while Tokyo and Berlin are also included.

According to Splice CEO, Kakul Srivastava, “Splice is uniquely positioned to see the sounds that are driving music production globally. This report gives us a sense of how music producers are bending and blending genres in real time and just what genres and regions will define what we hear in 2025 and beyond.”

“The music industry is always trying to get ahead of trends, but there is perhaps no more forward-looking cultural trend than sample usage,” says Mark Mulligan, Managing Director and Music Analyst, MIDiA Research, the leading global authority in music, the creator economy and cross-entertainment. “The sounds that producers use to create today give us a window not only into the genres that will be big tomorrow but also early indications of entirely new genres that will emerge from the process of mixing samples across styles and cultures. The genres that stand out in this report also underline wider trends: the growing importance of scenes and fan remixing in shaping the sounds of the future.”

Key Highlights The Leading Genres of 2025

● Pluggnb: The Fastest Growing Genre of 2024

Pluggnb—a fusion of trap’s plugg subgenre with ’90s R&B and gospel harmonies—rose an incredible 342.8% in downloads. Artists like Summrs and Autumn! are leading the charge, while Seoul has emerged as a key hub for this genre’s growth. TikTok and digital culture are driving its global rise, making it a key contender for the mainstream in 2025.

● Jersey Club: From Underground to Global Phenomenon

Jersey club, the high-energy hip-hop/house hybrid, saw exponential growth in 2024, particularly in Berlin, where it became the city’s fastest-growing genre on Splice. Its influence is growing worldwide, with artists like UNIIQU3 and Cookiee Kawaii bringing it to new audiences. Expect Jersey Club to continue its global domination as 2025 progresses.

● Rage: The New Sound of Hip-Hop

“Rage,” a harder, experimental offshoot of trap, made major strides in 2024. With nearly 1 million downloads, it’s clear that artists like JELEEL! and YoungBoy Never Broke Again are introducing this sound to the mainstream. This genre is likely to continue its rapid rise, blending intense energy with a more experimental, aggressive approach to hip-hop production.

● A New Era of Dance Music: Melodic House & Techno

As house music continues to thrive, its subgenre, “melodic house” has emerged as a growing force, with artists like Ben Böhmer and Solomun defining its softer, atmospheric sound. Similarly, “melodic techno” is expected to rise in prominence, with its minimal, cinematic approach gaining traction globally.

● Afro House and the Global South’s Influence

The global rise of “Afro House“, particularly from South African creators like Black Coffee, continues to push boundaries in 2024. As international audiences increasingly embrace the genre’s fusion of African rhythms and house beats, it’s expected to play a significant role in the sounds of 2025.

● The Rise of Drift Phonk in Brazil

In Brazil, drift phonk—a faster and harder-hitting style of the popular “phonk” genre—became the country’s fastest-growing genre on Splice. As this genre grows in popularity, it highlights the emergence of ‘Brazilian phonk’, which was made popular by European producers who fused “phonk” with the sounds of Latin America, and its reclamation by Brazilian producers.

The New Sound Capitals of the World

While Los Angeles and New York remain the top cities for Splice downloads, the rise of international hubs is undeniable. Tokyo and Berlin are two of the fastest-growing music production cities globally, with new sounds and genres emerging from these places.

● Los Angeles: Dominating trends like K-pop and pluggnb, LA continues to be a hotbed for genre experimentation and cross-cultural influence.

● São Paulo: Home to the rapidly growing drift phonk sound, this Brazilian city is becoming a critical center for phonk’s evolution.

● Johannesburg: As Afro House continues to soar, South Africa is establishing itself as a global powerhouse for innovative, rhythm-based music.

● Berlin: Jersey club’s unexpected rise in Berlin exemplifies the city’s place in the global music scene.

To read the full report – click here

Media Contact

John Vlautin, Splice, 1 818-763-9800, jv@spinlab.net, www.splice.com

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SOURCE Splice

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HKAGE Showcases Gifted Students’ Learning Journeys at InnoCarnival 2026

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Promoting “Technology for Good” Through Innovation and Creativity 

HONG KONG, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) has been invited to participate in InnoCarnival 2026, organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission. Under the theme “Technology for Good, Innovation for All”, HKAGE will showcase the learning journeys of gifted students who have completed programmes on AI robotic arms, underwater archaeology, etc., demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to address societal needs.

Having proactively aligned its work with the education development strategies of the Education Bureau (EDB), HKAGE fully supports the EDB’s Blueprint for Digital Education in Primary and Secondary Schools, which seeks to advance the digital transformation of school education in Hong Kong. Building on its Talent Development Model, HKAGE systematically develops programmes, provides diversified learning experiences and engages in cross-sector collaborations to nurture gifted talents equipped with innovative capabilities, technological literacy, and a strong sense of social responsibility. At the exhibition this year, HKAGE will present how students applied knowledge gained through gifted education programmes and learning experiences in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, environmental science, underwater archaeology and sustainable development to design socially conscious solutions. These experiences reflect the students’ ability to serve society with knowledge and respond creatively to diverse challenges.

Among the highlights is the learning journey of students in the “Artificial Intelligence Course: Creative AI Robotic Arm for Inclusion”. After acquiring foundational knowledge in artificial intelligence, robotics and sensor applications, students designed, tested and refined intelligent robotic arm prototypes through real-time data analysis and algorithms. With the aim of improving the quality of life for the elderly and caregivers, students explored various application scenarios for intelligent robotic arms. Another showcase features the “Environmental Science Course: Bat Echoes – Voices of the Night”. Through acoustic monitoring, the exhibition demonstrates how students recorded bat voices and analysed related activity data and characteristics. The programme enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of local biodiversity and explore practical approaches to ecological conservation.

The HKAGE exhibition booth also features an interactive photo-taking device, allowing visitors to take photos with different gifted programme themes and share the joy of learning.

On the first day of the exhibition, a “Build Your Own Glider Parent-Child Workshop” is specially organised by HKAGE for the visitors. Under the guidance of instructors and assisted by HKAGE students, participants will learn the basic principles of aerodynamics, including lift, gravity, thrust and drag. They will also learn to design, assemble and decorate their own gliders by using lightweight and durable materials, experiencing the joy of science and engineering.

Mr WONG Chung Po, Acting Executive Director of HKAGE, said: “The Academy is committed to providing gifted students with diversified learning platforms and encouraging them to transform knowledge into innovative practices that generate positive social impact. Participation in this exhibition not only provides students with a valuable learning experience that helps consolidate the knowledge acquired in gifted programmes, but also enables the public to better understand how gifted education nurtures a new generation of creative and socially responsible talents to jointly advance the philosophy of ‘Technology for Good’.”

InnoCarnival 2026 – The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

Date:

24 Oct – 1 Nov

Venue:

The Hong Kong Science Park

Booth:

C08-09

Time:

10:00 – 17:00 (Mon to Fri)

10:00 – 18:00 (Sat & Sun)

 

About the HKAGE

Established in 2008 and subvented by the Education Bureau, the HKAGE offers gifted education services actively to local primary and secondary school students to unleash their potential. It also provides gifted education-related information and support for teachers, parents, and other relevant stakeholders.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/hkage-showcases-gifted-students-learning-journeys-at-innocarnival-2026-302918606.html

SOURCE Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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