Two Indiana University students, Max Goldberg and Steven Segal decided to take their love for music and turn it into an app. It’s called HotDrop, a platform for up-and-coming artists and people who just need new music.
Think of it as Tinder for music. Swipe right to like the song, swipe left to dislike the song. You can also swipe up to share the song with friends on the app and swipe down to save the song to Apple Music or Spotify playlist. As soon as users open the app, the first 30 seconds of a song play.
HotDrop hit the App Store on September 29 and has already crashed servers from the number of users interacting with the app, says Goldberg. He said it was a challenge to fix but finds it a good thing to know many people are using HotDrop.
The app is designed to not only give users an insight into a potential new favorite song but to create a space where independent artists can grow for themselves.
“The goal of Hot Drop is to not focus on people that have already made it like you see in the app now, it’s to pivot it so we’re putting emphasis on local DJs, local artists, alternative, rap, people that are trying to make it but don’t have a fighting chance in the industry,” said Goldberg.
Goldberg and Segal realize how hard it is for artists to get their names out there.
“If you don’t have the supportive labels and you don’t have the supportive big money in the industry, it is very hard, very tough even if you’re very talented to succeed and that's unfair,” said Segal.
Co-founding the app together, Goldberg and Segal call the app a “social utility” that helps users become more socially connected.
Segal created an ambassador program, starting at IU in hopes of getting new users to download and learn the features of the app as the two creators' main target audience is college students. They’ve also found success in using Instagram and TikTok to market the app.
“If we don’t have Gen Z on it, we’re nothing,” said Goldberg.
Goldberg and Segal are planning to take a gap semester from college to focus on improving the features of the app.
HotDrop can be found in the App Store for smartphone users.