We are dedicated to celebrating milestones, unearthing lesser-known musical gems, and promoting discussions around albums and new music that might not receive ample attention in mainstream conversations.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 2266 | Founded | 4 years ago | Last Issue | 35 hours ago |
| Active | |||||
Read this Newsletter
shatterthestandards.comLatest Issues
Milestones: Disposable Arts by Masta Ace
Courtesy of JCOR Entertainment.
Duval Clear showed up in the studio to drive Craig G. It was 1988, and the Juice Crew had congregated in Queens at the home of producer Marley Marl, fresh off a photoshoot in front of a Learjet for their In...
Milestones: Mahogany Soul by Angie Stone
Courtesy of J Records.
In a 2001 interview with Billboard about her sophomore effort, Angie Stone called Mahogany Soul “the grits and the gravy.” It was a year that had included a new baby, postpartum depression, and a label switch. And it...
Album Review: Jesus & Whiskey by K. Michelle
Courtesy of BBR Music Group.
Hank Williams wanted to record sermons, but his producer, Fred Rose, fretted over the jukebox operators who had standing orders for Williams’s singles but tended to place the boxes in bars. They settled on issu...
Album Review: ALOUD! by Lucky Daye
Courtesy of Warner Records.
Lucky Daye told a Genius writer, Jaelani Turner-Williams, over lunch at the South Beverly Grill just before the 4th of July that he wanted to be more loud with this music, just go crazy, since before, he didn’t...
Album Review: ZUKO! by Fireboy DML
Courtesy of YBNL Nation / EMPIRE.
In March, the Nigerian pastor Daniel Olukoya took to Facebook to explain why his church, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, which he founded, has its adherents say the words “die by fire” when prayi...
Key Facts
Audience Metrics
Subscribers, engagement, traffic and sponsorship for Shatter the Standards.
| Subscribers | Engagement | 79 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
SEO Reach
Where Shatter the Standards ranks on Google, and how much search traffic it brings in.
| Ranked Keywords | 34.8k | Monthly Search Traffic | Top Keywords |
|---|
Chart Rankings
How this newsletter ranks in the official Substack charts.
| #147 |
Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Shatter the Standards sparks discussion around albums and new music that mainstream outlets often overlook, elevates the next generation, provides context, and keeps hyperbolic industry chatter out of the room.
I'm a writer at heart, but music is my drug. Closed mouths don't get fed. For MC.
THĒO. I’m a Full Sail alumnus, trained writer, vinyl obsessive, and GROAVEN/REI Tastemaker Council/Shatter the Standards’ primary architect.
An R&B historian that explores Black music’s roots, evolution, and cultural impact.
Co-founder and senior editor of GROAVEN. DMs still closed on other socials.
Amplify the global Black soundscape—connecting legacy, politics, and future-leaning music culture in one feed.
Celebrate the depths of modern soul—documenting the intimate frequencies of R&B, hip-hop soul, neo-soul, and groove-centered art across the diaspora.
✨No Grind! No Grit! No Greatness✨
I trace music like an everyday ritual. The living rooms, the porches, the mixtapes that raised a city. \ud83d\udd0a
Words Past da Margin documents the culture as craft, history, and lived record. They document, decode, and celebrate the full spectrum of hip-hop, so every style speaks past the margins of Black music history.
Chicago essayist, half-poet, half-sociologist, focuses on Black intimacy and the politics of softness in hip-hop and soul.
Intergenerational thinker
an aspiring writer with family stories in the margins
MiamiFlorida | I’m pretty chill | FAMU Rattler
allergic to the hype
staff writer \ud83d\uddfd
It’s a moment-driven market where albums rarely get room to breathe. Blame streaming.
Music and culture writer focusing on hip-hop craft, credit trails, R&B, and alt-pop with clear, sourced analysis. Former campus editor.
Social
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access the email archive for Shatter the Standards?
You can find recent issues that have been published by Shatter the Standards on Reletter by scrolling up to where it says Latest Issues. Tap on the link for any of the most recent emails or hit More Issues to see older ones.
How many subscribers does Shatter the Standards have?
To see how many people subscribe to Shatter the Standards, simply upgrade your Reletter account. We provide readership numbers and lots of other stats for this newsletter so you can decide if it's worth reaching out to.
How can I advertise in Shatter the Standards?
Newsletter advertising can be extremely effective when it's done right. Before you pitch Shatter the Standards as a potential sponsor or partner, make sure that you've done your research and checked its newsletter stats with Reletter.
Then, personalize one of our winning pitching templates and send it to the right person using the contact info provided.
How much does it cost to sponsor a publication like Shatter the Standards?
Newsletter ad rates (or CPM) vary depending on many factors, including industry, number of subscribers, open rate, ad placement and more.
To find out how much an ad will cost, contact Shatter the Standards using the contact information provided and ask for a copy of their media kit.
How can I find newsletters related to Shatter the Standards?
Scroll up to where it says Related Newsletters to see other publications like Shatter the Standards. You can also search our email newsletter directory to discover other newsletters that cover the topics you're interested in.
How do I contact Shatter the Standards?
Reletter provides this newsletter's website URL above, where you will often find their contact information. We also provide links to associated social media accounts and pitching templates so you can reach out fast.