I recently "dug" an Associated Press story from Wired.com, which spotlights a few digital models the major record labels are pursuing in 2008. Although MP3's have been around for quite some time now, in the coming months, you'll see all four major labels groups participating in the direct sale of MP3 in varying degrees. Recently, talk of Sony/BMG dropping DRM restrictions in the first quarter, has led the discussion around digital downloads and what effect DRM-free music sales will have on iTunes, Amazon, Napster, Rhapsody, eMusic and other services. Read the AP story @ Wired.com or on Digg.com.
Category: Biz
Perfecto goes digital, Oakenfold launches digital imprint
DJ Paul Oakendold's long-running Perfecto Records goes digital with Liam Schachar remix of Leya, "On All My Sunday's" and Adam White's reworking of Nat Monday's "Break & Fall."
Rumor Mill: Apple to sign label deal with Jay-Z
Reports are surfacing that Apple will announce a label deal with Jay-Z during the upcoming MacWorld conference. The speculation is that as record companies influence erodes with artists and consumers alike, recording artists as successful as Jay-Z may simply need online distribution only, while doing away with or limiting production of physical product. Of course, not all artists have the ability to do this, but as key artists shun the confines of the major label system, we’ll see more of these deals in the coming months.
Recently, Jay-Z stepped down as President of Def Jam, which may have been the first step in the transition to Apple. UMG CEO Doug Morris has yet to respond. A departure of this magnitude could shake the foundation of UMG and put Morris in a defensive position. In 2007, Morris lobbed a couple of missiles in at Apple in an attempt to dislodge the company from its position as the digital sales leader. By pulling Jay-Z, Steve Jobs is countering the Morris assault by going directly after talent.
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David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists
Former Talking Head's frontman gives his take on how emerging artists should look at the music industry situation.
Mac users more likely to buy music online
The NPD Group's quarterly Digital Music Monitor reveals in its latest issue that Mac users are much more likely than PC users to pay to download music online. What's more, Mac users are more likely to buy CDs and are more likely to watch videos and listen to music on their computers and MP3 players.
Michael Robertson shares thoughts on Imeem deal
On his blog, Michael Robertson, founder of MP3tunes.com shares his thoughts on the recent Imeem deal with UMG and why that is bad for Imeem and bad for digital music web companies in general.
Live Nation rocks the music industry
Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation, is turning the music business on its head. The new company, a spin-off from Clear Channel Communications, plans to generate revenues from all aspects of an artist’s career. Rapino recently acquired Signatures Network and is planning to fire Ticketmaster, then build a network to sell tickets direct to fans.
Universal's CEO Once Called iPod Users Thieves. Now He's Giving Songs Away
Wired writer Seth Mnookin chronicles the upset Universal Music Group CEO Doug Morris feels today about the digital revolution and the iTunes stranglehold Apple holds on the download music market. In an era of new technology, Morris is old school, and he shows it.
From the outside looking in, record labels helmed by men in their 70s (i.e. Morris, Davis) seem like foreign countries led by oligarchs. Crotchety old men yelling in the halls, "they must pay for everything," yet they once instructed their promo departments to ship hundreds of boxes of free CD's to mom & pop retail as a bribe so those stores would sell more and pocket the difference.
The Selling of An Album: Jay-Z's American Gangster
Def Jam President and popular rap star, Jay-Z’s decision to sell his album in its entirety through various online outlets with the exception of iTunes sparks controversy. He claims he does not want his concept album downloaded as singles. Customers who pre-ordered the album on iTunes got the download, but that left others out in the cold on release day. Fast Company takes a look at the consequences.
Leona Lewis has the X-Factor for America
This week, Billboard Magazine reports J/RCA is set to release London's X-Factor winner, Leona Lewis' debut album, "Spirit," next Spring in the U.S.