Berklees Top News and Stories of 2023 From AI in the classroom to music licensing 101, 50 years of hip-hop to the next great American jam band, take a look at where the last year brought us.
By
Bryan Parys
December 20, 2023
Image by Elizabeth Friar
How do you tell the story of a year?
The short answer, of course, is that you cant. Who can predict how many students will look back at a class they took in 2023, for example, and say, yes, that was the moment my career began? And while this year marked the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the genres clearly not done evolving, so its not for us to try and understand this years beginnings and endings.
Instead, we collected just a handful of moments from the Berklee community that inspired, that challenged, that brought recognition, that expanded minds. Take a look below to get a sense of where we are, and imagine what stories may come next.
Career Advice from Donald Glover
How Donald Glover Built a Career as a Multi-Hyphenate Artist
Make sure that your point of view is sharp and that you know who you are, and you know who youre speaking to. -Donald Glover
Berklee SVP Featured on Reuters and NBC
Lacretia Johnson Flashs Ancestral Journey Is a Call to Stay Connected to History
This story gives the world a vivid example of the intergenerational consequences of systemic racism carried out through routine policies and practices.-Lacretia Johnson Flash
corook Goes Viral on TikTok and Beyond
Viral TikTok Song If I Were a Fish Is a Joyous Call for Acceptance
After their ode to being different went viral, Corinne Savage B.M. 17, who performs as corook, expanded on their savvy blend of humor and sincerity on a new EP.
Advancing with the Latest Technology
What Does New AI Technology Mean for Artists?I can only imagine AI will get more powerful, and with great power comes great responsibility.
-Ben Camp
Everything Is Music to Instrument Inventor Akito van Troyers EarsI want to create the most original sounds. Original sound counts when youre making new music.
-Akito van Troyer
How Generative AI Is Change College ClassesI am concerned about [AI] not making its way into classrooms fast enough. I think we need to first engage with it before we can understand its risks and downfalls.
-Sherry Li
Artistry in the Algorithms: Music in the Age of AIIt used to cost a million dollars to create an album, then $10,000, and now $1,000. To me, generative AI is just . . . the next evolution of enabling more people to be creative.
-Jonathan Bailey 08
Pathways to the Industry
Music Licensing 101: How to Sync Your Music
The person that youre sitting next to can be tomorrows executive that you need a favor from, that can put you onto your next opportunity.-Dom Jones B.M. 19
EA Scholarship Helps Composer Katie Rupinski Close the Gender Gap in the Game IndustryThis scholarship has been an absolute fever dream of just amazing opportunities. I feel so prepared.
-Katie Rupinski B.M. 23
Inside the Ever-Changing Job of a Talent Buyer[At C3 Presents] we have the opportunity to dive into all these different areas we want . . . so you can kind of jump outside of your job and get experience in other areas.
-Nicol Kuburoglu B.M. 22
Alumni Shape the Cultural Landscape
Podcast: Both Sides of Goose, Americas Premier Jam Band
It's such a different energy in the studio than it is live. And often times we'll get into the studio, and we're trying to track a song that we played live hundreds of times, and you realize very quickly that what works live does not necessarily translate the same way we work in the studio.-Ben Atkind
Illuminati Hotties Sarah Tudzin Sings in Star Wars: Ahsoka First EpisodeI was of course excited to help, but when I knew the cue was all about going full-gremlin mode, I knew I could crush it[.]
-Sarah Tudzin B.M. 14
Hong Kong Indie Artist cehryl Faces Her FearsI just navigate my fears and doubts by precisely cataloging them. When I read them back, I realize how silly or hypocritical some of them are.
-Cheryl Chow B.M. 17
Faculty Experts Spark Conversation
From Turntables to Samplers: The Gear That Made Hip-Hop
Marking 50 years of hip-hop, Prince Charles Alexanders new book explores the role new technology played in helping hip-hop become a global juggernaut.
Why Are Fans Throwing Things at Artists?I think its okay to say, Hey, can you stop throwing chicken nuggets? Youre hitting my friend in the back of the head.'
-Morgan Milardo
Podcast: What Does Science Sound Like?This is this incredible age of discovery. And I think music and art can open that up, and make us more curious, more reflective, and hopefully more grateful as well.
-David Ibbett
Lost Coltrane Album Still Sounds Like Freedom[This lost album] offers another example of the power of courageous musicians to inspire hope, innovation, and empowerment through sound.
-Emmett G. Price III
Berklee Today: A Legacy of Her OwnThe guitar is my instrument and there is nothing I do with it that is not deeply felt.
-Berta Rojas
Curated Playlists
15 of the Best Cover Songs (and Why They Work)
From Fast Car to Ring of Fire, there's no formula to making a successful cover song. But the best covers answer two important questions: why this song, and why this performance?
Queer Artists Who Made Music HistoryThis playlist pays tribute to the queer roots of genres ranging from classical to electronic dance music to hip-hop.
Why Some of Us Cant Stand Holiday MusicListen to a playlist of winter songs that ditches the festive baggage.
Related Categories
News
Most Popular
Ledisi, Q-Tip, and Gilberto Santa Rosa will receive honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music at its 2024 commencement ceremony.
Ron T. Young
Ledisi, Q-Tip, and Gilberto Santa Rosa to Receive Honorary Doctorates at Berklee 2024 Commencement The ceremony will be hel
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
19/05/2026
Actus Digital, a LiveU company, and a leading provider of intelligent media monitoring and broadcast compliance platforms, announced today that METEO CONSULT ha...
19/05/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of managed services for the broadcast and media industry, today announced the completion of a major renovation of its Singapore fa...
19/05/2026
Following a major upgrade to its Connecticut remote production centre with the installation of three 60-fader Argo S consoles in 2023, RPS has switched one of t...
19/05/2026
PlayBox Technology today announced the launch of Celebro Play, a browser-based media orchestration platform designed specifically for broadcast facilities and p...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions for broadcast, post, and professional AV will showcase its latest signal processing solutions at B...
19/05/2026
Media Links, a leading developer and manufacturer of IP media transport solutions, has announced the integration of its Xscend platform with Skyline Communicat...
19/05/2026
Collaboration expands regional partner ecosystem as Media Links showcases IP media transport solutions on stand 4M4-4 and alongside Clearcast Asia on stand
Me...
19/05/2026
Company Highlights Labor-Saving Control and Custom Branding Opportunities Designed to Increase Integrator Profitability
LynTec, a leading manufacturer of ele...
19/05/2026
Mago Studio Moves AI Video Beyond Prompts with New Production-Focused Tools
Brie Clayton May 18, 2026
0 Comments
New Capabilities Bring Controllable, ...
19/05/2026
It May be Time to Stop and Take an AI Breather
Brie Clayton May 19, 2026
0 Comments
If the rock you stay on starts to roll, jump clean. Or you'll...
18/05/2026
Despite a bumpy start to the year, the provider of event-production support and ...
18/05/2026
Daktronics has partnered with the University of North Carolina to manufacture and install 11 LED displays totaling more than 10,000 square feet and more than 14...
18/05/2026
CBS LA has announced a multi-year partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, covering exclusive local broadcasts of Rams preseason games, weekly year-round programm...
18/05/2026
Skyline Communications has announced an integration between its DataMiner xOps p...
18/05/2026
eCLUTCH, the hybrid esports platform powered by iKOMG, has announced an expansion of its distribution across Europe, MENA, Africa, and Asia, along with new cont...
18/05/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/05/2026
With 22 games this season, the production team looks forward to tweaking and enhancing the coverage
After 8,660 days off the air, the WNBA returned to NBC yest...
18/05/2026
(L-R) Midori Francis and Natalie Erika James attend the Saccharine premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 22, 2026, in ...
18/05/2026
Last night, the Spotify Podcast Awards in Mexico returned to the country's capital. Now in its second year, the evening honors creators whose voices are hel...
18/05/2026
ZEN-Core synth goes mobile
Roland's powerful ZEN-Core software synthesizer has just been introduced to the iPad, offering a convenient entry point into ...
18/05/2026
Versatile new limiter plug-in announced
Based in Sheffield, UK, fedDSP offer a range of plug-ins that span the music production, live sound and high-end med...
18/05/2026
A new use for convolution?
Viiri Audio's debut plug-in aims to do something a little different with convolution processing, allowing users to adjust all...
18/05/2026
Delta Goodrem shines for SBS as more than 3.27 million Australians tune in for E...
18/05/2026
The Australian Defence Force uses L3Harris T4 and T7 robots for explosive ordnan...
18/05/2026
Continued investment across Europe and Germany is expanding local teams and improving access to stock, regional expertise, and specialist broadcast support.
CV...
18/05/2026
Agentic AI inference at one-tenth the cost per token with NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL7...
18/05/2026
18 May 2026
Dubai and New York, May 18, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a glob...
18/05/2026
Monday 18 May 2026
Sky News offers ad-free podcasts and bonus episodes for just...
18/05/2026
Comscore March 2026 Consumer AI Chatbot Usage Rankings Show Claude Gaining Share OpenAI's ChatGPT maintains lead while Anthropic's Claude continues to c...
17/05/2026
Delta Goodrem's Eurovision Eclipse marks end of a stellar run
17 May, 2026
Media releases
Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026
Relive every spellbinding mome...
17/05/2026
Back to All News
Oasis Premieres on Netflix June 19
Entertainment
17 May 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Summer, sunshine, the beach, parties. T...
16/05/2026
Helps to deliver a clean, balanced midrange
Developed alongside Newfangled Audio, the latest plug-in in Eventide's software collection has been designed...
16/05/2026
Brings onboard stem rendering to RANE System One
Engine DJ have just released Engine DJ 5.0, a free update for their Engine DJ OS embedded hardware and Engi...
16/05/2026
Boris FX Continuum Pairs AI Precision and Advanced Creative Controls
Jessie Electa Petrov May 16, 2026
0 Comments
The 2026.5 release adds automatic de...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC, in partnership with RAVE Foundation an...
15/05/2026
Dan Brumm has served as sound designer on Bluey, the Australian children's t...
15/05/2026
The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) and Shure Incorporated are accepting applications for the 6th annual Mark Brunner Professional Audio Schola...
Berklees Top News and Stories of 2023 From AI in the classroom to music licensing 101, 50 years of hip-hop to the next great American jam band, take a look at where the last year brought us. 
