July 25, 24:34

How to add music to Spotify: a guide on importing personal files or releasing professional catalogs

Spotify offers two distinct ways to add music to the platform: by importing MP3 files saved on the device for offline listening or by publishing original works to the official catalog as an artist.

Importing Personal Files

For users who wish to listen to MP3 tracks stored on their smartphone without consuming network data, Spotify allows the import of local files. On both Android and iPhone, it is necessary to activate the feature called 'Local Files' in the app settings so that it can integrate with media stored on the device.

On Android: The process begins by opening Spotify, accessing the settings menu (by clicking the profile picture), selecting 'Settings and privacy,' and then entering 'Apps and devices.' It is necessary to activate the toggle switch next to 'Local audio files.' After this, the user must go to 'Your library' and select the 'Local Files' folder to view and add the MP3 tracks to Spotify.

On iPhone: The import follows specific steps within the iOS system. After activating the 'Local audio files' option in Spotify settings, the user must use the iOS 'Files' manager. They should navigate to 'On My iPhone,' locate the 'Downloads' folder, select the desired songs, return to the 'On My iPhone' folder, and finally move these files to the designated 'Spotify' folder. Then, when accessing the Spotify library, the tracks will be visible in the 'Local Files' folder.

Professional Music Release

Artists looking to make their compositions available in the official Spotify catalog must use a digital distributor. This company acts as an official intermediary, ensuring that the tracks are sent correctly and that the reproduction copyrights are properly transferred.

Steps for Artistic Publication

The process of placing music on Spotify involves several crucial steps. First, it is essential to choose a digital distributor. Next, the audio must be prepared in a mastered format, exported in high definition and without compression to maintain sound quality. The release metadata, such as composition data and release date, must be organized correctly to ensure cataloging and royalty payments.

Furthermore, it is necessary to produce a square (1:1) and high-resolution cover art. The material must be submitted to the distributor's dashboard in advance for scheduling. Finally, the artist must claim their profile on Spotify for Artists to customize the brand and submit tracks for playlist curation before the release.

Functions of Auxiliary Platforms

The distributor serves as the link between the artist and Spotify, handling the submission of audio and metadata, as well as managing copyrights and collecting royalties. Spotify for Artists functions as the musician's management dashboard, allowing for visual identity customization and indicating tracks for curation, in addition to providing audience metrics and promotion tools.

Clarifications on Local Files

Several factors can prevent local files from appearing on the phone. Among them are the option not being activated in the settings, the tracks being outside the correct folder (on iPhone, it must be in the app's folder), or the file having an incompatible format or DRM protection. It can also occur if the playlist does not have downloads enabled or if there is a corrupted cache or outdated application. It is possible to synchronize playlists with local files between mobile and PC, provided both use the same account, but playback depends on the existence of the file on both devices, since the service does not store them in the cloud.

It is important to note that, once linked, the files should not be deleted from the device, as Spotify only creates a reading shortcut. If the original media is deleted, the application loses the reference and can no longer access the local files. This feature does not upload to cloud servers.

Questions about Music Distribution

It is not possible to publish music directly on Spotify without the help of a digital distributor, as the platform does not accept direct submissions from users. Even for independent artists, this service is the only way to put music on Spotify. Trying to bypass this flow, for example, by using podcast formats, violates the platform's rules.

Although Spotify does not charge fees to host tracks, the costs are determined by the contracted distributor. There are free services that charge a percentage of future royalties, while others charge fixed annual fees or per-release fees. Regarding payment, Spotify does not have a fixed rate per play, but data indicates a global average between US$ 0.003 and US$ 0.005 per play, which represents an estimated gain of US$ 3 to US$ 5 every thousand plays, a value that varies according to the listener's country and account model.

iol.co.zaJuly 25, 07:00

Banyana Banyana team begins participation in WAFCON in Morocco, aiming for new achievements

The Banyana Banyana team is preparing for the start of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament in Morocco. The team's goal is to win a second African women's championship title in three tournaments, as well as qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Team Prospects and Motivation

The South African national team is among the 16 participating countries. The four best teams in the tournament will guarantee themselves a spot in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Coach Dezi Ellis is focused on maintaining the title won in 2022, but many players on the team are approaching significant personal milestones with the national team.

Player Achievements

Midfielder Linda Motlalo is just one match away from reaching 100 appearances for Banyana Banyana, which will allow her to enter the elite group of South African international footballers. The player, based in Scotland, shared memories of the beginning of her journey under the guidance of former coach Vera Pau. According to the latest FIFA rankings, Sasol Banyana Banyana ranks 57th in the world ranking and 2nd in the CAF ranking in Africa.

Motlalo recounted that she first joined the senior national team at the age of 16 as a training player before making her debut against Cameroon in 2016. She noted that she did not experience difficulties because she remembered all the training sessions conducted in 2015 and understood that coach Vera knew when she was ready. Previously, the graduate of the High Performance Centre represented South Africa in two FIFA Women's World Cups and the Olympics, and also played a key role in Banyana's historic victory at WAFCON four years ago.

Goals for the Tournament

Her main goal now is to win another continental title. Motlalo stated that any team playing against them will give 120%, and she is confident in her team's readiness for any opponent. She emphasized the importance of the first match, as it sets the tone for the entire tournament. She also noted that the atmosphere in the camp is very good, and although the main focus is on the World Cup, the ultimate goal is to win gold regardless of the outcome.

Other Players Approaching Milestones

Motlalo is not the only one approaching an important milestone. Gabriela Salgado needs only two matches to reach 50 games after an impressive return from a serious injury sustained at the previous WAFCON. Forward Hilda Magaia, whose brace in the 2022 final secured South Africa's first continental title, is only three matches away from this same milestone. Versatile defender Bongeka Gamede is also close to a significant achievement, needing six more matches to reach fifty caps for the national team.

Start of the Group Stage

However, these personal achievements will be secondary, as Banyana will begin its group stage with a match against Tanzania, followed by encounters with Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Since a place in the World Cup is also at stake, a successful campaign at WAFCON will strengthen South Africa's position among the continent's elite and add a new memorable chapter to one of the country's greatest football stories.

www.middleeasteye.netJuly 25, 06:18

UNESCO lists archaeological site of Sebastia on the West Bank as endangered

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has included the archaeological monument of Sebastia, located in the Palestinian territories controlled by Israel, in both the World Heritage List and the World Heritage in Danger List.

Commission's Decision

This decision was made despite objections from Israel. Israel called on the committee to reject the applications during the meeting held in Busan, South Korea. The nomination review was conducted urgently due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Additional UNESCO Decisions

The commission also decided to include five castles located in the Amel mountain region of Lebanon in the lists. It was noted that these castles date from the medieval period and the 19th century and demonstrate successive stages of occupation and adaptation carried out by Crusaders, Ayyubids, Mamluks, Ottomans, and local feudal rulers.

www.aajtak.inJuly 25, 04:58

Balasaheb Thakre's grandson becomes actor in Yash Raj Films project

Aishwarya Thakre, the grandson of Shivsena leader Balasaheb Thakre, is preparing to start his acting career in Hollywood, distancing himself from his family's political life.

Career in the film industry

Aishwarya Thakre, son of Smit Thakre, is ready to present himself in the world of cinema. He is beginning his acting journey with Anurag Kashyap's film 'Nishanchi'. Furthermore, he will appear in a major Yash Raj Films (YRF) project directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. In this romantic-action drama, which has yet to be titled, the lead roles will be played by Ahan Pande, Sharvari Waghm, and Bobby Deol. This film, the fifth joint work of Aditya Chopra and Ali Abbas Zafar, is scheduled for release in theaters on March 26, 2027 (Good Friday), and will be Aishwarya's second film as an actor.

Political background and choice of path

Aishwarya Thakre's background is entirely connected to politics. His grandfather, Balasaheb Thakre, and the entire family have always held significant influence in Maharashtra's politics. Nevertheless, Aishwarya decided not to follow the established political lineage but to create his own identity. Since childhood, he has shown a particular interest in art and cinema, so he chose a career path in the film industry instead of politics.

Preparation behind the scenes

Before entering the world of acting, Aishwarya studied the intricacies of film production. His debut in the entertainment industry was in 2015 in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's blockbuster 'Bajirao Mastani', where he worked as a director's assistant. After that, he spent considerable time honing his skills and acting abilities before appearing in front of the camera. His acting debut was in Anurag Kashyap's film 'Nishanchi'.

Social media presence and fitness

Unlike stars who are actively present in the public sphere, Aishwarya prefers to avoid excessive social media activity. He has about 17 thousand followers on Instagram, and only 8 posts have been published, including an old photo with his grandfather and a movie announcement. Despite low activity on Instagram, his excellent dancing talent is often demonstrated in videos where he is tagged. Moreover, he takes his physical condition very seriously and works diligently at the gym on his physique.

Friendship with colleagues

Before his film appearances, Aishwarya's personal life attracted media attention. Rumors previously circulated about his relationship with actress Alaya F, but Alaya denied these rumors, calling him just a good friend. Additionally, Aishwarya is a close friend of Ahan Pande, Chanki Pande's nephew, and they are often together. Interestingly, these two friends will now appear on the same screen in this big YRF romantic-action film.