Latest news with #Hitmakers
IOL News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Unmasking the 'Hitmakers': the unsung heroes of your favourite pop songs
"Hitmakers" shines a spotlight on the talented individuals behind some of the world's biggest songs. Image: Instagram. Songwriters, who are often overlooked and underappreciated, are the true heroes of the pop music industry. Thanks to Netflix's new reality show, "Hitmakers", viewers get an inside look at the creatives behind some of the biggest songs on the planet. The series opens with a catchy phrase that perfectly encapsulates its premise: "You may not know us, but you definitely know our song." The show is produced by Done and Done Productions, the same company that gave us "Selling Sunset" and "The Hills". The aim is to shine a light on these talented individuals by showcasing their mastery in crafting songs for some of the biggest names in music, including John Legend, Usher, Shaboozey and Lisa from Blackpink. The show offers plenty of creative chaos, emotional stakes and personal breakthroughs from the featured songwriters, which include Jenna Andrews, who wrote on BTS's "Butter", Tommy Brown, who wrote on Arianna Grande's "Thank U, Next" and Trey Campbell, who has worked with Legend on "U Move, I Move". Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Other notable contributors include Ferras Alqaisi, who wrote for Dua Lipa, Sevyn Streeter, who has worked with Chris Brown, Bernard Harvey, who wrote on Justin Bieber's "Forever" and Nova Wav, who have written songs like Beyonce's "Cuff It". The songwriters are transported to luxurious locations like the Bahamas, Nashville and Cabo, where they engage in an intense songwriting camp, sipping champagne and enjoying gourmet meals as they attempt to craft the next big hit. As the show kicks off, viewers are quickly introduced to each songwriter's unique strengths and creativity. One would think that these masterminds would be rolling in money; however, off the bat, viewers quickly learn about the financial struggles many songwriters face when Campbell confesses that he still drives for Uber, despite being a Grammy-nominated writer. Although this theme is introduced, it fades into the background as the series progresses. During each writing session, songwriters engage briefly with the featured artists to gain insights into their visions for the new tracks. Then, divided into groups and with only six hours on the clock, these creative minds must come out with songs that can potentially scale the Billboard charts. While the show captures the essence of these high-pressure creative sessions, it leaves viewers wanting a more in-depth understanding of how these hits evolve from concept to completed work. At the end of each episode, the teams showcase their songs to the entire group at a listening party. Each team plays their song for the group and at the end of the season artists pick, chose and refuse which songs they will lend their voice to. Image: Instagram. While "Hitmakers" has the potential to deliver a gripping exploration of the music-making process, it often prioritises style over substance. The unique stories and struggles of songwriters deserve more attention. However, the series still manages to celebrate the artistry behind the scenes of pop hits, providing a visually engaging experience for viewers. Other interesting music shows to stream: "Beyoncé Bowl" The iconic Beyoncé takes the field for a special hometown halftime show on NFL Christmas Gameday from Houston, Texas. It features songs from her most recent album, "Cowboy Carter" with guest appearances from Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Shaboozey, and Post Malone. "Building The Band" This reality competition combines elements of dating shows with singing competitions. Contestants must select bandmates without seeing each other first, relying solely on musical compatibility before meeting face-to-face. The show features guest judges and mentors, including Kelly Rowland and the late Liam Payne of One Direction. "Rhythm + Flow" This reality series features up-and-coming hip hop singers vying for a chance at stardom. Chance the Rapper, T.I. and Cardi B are looking for new talent from their hometowns of Chicago, Atlanta and New York. Thirty selected contestants go on to compete in several elimination rounds, and the ultimate winner will win $250k and the opportunity to perform at Spotify's RapCaviar Live event. "Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE" The unscripted series features young women from around the world training and competing for a chance to form part of an international all-girl K-pop-styled group. It's a compelling portrayal of the journey to global stardom, including insight into the unique training and development program from HYBE and Geffen Records. "The Greatest Night in Pop" Directed by Bao Nguyen, the documentary is about the creation of the renowned pop song "We Are the World" and its recording in 1985. The film features new interviews with various people involved in the song, including Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis, Dionne Warwick and Cyndi Lauper.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Hitmakers'' Jenna Andrews and Stephen Kirk Urge the Importance of Uplifting Music's Unsung Heroes: Songwriters (Exclusive)
The real-life couple is taking their talent producing hits for artists like BTS and Nelly Furtado to TV with Netflix's new show 'Hitmakers' Songwriters Jenna Andrews and Stephen Kirk are behind some of modern music's biggest hits. With notches on their belt ranging from K-pop to hip-hop, the couple is preparing to show the world what they're capable of on Netflix's new reality TV show Hitmakers, now streaming. Luckily for them, their chemistry, both as a songwriting team and romantic couple, was as smooth as "Butter" — literally. Andrews and Kirk met via Zoom during the pandemic as they were both hired to help write "Butter" for BTS, a song that spent numerous weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. They started to take notice of each other's talents when Kirk was working on the melody of the track, and Andrews added her own flair to it. 'This is probably day two of me meeting her, and she sings her version. She had written the chorus to 'Butter.' The melody was the same, but the lyrics were different. I remember hearing her sing it, and I was like, 'Oh, this girl is like... She's magic,' ' he recalls to PEOPLE. Reflecting on "Butter," the duo believes that at least part of the song's success was due to their instant chemistry. Andrews likens it to the bond the Na'vi form in James Cameron's Avatar franchise, as the characters intertwine tails to show strong connection. She says, 'The chemistry has to be it, right? I think we had that initially. The tails touched, we had it whether or not maybe we realized it.' Together Kirk and Andrews have had countless successes, both as a duo and individually before meeting. Their collection of hits also includes songs for artists such as BTS, Sabrina Carpenter, Drake and Nelly Furtado. Recently, they've once again struck gold with the soundtrack of Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, for which they wrote two songs: 'Free' and 'What It Sounds Like.' The soundtrack peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Despite rubbing shoulders with some of music's biggest stars, songwriting is a generally overlooked job, relegated to tiny print in the credits. Kirk and Andrews explain that it's a selfless job, where you have to be a jack of all trades, willing to adapt to the needs of an artist on a case-by-case basis. 'You decide what tool you are bringing to the equation that particular day," Andrews says. Both artists emphasize the importance of a relentless work ethic and doing your homework as the key to songwriting success. 'In order to be great at anything you got to be a student of the game," Kirk says, making a connection to the sports he played when he was younger. 'Our watching film is listening to music, both old and new. Even when I'm not at a hip-hop session, I'm sharpening those tools.' Andrews says mastering all the skills of a songwriter takes a classic '10,000 hours.' The couple learned and grew by devoting countless hours to studying their favorite songs and learning every nook and cranny to figure out how it all ticked. Even with their hands in some of the biggest songs of the decade, Kirk and Andrews, along with a majority of songwriters, are not necessarily celebrities themselves. That's about to change with Hitmakers. Andrews and Kirk are stepping into their own spotlights on the Netflix series, which highlights a group of songwriters as they work with the world's biggest artists such as Shaboozey, John Legend and LISA of BLACKPINK to write hit songs. For Andrews and Kirk, reality TV dramatically changed the way they worked. 'I went in with no expectations as to what to expect because I've never done anything like this,' Kirk says, adding, 'There's a lot of challenges that come with trying to be vulnerable or trying to tap into that other level of your soul.' Andrews had to adapt her work style to fit TV, explaining, 'Normally I'm a little bit more insular as a writer, so having that many cameras was definitely intimidating.' Regardless of the challenges, the duo persevered. Kirk explains, 'You don't get good from your natural instinct or your natural talent. You get good from repetition. So it's just day one with all the cameras. It was really challenging, but you're just doing it every day.' Beyond making music in front of the camera, Kirk and Andrews lived with their castmates, leading to both deep connections and discomfort. Kirk admits, 'We saw an inside look at people's vulnerabilities, their family lives, and what makes them tick as a person, an outside songwriter.' In the songwriting business, that's a good thing, as Andrews says, 'The more you get to know somebody, the better the song usually turns out because there is a vulnerability there.' Andrews and Kirk were the only couple on Hitmakers, which came as a double-edged sword. They provided each other a source of comfort and a familiar face amidst the unfamiliar situation. However, they underestimated how difficult trying to bring their real-life romance into juicy TV would become. Kirk says, 'Things that weren't fights between us or arguments between us, or even a moment between us. They would be like... 'For TV, we got to make this a moment.' The weird thing about it is when you're in that situation, things that aren't even real start to almost kind of feel real. Not for us, but just for the rest of the cast to us and with us.' Andrews says, 'There were a couple times that you'll see if you watch the show, there's things that I didn't even realize were bad at the moment. I was just like, 'Oh, this is normally how it is to be in a relationship, you just kind of joke and make fun of each other, and that's the dynamic. That's how you know you have a good relationship, a best friendship, all those things.' But I think the way that they spun it, like [Kirk] said, it was just funny.' Now that the experience is over, both Kirk and Andrews are happy they took the plunge into reality TV together. 'We both came out of it being like, 'It was so fun.' I couldn't imagine going by myself that's for sure," Andrews admits. Kirk adds, "[The cast] all left there feeling really close and feeling like we had done something together that had never been done." On top of the personal satisfaction, Kirk and Andrews took pride in participating in a show that will hopefully shine a light on this often-overlooked section of the music industry. 'A lot of times people will think just the artist is writing their own song, so they don't know that there's people behind the scenes that are actually helping to write those songs,' says Andrews. 'I'm hoping that in that, people investigate more and do their research, and I think it leads to other questions and education in terms of what behind the scenes people do.' Read the original article on People
Mint
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
OTT releases this week: New movies, web series to watch; Mandala Murders, Kannappa, Sarzameen, Maargan and more
OTT releases this week: A number of new movies and web-series will be available on OTT this weekend on platforms like Z5, Amazon Prime Video, MX Player, Netflix, Sun NXT and JioHotstar. Let's have a look at the ones that are available to watch online. Ronth Story: Ronth is a Malayalam thriller about two very different cops working together during a tough night shift. It shows their troubled bond, personal struggles and a big crisis that changes their lives. Cast: Roshan Mathew, Dileesh Pothan, Lakshmi Menon OTT release date: July 22 OTT platform: JioHotstar Hitmakers Story: Hitmakers is a Netflix series following 12 top songwriters crafting hits under pressure for global stars. Set in exotic locations, it reveals the teamwork, tension and drama behind chart-topping music. Cast: Jenna Andrews, Tommy Brown, Sevyn Streeter OTT release date: July 24 OTT platform: Netflix Also Read | Pedro Pascals Freaky Tales OTT release date out Hunter Season 2 Story: In Hunter Season 2, ACP Vikram's daughter is kidnapped by a criminal called The Salesman. He chases him across Mumbai and Thailand, facing crime, betrayal and past pain. Cast: Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Esha Deol OTT release date: July 24 OTT platform: Amazon MX Player Trigger Story: Trigger is a 2025 Korean action-thriller set in a gun-free South Korea. Chaos begins when illegal guns spread. A brave cop and a secretive arms dealer clash in a tense, violent hunt. Cast: Kim Nam-gil, Kim Young-kwang, Woo Ji-hyun OTT release date: July 24 OTT platform: Netflix Happy Gilmore 2 Story: Thirty years later, Happy Gilmore is retired and focused on helping his daughter, Vienna, join a top ballet school. To pay her fees, he returns to golf, battling rivals, stress and himself. Cast: Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller OTT release date: July 25 OTT platform: Netflix Kannappa Story: Kannappa is a Telugu devotional drama about Thinnadu, a tribal hunter who becomes Mahadev's true devotee. His tough journey, divine encounters and final sacrifice led him to spiritual freedom and moksha. Cast: Vishnu Manchu, Akshay Kumar, Prabhas OTT release date: July 25 OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video Maargan Story: Maargan is a Tamil crime thriller where Mumbai ADGP Dhruv goes to Chennai to solve strange murders by chemical injection. With Shruthi and Kaali, he finds the killer. Cast: Vijay Antony, Ajay Dhishan, Deepshika OTT release date: July 25 OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video Mandala Murders Story: Mandala Murders is a mythological crime story set in the eerie town of Charandaspur. Detectives Rea and Vikram investigate ritual killings linked to a secret society, old symbols and dark prophecies. Cast: Vaani Kapoor, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Surveen Chawla OTT release date: July 25 OTT platform: Netflix Novocaine Story: Novocaine is about Nathan, a quiet bank worker in San Diego who cannot feel pain. After a gang in Santa suits robs his bank and kidnaps Sherry, he fights to save her. Cast: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson OTT release date: July 25 OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video Rangeen Story: Rangeen is a bold comedy-drama about Adarsh, a quiet newspaper editor. After learning about his wife's affair with a gigolo, he becomes one himself. His journey tests love, ego and self-worth. Cast: Vineet Kumar Singh, Rajshri Deshpande, Taaruk Raina OTT release date: July 25 OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video Sarzameen Story: Sarzameen is an action drama set in Kashmir. Colonel Vijay must choose between duty and family when militants kidnap his son. Years later, his son returns, raising painful questions about loyalty and past wounds. Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol, Ibrahim Ali Khan OTT release date: July 25 OTT platform: JioHotstar Also Read | Sarzameen trailer OUT. Fans praise Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran Saunkanay Saunkanay 2 Story: Saunkan Saunkanay 2 is a Punjabi comedy. Nirmal lives with two fighting wives who are sisters. His mother brings in a third wife, Monica, to stop the drama. This creates even more fun. Cast: Ammy Virk, Sargun Mehta, Nimrat Khaira OTT release date: July 25 OTT platform: Z5 Show Time Story: Show Time is a Telugu crime thriller about a simple family. Their lives change after they kill an intruder by mistake. They try to hide the truth, but a proud cop follows the clues. Cast: Naveen Chandra, Kamakshi Bhaskarla, Raja Ravindra OTT release date: July 25 OTT platform: SunNXT X&Y Story: X&Y is a Kannada fantasy drama about an unborn soul sent to Earth for four days. Its goal is to unite its future parents. The story mixes magic, love and deep emotions. Cast: Atharva Prakash, D Satya Prakash, Brinda Acharya OTT release date: July 25 OTT platform: SunNXT
Economic Times
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
BLACKPINK's Lisa flaunts her brand-new luxury car, proving she is made of 'Money'. Know its jaw-dropping price
Synopsis Lisa from BLACKPINK recently shared stylish photos on Instagram, posing with a luxurious Ferrari worth approximately $220,000. Currently, she is on the 'DEADLINE' world tour with her bandmates, performing in 16 cities. After a Los Angeles performance, she posted a candid photo enjoying ramen and also appeared on Netflix's Hitmakers, challenging producers to create her next dance anthem. Lisa Showcases Glamour, Global Fame, and a Personal Touch in a Whirlwind Week K-pop superstar Lisa, a member of the internationally renowned girl group BLACKPINK, recently gave fans a vibrant snapshot of her stylish life. On July 22, the singer shared a carousel of eye-catching photos through her personal Instagram handle, adding a playful caption that encouraged viewers to 'keep scrolling.' The pictures featured her confidently posing along a picturesque, palm-lined avenue beside a luxurious sports in a crisp white crop top, fitted denim jeans, and a sleek black LA Dodgers cap, Lisa struck the perfect balance between relaxed streetwear and high-fashion flair. One of the standout moments from the set shows her leaning casually over the wheel of a convertible, her effortless smile exuding charm and charisma. The entire photo series looked straight out of a glossy editorial shoot. According to The Korea Times, the vehicle in the post was a Ferrari, with an estimated price tag of nearly 300 million won (approximately USD 220,000). Which translates to Rs 1.8 crore. The choice of car and backdrop added to the visual allure, enhancing Lisa's image as both a global fashion icon and a trendsetting Lisa is traveling the globe with her BLACKPINK bandmates as part of their massive 'DEADLINE' world tour. This extensive musical journey includes 31 scheduled performances in 16 different cities. The tour began in Goyang, South Korea, and has already thrilled fans in major U.S. cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. Forthcoming stops include cultural hotspots such as Toronto, New York, Milan, Paris, London, Barcelona, Bangkok, Jakarta, and after their Los Angeles performance at SoFi Stadium, Lisa shared a quieter, more personal post on July 23. In a candid backstage photo, she is seen winding down with a comforting bowl of Samyang's popular Buldak Carbonara ramen—an instant noodle dish that has gone viral across TikTok. Wrapped in a cozy hoodie and surrounded by bottled drinks in her dressing room, this glimpse into her downtime quickly captured fans' whirlwind week didn't stop there. She appeared via a pre-recorded video on Netflix's new reality music series Hitmakers, launching a creative challenge for a dozen top producers and songwriters. Her brief directed them to craft her next infectious dance anthem—something lively, rhythmic, and laced with a touch of rap. The series, featuring stars like John Legend and Shaboozey, aims to generate the next global hit, with Lisa's request already setting social media buzzing.
Pink Villa
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
BLACKPINK's Lisa makes Netflix debut on Hitmakers only to REJECT unfinished songs, here's what happened next
Netflix's latest reality music series Hitmakers is officially out and it's already turning heads. Released globally on July 24, 2025, the six-part show brings together 12 successful songwriters and producers from around the world. They are all tasked with creating hit tracks for a lineup of iconic artists: John Legend, genre-bending country star Shaboozey, and global K-pop sensation Lisa of BLACKPINK. The series offers a rare behind-the-scenes look into songwriting camps, where each group collaborates under pressure to produce the next big hit. But fans tuning in especially for Lisa were in for a surprise. The BLACKPINK star doesn't make her official appearance until the final episode. Lisa's song challenge in Hitmakers Though her name was teased throughout the season, Lisa officially entered the Hitmakers spotlight in Episode 6. One day before the finale's release, on July 23, Netflix dropped a teaser clip of the singer. She was seen addressing the contestants via video message. In the clip, Lisa thanks the songwriters for their efforts and lays down her challenge. 'The type of song I'm looking for... I want something catchy and upbeat. Not too slow, because I'm a performer, so I have to dance,' she says. 'And it would be nice if there's a rap verse as well. I love hip-hop. I'm so excited to see what you guys come up with.' Her brief but enthusiastic appearance quickly went viral online, with fans eager to hear what the talented participants would deliver. Lisa picks Eleven as favorite track in Hitmakers Over the course of Episode 6, viewers watch the creative process unfold as teams compete to craft the perfect Lisa-style track. In the end, three original songs are presented: Eleven, Back in Business, and HOT. The songs were presented to Lisa in their unfinished form. She turned down Back in Business and HOT, but saw promise in the third track. Ultimately, Lisa picked Eleven as her top choice. She notes that she particularly loves the energy and vibe but suggests that the chorus could use some tweaking. According to the show, Lisa is seriously considering recording Eleven, once the hook is polished to be even catchier. Whether you're a fan of BLACKPINK, curious about how hit songs are made, or just love competition reality shows, Hitmakers has something for everyone. The show offers a unique blend of music industry insight and star power. Lisa's presence, although limited to the finale, leaves a lasting impression. It also raises the anticipation for a possible official release of Eleven. Meanwhile, all six episodes of Hitmakers are now available to stream on Netflix.
