One of the most influential inventions of the 20th century was Big Mouth Billy Bass. A celebrity bigger than the biggest politicians or richest movie stars, there’s almost nothing that could beat Billy. That is, until [Kiara] from Kiara’s Workshop built a Magikarp version of Big Mouth Billy Bass.
Sizing in at over 2 entire feet, the orange k-carp is able to dance, it is able to sing, and it is able to stun the crowd. Magikarp functions the same way as its predecessor; a small button underneath allows the show to commence. Of course, this did not come without its challenges.
Starting the project was easy, just a model found online and some Blender fun to create a basic mold. Dissecting Big Mouth Billy Bass gave direct inspiration for how to construct the new idol in terms of servos and joints. Programming wasn’t even all that much with the use of Bottango for animations. Filling the mold with the silicone filling proved to be a bit more of a challenge.
After multiple attempts with some minor variations in procedure, [Kirara] got the fish star’s skin just right. All it took was a paint job and some foam filling to get the final touches. While this wasn’t the most mechanically challenging animatronic project, we have seen our fair share of more advanced mechanics. For example, check out this animatronic that sees through its own eyes!
It's that time of year again, when all of our favorite streaming platforms start dropping personalized lists of what we've been consuming. Spotify Wrapped is perhaps the biggest of the bunch and it's available for perusal right now.
As always, users can access Wrapped to find their most listened-to genres, artists, songs, albums and podcasts from the past year. This information is shareable via social media if you want random bald eagle avatars to comment on your music taste, but there's a new interactive feature called Wrapped Party.
Spotify
This is a game of a sort. Spotify says it "turns your listening data into a live competition." Wrapped Party hands out awards for stuff like listening to smaller artists and obsession with a particular artist, in addition to total minutes streamed. Finally, friends can settle the age-old debate of "who listens to music more."
Spotify Wrapped is also about the platform itself, so we have plenty of little tidbits from the global user base. Bad Bunny was named the most streamed artist in the world, just ahead of his Super Bowl performance that internet bozos have turned into a controversy for some reason. This is the fourth time he's come out on top in the past five years. He also had the most popular album of the year.
Spotify
The global top song is something of a surprise, as it's not Bad Bunny or even Taylor Swift. It's the Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars duet "Die With a Smile." The top podcast is, as always, The Joe Rogan Experience. At least Spotify is getting what it paid for with Rogan.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotify-wrapped-2025-is-here-and-now-its-a-competition-130052418.html?src=rss
Music streaming services are starting to unleash their year-in-review features for 2025, and Apple Music’s version is out now. Apple Music Replay is here to lay bare your listening stats for the year — at least so far, because these tools go live with a whole month of the year left to go. You can check out the 2025 edition from the Home tab in the app.
As ever, Replay shows your total listening time, the number of artists you checked out, your most-listened-to song and album and more. New this year is a discovery stat, which highlights new artists you started listening to in 2025. The loyalty factor will tell you which artists you listen to year after year, and “comebacks” shows which artists have slotted back into your rotation.
The most popular song on Apple Music overall this year was the ultra-catchy “Apt.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars. “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA; “Die with a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Mars; “Not Like Us” by Lamar; and “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish rounded out the top five. “Apt.” is also the most Shazamed song of the year.
I really didn’t need Replay to tell me that party metal vanguards Electric Callboy and kawaii metal pioneers Babymetal were my top artists for 2025, since I’ve had both on extremely heavy rotation since the spring — their stupendously fun collab, “Ratatata,” was my top song this year. I was a little surprised that the wonderful Japanese math rock band Toe were in third place and that post-punk revival crew Editors made the top five, though I did listen to the latter’s The Back Room a bunch at the start of the year.
Early last year, Apple Music rolled out a monthly version of Replay, which shows the top songs, albums and artists and personal listening milestones for each month. You can also go back and listen to previous versions of your personalized Replay playlists, and check out a Replay All Time one, which highlights the songs you’ve listened to most on Apple Music overall.
Update, December 2, 4PM ET: This story was update after publish to clarify that the comebacks information is folded into your recap, rather than available as a separate tab.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/apple-music-replay-2025-is-here-to-highlight-your-unimpeachable-music-taste-151224318.html?src=rss
This year, Apple Music Replay includes even more listening habits, including the "Discovery" section, which highlights new artists users listened to, and "Loyalty," which spotlights artists that users have kept coming back to each year.
With 2025 Delivered, users will see a recap of their listening trends, showcasing their top artists, favorite songs, and preferred genres, along with stats for audiobooks and podcasts.
One of the newer traditions of the holiday season is reading itemized lists of what we watched, played and listened to on our favorite streaming platforms throughout the year. Spotify Wrapped is perhaps the most famous of the bunch, but Amazon Music has its own year-end recap called Delivered and this year's edition is available right now.
Amazon
Amazon Music Delivered started last year and provides subscribers with a list of their favorite songs, artists and podcasts. It also shows off "the top request you've made with Alexa." I use Alexa primarily as an alarm, so that particular statistic won't be setting my world on fire.
This year, there's a "Best of 2025" section that highlights the biggest songs, albums and podcasts from every user across the app. This list includes songs by Taylor Swift, Geese, Bad Bunny and others. Finally, the app will generate a fake music fest based on a particular user's favorite artists.
Amazon
Amazon Music Unlimited costs $11 per month for Prime members and $12 per month for everyone else. As previously mentioned, Prime members do get a streamlined version of the service as a perk.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/amazon-musics-year-end-recap-arrives-today-130029446.html?src=rss
An EDM song by the British group Haven ran into trouble in October after it shared clips of upcoming song "I Run" on TikTok.
The song "was an overnight viral sensation online," writes Digital Music News — racking up millions of plays "even before it hit streaming services." (Although the Washington Post notes that "Record labels and TikTok users began questioning whether 'I Run' used an AI deepfake, modeled off British R&B singer Jorja Smith, for the vocals.")
Digital Music News picks up the story:
The artist says he used his own voice to record the vocals, and then ran it through layers of processing and filtering to turn it into the female-sounding voice heard in the track. However, that filtering also included the use of the controversial genAI platform Suno — and that's what complicates things... [The article says later that Suno "is currently in the middle of a blockbuster lawsuit with the Big Three major labels over allegations of widespread copyright infringement of sound recordings used during the AI model training process."]
Meanwhile, the song was rapidly amassing listenership. It soared to #11 on the U.S. Spotify chart and #25 on Spotify globally. Videos using the song continued going viral on TikTok and Instagram, including one in which rapper Offset had apparently played the song during a Boiler Room set, which later turned out to be falsified. And then, as quickly as it appeared, "I Run" was taken down from streaming services, including Spotify and Apple Music. That was due, in part, to numerous takedown notices from The Orchard, the label to which Jorja Smith is signed, as well as the RIAA and IFPI. The takedown notices alleged various issues with the track, including the "misrepresentation" of another artist, as well as copyright infringement.
As a result, the song has also been withheld from the Billboard charts, including the Hot 100, on which it had been predicted to debut this week before the controversy. Billboard points out that it "reserves the right to withhold or remove titles from appearing on the charts that are known to be involved in active legal disputes related to copyright infringement that may extend to the deletion of such content on digital service providers."
The song itself has now been re-released with an all-human vocal track. But going forward will the music industry ever work with AI platforms? The Washington Post reports:
"I Run" has taken off as record labels remain unsure of the extent to which they should welcome generative AI programs such as Suno or Udio into the industry. After the two AI music companies began growing in popularity, the three major labels — Sony Music, Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group — filed lawsuits against Suno and Udio, claiming that the AI companies have used the labels' sound recordings to train their model.
Since then, UMG and Warnerhave reached agreementsto work with Udio, ending their litigation... It comes shortly after all three major labels licensed their catalogue to Klay, a music streaming start-up that allows users to adjust songs using artificial intelligence. Major licensing organizations such as ASCAP and BMI shared that they would register songs that were partially AI-generated — but not fully generated ones.
Haven appears to present an uncomfortable edge case. While some AI-generated songs that sound broadly like other artists have been allowed to remain on streaming platforms, the voice in "I Run" appears to have been deemed too duplicative for comfort.
We recently looked at Tiny vinyl, a new miniature vinyl single format developed through a collaboration between a toy industry veteran and the world’s largest vinyl record manufacturer. The 4-inch singles are pressed in a process nearly identical to standard 12-inch LPs or 7-inch singles, except everything is smaller. They have a standard-size spindle hole and play at 33⅓ RPM, and they hold up to four minutes of music per side.
Several smaller bands, like The Band Loula and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, and some industry veterans like Blake Shelton and Melissa Etheridge, have already experimented with the format. But Tiny Vinyl partnered with US retail giant Target for its big coming-out party this fall, with 44 exclusive titles launching throughout the end of this year.
Tiny Vinyl supplied a few promotional copies of releases from former America’s Got Talent finalist Grace VanderWaal, The Band Loula, country pop stars Florida Georgia Line, and jazz legends the Vince Guaraldi Trio so I could get a first-hand look at how the records actually play. I tested these titles as well as several others I picked up at retail, playing them on an Audio Technica LP-120 direct drive manual turntable connected to a Yamaha S-301 integrated amplifier and playing through a pair of vintage Klipsch kg4 speakers.
Surviving the Meme Apocalypse: Key Factors Behind Memecoin Longevity — Spotlight on BAMBITZ
Surviving the meme coin apocalypse, being amongst the less than 8% of Solana memecoins that survive beyond 60 days after launch; as of November 2025, with an active community on X, ongoing discussions about its unique utility and a new single release, BAMBITZ is emerging as a potential long-term player.
In the volatile world of Solana memecoins, survival is rare and unforgiving. Since the start of 2024, over 32 million tokens have been launched on Solana alone, but data shows that around 97% of memecoins fail or become inactive within months. Many fall victim to rug pulls, fading hype, or market oversaturation, resulting in a digital graveyard of abandoned projects. Yet, a handful endure, transforming from fleeting trends into sustainable ecosystems with lasting appeal.
Enter BAMBITZ ($BAM), a music-driven memecoin that fair-launched on Solana in September 2025. Centered around a virtual panda band that releases original tracks on Spotify, BAMBITZ converts music streams and revenue into token burns, creating a deflationary model that merges meme culture with Web3 music innovation. Amongst the less than 8% of Solana memecoins that survive beyond 60 days after launch, as of November 2025, with an active community on X, ongoing discussions about its unique utility and a new single release “Never Compromised” journaling its meme coin journey, BAMBITZ is emerging as a potential long-term player. But what sets survivors like it apart from the vast majority that fade? Below, we explore the critical factors for memecoin longevity, using BAMBITZ as a case study.
1. Community Engagement: The Foundation of Sustained Interest
A memecoin’s lifespan hinges on its community. Without dedicated supporters on platforms like X and Telegram, projects lose momentum quickly, as organic promotion, retention, and resistance to fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) dry up.
Why it matters: High failure rates, often exceeding 97%, stem from evaporating initial excitement without ongoing involvement. Successful projects build loyalty through events, rewards, and shared stories.
BAMBITZ in action: Through its #Listen2Burn mechanism, fans become active participants — streaming tracks on Spotify earns $BAM rewards while contributing to token burns. Recent X threads from community members and promoters emphasize this as a “movement for artist-friendly Web3,” with posts garnering views and discussions that highlight its collaborative vibe. The project currently fosters growth via bounties, lore contests and updates to their active followers and holders on X and Telegram.
2. Utility Beyond the Meme: Building Real Value
Purely speculative memecoins often burn out like fireworks. Longevity requires tangible utility, such as staking, NFTs, or integrations that provide ongoing value and encourage holding beyond short-term gains.
Why it matters: Projects with built-in utility tend to outlast speculation-only tokens, shifting the focus from gambling to ecosystem building. Research indicates that memecoins lacking utility face significantly higher failure rates.
BAMBITZ in action: Billed as the “world’s first music-fueled memecoin,” BAMBITZ directs 50% of music revenue — from Spotify streams, sales, and licenses — toward buying and burning $BAM tokens. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle: more streams lead to more burns and scarcity. Holders can engage by streaming tracks like “Andy Andy” and “Never Compromised,” blending entertainment with economic incentives. Future plans include virtual and even IRL concerts.
3. Tokenomics: Prioritizing Scarcity and Fairness
Effective tokenomics, including burns, supply locks, and transparent launches, help prevent dumps and promote stability. Poorly designed mechanics often invite exploitation and rapid devaluation.
Why it matters: Sound tokenomics enable projects to weather market corrections and build trust, contrasting with the dilution that dooms many memecoins.
BAMBITZ in action: With a total supply of 1 billion $BAM and no VC pre-mines or presales, 76% of tokens were allocated directly to the community via Jupiter DEX. Its deflationary burns are tied to real-world music revenue, ensuring organic scarcity. Liquidity remains stable through pools on Meteora, supporting low-fee trades.
4. Liquidity and Market Access: Enabling Accessibility and Trust
Robust liquidity on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and potential centralized exchange (CEX) listings reduces volatility and attracts larger investors. Transparency, audits, and clear roadmaps further deter scams.
Why it matters: Shallow liquidity invites manipulation, while strong access builds confidence and scalability.
BAMBITZ in action: Post-launch, $BAM integrated with Meteora’s Dynamic Liquidity Market Maker (DLMM) and Jupiter for seamless, low-cost trading on Solana. The project emphasizes legitimacy through doxxed roadmaps and community-driven growth, easy access on popular DEXs like Dexscreener, DexTools and others.
5. External Factors: Market Sentiment, Regulations, and Blockchain Advantages
Broader market trends, regulatory shifts, and blockchain-specific benefits play a pivotal role. Solana’s high speed and low fees, for instance, have fueled meme activity, but scandals can erase gains.
Why it matters: Bull markets can amplify growth, while downturns test resilience. Solana’s ecosystem has seen explosive token creation, but only utility-focused projects thrive long-term.
BAMBITZ in action: Leveraging Solana’s efficiency, BAMBITZ avoids common pitfalls with ethical, artist-centric mechanics. Community narratives on X position it as “where memes meet music,” riding the platform’s meme wave while focusing on sustainable utility.
The BAMBITZ Blueprint: A Path to Endurance
BAMBITZ demonstrates that memecoins can evolve beyond hype by combining community, utility, and innovative tokenomics — echoing successes like BONK’s incentives and WIF’s viral appeal. For investors and creators, the lesson is clear: Focus on genuine value over quick flips. Engage with BAMBITZ by streaming on Spotify, joining the X community (@BambitzRecords) or the Telegram community (@OfficialBambitz) or holding $BAM to participate in burns. In a landscape where most projects fade within 60 days, BAMBITZ shows that the right rhythm can create lasting impact.
WMG says artists and songwriters will have full control over whether and how their names, images, likenesses, voices, and compositions are used in new AI-generated music.
An anonymous reader shares a report: As part of the settlement with Universal, Udio has amended its terms of service, and users can no longer download their outputs. This has AI music makers furious, and with good reason. Unfortunately, they have little recourse, as the contract they sign when creating a Udio account includes a waiver of the right to bring a class action.
WhoSampled offers an extensive database of songs, samples, covers, remixes, artists, and more. According to its website, it's now tracking more than 1.2 million songs and nearly 622,000 samples. That data is powering Spotify's latest features, like its upcoming music discovery tool SongDNA.
Amazon Music is bringing fans together in a new app feature called “Fan Groups” that helps listeners discover, share and chat about music recommended by like-minded fans.
A beta version of the feature is rolling out in Canada on iOS and Android, Amazon said Monday.
With the addition of dedicated communities, the interactive Fan Groups feature gives listeners the ability to stream, discover and share without leaving the Music app.
Fans can explore and create groups and have conversations about artists, songs, genres and more. The groups are public, and can even be created by artists who want to connect with their fans.
The beta launch features several active groups created and populated by real fans across musical interests including indie rock, country, K-pop and workout playlists, according to Amazon.
Fan Groups will roll out to customers in the U.S. and additional markets worldwide beginning next year.
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