In this segment of The Morning X, they uncover a highly orchestrated secret behind the sudden rise of today's viral music artists. Tune in as Barnes and Crash welcome Spencer Kornhaber, a staff writer from The Atlantic, to expose the shady, expensive digital underworld of "trend simulation". Discover how shadowy marketing firms are manipulating algorithms and deploying armies of fake accounts to intentionally mess with your psychological need for organic music discovery, all to manufacture the ultimate illusion of hype. 

THE END, Entertainment News Daily, originates on The Morning X with Barnes and Crash. Listen live weekdays from 6–10 AM Eastern on 99X Atlanta (100.5 FM in Atlanta), at 99X.com, or via the 99X Freeloader app. All live show content is available hours after broadcast. The Morning X has been a staple since 1994, founded by Barnes, Leslie, and Jimmy.

Please review and subscribe to THE END... Entertainment News Daily, available on your favorite podcast platform.

Get exclusive Morning X video interviews, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes footage on all platforms at TheMorningX.com.

Join The Morning X Quiz Showdown every Thursday at 9:05 AM ET for your chance to win $1000. Sign up at GetInTheRing.com.

Executive Producer: Steve Barnes
Hosts: Steve Barnes, Crash Clark
Associate Producer: Leslie Tillery

FAIR USE COPYRIGHT NOTICE: This podcast may contain copyrighted material used under fair use for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research as protected by U.S. copyright law. For concerns, please contact hi@themorningx.com.

In this segment of The Morning X, they uncover a highly orchestrated secret behind the sudden rise of today's viral music artists. Tune in as Barnes and Crash welcome <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026/05/music-authenticity-chaotic-good-geese/687081/">Spencer Kornhaber</a>, a staff writer from The Atlantic, to expose the shady, expensive digital underworld of "trend simulation". Discover how shadowy marketing firms are manipulating algorithms and deploying armies of fake accounts to intentionally mess with your psychological need for organic music discovery, all to manufacture the ultimate illusion of hype.&nbsp;
THE END, Entertainment News Daily, originates on<a href="http://themorningx.com"> The Morning X with Barnes and Crash</a>. Listen live weekdays from 6&ndash;10 AM Eastern on<a href="https://99x.com/"> 99X Atlanta</a> (100.5 FM in Atlanta), at 99X.com, or via the<a href="https://t.co/IUFGSlyQgh"> 99X Freeloader app</a>. All live show content is available hours after broadcast. The Morning X has been a staple since 1994, founded by Barnes, Leslie, and Jimmy.
Please review and subscribe to THE END... Entertainment News Daily, available on your favorite podcast platform.
Get exclusive Morning X video interviews, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes footage on all platforms at<a href="https://themorningx.com"> TheMorningX.com</a>.
Join The Morning X Quiz Showdown every Thursday at 9:05 AM ET for<a href="https://99xatl.com/contests/the-morning-x-quiz-show/"> your chance to win $1000</a>. Sign up at<a href="https://getinthering.com/"> GetInTheRing.com</a>.
Executive Producer: Steve Barnes Hosts: Steve Barnes, Crash Clark Associate Producer: Leslie Tillery
FAIR USE COPYRIGHT NOTICE: This podcast may contain copyrighted material used under fair use for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research as protected by U.S. copyright law. For concerns, please contact <a href="mailto:hi@themorningx.com">hi@themorningx.com</a>.

Stay connected to the heartbeat of entertainment with Entertainment News Daily - THE END, your trusted source for morning news, pop culture, and viral moments. Broadcasting fresh episodes every weekday, THE END delivers up-to-the-minute entertainment news, celebrity gossip, and pop culture updates straight from the studios of 99X Atlanta and the award-winning Morning X show featuring Barnes and Crash.

Why listen to THE END? Get expert insight, daily entertainment drops, viral social media highlights, and exclusive access to indie rock news, festival lineups, and streaming recommendations. Don’t just follow the news—get the final word with Entertainment News Daily - THE END, part of The Cumulus Podcast Network.

Why subscribe to THE END?


Daily Drops: Fresh episodes every weekday to keep you ahead of the trends.


Expert Insight: Direct reporting from the Morning X team, featuring the unique perspectives of Barnes and Crash.


All-Access Pass: From indie rock news and festival lineups to viral social media moments and streaming hits, if it’s trending in entertainment, it’s on THE END.

Don’t just hear the news—get the final word. Subscribe to Entertainment News Daily - THE END today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your pods, and stay connected to the heartbeat of the industry.

Entertainment News Daily - THE END is part of The Cumulus Podcast Network.

Stay connected to the heartbeat of entertainment with Entertainment News Daily - THE END, your trusted source for morning news, pop culture, and viral moments. Broadcasting fresh episodes every weekday, THE END delivers up-to-the-minute entertainment news, celebrity gossip, and pop culture updates straight from the studios of <a href="https://www.99xatl.com/">99X Atlanta</a> and the award-winning <a href="https://www.99xatl.com/the-morning-x/">Morning X show featuring Barnes and Crash</a>.
Why listen to THE END? Get expert insight, daily entertainment drops, viral social media highlights, and exclusive access to indie rock news, festival lineups, and streaming recommendations. Don&rsquo;t just follow the news&mdash;get the final word with Entertainment News Daily - THE END, part of The Cumulus Podcast Network.
Why subscribe to THE END?
<ul data-path-to-node="10">
<li>
Daily Drops: Fresh episodes every weekday to keep you ahead of the trends.
</li>
<li>
Expert Insight: Direct reporting from the Morning X team, featuring the unique perspectives of Barnes and Crash.
</li>
<li>
All-Access Pass: From indie rock news and festival lineups to viral social media moments and streaming hits, if it&rsquo;s trending in entertainment, it&rsquo;s on THE END.
</li>
</ul>
Don&rsquo;t just hear the news&mdash;get the final word. Subscribe to Entertainment News Daily - THE END today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your pods, and stay connected to the heartbeat of the industry.
Entertainment News Daily - THE END is part of The Cumulus Podcast Network.

Barnes and Crash bring you daily entertainment news, pop culture, and viral moments with fresh updates and expert insights. Catch the show live on 99X Atlanta or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

Entertainment News Daily - The Morning X - 99X Atlanta

Entertainment News Daily - THE END is a deep dive into the world of popular culture with new episodes every weekday. Join award-winning hosts Steve Barnes (Atlanta) and Crash as they fly through the latest TV, music, movies, celebrity sleaze, and general observations from the crazy world around us. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio App, Pandora or wherever you get your podcasts. Listen to the show in Atlanta on 99X (100.5 FM) or via the 99X app. Other options include Apple Music (search 99X), Alexa and more.

Entertainment News Daily - THE END is a deep dive into the world of popular culture with new episodes every weekday. Join award-winning hosts Steve Barnes (Atlanta) and Crash as they fly through the latest TV, music, movies, celebrity sleaze, and general observations from the crazy world around us. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio App, Pandora or wherever you get your podcasts. Listen to the show in Atlanta on 99X (100.5 FM) or via the 99X app. Other options include Apple Music (search 99X), Alexa and more.