This Week in Music NFTs - Jan 30th
Open editions. Acquisitions. Pre-save NFTs. A packed week for Music NFTs.
A new mint format is in town.
Open editions rolled out on Sound this week, leading to a full roster of top-tier artists experimenting with time-based drops.
Looking at the top open editions from this past week, we saw:
This comes alongside drops from Oshi, San Holo, LATASHÁ, Bloody White and Mija - all in the first batch of artists to experiment with open editions.
Thankfully, today that feature opens to all artists on Sound, creating an interesting next chapter for Music NFTs.
Open editions remove the pressure to “sell out”. They create a great way to feel out an artist’s collector base, but still make sure the early adopters are seen over the long term.
Still - there’s a constant question out there.
Where are new collectors going to come from?
And in many ways, everyone is still trying to figure out the answer.
In my view, this year has to be about the music. Not the tech.
For web3 music to really have a life of its own, we need to see more songs cross the chasm and make a cultural statement outside of the niche pocket of Music NFTs.
In the same way that Soundcloud became a cultural inflection point for college kids (like me), we need that same energy with web3.
My guess is we’re still 1-2 years out - but for those reading this today, it gives you an opportunity to place your bets.
Thankfully, the tables are in our favor.
So this note goes out to everyone showing up every day. To those getting in the trenches.
To those having the tough conversations and never giving up.
There’s an ocean of opportunity on the other side of this bear market - and I can’t wait to get there with all of you.
Upcoming Drops
Freshly Minted
Listen to Freshly Minted on Spinamp
Top Stories
Hume Collective Acquires Blocktones
Hume teams up with Gino the Ghost by acquiring Blocktones
Showtime Releases Pre-Save Collectibles
Showtime debuts a new way to earn NFTs for pre-saving a song on Spotify.
Sound Open Editions for all Artists
After a one-week beta, Sound unlocks open editions for all artists on the platform.
Decent Releases Rentables
Decent shares a new way to lend and borrow Music NFTs
Kits Teases Season One Preview
Kits shares details on their upcoming season with a Spearmint allowlist campaign
Nvak Releases New Whitepaper
Nvak shares their plans for 2023 with an updated whitepaper.
Heds Partners with Secret Garden for HedsPLAYER
Heds releases a limited edition played featuring 25 stems from 15 artists.
Kevin George and Daktyl Team Up on Instinct
Two emerging web3 artists link up for a 4-track EP created in 72 hours.
Bonus Reads
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Disclosure: I am an investor in Hume, Showtime, Sound, Decent, Arpeggi and Heds. I have also collected most of the songs mentioned in Freshly Minted.