Give Your Opinion, Save Your Budget

The Score Music and Sports Marketing has been a resource for music, artist and licensing needs for teams and leagues for almost 20 years. During that time, we have brought teams some of the BEST and BIGGEST music releases, all clean and ready for in-stadium play. Now, we are offering your team and league discounts on your music licensing by giving us your opinion.

Every month, The Score sends teams a brief “Sports Music Survey”. This survey is an critical part of what we do as it’s a direct and honest assessment of the music our labels are currently pushing toward teams. Your opinions matter and the labels need this open and sincere critique of their tracks every month.

Many of you share your opinion on a monthly basis and we truly appreciate your participation. Starting in July of 2023, The Score will be giving all teams a discount on our licensing fees just for participating and giving us your opinion. Every month, you will receive a $50 credit toward our licensing fees for filling out our monthly survey.

We know that team budgets are tighter than ever before, yet entertainment staff have so much more expected from them. It is our hope that we can help alleviate some of the stress on licensing budgets by offering a bit of relief every month.

Our Sports Music Surveys are sent to teams at the beginning of each month and contain a maximum of 8 tracks. Your time is valuable, and it’s our goal to be quick and make sure you don’t have listener fatigue by sampling 10-20 tracks in one sitting. We want to bring you the best tracks available every month. Each survey should take about 5 minutes to fill out AND you can download each song after the survey by following the link to our website.

This is our way of giving back and thanking our team partners for their help and time in offering a brief opinion. We are happy to be a continued, trusted resource for music and licensing needs and will continue to do so for years to come.

First and Ten with DJ Yoshi

One of my favorite activities is connecting and introducing people who need to meet each other. My standing philosophy is that good people need to meet good people.

I am excited to introduce you to my friend, DJ Yoshi, a highly skilled and renowned DJ who has not only made a significant impact on the sports and music industries but has also shown immense strength and resilience in overcoming personal challenges.

DJ Yoshi has carved out a name for himself with his exceptional mixing skills and diverse musical tastes. He works with several teams and leagues including the Big 10, many major sports events including NFL, USFL, NHL and Army Black Knights football. With a deep passion for various genres, DJ Yoshi has the innate ability to create electrifying sets that leave crowds in awe. His performances are known for their high energy, seamless transitions, and an uncanny ability to read the crowd and create an unforgettable experience.

However, DJ Yoshi's journey has not been without its challenges. He faced a difficult period in his life when he suffered a heart attack, which tested his physical and mental strength. Despite this setback, DJ Yoshi demonstrated remarkable courage and determination in his recovery process. He not only focused on regaining his health but also used his experience to inspire others, spreading awareness about the importance of self-care and the pursuit of one's passions. He discusses hit heart attack in his youtube video HERE.

Beyond his professional achievements, DJ Yoshi is a warm and compassionate individual. He has a genuine and infectious personality that instantly connects with those around him. This is why he has been chosen as the premiere participant of our “1st and 10” Q&A. Enjoy this brief Q&A about DJ Yoshi, his work with Army Football (West Point) and some of his music selections.

1. Other than your opener, is there a signature song that Army fans look forward to hearing during a game?

   • Tsunami - Opening Kickoff AND a pivotal 4th quarter moment that I choose

2. Does Army lean more heavily toward a specific genre of music?

   • Lately the players have been on a UK hip hop trend while the fans enjoy pop and rock hits.

3. Do you get music recommendations from fans?  If so, what do you do with them?

   • I bounce them off of marketing and other sports DJ's to see if they're playing the tracks at their events.

4. What's your favorite sports event or game that you've personally worked?

   • NFL's 10 Year Anniversary Game for 9/11. It was my first game DJ'ing in the NFL in 2011.  It was the Cowboys vs. the Jets.  We had live segments from Ground Zero, Five for Fighting singing the halftime show and Lady A performing the national anthem.  With military fly overs and pyro, it was an incredibly timed show that was produced by Rich Gentile.

5. How many times do your players request music from you?

   • My clients rarely request songs these days.  From Football to Basketball, pro sports to college, they've come to appreciate my ability to mix in tracks for everyone.

6. What is your hobby outside of sports that most people wouldn't know you are into?

   • Photography and Golf. I'm a 4 handicap in golf, and I'm a traveling photographer.  My clients are mostly headshot and lifestyle shoots... with some landscape sprinkled in.

7. How do you keep the energy level up during game, and what are some techniques you use to do so?

   • Directing a game is like scoring a movie and similar to how I format a club set.  You can't keep taking people higher and higher... You'll eventually peak and then you'll plateau or decline.  I like to use music and my voice in a way that engages the crowd... From sing along segments to on-camera hits where they can see what I'm doing.  I'll sing or dance along with the tracks.  I'll also bring the energy up, then down, then back up again.  It's been my formula that works... but when it's time to just keep going up and up during a break that isn't game related, I'll mix a sing along track with a current banger or even remix a track on the fly.

8. Is there a song, played in stadium, that you never want to hear again? 

   • Who Let the Dogs Out... I just can't!

9. What do you play when a home team loses?

   • Lately it's been a lo-fi instrumental during PA followed by something uplifting

10. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest music trends and what's popular among athletes and fans?

    • Music: I'm serviced by most record labels. Artists and their management also send me music to review and play.  I'm a member of DJ City and Headliner so that helps when seeing what other club DJ's are playing.  I speak with people in general who are in music or radio to see what their playlists are like.  And my younger cousins and their friends,  The kids who are in their late teens and early 20's who can break down what's going on.

DJ Yoshi’s top 5 tracks fans will hear at an Army, B1G Ten Football or MLB LLWSC Game:

1. Tsunami

2. The Power of the Darkside (this track has been my go to banger for about 10 years. High Energy EDM and fans from all of my clients have asked me what it is and where I got it)

3. A-ha - Take On Me - JUST TRY IT. Fans go absolutely bonkers during sing along

4. My Own Worst Enemy - HUGE Sing along track that I love to play.  1 game with the Devils, we started it during a break, and the crowd was really into it that day.  we kept bringing it back at different points of the song when there was a stoppage in play

5. Mr. Brightside - I posted a video from when I dropped this at B1G Ten back in 2016 or so. I brought dowon the volume so the crowd could sing with each other.... it was beautiful to hear

Music is KEY to TikTok's Younger Fanbase

TikTok is a cultural phenomenon, with millions of young users creating and sharing content on the platform. The app is stuffed with dances, tutorials, recipes, and a bunch of other content that keeps people in a constant doom scroll.  One of the most important aspects of TikTok is its use of popular music, which has become an integral part of the user experience.

In the past, the connection between youth and music was fostered through radio air play and album sales. Teens would listen to albums repeatedly, memorizing lyrics and discussing their favorite tracks with friends. This was the ORIGINAL social media.  Radio stations would play the latest hits, introducing listeners to new music and creating a sense of community around shared musical interests.

TikTok has become a key platform for music discovery, with users often using the app to find new tracks and artists. The app's algorithm suggests music based on users' interests and viewing history, making it easy for them to discover new artists and tracks. When users create content, they often choose music that matches the mood or theme of their video, adding an extra layer of meaning and emotional resonance. When a song becomes popular on TikTok, it spreads rapidly, due to shared user content with their followers and other individuals who search for additional content using the same music or “sound”. This creates buzz, a sense of excitement and shared experience among TikTok users.  Teams can tap into this by incorporating popular TikTok tracks into their game day experience.

One example of this is the use of "Renegade" by K Camp, which became a viral sensation on TikTok in early 2020. The song was used in countless videos on the app, with users performing the same choreographed dance routine. This caught the attention of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, who incorporated the song into their game day playlist and even invited the creator of the dance, Jalaiah Harmon, to perform at a game. The result was a surge in fan engagement and a boost to the Hawks' social media presence.

By incorporating popular TikTok tracks in your game, you can tap into a culture that is important to young fans. This not only helps to build engagement and loyalty among fans, but it also creates opportunities for spontaneous "Dance" video content that can be shared on the team social media. This kind of content can be especially valuable for teams looking to connect with younger fans who are turning away from traditional advertising at a rapid rate.

Staying on top of trends and being attuned to the interests of fans can help teams build a youthful brand that is relevant and resonant with younger audiences. This can help to attract new fans and create a pipeline of future support.

NOTE: The Score is an excellent resource for popular TikTok trending music.  We are constantly talking with popular artists and labels to curate a list of popular monthly tracks; many of which are trending on TikTok. 

The MUST ATTEND Sports Entertainment Conference

I don’t belong to a lot of professional organizations.  I find many of these groups impersonal and don’t really benefit me.  However, there is one sports entertainment association that stands alone.  As a member of the Information Display in Entertainment Association (IDEA) for over 20 years, I have had the pleasure of attending some of the most engaging and informative conferences in the sports industry.  I encourage all leagues, teams, and universities big and small to join.

IDEA conferences are a valuable source of education.  Each conference is a bit different from the next, offering a diverse range of sessions covering the latest advancements in display technology to tips, tricks and best practices for calling the in-stadium show. IDEA also keys in on the latest fan entertainment innovations in projection mapping, the latest developments in 4K and HDR displays, and wearable light show tech.  These conferences have always kept me up to date on the latest trends and technologies.

What truly sets IDEA apart are the networking opportunities. Through these events, I have been able to build friendships, help colleagues, have countless music conversations and collaborate on exciting projects. Whether I'm attending sessions or simply mingling with other attendees having a beverage, I always come away from these conferences feeling inspired and energized.  This is also the BEST place to meet new people and network with other teams as well as creative gurus who you can lean on and collaborate with.  This group is very generous with their time and ability to help one another.  Not all industry associations are as open in sharing their knowledge.

Moreover, the organization has a strong commitment to advancing the industry and bringing up the next generation of game entertainment professionals through the “IDEA Inspire The Passion” Award. This award honors outstanding students/interns in the event presentation industry and gifts them an all-expenses paid trip to the Conference.

It’s an honor to be a trusted friend and resource for the creative giants of the sports entertainment industry. IDEA helps me to connect with so many teams and colleagues in one annual gathering. Their commitment to education, networking, and innovation has been invaluable, and I look forward to attending many more conferences in the future. I’ll see all of you July 9-12 in Austin, TX for the next conference.  Make sure you get there.  The first beverage is on me!

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Walk-Up Music: A Home Run for Baseball Teams

Walk-up music is an important part of a baseball player's identity. It sets the tone as they approach the plate and can even impact the performance of the player and the team. Fans also recognize these tracks as being associated with players and teams. With so many options out there, it can be difficult to choose the right walk-up music. Let’s take a look at some good practices for walk-up music in baseball.

 Upbeat and energetic: A song with a high energy beat can pump up both the player and the crowd. Choose a song that will get everyone moving and ready to cheer on the home team. A few examples include "Jump" by Van Halen, "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and "Lose Yourself" by Eminem.

 Nostalgic and classic: Sometimes, a classic song can bring back memories and evoke emotions. Choose a song that has been around for a while with a timeless appeal such as "Centerfield" by John Fogerty, "Enter Sandman" by Metallica, and "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin.

 Personal and meaningful: A walk-up song that has personal or cultural significance to the player can be a powerful motivator. Consider choosing a song that has a special meaning, whether it's a song that reminds the player of a loved one, a song they listened to as a child, or a song that has helped them through a tough time. Through the course of a season, these stories will come out to the public as people ask questions about the song choice. This can create a lasting bond between the player, team and fans.

 Trending and popular: If you want to keep up with the latest trends, consider choosing a song that is currently popular. This can help keep you and your team up-to-date and relevant. A few hot tracks include "Tití Me Preguntó" by Bad Bunny, "As It Was" by Harry Styles, and "Pepas" by Farruko.

No matter what type of music the player chooses, the most important thing is to select a song they love and that represents the individual as a player. Walk-up music should make the player feel confident, motivated, and ready to play their best game.

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Simplify Your Music Licensing

By John Adams

You’ve found it: the perfect song! This is the track you need to make your video content pop. The decision is made, the visuals match the lyrics, and every highlight hits the beat. Now that the stars have aligned, what other information do you need to collect before licensing your music? Here are FOUR tips that will help you collect your thoughts and make the process a smooth one.

#1- The correct title and artist make a HUGE difference. Double check that you not only provide the name of the song but artist as well. A link to your preferred version can make all the difference when clearing your music and matching your vibe. Just search “Yesterday” in Spotify and you’ll find over 60 versions of the song.

#2- How much of the song will you use? Many times, there is a difference when it comes to the duration of the track you need. Songs will be priced differently depending upon how much you are using. Be as specific as you can. Is your video 1:00 in length, but only requiring :45 seconds of music or is this a 3-minute video using 3 minutes of music? Share how much music your video will utilize and what portions of the track you will be using (chorus, instrumental, verses, etc).

#3- What are your start and end dates? Please, don’t ask for perpetuity. Very few labels and publishers will entertain anything without an end date. It is “best practice” to have a specific start date and end date in mind when licensing music. Anything posted to social media must be removed on the final day of your expiring license. Be aware that your social posts are easily tracked, found and many teams receive additional bills and legal notices for simply leaving social media posts online too long.

#4- Give time! Make sure you give time for proper clearance before moving forward. Music licensing can be tricky, and a little extra wiggle room can save you stress in the long and short term. We recently received a request from the Colorado Avalanche using a track for a hype video for the playoffs. The Score was able to clear that track in 1 day! On the other hand, we received a request for 2 songs for the X-Games broadcast with two weeks to clear the music.  In many cases that is ample time. However, one track had an issue and was cleared with only 8 hours to spare. 

These tips are here to help eliminate stress and circumvent some of the issues and pitfalls surrounding music licensing.  The process becomes a lot easier when you have some parameters in place and give your project time to clear properly. 

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CLICK HERE to take The Score Sports Music Survey for February 2023

Top 5 Sports Music Trends for 2023

By John Adams

2023 is here! It’s a new year with new goals, trends and music. As we prepare for the first quarter of the year, I have noticed some music trends I wanted to point out and help make your job a bit easier. Here are my top 5 music trends I see coming up in 2023:

1-      Stadium playlists are trending younger: Many teams are relying on their music to keep a younger audience engaged with the game experience. One team expressed that their core older fans will be there no matter what they play. There will always be a good amount of “stadium tracks” or local flavor tracks to play in-game but look to add some newer music to engage a larger audience.

2-      BIG artists with new releases: 2023 is starting off with new albums from:

• Iggy Pop 1/6

• Måneskin 1/20

• Shania Twain 2/3

• Paramore 2/10

• Gorillaz 2/24

• Macklemore 3/3

• Metallica 4/12

• Smashing Pumpkins 4/21

All these albums should contain great tracks for sports play and production use. Here are some releases that I suggest checking out ASAP!

Iggy Pop Every Loser- The first single “Frenzy” is a high energy rocker. 

Måneskin Rush- These guys have been a single-churning powerhouse for the last couple of years and have YET to release their first full album! If you aren’t into them now… odds are your fans are!

Gorillaz Cracker Island-Tracks have been leaked from this one for months. “New Gold” has already grabbed play and sync use from a few teams (with an assist from The Score).

Metallica 72 Seasons- These rockers show no sign of slowing down. Their 1st single “Lux Æterna" is amazing, and the album is powerful with multiple stadium appropriate tracks (we will have several for you prior to release date). Don’t forget their unprecedented tour M72 consisting of 23 weekends from 4/27 to 9/29.  Back-to-back shows in the same city, each show with a completely different playlist (check their website for all tour dates and venues).

3-      Album anniversaries- Although we started by talking about the importance of new music, older fans are still in attendance and younger music fans love a good retro album or playlist!  Keep these monumental albums in mind.  They are all celebrating HUGE anniversaries this year.  If you are looking for an easy theme night or a reason to celebrate music, here are about 20 of them:

50th Anniversaries:

• Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon

• Elton John: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

• Led Zeppelin: Houses of the Holy

• The Who: Quadrophenia

• Lynyrd Skynyrd: Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd

• Paul McCartney/Wings: Band On The Run

40th Anniversaries:

• Michael Jackson: Thriller

• Huey Lewis & The News: Sports

• Metallica: Kill ‘Em All

• Motley Crue: Shout At The Devil

• Def Leppard: Pyromania

• ZZ Top: Eliminator

• Madonna: Madonna

30th Anniversaries:

• Nirvana: In Utero

• The Smashing Pumpkins: Siamese Dream

• Snoop Dogg: Doggystyle

• Pearl Jam: Vs.

• Lenny Kravitz: Are You Gonna Go My Way

• U2: Zooropa

20th Anniversaries:

• The White Stripes: Elephant

• Linkin Park: Meteora

• Jay-Z: The Black Album

• 50 Cent: Get Rick or Die Tryin’

• Byonce’: Dangerously In Love

• Evanescence: Fallen

 4-      Music issues are on the rise- Hey, I didn’t say all of them would be positive! This is a trend you DON’T want to follow. I have helped many teams navigate through these issues and the greatest advice I can give is you don’t want to be involved with the penalties surrounding improper music licensing. It’s too easy to find your content in fan posts, videos, and through social media that any bot can find on the interwebs and google machines. If you are not properly licensing music, your team is open to a litany of legal actions. Make sure one of your goals for 2023 is making sure ALL content is properly vetted and licensed.

 5-      Get the backup plan- Not every song can be licensed within the timeframe or within your budget. There are many difficulties that may arise once the process gets started. Make sure your back up plan includes a robust music catalog to pull from whenever you need a lifeline. Our friends at APM have one of the largest and most diverse collections with a variety of genres for team use. They are easy to work with and a GREAT option when popular music can’t happen.

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CLICK HERE to take The Score Sports Music Survey for January 2023