How Tech is Creating New Revenue Streams for Artists
Streaming platforms are a strong example of how artists have a lower barrier of entry into music and can diversify their profits. Starting in 2021, Spotify opened its market to create revenue streams for artists' merch and shows.
Artist: Piff Marti
Written By: Kierstyn Pryor
It's 2023, and as technology continues to evolve, musical artists are evolving too. Through various social platforms and tools that facilitate promotion, artists can now excel in multiple ventures. Clothing brands, books, restaurants, podcasts and cosmetic lines are just a few examples of the greatness artists can achieve using technology. Multiple streams of income are something many people have begun to explore, so let's take a deeper dive into how your favorite artists are doing it.
Streams entered the musical realm in 2005, changing the narrative of music forever. What used to be a time when artists had to go above and beyond to sell their mixtapes and CDs is now an era where artists can receive credit for their music and more through apps and other forms of technology. Streaming platforms are a strong example of how artists have a lower barrier of entry into music and can diversify their profits. Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and others have built platforms where artists' voices can be heard from anywhere. However, artists probably never realized what the future of these apps had in store for them.
Starting in 2021, Spotify opened its market to create revenue streams for artists' merch and shows. For example, the prominent streaming platform has a section below an artist's music where you can find their merchandise as well as their next show date near you. If the artist has a show happening in your city, the app will provide the precise link for you to purchase a ticket directly. This has allowed many musicians' ticket sales to skyrocket, as you don’t have to look up tour dates for your favorite artist anymore. Spotify will send a direct notification to your cell phone stating that your most-listened-to artist is having a show near you very soon!
Since this amazing update, other platforms have branched out to do the same thing. Amazon Music is a streaming company that also allows fans to make certain purchases while listening to an artist.
Furthermore, artists are creating their very own lanes and streams of income by starting their own labels, creating content specific to their audience and becoming shareholders or owners of streaming platforms. For instance, one of the biggest-selling artists in Hip-hop, Jay Z, founded one of the biggest streaming companies, Tidal. This shows that in the last few years, many musicians have been able to acquire success by building new revenue streams using technology.
Another way artists use technology is through partnerships and collaborations with brands. Clothing companies develop successful partnerships to promote clothing and the artist's brand as well. Examples of this are Fashion Nova collaborations with creatives like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and more. Other brands such as Adidas, Reebok, and Tiffany & Co., are also known for their brand partnerships with artists. These collaborations are huge for artists as they generate revenue streams and allow artists to receive much more media attention. Due to brand deals, artists' music can receive the recognition it deserves.
As an artist, what ways do you plan to take over the world and create more streams of revenue for yourself?
BeatRoot: Changing the Narrative of Distribution
As artists continue to grow and release music, the need for digital service providers will continue to increase. Distribution companies such as DistroKid, United Masters, Tunecore, CD Baby, and many others are known for their ability to place artists' music onto streaming services. Now, there is a new company on the block! The new company planning to take over the music distribution business is Beatroot.
Written By: Kierstyn Pryor
As artists continue to grow and release music, the need for digital service providers will continue to increase. Distribution companies such as DistroKid, United Masters, Tunecore, CD Baby, and many others are known for their ability to place artists' music onto streaming services. Now, there is a new company on the block! The new company planning to take over the music distribution business is Beatroot. Beatroot is a digital distribution company under Made in Memphis Entertainment, a music label based in Memphis, Tennessee.
Made in Memphis Entertainment was founded in 2015 by Hall of Fame and award-winning songwriter, David Porter, and co-founded by President Tony Alexander. The two of them set out to start a label and several companies under this label with hopes of showing talents from their city that they don’t have to leave town to get their big break. Through companies like Heavy Hitters for sync licensing, MIME publishing company, and Beatroot, they can now share this story and elevate the careers of artists from across the country. They also own two studio locations by the name of 4U Studios, which are located in their hometown as well as the prominent music city of Atlanta, Georgia. The studio has been a backbone for creatives such as Hitkidd, Moneybagg Yo, Erica Banks, Zaytoven, and more. It is even credited for the making of the hit record, F.N.F, by hip hop star, Gorilla.
With all of these accolades under its belt, one of Made in Memphis Entertainment’s most successful companies is Beatroot. Beatroot has supported several notable artists including Love & HipHop’s Lyrica Anderson, award-winning singer-songwriter Elijah Blake, gospel sensation Wess Morgan, and Dougie Fresh.
A discography of successful artists like these is why Beatroot’s Client service representative, Real, explains this company is not only good for artists well on their way but also those who are just starting. Real obtained his position during a Heavy Hitters and Beatroot writing camp partnership a few years back. During his time working with Beatroot, he has been able to touch the careers of many artists and provide them with the tools they need to break into the industry and create timeless music.
Before entering into a deal with Beatroot, Real says artists are scouted by A&RS or even referred by other music executives. Client representatives like Real spend a significant amount of time keeping an eye on the next big artist. The company is always on the search for emerging talent. More importantly, they even provide feedback for artists and their music even if they decide not to move forward with the partnership. This is only a small portion of the great things Beatroot offers. Many distributors often tend to take a large percentage from artists for distribution, but Beatroot believes in the 80/20 rule. The company only receives 20% of what the artists earn from their music, while artists earn 80% reward for their hard work.
“We pride ourselves on being educators of artists and teaching them industry-standard practices, how to develop roll-out plans, and ultimately the best practices for releasing music,” Real stated during his interview.
Another thing that separates Beatroot from other distribution platforms is its ability to be personable and provide unlimited assistance to its artists at all times. That’s right! Clients who partner with the company receive very hands-on assistance when it comes to getting their music out on streaming platforms. “Every artist that signs on board with us gets a designated client service representative. Clients have our direct phone number. If they happen to need changes with their music they have the ability to shoot me a text.” This method may sound amazing to plenty of artists, being that other DSP’s require artists to reach out to a general email and wait 24 to 48 hours for a response.
Furthermore, clients also receive benefits such as playlist pitching and having their music presented to Heavy Hitters, to be considered for sync licensing for television shows and movies. Though Beatroot doesn’t guarantee such placements they still put forth the effort to give artists the best experience possible.
Beatroot continues to be a driving force in the digital world of music, and we are excited to see what artists come from its efforts.
The Use of Social Media as a Marketing Strategy for Emerging Artists
The hardest thing about being an upcoming artist is getting your foot in the door. All it takes is that one song to gain attention from the public eye, but maintaining that attention is the tricky part. The use of social media platforms has become a must when it comes to artists promoting their music.
Written By: Elainey Bass
The hardest thing about being an upcoming artist is getting your foot in the door. All it takes is that one song to gain attention from the public eye, but maintaining that attention is the tricky part. The use of social media platforms has become a must when it comes to artists promoting their music. But how do artists use these platforms effectively? Digital marketing strategies on YouTube, TikTok, and On The Radar Radio come into play, and artists are utilizing these platforms now more than ever to keep their name buzzing in the industry.
In the early 2000s, YouTube was the go-to platform where artists would post covers of other songs and even their original pieces. Artists like Justin Bieber and The Weeknd garnered most of their attention by posting consistently. Even as time goes on, artists of all genres still use YouTube to publish their music videos for hit songs or other exclusive songs that may not be on other music streaming platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, etc.). YouTube also gives people the opportunity to monetize their content and even offers YouTube Analytics, which tells you details about where the fans are located, their demographic, and how often they watch the content that’s published. These extra perks help the artist figure out their target audience, all while making money in the process. YouTube is still used and popular today, but lately, Gen Z has found another platform to take over: TikTok.
Everyone loves TikTok. We all find ourselves scrolling through the app for a good laugh, a new recipe to make for dinner, or another exercise to add to your gym routine. But like YouTube, this platform has launched careers across all genres. The “For You” page on TikTok is simply that; videos that are curated just for you based on the content that you like and the accounts that you follow. By keeping this in mind, artists will post their songs on the app and create some sort of dance challenge or trend in hopes that it’ll gain more traction. The more people that engage with the sound that’s attached to the video, it’s more likely that the sound will pop up on your “For You” page. One of the most famous success stories of the app has been Lil Nas X. His first hit song “Old Town Road,” which he would later go on to win two Grammy awards for, had the entire TikTok community posting videos of themselves dancing to the song. His song quickly rose to the top of the Billboard charts, and the rest is history. Newcomers like Lay Bankz, PinkPantheress, and even Doechii have TikTok to thank for the rise in the number of streams for their songs.
On The Radar Radio was founded and hosted by Gabe P., a journalist from Long Island. The idea of On The Radar Radio unfolded in 2018 and became a go-to platform for upcoming artists in the New York area. When COVID hit, Gabe still conducted virtual interviews with artists. Once the pandemic died down, he expanded on his radio show and created On The Radar Freestyles. This allowed New York artists to perform a freestyle live, which would eventually get posted on On The Radar’s platforms. As the popularity increased, Gabe started to garner the attention of artists outside of New York as well as artists who were already established in the industry. This gave his platform even more traction and even resulted in Drake coming on the show to do a freestyle with UK rapper, Central Cee. Gabe’s platform ended up landing him a permanent spot on Power 105.1 radio station, and many artists today are still looking to catch their big break by coming on the show to do a freestyle.
Overall, it is safe to say that social media plays a big role in the success of budding artists. Consistent posting can be more beneficial than harmful, especially in a generation that fully relies on the internet for everything.
From Vinyl to Viral: A Journey Through Music's Technological Revolution
The rhythmic pulse of technology has forever altered the landscape of the music industry. From the vinyl records of the past to the digital beats that dominate today's charts, technological advancements have played a pivotal role in shaping the sound, accessibility, and reach of music.
Written By: Free The Vision
The rhythmic pulse of technology has forever altered the landscape of the music industry. From the vinyl records of the past to the digital beats that dominate today's charts, technological advancements have played a pivotal role in shaping the sound, accessibility, and reach of music. In this journey through time, we'll explore the trailblazing tech companies that have left an indelible mark on the world of music, with a particular focus on how these innovations have helped Black artists break through into the mainstream.
1970s: The Birth of Hip-Hop and the Turntable Revolution
The late 1970s marked the birth of a cultural phenomenon known as hip-hop. The turntable, a humble piece of technology, became the primary instrument of hip-hop's early pioneers. Innovations like the Technics SL-1200 turntable allowed DJs to manipulate vinyl records, creating entirely new sounds by looping and scratching. Hip-hop legends like Grandmaster Flash and Kool Herc harnessed these tools to lay the foundation for a genre that would soon captivate the world.
1980s: The Rise of the Drum Machine and Sampling
As the '80s dawned, drum machines like the Roland TR-808 and TR-909 began to revolutionize music production. These machines enabled artists to craft beats with unparalleled precision and consistency, leading to the emergence of electronic dance music and the proliferation of hip-hop. Black artists like Run-DMC, with their groundbreaking "King of Rock," and Public Enemy, with their politically charged "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back," harnessed the power of drum machines and sampling to create iconic tracks that resonated with audiences worldwide.
1990s: The Era of Compact Discs and Digital Recording
The 1990s brought the advent of compact discs (CDs) and digital recording technology, marking a seismic shift in how music was produced and consumed. Companies like Sony and Philips introduced CDs, delivering crystal-clear sound and replacing vinyl records as the dominant format. At the same time, digital recording software like Pro Tools empowered artists to experiment with their sound in entirely new ways. Black artists like Mary J. Blige leveraged these technologies to craft influential albums that defined the R&B and hip-hop genres during this decade.
2000s: The Dawn of Digital Downloads and Online Music Platforms
The turn of the millennium witnessed the rise of digital downloads and online music platforms. Companies like Apple, with its iTunes store, allowed consumers to purchase and download individual songs, transforming the way music was bought and sold. Concurrently, MySpace emerged as a groundbreaking platform for independent artists to share their music directly with audiences, paving the way for artists to gain recognition without traditional record label backing.
2010s: Streaming Services and Social Media
The 2010s ushered in the era of music streaming, with platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal taking center stage. Streaming services offered unprecedented access to vast music libraries, leveling the playing field for emerging artists. Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram became essential tools for artists to connect with their fans and promote their work, democratizing self-promotion.
2020s: NFTs, Virtual Reality, and the Future of Music
As we step into the 2020s, technology continues to shape music in unprecedented ways. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have emerged as a new frontier for artists to monetize their work and engage with fans. Virtual reality (VR) concerts and immersive experiences offer innovative ways for artists to connect with their audiences, transcending geographical boundaries and providing unique performance opportunities.
The influence of technology on music has been profound and transformative. From the turntable's scratchy beginnings to the digital streaming platforms of today, technology has democratized music production, distribution, and consumption. Black artists have continually harnessed these innovations to break through barriers, express their creativity, and shape the soundscape of our times. As we move forward, the horizon of music technology remains vast and uncharted, promising new possibilities that will undoubtedly continue to level the playing field for artists from all walks of life.