The end of the year is coming. Are your releases ready? Not only are the last six weeks of the year the busiest time to release music, many shops and streaming platforms are closed or have limited support during the winter holidays. If you have releases planned in December or early January, take a look at the deadlines and tips below to make sure your release plan goes, well, according to plan.

In creating these deadlines, we’ve taken the deadlines set by the stores and added a few days to conduct a quality assurance check, process, and send your tracks to the stores and platforms. Please bear in mind that these are hard deadlines. That means your release has to meet the release requirements, with the music uploaded in the proper format, the album artwork approved, and everything submitted by this date. Also, if there are problems with the quality of your release or we don’t have everything we need when you submit, your release might not make store or platform deadlines — so submit early!

Hip hop is a genre of music that originated in the African-American and Latino communities in the Bronx, New York City, during the 1970s. It is characterized by its rhythmic beats, spoken word lyrics, and an emphasis on self-expression and storytelling. Hip hop encompasses various elements, including rap, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti art, creating a vibrant and multifaceted culture.

The earliest hip hop music was performed live, at house parties and block party events, and it was not recorded. Prior to 1979, recorded hip hop music consisted mainly of PA system soundboard recordings of live party shows and early hip hop mixtapes by DJs. Puerto Rican DJ Disco Wiz is credited as the first hip hop DJ to create a "mixed plate," or mixed dub recording, when, in 1977, he combined sound bites, special effects and paused beats to technically produce a sound recording. The first hip hop record is widely regarded to be the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight", from 1979. It was the first hip hop record to gain widespread popularity in the mainstream and was where hip hop music got its name from (from the opening bar). However, much controversy surrounds this assertion as some regard the March 1979 single "King Tim III (Personality Jock)" by the Fatback Band, as a rap record.There are various other claimants for the title of first hip hop record.

At its core, hip hop serves as a powerful form of social commentary, addressing topics such as racism, inequality, urban life, and personal experiences. Artists use their lyrics to convey messages, share their perspectives, and shed light on societal issues. The genre has become a platform for marginalized voices, giving a voice to those who have been historically underrepresented in mainstream media.

Hip hop music is known for its innovative production techniques, incorporating samples from various genres, such as funk, soul, jazz, and R&B. DJs play a crucial role in hip hop, using turntables and mixing techniques to create intricate beats and rhythms. The art of rap, with its clever wordplay, rhyme schemes, and storytelling abilities, has become a defining element of the genre.Over the years, hip hop has evolved and diversified, giving rise to various sub-genres and styles, including conscious rap, gangsta rap, trap, and alternative hip hop.
 

Afrobeat was developed in Nigeria in the late 1960s by Fela Kuti who, with drummer Tony Allen, experimented with different contemporary music of that time. Afrobeat was influenced by a variety of genres, such as highlife, fuji, and jùjú. It is a fusion of various musical styles, including highlife, Afrobeat, dancehall, and hip hop, blended with traditional African rhythms and percussion. Afrobeats is characterized by its infectious melodies, rhythmic beats, and vibrant energy, creating a sound that is both uplifting and danceable.

The genre gained international recognition through the efforts of artists such as Fela Kuti, who pioneered Afrobeat music in the 1970s. However, it was in the 2000s that Afrobeats truly began to make waves globally, with artists like D'banj, Wizkid, KiDi, Kuami Eugene, King Promise and Davido leading the charge. Their tunes and catchy hooks helped popularize Afrobeats beyond the African continent.

Lyrically, Afrobeats often touches on themes of love, celebration, social issues, and personal experiences. Artists use a mix of English, Pidgin English, and local languages to convey their messages, adding an authentic and culturally rich element to the music.

Afrobeats has become a global phenomenon, influencing and collaborating with artists from different genres and cultures. Its fusion of African rhythms with contemporary sounds has attracted a wide audience, and Afrobeats tracks can often be heard in clubs, festivals, and radio stations worldwide.

Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially, dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably, with digital dancehall (or "ragga") becoming increasingly characterized by faster rhythms. Key elements of dancehall music include its extensive use of Jamaican Patois rather than Jamaican standard English and a focus on the track instrumentals (or "riddims").

Dancehall saw initial mainstream success in Jamaica in the 1980s, and by the 1990s, it became increasingly popular in Jamaican diaspora communities. In the 2000s, dancehall experienced worldwide mainstream success, and by the 2010s, it began to heavily influence the work of established Western artists and producers, which has helped to further bring the genre into the Western music mainstream.

Dancehall is named after Jamaican dance halls in which popular Jamaican recordings were played by local sound systems. They began in the late 1970s among people from the inner city of Kingston, who were not able to participate in dances uptown.

Artists like Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man, and Vybz Kartel played significant roles in popularizing Dancehall internationally with their catchy melodies and distinct lyrical styles. Today, Dancehall continues to evolve, blending elements of Hip Hop, EDM, and other genres, attracting a diverse fan base and leaving an indelible mark on global music.

Lyrically, dancehall often touches on a wide range of topics, including love, social issues, and the experiences of everyday life. Artists use vivid storytelling and clever wordplay to captivate their audience. Dancehall has also been a platform for social commentary, with artists addressing political issues, inequality, and advocating for social change.

Over the years, dancehall has seen various sub-genres and styles emerge, including ragga, reggae fusion, and even cross-genre collaborations with hip hop and pop artists. Dancehall's influence has spread globally, with artists from around the world incorporating its infectious rhythms and distinctive vocal style into their own music.

HIGHVIBES DISTRIBUTION, a leading digital music distribution company based in Ghana, is pleased to announce a significant addition to our team in Ghana, as well as a well-deserved promotion for a long-standing member of our organization.

We welcome Prince Osei, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the music industry, has been appointed as our new Artist & Label Services Manager in Ghana.

The roles of our Artist & Label Services Manager is pivotal in our commitment to providing unparalleled support to artists and labels. Prince will be responsible for representing and advocating for artists and their music, working closely with them to develop and execute strategic marketing and promotion plans aimed at maximizing exposure and revenue opportunities for their music.

Moreover, our Artist & Label Services Manager will play a crucial role in building and nurturing relationships with artists and labels to ensure their satisfaction and address their unique needs effectively. Identifying and signing new talent to the HIGHVIBES family, negotiating contracts, managing budgets, and overseeing music distribution across various digital platforms will also be among their responsibilities.

Prince Osei brings a wealth of knowledge and industry insight to HIGHVIBES DISTRIBUTION, and his expertise will be instrumental in helping artists achieve their goals and build successful careers in the music industry.

Additionally, we are thrilled to announce the well-deserved promotion of Welbeck Tawiah to the position of Vice President at HIGHVIBES DISTRIBUTION. Welbeck has been an integral part of our team since 2019 and has consistently demonstrated his dedication, leadership, and commitment to our company's success.

As Vice President, Welbeck Tawiah will oversee all aspects of our operations, ensuring each department operates at peak efficiency. He will play a pivotal role in training new employees, engaging with customers, and stepping in to support any department that may need assistance. Welbeck will also be responsible for implementing strategic initiatives across all departments to drive the continued growth and success of HIGHVIBES DISTRIBUTION.

Furthermore, as Vice President, Welbeck Tawiah will serve as a key liaison between our dedicated team and the HIGHVIBES board. His role includes providing valuable insights into market trends and optics, helping us adapt and stay ahead in the ever-evolving music industry landscape.

Ogunade Mathias Gbolahan, CEO of HIGHVIBES DISTRIBUTION, expressed his excitement about the new addition and the promotion of Welbeck Tawiah, saying, "We are thrilled to welcome Prince Osei to our team. His deep understanding of the music industry and unwavering commitment to artist success will undoubtedly benefit our company and the artists we serve. As for Welbeck Tawiah, his promotion to Vice President is a testament to his outstanding leadership and dedication to HIGHVIBES. Together, they will help us continue to grow and excel in the ever-evolving music industry."

At HIGHVIBES DISTRIBUTION, we are committed to delivering the best possible services to our artists and labels, and these appointments and promotion reflect our dedication to that mission. We look forward to the contribution of Prince Osei, and the continued leadership of Welbeck Tawiah as we continue to empower artists and labels in their music careers.

About HIGHVIBES DISTRIBUTION: HIGHVIBES DISTRIBUTION is a leading digital music distribution company dedicated to supporting artists and labels in achieving their music industry goals. With a commitment to providing comprehensive services, innovative strategies, and unmatched expertise, we empower musicians and music creators to reach their full potential in the digital age.