The rise of on-demand streaming services supposedly sounded the death knell for traditional television, but bright spots have emerged even as live audiences have diminished. What gets people to tune into programmes at specific times rather than catching up at their own pace?

Spotify, SoundCloud, Deezer, Apple Music, Tidal – all offer playlists that are curated to users’ individual preferences. But are we taking notice of the music we consume on a daily basis or are algorithms pushing us into echo chambers that dramatically alter our tastes to enjoy more of the same?

Spotify is working on a feature that enables users explore their music taste profiles of their friends. With tech slated for distancing people from each other and wariness of algorithms, younger generations are keen to consume media in a social setting that facilitates personal connection.

From the record-breaking Black Panther, to viral ‘Black Twitter’ memes, it’s clear that black Americans are cultural catalysts. Canvas8 talks to Jerome Williams, marketing professor at Rutgers University and founder of Walker & Company, Tristan Walker, about how black Americans are influencing culture.