IMPACT OF MUSIC STREAMING ON THE RISE OF INDEPENDENT ARTISTS
Written by Helen Freitas, Carly Dohner, Jaz Brown
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| The End of purchasing CDs R. Mackay/ Shutterstock |
HISTORY OF MUSIC STREAMING
The music industry is endlessly evolving and there are currently countless platforms where users can stream and download music. In the early 2000’s, the world was introduced to Apple iTunes, where $0.99 granted permission to download any song and create a unique playlist. This was a big change from the world of CD’s and LimeWire (#throwback) because users had not previously had the ability to conveniently (and legally) download the latest music.
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| Limewire, the beginning of the home musician |
MULTIPLE MUSIC PLATFORMS
After the success of iTunes, several other companies got creative. They began to provide music streaming services for a monthly fee, rather than requiring the purchase of each individual song. Platforms like Spotify, SoundCloud, Pandora and Google Play now offer unlimited streaming music services as well as the ability to listen to Podcasts.
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| Spotify is one of the most popular platforms that independent artists can post their work to |
RISE OF INDEPENDENT ARTISTS
These streaming services have allowed new ways for artists to express themselves and connect with their audience-- without the burden of signing a record deal. Platforms such as SoundCloud allow users to share their original music with the world for free, and have increased the prevalence of independent artists. In 2018 alone, independent artists generated $643 million, which is a 35% increase from the year before.
Many well-known artists started out as #SoundCloudRappers and as independent artists. Artists like Post Malone, 21 Savage, Migos and Chance the Rapper all began on SoundCloud and they are some of the industry’s top recording artists
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| SoundCloud is another popular audio sharing website |
WHAT WILL THE FUTURE BRING
More artists will continue to emerge onto the scene as new platforms continuously arise that they can showcase their talents on. Every platform provides several unique opportunities for independent artists and has the potential to skyrocket careers just by making a song go viral overnight. As more music streaming services provide opportunities for free expression, countless artists will continue to resist signing records deals and make the choice to remain independent.
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