Research by Samsung UK reveals 1 in 3 (31%) young Brits dream of being a music star on entertainment platforms like TikTok, but nearly a fifth (18%) admit they lack the inspiration to put their music creations into practice.

Despite over half (55%) saying they have the best music taste of their friends and family, a quarter (25%) admit that creating and sharing music would be out of their comfort zone. However, a further one in three (38 percent) would jump at the chance to learn more about making and sharing their own music online.

Brits love consuming music content online, but the latest research by Samsung reveals that they need a helping hand when it comes to creating their own sounds. To offer inspiration to aspiring artists, Samsung has partnered with music legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Nile Rodgers for the Make It With Nile docuseries, to uncover the new ways music is being made today, thanks to mobile technologies and entertainment platforms like TikTok.

 Reasons that the next generation turn to online platforms for their new music fix:

• 34% like the fact that they can discover more new music
• 28% find the tracks more creative
• 18% say they can access more niche material

What’s holding them back from becoming a music creator and sharing their own content online? 1 in 4 (24%) put this down to not having access to the right technology, while others felt they were not musical enough (23%), others find it too nerve wrecking (21%) and lastly, 20% felt they don’t have enough time to invest.

 TikTok music duo ALTÉGO, collaborators who featured in one of the episodes, reveal their advice for aspiring creators to take their music to the next level.

ALTÉGO said: “For us, music is about enjoyment. As long as you feel good and you’re having a good time then that’s all that matters and you should go for it. Thanks to technology advances, you can have the experience of a studio from the palm of your hand – using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, you have the freedom to shoot content yourself and can connect your Galaxy Buds2 Pro seamlessly, to listen back to your creations. It couldn’t be easier.”

ALTÉGO’s tips for creating music online:

• Find inspiration in other tracks– Sampling other tracks is a great place to start getting your creative juices flowing. StemDrop gives you the opportunity to collaborate with some of the world’s best songwriters, with some incredible tracks available for you to interpret yourself.
• Take your content to the next level – With the Galaxy Z Flip4 you can film hands-free making this the perfect partner to create the ultimate music video. Multi Window also lets you see two apps at once so you can check out the lyrics while practicing your performance.
• Put your unique spin on the music– Whether it’s in a guitar riff or a vocal, there’s lots of magic to be found when playing around with an audio. Through StemDrop you flip tracks on their head by recreating them with another sound or turning it into a new genre altogether. It’s all about being creative and putting your unique spin on something.
• Create content for your followers to engage with– We’re so fortunate today to have audiences at our fingertips thanks to platforms like TikTok. If you’re passionate about people hearing your music, then take the opportunity to share your creations online.

Nile Rodgers said: “I love nothing more than collaborating with new artists like ALTÉGO and the opportunity to expose the music we make to a totally new audience through technology and exciting new platforms like StemDrop and TikTok.” 

Annika Bizon, Marketing and Omnichannel Director at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “At Samsung, we are committed to empowering creative expression through our smartphone technology and are really excited to be leading the way in redefining how music is being made.

 “We hope that through our partnership with TikTok for StemDrop and our inspirational new content series with music legend Nile Rodgers, young creators feel empowered to express themselves.”

 Thanks to StemDrop, powered by Samsung tech, anyone can finally take the plunge to share their creative musical expressions online and now have the tools and inspiration to get started.  

 Tune in throughout December to the Make It With Nile docuseries to hear Nile in conversation with some of the latest and greatest young music makers of today, all of whom have ‘made it’ using nothing but their phones, their bedrooms and their raw talent. By tuning in you can watch 4 creative TikTok creators take their music to the next level.

In these episodes, Nile speaks to our creatives about making it in music and how it’s changed over the years thanks to advances in smartphone technology, platforms like TikTok and opportunities like StemDrop.

What’s more, make your StemDrop look and sound amazing using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, found on Samsung.com, here.

• TikTok creators can interpret, sing, remix and upload their unique versions of a brand-new single from one of the greatest song writing teams in history, led by Max Martin.

• Make it with Samsung using the power of the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Buds2 Pro

• Creative direction from Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment, Universal Music Group, the world-leader in music-based entertainment and its Republic Records label

LONDON, United Kingdom – October 19, 2022 – Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd. has partnered with TikTok to launch StemDrop, a new international music discovery format that will revolutionise global music collaboration, democratise music production and give all music creators a never-before-seen platform to showcase their talent to the world.

Officially launching Thursday 26th October on TikTok, with creative direction from Syco Entertainment, Universal Music Group – the world-leader in music-based entertainment – and its Republic Records label, StemDrop gives music creators an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate with the world’s finest songwriters. Starting with 5x Grammy award winner Max Martin and his prolific hit-making team of Savan Kotecha and Ali Payami, who will release 60 seconds of an original new single exclusively on TikTok for the world to mix.

Samsung has a rich history of developing transformative technology ideal for those who want to create. From emerging to established artists, you can make your StemDrop look and sound amazing with the creativity and innovation of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. When you’re all done, connect and listen back, with the Galaxy Buds2 Pro.

Creators can film their music video hands-free and at any angle they want by partially folding the Z Flip4 to activate FlexCam – granting budding artists unlimited freedom and self-expression when shooting content. The upgraded Z Flip4 camera also comes equipped with a 65% brighter sensor*, resulting in better images in low light, so you can make great content, day or night. In addition, multi-window lets you see two apps at once, so you can check out the lyrics while practising your performance.

Once you’ve finished recording your StemDrop, seamlessly connect your Galaxy Buds2 Pro to your Z Flip4 and listen back in Hi-Fi quality sound, giving you an in-studio experience from home or on-the-go.

As soon as the song drops, the TikTok community will have access to the ‘stems’ – the individual components of the song such as drums, bass guitar and vocals – through the TikTok Sounds page. The StemDrop Player, powered by Samsung but open to all, gives creators the ability to produce their own unique spin of the track. Slow parts of the track down, speed it up, make it acapella – creators can make it their own in the very palm of their hand. TikTok stars Ari Elkins, Astrid S and Your Boy Moyo will act as global ambassadors for StemDrop and host daily content on the @StemDrop channel on TikTok.

As the global leader in the smartphone industry, Samsung has a deep understanding of how people express themselves through their devices. More than ever, that means creating short-form content.

Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Europe comments: “From movies, games and music – Samsung understands that entertainment is the most exciting when it evolves. This partnership with TikTok, Syco Entertainment and Universal Music Group is a ground-breaking new chapter that will redefine music creation.

As leaders in innovation, we feel a responsibility to constantly find ways to champion creativity – the openness of StemDrop does just that. This mission has been longstanding: from the launch of Samsung Spotlight, an initiative to support performing artists in the wake of the pandemic, to our partnership with UMG on Music Galaxy Thursdays, allowing music lovers free access to never-seen-before artist interviews, performances, and behind-the-scenes footage in the lead-up to New Music Friday. Now, our advancements in the foldables market are changing the way we use mobile devices as the ultimate tool for both productivity and self-expression.

We’re extremely excited to build on our evolving role in the music industry, to continue leading the way in technological innovation, and to inspire the world to #MakeItWithSamsung”. 

Speaking on the launch of StemDrop, Simon Cowell said: “Hit songs are like diamonds and they can change an artist’s career overnight. With tens of thousands of songs uploaded every day this idea will give aspiring artists the opportunity to collaborate with some of the most successful songwriters in the world. The premise was always very straightforward… ‘What would happen if the best songwriters in the world wrote a song for the world…….?’

We have no idea what’s going to happen. I do know there are so many incredibly talented people who are trying to stand out and I hope and believe this could make a big difference to their careers. It says everything about Max Martin, Savan and Ali that they have decided to give this song to the TikTok community to record and collaborate with them. And I want to thank them so much for believing in this idea. In addition, I want to thank TikTok, Samsung and Universal for their support and enthusiasm. Again, their passionate support of talented people is amazing.”

More information on StemDrop and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and the Galaxy Buds2 Pro can be found on Samsung.com, here.

The official StemDrop channel (@StemDrop) has posted videos today to celebrate the launch of StemDrop and spark excitement among the TikTok community.

Ole Obermann, Global Head of Music at TikTok said: “We are thrilled to finally announce StemDrop to the world. Some of the biggest names in entertainment, music and technology are coming together to supercharge music discovery in a way never seen before, using the power of TikTok to unearth new talent. Every day, brilliant, undiscovered artists and songwriters turn to TikTok to share their music and find a global audience; StemDrop will put a spotlight on this talent and act as a springboard to help them build their careers.”

Paul Hourican, Global Head of Music Operations at TikTok said: “TikTok’s mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy, and with StemDrop our aim is to provide our creative community, wherever they are, an opportunity to collaborate and create with the world’s most iconic songwriters and their work in a new and original way. The breadth and diversity of musical talent emerging on TikTok every day is breathtaking and we’re committed to opening doors for artists and propelling new talent to find sustained success both on and off the platform. We can’t wait to see what this collaboration brings so thank you to Max, Simon and the teams at Syco, UMG and Republic who have helped bring this to life.”

In the first season, the beautiful setting and quintessentially Parisian characters gave viewers an insight into French style and culture and are some of the driving forces behind the show’s success. This sense of escapism was created and elevated by the global cast, including the iconic character of Sylvie Grateau. Played by Samsung ambassador Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Sylvie acts as lead protagonist Emily’s boss, and the CMO of luxury marketing agency Savoir. Sylvie’s character embodies true stylish authority; great at her job, powerful, commanding and effortlessly chic, she became one of the most widely recognised and loved characters from the show’s debut season. In season two, to make sure she keeps on top of her personal and professional life, Sylvie has chosen the stylish and snappy Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G to keep Emily and the rest of the agency on their toes.

But Sylvie is not the only one to benefit from the style and glamour of the Galaxy Z Flip 5G. To launch the second season, Samsung and Netflix will bring iconic style and innovative technology to fans of Emily in Paris through an integrated campaign; featuring offline ads, social and influencer content, and a TikTok filter that provides a new way for fans to enjoy the show, through the lens of the iconic Galaxy Z Flip 5G. The filter will allow fans to “flip the script” and become the lead character in their own Emily in Paris animated poster. The stunning Galaxy Z Flip 5G will unfold in front of the user, putting them front and centre before the iconic Eiffel Tower. TikTok users* can try out the Flip the Script TikTok Effect on the platform as of 28^th of December.

Benjamin Braun, Samsung CMO for Europe, said “At Samsung, we are always at the forefront of creativity and innovation. We are excited to partner with Netflix for the second season of one of their biggest shows, Emily in Paris, and to see Sylvie wielding the iconic Galaxy Z Flip 5G fits the personality of the device perfectly. We’re looking forward to developing this partnership further and deeper in the future”.

Samsung’s latest line of premium products are set to push the boundaries of innovation for fans of Emily in Paris, showcasing the brands’ ability for combining style with flagship innovation and craftmanship. Some of the Samsung products include:

• The Galaxy Z Flip 5G: A premium and innovative foldable phone developed for trend-setters and multi-taskers who want to easily flip between capturing the perfect selfie and sending out a series of emails, or catch-up on the latest episode on-the-go.
• The Galaxy Watch3: A fashionable and functional wearable that enables you to track all your wellness metrics with a flip of your wrist, turning your daily walk into a dazzling catwalk.
• The Serif: A one-of-a-kind television that blends iconic design and startling picture to transform every show or film into the ultimate viewing experience, as if you’re walking through the Musée D’Orsay yourself.
• The Sero: The revolutionary Sero TV is a world first design, enabling you to seamlessly flip between horizontal and vertical content so you can watch Netflix and mobile social content with ease.
• The Bespoke Cube: A compact and multi-functional refrigerator solution that can easily be placed anywhere in the home, keeping everything from wine to cosmetics fresh for longer.
• The Bespoke Fridge Freezer: The iconic modular refrigerator solution that allows you to welcome personalisation and innovative technology into your home.

Emily in Paris season 2 will be available to watch on Netflix on the 22^nd of December.

*TikTok filter will be available in the UK, Germany, France Italy and Spain from Dec 28^th ’21 to 26 Feb ’22.

Abi Clarke in ‘The Type of School Friends you Catch Up with at Christmas’ at Samsung KX

Monday 20th December 2021 LONDON, UK – With this Christmas being the first time in two years that we will celebrate the festive season with extended family and friends, a new study^[1] reveals over a third (38%) of Brits admit to feeling ‘out of practice’.

Commissioned by Samsung KX, the research reveals the conversation topics we’re dreading this Christmas and the most awkward moments of the festive season.

Almost a quarter of the nation don’t enjoy small talk over the festive period, with 41 per cent feeling ‘awkward’ and ‘embarrassed’ when being quizzed on their love life and 15 per cent admitting they get uncomfortable when answering questions about their career too.

However, Brits are still looking forward to the Christmas season, with festive favourites including tucking into the turkey (51%), watching Christmas movies (41%) and opening presents (36%) coming out top.

Samsung KX has partnered with comedian and TikTok star Abi Clarke, who entertained the nation throughout lockdown with her relatable comedy sketches, to bring to life some of our most awkward Christmas conversations.

Available to watch on the Samsung KX content hub, Abi showcases the trials and tribulations of conversations with our old ‘home friends’ at Christmas, such as ‘the one who is now engaged’ as the study reveals that a third feel uncomfortable meeting up with friends from home, but still do it, every year.

The research also found that a third (32%) of the nation expect to be interrogated by relatives and aren’t looking forward to it this year. Conversational bugbears we’re dreading include ‘what’s happening in your love life’ and ‘have you found yourself a nice partner yet?’. Other eye-rolling topics include ‘when are you going to have a baby’ and ‘why aren’t you married?’.

And those polled are in a festive fret with good reason, as over half (57%) said they get asked the same questions every year. When it comes to the topics we’d rather avoid, sex topped the list (39%), followed by love life (31%), politics (29%) and money (28%). And a fifth (21%) of respondents would rather leave Covid-19 chats behind over the festive season, too.

Abi uses the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3, crafted to give users the best capabilities for capturing and sharing memories, to film the entire sketch. For those who want style that comes with function, the Galaxy ZFlip3 is the ideal device with its stylish, sleek, compact, and iconic design and enhanced camera features. Unfold and snap a stunning selfie with Z Flip3’s studio-quality camera features with Flex mode, then add to your social feed, which scrolls smoother than ever.

Abi Clarke said: “I always like to make sketches that people can share and tag each other in, and the festive season is a time where we can all relate to similar observations and annoyances.

“There’s at least one character we can all recognise, whether it’s an old school friend trying to find the perfect baby picture (that you never asked to see) on their Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3, or the fitness fanatic showing off their running routes.”

Ashrita Seshadri, Head of Brand Marketing, Samsung UK, said: “We’re delighted to collaborate with Abi Clarke to bring to life some of the nation’s anticipated awkward conversations and get people laughing together this Christmas, finding joy in those silly, relatable moments we all experience every year.”

The most-dreaded questions at Christmas:

1. Have you put on weight?
2. What’s happening in your love life?
3. Have you found a partner/boyfriend/girlfriend yet?
4. When are you going to have a baby?
5. Why are you still single?
6. Why aren’t you married yet?
7. When are you going to get married?
1 Nationwide survey polled 2,000 adults, commissioned on 24th November 2021.
8. Do you still see/hear from your ex?
9. When are you going to get a proper job?
10. When are you going to buy a house?
11. Would you like children one day?
12. When are we going to meet your new boyfriend/girlfriend?
13. Why did you do that to your hair?
14. What happened to that nice person you were dating?
15. When are you going to move out?

Watch Abi Clarke’s sketch, ‘The Type of School Friends you Catch Up with At Christmas’ on the Samsung KX content hub.

The perfect gift for loved ones, or for yourself, this Christmas, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 is available now in a range of stunning colours from Samsung KX, Samsung.com and selected retail partners.

LONDON, UK – 14 December 2020 – Samsung Electronics Ltd and TikTok are proud to announce a new app partnership that brings TikTok’s trending content into the home. TikTok will be exclusively available on Samsung Smart TVs^[1] in Europe, launching first for UK customers today.

The new app has been specifically created for a home-viewing experience, allowing people to view the ‘For You’ and ‘Following’ feeds, as well as the majority of the most liked and viewed content on TikTok. This content has been organised into 12 categories covering everything from gaming and comedy, to food and animals. The entertainment doesn’t stop there though, as people can also view #LearnOnTikTok videos so they can get the latest cooking hacks, fitness tips, and fun facts that TikTok has to offer.

From today, TikTok can be accessed on all Samsung Smart TV models from 2018-2020 onwards^[2] which include Samsung’s award winning 4K and 8K TVs as well as its Smart Monitor, The Premiere, The Frame and The Serif. TikTok can be easily downloadable via the Samsung Smart TV App Store and will now be pre-installed onto all new Samsung TVs purchased. What’s more, content will be available for anybody to enjoy – whether you have a TikTok account or not.

Users will be able to view, like and comment on trending videos, giving households the opportunity to experience and enjoy TikTok’s top content. Users will also be able to block or mark content they are not interested in, with TikTok automatically operating in Restricted Mode a feature that filters out content that may not be appropriate for all audiences.

“We are exceptionally proud and excited to be able to launch the TikTok app on our Smart TVs. At Samsung, we strive to give our customers an unrivalled content offering to guarantee endless entertainment and the latest addition of TikTok to our app line-up unlocks a new entertainment experience. With our QLED technology, customers will be able to watch the TikTok content creations on a big screen with lifelike picture resolution to maximise their viewing experience” said Dan Hastings, Director, TV/AV Samsung Electronics (UK) Ltd.

Rich Waterworth, General Manager, TikTok UK said: “The past year has dramatically changed the way we live, work and play. More of us are spending more time at home, watching TV with loved ones and enjoying content that entertains and educates through our smartphones.

This has led us to think about how we can bring the creativity and joy of TikTok to even more people across the UK. Our new TikTok app will do just that, giving the millions of Samsung TV owners access to our trending recipe hacks, comedy skits, challenges and more – straight into living rooms across the country.”

For more information on Samsung’s Smart TVs, please visit www.samsung.com/tvs/.

[1] TikTok available on all Samsung Smart TV models from 2018 excluding The Sero, TikTok will be available on The Sero in the upcoming year.

[2] Availability of TikTok on Samsung Smart TV’s in other countries will be announced in the coming months.