Although music has been around for thousand of years, it wasn’t until the last few centuries that artists could properly monetize and sell their works. As the decades passed, the markets got fairer, and technology began introducing newer and more efficient means of music production, preservation and commercialization.
However lucrative the industry may seem, there are still numerous areas that are lacking and in need of a severe overhaul. These problems are further amplified the smaller an artist is, as without the backing of big labels and well-connected people, musicians tend to struggle when the winds of opportunities stop blowing their way.
One such issue has to do with royalties; as most deals that are thrown at artists do not favor them, nor do they sufficiently reward their artistic and musical talent. Luckily, the ever-evolving technology is the constant we can turn to for solutions — and the solution to this particular problem is the NFT.
Understanding Royalties
Royalties are portions of the revenue artists may be entitled to from future sales. When a label signs a deal with a musician or a band, they can sometimes offer a percentage of the revenue generated by album sales and milestones. This percentage differs from label to label, and from artist to artist — but is oftentimes essential for musicians to generate sufficient returns.
While on the surface the deal may appear to be sweet, underneath are implications to consider. Firstly, the label is getting a significant portion of the profits despite the artists carrying out most of the hard work. Additionally, artists selling independently may see higher margins per sale, but no guarantee that any trade from that point onward will rake in any form of revenue.
How NFTs Are Changing Royalties
Music NFTs can be programmed to send a portion of all future sales back to the original artist as royalties. This means that trades that take place in secondary markets will still contribute to the authors without burdening the buyer or seller in the process. This ensures that artists are credited properly and that they see rewards proportional to the impact they have on the music scene and society as a whole.
These NFTs also cut out intermediaries, allowing for independent artists to mint their own works and sell them on markets such as MozikNFT with minimal barriers. Not only can artists now increase their profit margins directly, but also create a new stream of revenue that doesn’t require any effort, energy or attention.
MozikNFT is one such platform where musicians of any genre, background and location can use its tools and features to start their careers or supplement their existing ones. From minting NFTs to trading them, enjoyers of music and innovation alike can experience a new and developing aspect of an industry that is in dire need of evolution — and it’s only the very beginning.
