For those of you unaware, Frank Ocean dropped his new album, Blonde, independently, free from record labels as he has done in the past. Moreover, Ocean has made an agreement that the music streaming service Apple Music currently has the exclusive rights to stream the new album.
As The Verge is now reporting, one of the most major record labels, Universal Media Group (UMG), is now reporting that they will no longer allow exclusive deals with any music streaming services.
The Verge ends their article with a very appropriate question since it was one I was asking myself the entire time...
Why do recording artists even need a label anymore?
Of course, the answer was obvious way back when. The recording label helped with getting an artist's music out there in the form of vinyls records, cassettes, and CDs. From what I could garner in the article, it looks like Ocean isn't bothering with any physical medium and going purely digital.
I personally don't blame him. My generation seems to be going fully digital. Heck, both my car and wife's car don't even have CD players, instead opting for audio playback via Bluetooth or an AUX cord.
So, again, if Frank Ocean and Apple Music can pen a deal between them, then why even have a record label?
This idea doesn't just stop with record labels either. Digital media has turned every industry on its head. Amazon allows for self publication of eBooks, negating the need for book publishers. TV shows now have multiple ways to be streamed beyond the former channel-only model. Video games can be pushed directly to consumers via stores like Steam.
The reality is that we live in a new world.
In my opinion, it's a better world.
It's better in the sense that it allows for a greater distribution of art. The little guy wanting to publish his book doesn't have to deal with a massive conglomerate anymore. He can do so on his own.
Moreover, it encourages (well, forces) people formally working in these record label spaces to use their brainpower toward other endeavors. Do you think the presidents of these production companies will just roll over if their companies go belly up? Heck no. They'll just use their talents elsewhere.
Naturally, companies like UMG are scared because the gravy train is coming to an end. I definitely expect more artists to follow Ocean's lead.
"Mass" is going away. In a world where the internet has brought us all closer together, we are reverting back to a society that focuses itself on niches rather than mass.
I definitely want to write more on this, but it's 1:00am as I write this. I need to get some sleep! Expect another post coming in the future touching more on this topic.
As The Verge is now reporting, one of the most major record labels, Universal Media Group (UMG), is now reporting that they will no longer allow exclusive deals with any music streaming services.
The Verge ends their article with a very appropriate question since it was one I was asking myself the entire time...
Why do recording artists even need a label anymore?
Of course, the answer was obvious way back when. The recording label helped with getting an artist's music out there in the form of vinyls records, cassettes, and CDs. From what I could garner in the article, it looks like Ocean isn't bothering with any physical medium and going purely digital.
I personally don't blame him. My generation seems to be going fully digital. Heck, both my car and wife's car don't even have CD players, instead opting for audio playback via Bluetooth or an AUX cord.
So, again, if Frank Ocean and Apple Music can pen a deal between them, then why even have a record label?
This idea doesn't just stop with record labels either. Digital media has turned every industry on its head. Amazon allows for self publication of eBooks, negating the need for book publishers. TV shows now have multiple ways to be streamed beyond the former channel-only model. Video games can be pushed directly to consumers via stores like Steam.
The reality is that we live in a new world.
In my opinion, it's a better world.
It's better in the sense that it allows for a greater distribution of art. The little guy wanting to publish his book doesn't have to deal with a massive conglomerate anymore. He can do so on his own.
Moreover, it encourages (well, forces) people formally working in these record label spaces to use their brainpower toward other endeavors. Do you think the presidents of these production companies will just roll over if their companies go belly up? Heck no. They'll just use their talents elsewhere.
Naturally, companies like UMG are scared because the gravy train is coming to an end. I definitely expect more artists to follow Ocean's lead.
"Mass" is going away. In a world where the internet has brought us all closer together, we are reverting back to a society that focuses itself on niches rather than mass.
I definitely want to write more on this, but it's 1:00am as I write this. I need to get some sleep! Expect another post coming in the future touching more on this topic.
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