MUSIC,  A COMMODITY 

it is not too late to reclaim such an elaborate art form that literally every human can connect with. I'm, afraid perhaps it has gone too far - but in my heart I believe we restore justice to the world of music. It matters too much to too many people. How might we do this

, exactly? This is what I am striving to find out through the course or writing this book. My initially broad ideas I'm presenting here may be difficult for a non-writer like myself to articulate. I will try my best.

       If we can begin by delving into the stories of artists who have been victimized by this silent theft, we will uncover the intricate web of forces that perpetuate music saturation. Perhaps more of the general public needs to better understand the predatory contracts, unfair compensation models, and exploitative practices that trap artists in a cycle of financial insecurity. This has been going on for decades \ there's really nothing new here.

I only ask that you continue to keep an open mind and be prepare tdo be confronted with the stark realities faced by musicians today. Considering all the things an artist must go through, all the sacrifices they make in order just to be heard, it's truly eye-opening and astonishing in every way. Perhaps by exemplifying a few of these harrowing personal accounts, we will start to  unravel the layers of this complex issue, to hopefully reach the core matter  of this pandemic.

I cannot sit idly on the sidelines anymore . I need you help me redefine the value of music in our society. Together, we will embark on a transformative journey, exploring innovative solutions, empowering artists, and reigniting the gratitude for the art form that has shaped our lives.

Together, we will delve into the multifaceted aspects of music commodification, from the detrimental effects on artists' mental and financial well-being to the cultural implications of reducing music to a disposable product. By exploriong the movements, initiatives, and groundbreaking ideas that are reshaping the landscape, we will look into those individuals who are paving the way for a future where artists are celebrated, compensated fairly, and given the support they deserve. The time for change is now, and it begins with each one of us, acknowledging our role stealing, and committing ourselves to live a better, more hopeful future.

The Silent Theft: How Music Commodification Robs Artists of Their Worth

In the quiet corridors of the music industry, an insidious crime against creativity unfolds daily, unseen and unchecked. It is a crime that strips artists of their worth, diminishes their artistry to mere commercial transactions, and perpetuates a cycle of exploitation. The culprits? We, the consumers and music enthusiasts, play an unwitting role in this theft, often oblivious to the consequences of our actions.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine this scene: A bustling city street, lined with record stores that once vibrated with the pulsating rhythms of music. Now, they stand as mere relics, overshadowed by the convenience of digital streaming and the allure of discounted prices. You step into one of these dwindling establishments, lured by the nostalgia that permeates the air, and browse through shelves laden with CDs, vinyl records, and cassettes. You chance upon an album cover adorned with evocative artwork, the creation of countless hours of labor and inspiration. You run your fingers over the sleek packaging, but then, you pause. In that moment, the thief within you awakens.

You reach into your pocket, fingers grazing the very currency that could support the artist behind this masterpiece. Yet, a voice in your head whispers, "Why pay for something I can easily obtain for free?" With that fateful thought, you seal the artist's fate, relinquishing their rightful compensation for their work of art. You walk away, carrying with you the stolen treasure, unaware of the guilt silently settling upon your shoulders.

This scenario, my friend, plays out repeatedly in a world where music has been commodified, its value reduced to mere digits on streaming platforms and discounted prices in online stores. We find ourselves caught in the web of convenience, lured by the allure of free music, failing to comprehend the toll it takes on those who create the very melodies that soundtrack our lives.

But let us not turn away from the truth any longer. It is time to confront the enormity of our actions and the impact they have on artists. Each time we choose convenience over conscience, we partake in the theft of an artist's livelihood. We undermine their ability to sustain themselves, to devote their lives to the creation of the music that stirs our souls.

Follow along as we embark on a journey of self-reflection and transformation. We will delve deep into the dark underbelly of the music industry, exposing the harsh realities faced by artists who have fallen victim to this silent theft. Through their stories, we will peel back the layers of deception, revealing the systemic exploitation, undervaluation, and dehumanization that plague the music world.

Prepare yourself for a journey that will challenge your assumptions, ignite your empathy, and spur you to action. Together, we will explore the true cost of music commodification, from the financial struggles endured by artists to the loss of creative autonomy. We will confront the disparity between the wealth generated by the industry and the meager earnings received by those who pour their hearts and souls into their craft.

But this is not a journey solely filled with despair and guilt.  There is a glimmer of hope, the seeds of change that have been sown by resilient artists, passionate advocates, and conscious consumers.  We will celebrate the power of music to foster connection, inspire change, and uplift humanity, through the role in which these individuals embark.

By the end of this journey, you will understand the true value of music, the vital role artists play in shaping our culture, and the steps we can take to ensure their work is recognized, respected, and appropriately compensated.

to be continued....

Since every artists wants to make money from their music, I thought I'd share a neat technique with y'all that I found on a producer forum. It works no matter who you are or what stage of your career you are at.

Check this one out:

Before you get started you need to do a few things: 
1. Sign up with a PRO like ascap or bmi. 
2. Sign up with an online music distributor like Distrokid or CD baby. 
3. sign up for an account at a site like audiam or adrev. 

Once that is done all you have to do is: 
1. Make tons of beats/music and arrange it as an album or several albums. 
2. Publish it through your distributor. 
3. Create a youtube channel/ a dedicated website for your release and promote it as "free youtube backing music" or "beats for video" etc.  or anything of that nature.
4. Collect royalties from ad plays on Youtube!

Thats it! 

How it works [and makes you money]: A lot of people need [free] background music for their YouTube videos and need a source to get it from. Same thing with rappers. They want to make music [with free beats] and eventually upload it to YouTube. Well, once your music is published, registered and available through the online retailers they will have bar codes and ISRC codes assigned to them. Those codes are used to track your music. So, in addition to the royalties from sales you get from your PRO and the online retailers, when someone downloads your free beats / music and uploads the music to YouTube, ads will be placed on their videos because it "matches third party content" [your content] and these companies [adrev & audiam] will collect on your behalf and pay you money from the ads placed on their  videos as well. You may also be eligible to collect from other places as well (maybe someone else can chime in on this) but I'm not too sure. 

As you can see, this is a very simple method that does require an initial investment of your time but in the long run you should make a decent return on that investment and build your name up in the process.
 

Plus: [the most beautiful part] your music gets out there and you still own it! Just make sure you make this clear to the "free downloaders" of your music.

Lets be real. The chances of you becoming a millionaire overnight from this isn't very likely but on the road to riches all revenue streams add up. Please believe.

And there you have it.

Now go get it!