Welcome back to the MMBC Newsletter!

February was an exciting month for the Michigan Music Business Club as we welcomed our newest member class and began getting them integrated into the community. After a busy recruitment cycle, it has been great to see new members meeting teams, getting involved in projects, and bringing fresh energy to the club. At the same time, preparations are well underway for the 2026 Annual MMBC Conference, with members across teams planning what is always one of the biggest highlights of the year. With new members joining and conference season approaching, February has been a month full of momentum and excitement for the MMBC!

Go Blue!

February was an exciting month for the MMBC as we continued building momentum within the club and welcomed several industry professionals to speak with members. 

This month, we hosted Rome Thomas, who currently works in Strategic Music Initiatives at Apple and previously spent nearly a decade at Sony Music Entertainment working on projects for artists like Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, and Rage Against the Machine. He shared insights from his experience across artist development and sales. 

We also welcomed Chelsea Brines, VP of Revenue at Interscope Records, who spoke about overseeing revenue and commerce strategy for the label’s artist roster and working with platforms like Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music. 

University alumni like Tyler Elienberg joined us to discuss founding Deep Prints and working creatively with clients across the gaming, entertainment, and music industries, including Swedish House Mafia and EMPIRE. 

This month, we also officially launched the 2026 MMBC Conference, which will take place on March 28th from 9 AM to 6 PM at the Ross School of Business. With a sneak peek into our conference, we are excited to announce that we are welcoming keynote speakers Ian Kripps of Atlantic Records, Jacqueline Saturn of Virgin Music Group, and Zach Friedman of Atlantic Music Group to join us in Ann Arbor this March. We could not be more excited to bring together students and these impressive industry professionals for a full day of panels and conversations about the future of the music industry! Stay tuned on all social media platforms for updates.

Here are some of the most notable drops from this past month — albums you definitely don’t want to miss:

Theme: Marketing

Live Nation: Integrated Marketing Intern

📍New York

Right Click Management: Influencer Marketing Manager

📍LA

Industry Plant: Marketing Coordinator

📍Nashville

Bad Bunny’s world domination: Impact, passion, and good music.

Ever since Super Bowl LX, the artist dominating the conversation has been Bad Bunny. From working in a supermarket in 2016 to winning one of music’s most coveted honors at the Grammy Awards, Album of the Year for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS in 2026, his rise has been nothing but extraordinary. Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito, was raised in Puerto Rico, where he has consistently infused his music with the rhythms of his homeland, blending salsa and plena with reggaetón, Latin trap, and pop. His genre-bending sound resonates with people from all different walks of life.

Bad Bunny first shared his music on SoundCloud while still in college. In 2016, the viral success of “Diles” earned him a deal with Hear This Music. His momentum continued into 2017, and in 2018, when he was featured on "I Like It” alongside Cardi B and J Balvin, marking his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, he released his debut album, X 100pre, a project rooted in Latin trap that also featured huge artists such as Drake. 

In 2020, Bad Bunny accomplished what few artists ever have: he released three full-length albums in a single year, YHLQMDLG in February, Las Que No Iban a Salir in May, and El Último Tour Del Mundo in November. These projects helped him become Spotify’s most-streamed artist of the year. Notably, El Último Tour Del Mundo became the first all-Spanish-language album to top the Billboard 200. 

On May 6, 2022, Bad Bunny released his next album, Un Verano Sin Ti. The 23-track project, featuring hits like “Moscow Mule” and “Me Porto Bonito,” spent 13 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became the top Billboard album of 2022. It also became one of the most-streamed albums on Spotify.

Most recently, Bad Bunny released this album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. Each song on this album was unique in its own way. He was loyal to his central themes of devotion to his hometown, Puerto Rico, longing for love, and the necessity of community. 

The title song of the album DtMf encapsulates all three of these themes perfectly. The song is upbeat with a mix of Latin pop and Salsa. The chorus includes a community of people shouting lyrics passionately. The chorus lyrics are "I should've taken more pictures when I had you with me." Bad Bunny is not only referencing a past love but also his beloved Puerto Rico.

Overall, the album's pure individuality made it extraordinary. Even though much of the music was upbeat, it carried hard-hitting, sad, and relatable lyrics. The true motto of this album was “dancing through the pain.”

Beyond music, Bad Bunny’s impact on Puerto Rico is profound. He has been outspoken about political issues affecting the island, including protests against government corruption and ongoing struggles with infrastructure and recovery after natural disasters. His pride in Puerto Rican identity is woven into his lyrics and performances.

Currently, Bad Bunny continues to tour globally for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, selling out arenas and stadiums worldwide. His live performances are known for their high energy and elaborate production. Wherever Bad Bunny performs, he brings the energy,  joy, and passion of Puerto Rico to the stage by celebrating  Latin culture and community. 

KETTAMA brings his high-energy tour to Detroit on March 19th, delivering a night of driving techno and rave-ready house. Known for blending gritty club rhythms with infectious grooves, the Irish DJ’s set promises pounding basslines, relentless momentum, and a packed dance floor from start to finish.

Mariah the Scientist brings her tour to Detroit on March 10, delivering an intimate night of atmospheric R&B and emotional storytelling. Known for her hypnotic melodies and vulnerable lyrics, the show promises a moody, soulful performance that highlights the cinematic depth of her music.

Join us for a private Michigan Vintage Market shopping experience featuring curated consignment pieces, all-female DJ entertainment, and a vibrant space to network and celebrate women. All ticket sales and additional donations will support the Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan. Follow our socials for more information.

Everyone’s favorite global hitmakers sharing the Super Bowl stage was definitely not on most 2026 bingo cards, yet it happened, and it delivered. Bad Bunny brought the energy fans expect, having the whole stadium hype from start to finish of his short set. The real surprise highlight was the cross-cultural and generational moment featuring Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. While some expected Martin, Gaga, already a Super Bowl halftime veteran, added her theatrical signature and surprise element to the performance. The results felt intentional as the performance blended reggaeton, pop, and Latin pop in one cohesive production.

While the staging and choreography were massive and cinematic, the set design sparked some controversy. An 84-year-old Puerto Rican man has filed a lawsuit against Bad Bunny and alleged that the set was a replica of his private home without permission. The story of this is still developing, but musically and visually, the halftime show will be remembered as one of the most culturally expansive collaborations in recent years.

The industry calendar is filling up, and ours should too. The iHeartRadio Music Awards are scheduled for March 2026, while Italy’s Sanremo Music Festival continues to shape European trends and trajectories. Early 2026 is also shaping up to be a major album-release season, with multiple artists currently teasing drops and new eras for their careers. 

An unexpected crossover, being Megan Thee Stallion's Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Her eight-week run begins in March. Megan’s debut is a notable moment, as she is the first female-identifying performer to play Harold Zidler. This is another example of hip-hop artists expanding to theatrical spaces while maintaining their mainstream influences and ties.

BTS is officially coming back and re-entering the performance circuit after several years spent on solo projects and military service commitments. A streamed concert and documentary are in the works, aiming to reignite global fan engagement as they release new music and go on a world tour. BTS’s history of record-breaking tour and album sales makes their return a significant impact on the global touring economy. 

Donations to the Michigan Music Business Club are always welcome and greatly appreciated.

All monetary gifts fund our wide range of events, including concerts, speakers, and other professional and creative development events.

MMBC has brought an accomplished lineup of musicians, agents, producers, publicists, lawyers, and composers to speak and perform for the club and the greater Michigan community. To pay the generosity of others forward, many of our events have raised money for charity and local Ann Arbor businesses. Regardless of the amount, all donations help our organization deliver authentic, memorable experiences to fans and aspiring industry professionals here at the University of Michigan.