I love working with colleges. I’ve spent a lot of my career with students, whether it was bringing talent to campuses, having a versatile and vibrant intern program, mentoring alums at University of Wisconsin or, as of this week, wrapping up my first college course, “The Streaming Revolution” at American University’s Kogod School of Business.When we started Nue, we built a competitive edge around the college market. We signed and developed artists in colleges, and nurtured student-promoter relationships. It’s amazing how many of the students I come across today already have successful gigs in the entertainment industry and beyond.“The Streaming Revolution” aimed to help students wrap their arms around an ever-changing state of affairs in digital media. Our final project had students present ideas for niche streaming services because I wanted the students to learn the importance of having a point of view. They exceeded expectations and, in my opinion, some of the ideas are good enough to be funded.We covered the history of streaming, from Netflix and Napster to the current day, where Netflix and Napster are…still top of mind?Netflix’s story is so inspiring. To think it went from two entrepreneurial buddies looking for an idea (it was almost a dog food company), to a DVD business demolishing Blockbuster, to being the highest rated, most watched platform in the world, complete with advertisements and live event streams.Napster’s story is very different. After changing the music business forever it is now being re-invented as a Web3 music platform and making new waves under the leadership of Roblox’s former head of music, Jon VlassopulosThis class was a lot of work, but it was so rewarding. We had great guest speakers, amazing experts, and the AU ecosystem came through in the clutch each week. I’m grateful for all of them.The final points I wanted my students to leave with were:
America’s great exports are culture & technology, and The Streaming Revolution embodies both of these. After CDs and DVDs, “streaming” became the next great format and the technology behind it has had a massive impact on culture and entertainment.
Over the span of 20 years, we’ve had the golden age of TV content and a massive boom in music, which is more culturally relevant than ever. More people are listening to music; more artists are making music; and more artists are selling tickets. Record companies are hitting all-time highs and so is the value of songs and IP. Meanwhile, programming is more and more inclusive and representative.
Music is at the forefront of the streaming revolution, and the industry learned its lessons from Napster and iTunes. It now embraces technology, disrupts itself, and partners with its disruptors to license IP.
Finally, beyond the business of streaming, is the importance of relationships. This business is not just what you know, but who you know. The business is changing, people are changing, but the need to connect and build directly with other members of the community is absolute.
What will come next we do not know, but it’s worth investing in and it will clearly involve AI and blockchain. Students are the future, so invest in them now. I know I am. I’m actually flying to the University of Buffalo for a great college show on Friday that we helped book.
BEATS
The Time Is Now For Artists To Launch Their Own APIsTo stay competitive artists should leverage AI for reference tracks that they can authenticate. (Building Stans)
AI-Generated Drake And The Weeknd Song Pulled From Streaming PlatformsUniversal Music Group says the song violates copyright, but things aren't so clear. (Engadget)
AI Competition StatementLike the wheel, or the industrial revolution, the changes coming with AI are unstoppable, but we can clearly influence them. (Peter Gabriel)
Inside The Discord Where Thousands of Rogue Producers Are Making AI MusicOn Saturday, they released an entire album using an AI-generated copy of Travis Scott's voice, and labels are trying to kill it. (Vice)
An End To PopPop culture depends on scarcity. When there are only a few TV stations or a dozen radio stations, it’s likely that many of us watch or hear the same thing at the same time. (Seth's Blog)
3LAU And Steve Aoki Make Punx Debut, Give Away Royalty Income To NFT HoldersIn a head-nod to the "blue chip" NFT project Cryptopunks, Aoki and 3LAI have dropped their first collaboration as PUNX with an added incentive for NFT collectors. (EDM)
Enema Of The State Collectible Enema KitTravis Barker played drums on the hit album Enema of the State. Does that make him an expert on enemas? No. And neither is Liquid Death. But together, they are launching a revolutionary new enema kit that might turn your dreams into reality. (Liquid Death)
Doja Cat Becomes Skechers’ First ‘Artist-in-Residence’ with More Artist Deals Potentially AheadGrammy-winning star Doja Cat stepped on stage at the Time100 Gala in New York City, wearing a pair of Skechers Uno sneakers and a one-of-a-kind dress to kick off her new partnership as the brand’s first “artist-in-residence.” (Digital Music News)
The Complicated Formula of Concert Ticket PricesMusic fans are finding it tougher than ever to secure concert tickets. Boardroom breaks down the complicated world. (Boardroom)
The Music Industry Freaked Out Over ‘Fake Drake’. But Are These AI Tracks Just The Latest Take On Remixing?The artists’ label, UMG, has issued takedown requests, but the whack-a-mole nature of takedowns means it’s still easy to find at any given moment. (Music Business Worldwide)
Grimes AI Project Officially Launches in Beta — Complete With Voice-Transformation Tools, Distribution, and MoreVancouver-born Grimes (real name Claire Boucher) just recently rolled out a beta for her artificial intelligence concept, which she first outlined on social media last month. (Digital Music News)
Lil Wayne Announces Live Stream for Welcome to Tha Carter Tour FinaleFans will be treated to a dedicated concert stream featuring Weezy and some of the biggest names in hip-hop on Saturday, May 13. (Boardroom)
BYTES
Michael Rapino is CEO and President of Live Nation. Need we say more?
Spatial Labs Founder & CEO Iddris Sandu shares a first look and technical preview into the Light Field hardware device - engineered by Spatial Labs.
If anyone was waiting for a winner to emerge among the many Twitter alternatives, current signs are pointing to Bluesky as a possible forerunner in the race. (TechCrunch)
Artists are freaking out. Labels are freaking out. Nobody knows what to do, how to get ahold of this, how to regulate it, or how to prevent it.
This week's newsletter was carefully curated by the Nue Agency staff and our editor Rachel Meisner If you think we missed something this week or have any suggestions/comments for next week's newsletter, let us know!