Apple Music launches rising artist program

Apple Music is launching a new project called Up Next that is designed to help promote up and rising artists. The first performer to benefit from the program is Ricardo Valdez, a rapper who goes by the stage name 6lack. His music will be promoted on Apple Music playlists and in the iTunes store, and he performed on The Late Late Show With James Corden. A different artist will be selected each month as the focus for Up Next.

Several streaming music platforms have launched initiatives to help give a boost to up-and-coming artists. This is becoming a standard offering for many music platforms.