• Napster's Back Baby

• Apple + Gemini = Siri?

• AI Prompts For DJs

• Meta's AI Ad Systems Are Evolving

• Aaron's Cheat Codes To Remix Building

Napster’s Unexpected Reboot: From File‑Sharing to AI‑Assistant for the Mac

Remember the brand that once shook the music world by letting strangers share tracks for free? Napster has re‑landed. This time, instead of music distribution, the brand is launching an AI assistant platform called Napster Companion — complete with a bespoke hardware interface for MacBooks. 

What’s the Deal?

• Napster Companion uses MacBooks with Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) to run AI agents locally — no cloud full‑stop required. 

• The hardware piece, the Napster View, is a clip‑on holographic display that sits atop your MacBook screen and shows AI “assistants” in floating form. 

• These agents can function as digital twins — they can handle tasks, interact with your environment, access your screen (with permission), and store video, voice, and behaviour profiles. 

• Pricing starts at ~$99 for the hardware and then usage/subscription for the AI agents. 

Why It Matters for DJs & Creators

• If you’re juggling track research, social content, livestream metadata, and gear spec checks, an assistant like this could become a real-time workflow companion.

• Consider this: you’re prepping for a set, you ask your assistant “Show me my best hot‑cue transitions for last month, pull the stats, suggest three new tracks that match the vibe,” and it delivers while you focus on your crates.

• It signals how the tools for creators are shifting: from “software you open” to “assistant you live with.” DJs who stay on top of this kind of tech shift will be steps ahead in content, prep, and innovation.

Things to Know (Because You’re Future‑Proofing)

• The hardware/software is specialized (Mac‑only for now) and likely expensive — so it’s not plug‑in‑and‑play for every DJ yet.

• These systems are still early: while the holographic effect is neat, some reviewers noted lag, uncanny avatar motion, or “digital twin feels weird” territory. 

• Privacy and control matter: giving an assistant access to your screen, your gigs, your audio workflows demands trust and setup discipline.

In last weeks poll we asked “Have you ever shown up to a gig with a USB that didn’t work because of a gear or export mismatch?” 48% responded “Yes — nightmare night”

Aaron Traylor Explores The Best DJ Remixes

Tonight we’re building a crate full of the best remixes, mashups, and bootlegs ever made. Live, together. No playlists. No Fluff. Just DJs sorting what truly bangs. Come hang with us as we build, debate, and crown the best in real time.

🎥 Live on Twitch + cratehackathon.com

🗓️ Tuesday, 8PM ET / 5PM PT

Apple Intelligence + Google Gemini: Siri’s Secret Fuel for the AI‑First Era

In a move that sounds like a crossover episode of tech rivals, Apple Inc. is reportedly partnering with Google LLC to power its upcoming next‑gen assistant using a custom version of Google Gemini — a model boasting around 1.2 trillion parameters. 

What’s Changing

• Apple is investing roughly $1 billion per year for access to Gemini’s high‑end model, aiming to elevate Siri from “Hey, set an alarm” to “Here’s your workflow, curated and scheduled.” 

• The custom Gemini model will run on Apple’s private cloud infrastructure, preserving Apple’s focus on privacy and on‑device compute. 

• Though the agreement doesn’t bring Google services directly into iOS, it signals Apple’s shift to partnership over in‑house isolation for prime AI tech. 

Why DJs & Creators Should Pay Attention

• Imagine asking Siri (or whatever the new assistant becomes) — “Generate a 45‑minute warm‑up set, tag the best drops between 32‑40 mins, and schedule the Reel for 7 a.m. tomorrow.” This deal suggests we’re moving closer to that level of workflow automation.

• If your content production or DJ brand is tied to Apple gear, the rise of an ultra‑smart assistant means your ecosystem is about to get richer with AI‑capabilities — from smarter scheduling to deeper context awareness across your devices.

• The collaboration reflects a broader trend: AI is no longer niche tool‑kit territory. It’s baked into major platforms, and as creators, that means getting ahead of the workflow shift can give you a competitive edge.

What to Keep in Mind

• This upgrade is still in the pipeline — we’re looking at rollout in 2026 or later. Don’t expect Siri to suddenly DJ your gig just yet.

• A huge model doesn’t guarantee meaningful UX immediately. The simplest tasks will likely get smarter first; full creative‑workflow integration may take longer.

• If your gear/brand depends on other platforms (non‑Apple), the benefit may not be immediately visible. Compatibility and ecosystem still matter.

Want to see real-world DJ use cases for ChatGPT that go beyond the gimmicks? This video breaks down 12 high-impact prompts DJs can use to discover tracks, craft playlists, automate social posts, build brand content, and even prep for livestreams — all while staying true to their sound. A practical guide for DJs ready to work smarter with AI.

Meta Platforms’s AI‑Ad Pivot: What DJs & Creators Need to Know

Meta has pulled back the curtain on its next‑gen advertising architecture—lifting the lid on the model called GEM (Generative Ads Recommendation Model) which powers ad targeting across its platforms, and how it could impact creators, DJs, and anyone selling their brand online. 

What’s Under the Hood

• GEM is described as “Meta’s most advanced ads foundation model”, built on large‑language‑model‑style architecture and thousands of GPUs. 

• Meta says the updated system delivers ~4× the efficiency of previous models, and ~2× better knowledge transfer across ad‑models. 

• The system pairs with other components (Lattice, Andromeda) to optimize ads across awareness, engagement, and conversion—from the first view to the final click. 

Why It Matters for DJs & Creators

• If you’re promoting gigs, mixes, or merchandise, targeting matters. Meta’s new systems mean your budget could stretch farther—and your campaigns might hit more relevant audiences.

• Even if you’re not running paid ads, the underlying shift impacts organic reach—Meta’s algorithm is becoming smarter at identifying who “really” clicks, engages, and converts.

• The creator‑economy implications: less fluff + more focus on performance metrics ≠ engagement for its own sake, but measurable actions (ticket sales, merch drops, syncs).

Heads‑Up & Strategy

• This doesn’t mean “upload your ad and forget it” (yet) — creative and brand voice still matter. The AI gets stronger, but you still define the brand.

• For DJs especially: instead of random posts or boosts, align your content with measurable actions—“Click to book me”, “Download my free set”, “Subscribe for weekly tips”. Make the audience movement clear.

• As ad‑tools evolve, so will audience expectations. A‑list creators will lean into deeper analytics and creative performance; second‑tier will feel noise. Stay ahead by measuring and tweaking.

Pro Tip:

Run a split test this week: one promo post boosted via Meta’s Advantage+ or similar, and one organic post. Compare reach, engagement, and bookings generated. If the AI models are doing their job, you should see measurable lift.

No playlists. No fluff. No recycled TikTok edits. Tonight’s Hackathon is for DJs only—we’re building the ultimate Remix + Mashup Crate live, together. From bootlegs that break the internet to mashups that hit harder than the originals, this is where we crown what actually bangs in the real world. No room for weak blends. Bring fire or get skipped.

Cheat Code #1: Mashups That Outlive the Originals

• The best mashups aren’t just clever—they’re indispensable. Classics like “We Found Love x I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, “Fergalicious x Push It”, and “Sweet Caroline x Mo Bamba” have become full-on floor anthems because they hit familiar + chaos in one move.

• These edits work across generations and flip the emotional script mid-set.

Action Step: Build your “Legacy Mashups” crate with 8–12 proven crowd-winners. S

Cheat Code #2: Bootlegs That Shouldn’t Work—But Do

• The most viral bootlegs are genre collisions that feel illegal to play—but bring the house down. Think: Nelly over Jersey Club, Spice Girls over trap hats, Backstreet Boys over EDM stabs.

• These edits consistently outperform standard remixes in Gen Z-heavy weddings and open format sets.

🎯 Action Step: Create a “WTF Bootlegs” crate with 10 jaw-droppers you’d only play when the floor trusts you. This is how you build legend status.

Cheat Code #3: The “Second Wind” Remix Folder Saves Floors

• You don’t recover a sleepy crowd by hitting them over the head. You seduce them back. Use disco house, afrobeat remixes, or Kaytranada-style edits post-dinner to reignite the room without jumping to 128 BPM.

• These remixes are groove-first, not drop-first.

🎯 Action Step: Build a “Second Wind” crate of 95–110 BPM funk/house remixes. Think:

• Lizzo – About Damn Time (Purple Disco Edit)

• Koffee – Toast (Afro House Bootleg)

• Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It (Tchami Edit)

Use after dinner or just before the final gear-up to peak hour.

Cheat Code #4: Short Edits Keep the Fire Lit

• If your remixes run longer than 90 seconds, you’re killing momentum. The best DJs build crates of hook-only editsor mid-drop entries so they can keep crowd attention high and sets unpredictable.

• TikTok rewired everyone’s attention span—your sets need to reflect that.

Action Step: Build a “Quick Hitters” folder with 60–90 sec versions only. Every track should:

• Start with the juice

• Hit hard

• Get out fast

  Bonus: Set memory cue points mid-track for even faster deployment.

Cheat Code #5: Genre-Flips Create Moments That Go Viral IRL

• Some of the most shared wedding clips on socials come from genre flips—like dropping a Trap remix of Jolene, or flipping California Girls into a house banger.

• These moments make people scream, film, and share. They don’t just dance—they remember.

Action Step: Build a “Genre Benders” crate of unexpected style clashes that still work live. Examples:

• Jolene (Trap Bootleg)

• California Girls (Tech House Remix)

• Wonderwall (Garage Flip)

• Dua Lipa x Metallica (Rock Bootleg)

• Shania Twain x Benny Benassi

Deploy late night, post bouquet toss, or anytime you need a what did I just hear?! moment.