Entertainment

Merlin Zapravo & His View About the United States’ Evolving Music Industry

Published

5 years ago

July 22, 2020

“The singers that top the charts today and produce hit tracks wouldn’t have received the same response if they were to make their debut in the industry today. Just like everything else around the world, even the music industry is under a revolution. Not only because of the changing demographics but also because of ‘too much happening’ in the industry.” Thoughts of Merlin Zapravo when he was asked about the situation of the United States’ music industry.

Merlin Zapravo, an emerging music artist, is a man who has faced innumerable challenges and failures to reach where he stands today. His album, “Certified Baller,” released in 2019, which caught the attention of music enthusiasts from all around the world. His track, “Green Day,” showed the world that Merlin Zapravo had what it takes to excel in the music industry.

After talking to him, it was clear that Merlin would not have faced the same struggles if he had launched a decade earlier. He believes that most of the artists that the audience is so in love with, might not have made it to this point if they had launched their careers today.

“Many people have asked me if my Spanish-Haitian nationality was a reason for my struggles, but my answer has always been no. Music is one of those industries that does not differentiate between people based on their color, culture, religion, caste, or nationality. Music brings people together. However, what makes it difficult for true talent to emerge is because of the market saturation.”

Merlin Zarpavo’s birth name is Hans Ashté Tondereau, and he was born in Valencia, Spain, on May 25, 1980. He found his passion for music when he was 16 years old. He met Jean Louis Phenol, owner of the Raspo Boyz, through his neighbor. It was when he first realized that music was something he wanted to do in life. He developed his skills while spending time with Jean and then joined “FLEX” in 2001. It was a trio, and it released the first track with Hans in 2002. The song was “Tet Anba,” which was a meringue, which the Haitians call Kanaval. Another song was released “Prechi-Precha,” featuring Hans, and soon after this, FLEX disbanded.

“After the FLEX disbanded, I decided to work on my solo career. I began working on my songwriting skills as I wanted to come as a strong solo artist.”

In 2006, “Johanne,” the first single by Hans, was released under the stage name, “Ashte.” When he was asked as to why he chose Ashte as his professional name, he replied, “I was born to a Cuban-Haitian mother and my Cuban grandfather, who everyone called Axion, named me Ashte. This is the name of the most famous fictional wizards of all time. My mother gave birth to me when she was just a teenager and had to struggle a lot. This is why my grandfather named me Ashte, and I thought it would serve as a great stage name.”

After his first song was released, Ashte was signed by Green Ocean Media, Jean Wesley Emannuel’s record label. “I was introduced to Jean Wesley Emannuel, through my friend Michael who was a filmmaker. He helped me get one of the biggest opportunities in my life. I was asked to move to the United States to establish my career.”

He worked with Green Ocean Media and released his album, “Apres la Pluie.” In 2012. Unfortunately, his album could not impress the world, and his opportunity turned into a nightmare. He recalls his experience saying, “I was hopeful and sure that this was an opportunity for me, this was the time for my success, but I did not bring the factor of saturation in my consideration, …, it was a major setback in my life, but I could not give up, not just yet!”

He agrees that his things did not go well because the industry was too saturated. He was confident about his craft, and he was not ready to give up. This is how he described his life after the release of his album, “When I could not figure things out, I decided to settle in Manhattan and began offering dancing lessons. During this time, I also worked as a fitness trainer, appeared as a guest teacher for dance studios.”

He visited several fitness facilities, including Haiti, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Cuba, and New York City. Ashte also appeared multiple tryouts, but nothing seemed to work. He states, “I barely made a good living in New York City; sometimes, I could not even pay for food. But I invested in myself and acquired fitness certifications.”

However, this was the end of his suffering, as in 2019, he transformed from “Ashte,” to “Merlin Zapravo,” giving the world some amazing tracks that redefined Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop/Rap, Reggae Dancehall genres. After his successful album, “Certified Baller,” he released some impressive hits, including “Homie King,” “Hello Mama,” “Believe in Me,” and “Nashville Butterfly.” Moreover, he was signed by “Left Right Music Group.”

“I believe that things would have been different for me, and my struggles would have been less if I had stepped into the market a little earlier. But I grateful for all my struggles and failure as they have made me the Merlin Zapravo the world has come to know.”

The 41-year-old singer and songwriter, dancer, actor, and producer, is a notable entity in the world of music. Not only because of silvery lyrics and captivating vibe but due to the struggles and challenges, he fought to turn his dream into reality!

Entertainment

Getting to Know Adeia’s Fingerprints on Entertainment Evolution

Published

4 months ago

December 18, 2024

Jonathan Grilli

Photo courtesy of Adeia

By Joy Reyes

Behind every streaming recommendation, smart TV search, and seamless device switch lies hidden technology powering your modern entertainment experience. Although people might not know Adeia, they have likely used its technology many times. The company’s inventions are embedded in the modern entertainment experience, from sophisticated content recommendation systems to seamless multi-device streaming capabilities.

“Our basic inventions shape the way millions of people explore and experience entertainment and improve billions of devices in an increasingly connected world,” says Serhad Doken, chief technology officer (CTO) at Adeia.

Building upon this foundation, “we create tools that make watching shows easier and more fun. These tools work on televisions (TVs), phones, and other devices, no matter where or how you watch. They help organize your entertainment in a way that feels just right for you,” Serhad Doken adds.

Connecting Traditional and Modern Media

At the heart of today’s entertainment landscape lies a crucial challenge: bridging the gap between traditional television and modern streaming platforms. One of Adeia’s key strengths is its ability to connect traditional linear television with the new age of streaming services. The company licenses its patented media inventions for traditional linear television in North America and internationally through its extensive portfolio of patents.

This comprehensive approach ensures seamless integration with over-the-top media service (OTT), direct-to-consumer, and social media services that provide access to entertainment inside and outside the home on a broad array of devices. The result is a unified entertainment experience catering to traditional viewers and digital-first consumers.

“We believe the continued growth of video consumption, the changes in how consumers explore and experience video, and the need for content storage and high-performance computing present new opportunities for us to continue to develop patentable inventions,” Serhad Doken explains.

Improving Content Discovery

In an age where the average viewer can access thousands of shows and movies across multiple platforms, finding what to watch can be as challenging as creating the content itself. To address this content overload, Adeia has been solving this problem by developing new solutions for content discovery that make the viewing experience more intuitive and personalized.

At the forefront of these innovations is Adeia’s universal search capability, which allows for unified discovery across live, recorded, on-demand, and streaming content sources. This groundbreaking solution means viewers no longer need to jump between different apps or platforms to find what they want to watch — Adeia’s universal search brings it all together in one place.

Moreover, the company improves content discovery further with its personalized discovery experiences. Using sophisticated algorithms and machine learning, this includes personalized recommendations, predictive results, and popular and trending content suggestions. By analyzing viewing patterns and preferences, Adeia presents viewers with content that matches their interests and viewing habits.

Recognizing the growing prominence of voice-controlled smart home devices, Adeia has also developed a conversational interface to interpret voice commands and requests. This technology supports natural, conversational dialogue and interaction with smart responses, making it easier for viewers to find and control their entertainment.

Improving the Viewing Experience

Modern viewers expect a seamless entertainment experience across all their devices, and Adeia’s technologies make this possible. Their multi-device experience technology allows viewers to start watching a show on one device and smoothly transition to another without missing a beat.

To enhance the binge-watching experience that has become synonymous with modern streaming, Adeia has developed technologies that connect viewers with entertainment on their terms. These include features that automatically play the next episode or remember where viewers left off across different devices.

Perhaps most exciting is Adeia’s work in immersive content. “We are creating unrestricted entertainment experiences that are more engaging and gratifying than ever before,” Serhad Doken says. “This includes dynamic advertising, gaming, wagering, and even shoppable video integrated into content.”

Impact on Semiconductors

While Adeia’s influence on the entertainment industry is substantial, its inventions are not limited to this sector. According to Serhad Doken, the company also leads in semiconductor technology, developing solutions that expand the possibilities in electronic devices.

“With the rising cost of advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes, the sector is looking beyond Moore’s Law toward advanced packaging and three-dimensional (3D) integration technologies,” Serhad Doken explains, adding that its skilled team and labs in California and North Carolina create advanced 3D integration methods. These methods, like hybrid bonding, help make future electronics work better, faster, and smaller.

The Future of Entertainment Technology

As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, Adeia will continue to play an important role in shaping it. With its extensive research and development capabilities and broad portfolio of patented technologies, the company is well-positioned to address the needs of both content providers and consumers.

This positioning has recently been reinforced by a significant development in Adeia’s business. The company has entered into a multi-year agreement with Amazon, covering Adeia’s media intellectual property portfolio. This partnership with one of the world’s largest and most innovative companies underscores the value and relevance of Adeia’s technologies in the digital entertainment space.

Paul E. Davis, Adeia’s chief executive officer, emphasized the importance of this agreement, stating, “Amazon plays a massive role in today’s innovation society. This collaboration validates Adeia’s technological prowess and promises to expand our developments’ reach and impact.”

“We are excited about the future of entertainment technology,” Serhad Doken concludes. “As video consumption continues to grow and change, and as new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) become more common, we will be there, developing new inventions that improve the way people explore, experience, and enjoy entertainment.”

In addition to the significant agreement with Amazon, Adeia has also recently renewed its long-standing partnership with Sharp Corporation. This renewal extends a relationship that has lasted for over 25 years.

Mark Kokes, Adeia’s chief licensing officer and general manager of media, commented on the renewal, highlighting Sharp’s reputation as a global leader in entertainment technology and its expertise in display technologies.

The renewed agreement covers Sharp’s smart TVs and consumer electronics, further solidifying Adeia’s position in the media technology sector.

These recent developments underscore the momentum in Adeia’s business, showcasing its ability to retain long-term partners like Sharp and attract new, influential clients like Amazon.

With its growing list of high-profile partnerships and ongoing innovations, Adeia is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of digital entertainment. The company’s advanced R&D efforts consistently result in fundamental innovations that power next-generation products, delivering breakthroughs in digital experiences for both consumer and enterprise applications.

Through its innovative solutions and forward-thinking approach, Adeia’s influence can be felt throughout the development of the entertainment industry, from the fundamental technologies that power our devices to the intuitive interfaces that help us discover and enjoy content. As we move into an increasingly connected future, Adeia’s technologies continue to shape how we interact with and experience digital entertainment.