Ghost Featuring

Ghost Featuring is a self-published zine created during the Politics of Pleasure module, in which I explored and decoded the weak signal known as „Ghost Featuring.“ This emerging phenomenon describes the intentional decision by artists to hide or omit the names of featured collaborators on albums or tracks. A subtle but powerful shift in how music is consumed and interpreted. Rather than listing every guest upfront, artists invite listeners to actively engage with the music: to recognize voices, spot patterns, and discover the unknown. Ghost Featuring responds to fast, algorithm-driven consumption by encouraging slow listening, speculation, and collective discovery through platforms like TikTok, Reddit or Discord. In my zine, I combined cultural analysis and trend forecasting with visual design strategies.