• Spotify/WhoSampled

• Warner & Suno Finally Strike A Deal

• Aaron's AI Prompts

• Ray Bans Only - Phone Free Concert

• Ableton Live 12.3

• Real World Spaces Into VR

Spotify Just Bought WhoSampled - And That’s Huge for DJs

The streaming giant has quietly acquired WhoSampled, the legendary database that maps the DNA of songs through samples, covers, and remixes. While this news might fly under the radar for casual listeners, it could be game-changing for DJs, producers, and music nerds who obsess over musical lineage.

What’s New

Spotify now owns WhoSampled, the go-to source for discovering what tracks sampled what — and how songs are connected across decades and genres. While there’s no official timeline yet, this likely means Spotify will begin integrating WhoSampled’s massive dataset into its platform, opening up new possibilities for playlisting, recommendations, and maybe even crate building.

Why It Matters for DJs & Creators

• Crate digging with context: Imagine prepping for a set and being able to instantly trace sample chains, remix histories, and cover versions — all without leaving Spotify.

• More creative transitions: Use WhoSampled data to connect eras, blend genres, and educate your crowd in real-time with story-driven sets.

• Better AI prompts & tools: If Spotify opens this data to integrations or API access, AI tools (like ChatGPT or Crate Hackers-style search) will get smarter and more relevant for DJs.

Whether you’re flipping a classic sample or curating an edit-heavy throwback set, this puts more musical history right at your fingertips.

Things to Know

• Spotify has not yet confirmed how or when WhoSampled will be integrated.

• WhoSampled’s standalone site and app are still live — and likely to stay that way in the short term.

• This move follows Spotify’s growing push into music discovery tools and creator-focused features — including AI DJ, smart playlisting, and artist marketing add-ons.

For now, it’s a wait-and-watch moment — but one that could turn into a huge win for DJs who know that behind every banger is a story worth telling.

In last weeks poll we asked “If you’re not a Serato user… has 4.0 made you reconsider?” 40% responded “Nope, happy where I am”

Suno & Warner Music Drop a Game‑Changer — AI Music Gets Licensed, Legal & Creator‑Friendly

The generative‑AI platform Suno just struck a landmark deal with Warner Music Group, meaning AI‑generated music might finally get the respect (and legality) it’s long lacked. The partnership settles past lawsuits and launches a licensed‑model roadmap — offering DJs, producers, and creators a clearer, safer path for AI‑assisted music creation. 

What’s Changing

• ✅ Licensed AI Models: Starting in 2026, Suno will replace its current AI engines with new models built from licensed WMG catalogues, giving creators access to recognized artist catalogs — but only if those artists opt in. 

• 🔒 Artist Control & Revenue Protection: WMG artists and songwriters retain full control — name, voice, likeness, composition — over how their work is used in AI tracks. If they opt in, they get compensated. 

• 🤝 Songkick Acquisition: As part of the deal, Suno acquired Songkick (the concert‑listing/fan‑discovery platform), hinting at future integration between AI‑music generation + live‑music infrastructure. 

Why DJs & Creators Should Care

• More Than “Audio‑Stock”: This isn’t a shady AI‑clone tool. It’s the first widely supported, label‑backed system aiming to legitimize AI‑generated music — meaning tracks you create could be safer for gigs, streams, or even monetization.

• New Creative Tools + Rights Clarity: Want a custom track but don’t want to deal with sample clearance? Licensed AI might give you a clean, risk‑reduced alternative — especially if you stay clear of AI‑generated content tied to major artist likeness.

• Potential for Hybrid Formats: With Songkick in the mix, AI‑generated music + real‑world shows might start to merge — imagine custom AI‑backed tracks + real DJ sets + live listings = a new hybrid creative format.

• Future‑Proofing for 2026+: As AI becomes more regulated, having access to “clean” AI‑generated tracks could become a competitive advantage for DJs that do mixes, livestreams, or produce content regularly.

Things to Know (Because It’s Early Days)

• The shift to licensed models won’t hit until 2026 — current Suno models are still live, but may be deprecated then. 

• Download and usage rules will tighten: free users may lose download privileges; paid tiers will have download limits. 

• If an artist doesn’t opt in, you won’t get their voice/composition as part of the AI model — so don’t expect “instant hits” just because it’s label‑backed. 

• Licensing + royalty structure still evolving — won’t be a completely “open crate” system immediately; track usage rights carefully if you plan to release or monetize AI‑generated material.

Learn how real DJs run their business in one hour a day using AI tools, CRMs, no code automations, ChatGPT Atlas, and hands free record pool batch downloads. See how Aaron automate emails, booking, posting, crates, Spotify digging, and full record pool workflows. Inside this video you get the full system that he uses to stay booked, organized, and fast without burning out.

Phone‑Free Concerts Are Back — And Ray‑Ban Meta Just Made Them Cooler

Don Toliver headlined a unique “Front Row Sessions” show by Ray‑Ban Meta × Spotify AUX — and it was a phone‑free zone. Instead of holding up devices, over 200 fans wore Meta smart glasses to record the performance hands‑free. The result: an immersive, grip‑free concert experience that’s less about documenting and more about vibing. 

What Went Down

• Fans were given smart glasses instead of being told “don’t film.” The glasses’ built‑in cameras captured the show from their perspective — allowing users to stay engaged in the moment. 

• The event aired via Spotify AUX and was strictly phone‑free — no screens lighting up the crowd. 

• Don Toliver even debuted a new track — “Tiramisu” — in this setting, blending performance and tech in real time. 

What This Means for DJs & Creators

• Hands-Free Content Creation: Smart‑glass POV footage = authentic, immersive content. No more awkward phone angles or distracting cameras cluttering the booth.

• Focus on Experience Over Documentation: Instead of a sea of screens, the crowd stays present — energy, vibe, and connection that translates into better sets and deeper engagement.

• New Live‑Tech Integration Possibilities: As wearable tech evolves, imagine mixing sets, shooting POV livestreams, or generating community visuals — all without breaking your flow.

Worth Noting

• Not every event or venue may support wearable‑camera use yet (privacy, permissions, lighting, etc.) — but this shows a potential roadmap.

• The smart‑glass angle works best when the tech feels seamless — you don’t want gear getting in the way of the vibe.

• For now, this remains experimental. But early adopters (DJs, livestreamers, content‑hungry creators) have an edge.

The future of live music might not just be about what you hear, but how you see it. For DJs ready to blend performance, storytelling, and content creation — smart glasses could be the next secret weapon.

Ableton Live 12.3 Just Dropped — And It’s a Slice‑Editing Dream

Ableton just dropped version 12.3, and while it’s not a full feature bomb, this update zeroes in on one of the most creative parts of the workflow: slicing and sampling. For producers, remixers, and even live-looping DJs, this update makes editing way faster — especially for Sample and Simpler users.

What’s New

• Warped Slicing: You can now slice warped samples — not just raw ones. That means slicing vocals, loops, or recorded sets without losing time-stretching or pitch effects.

• Non-destructive editing in Simpler: Sample manipulations are now non-destructive, giving you more flexibility without reloading every time.

• MIDI export for Drum Sampler pads: MIDI files created via slicing now retain full pad layout for instant beat rearrangement.

• Interface tweaks: More visible waveform detail, easier navigation across slices, and better zoom tools.

Why It Matters for DJs / Creators

• Better remix workflows: Warped slicing = clean acapella flips and loop breakdowns without messing with timing. Great for building live edits and intro/outro tools.

• Faster sample sessions: Use Simpler as a rapid-fire idea tool — chop vocals, add FX, rearrange MIDI in real time.

• Ideal for live finger drumming setups: Load sliced samples into your controller and go crazy without re-mapping or manually fixing MIDI.

What To Know

• Update is available now as a free download for Live 12 users — if you’re not on 12 yet, it may be the push to upgrade.

• These features are all native — no Max for Live required.

• Not a “huge” release like Push 3 or Live 11, but a killer productivity boost for sound designers, DJs using stems, or remixers flipping Spotify edits on the fly.

Teleport Your Club — Horizon Hyperscape Lets You Bring Real‑World Spaces Into VR

Meta just rolled out a major update to Horizon Hyperscape: you can now scan a real‑world space with a Quest 3/3S headset and instantly turn it into a shareable VR world — complete with avatars, multiplayer access, and on‑device rendering. Up to 8 people can visit your virtual “room,” from anywhere. 

What’s New

• 📸 Real‑world scanning: Walk around with your headset, scan a room (living room, studio, DJ booth — whatever), and upload it. Processing happens on Meta’s servers, then you get a 3D “digital twin.” 

• 🌍 Shareable virtual environments: Once processed, you can invite friends — other VR users or even people on phones via the Meta Horizon app — to visit the space together. Up to 8 people in a session. 

• 🖥️ On‑device rendering: With the latest update, the world runs directly on Quest 3/3S instead of cloud‑streaming. That means smoother performance and lower latency for shared immersive sessions. 

Why It Matters for DJs & Creators

• Virtual DJ booths & listening parties: Imagine scanning your actual DJ booth or studio, dropping it into VR, and inviting friends, collaborators, or fans to check out your setup — from anywhere.

• Immersive promos & content drops: Use VR spaces for pre‑releases, virtual events, or immersive track previews. Could replace those “tour the studio” videos with something next‑level.

• Social shows, testing layouts, or collab space: For mobile setups or location-based gigs, scan the venue, preview lighting/booth design virtually, or even walk through the layout before setup — all in VR.

• Hybrid real & virtual events: Someone attending in-person, others online — all in the same spot. Great for livestream DJ sets + remote guests + immersive visuals.

What to Know (It’s Not Perfect… Yet)

• Render isn’t photo‑perfect — distant objects can blur, and fine detail resolution drops compared to cloud‑streamed versions. 

• Performance can dip when large scenes are involved; big scans might drop frame rate depending on headset and hardware. 

• Not yet a full replacement for professional VR studios — but good enough for social, promo, experimentation, and creative DJ‑adjacent uses.

My Take

Horizon Hyperscape isn’t just VR novelty — for DJs and creators who live between music, space, and experience, this might be one of the most creative tools to drop in 2025. Virtual club promos, remote sets, digital‑first marketing, or just messing around — it cuts the gap between real and digital.

If you were thinking of dropping some cash on lights or upgraded booth gear this Black Friday — toss a Quest 3 + Hyperscape scan on that list too.