Audius, a blockchain startup that aims to disrupt the music streaming industry, has uploaded its public beta version. The open source code for public use of Audius is available on GitHub as of Aug. 15. Additionally, the startup has issued an open invitation to run network nodes in exchange for compound rewards distributed in Audius’ native token. Decrypt reported the startup’s recent developments on Aug. 15. According to Audius CEO Roneil Rumburg, Amazon Web Services is one provider that users can take advantage of to run a node for the music network for staking. Rumburg explained that “every time a …

A blockchain platform is enabling creators to share their music, videos and webtoons with the masses, all while ensuring that their copyright is protected. ContentsDeal says it aims to simplify the “complicated distribution structure” that is seen across the media world today, a structure which often means it can be difficult for talented artists to make a profit from their works. The company claims that an extensive range of Korean and global artists have gotten involved with its platform so far, delivering exclusive, limited-edition content to fans. Changing tune According to ContentsDeal, the evolution of platforms such as YouTube and …

Ethereum co-founder and ConsenSys creator Joseph Lubin said that blockchain technology and decentralization can benefit content creators and journalists. Lubin spoke about different industries that are benefitting from blockchain technology in a video on March 12. In the video, Lubin said that artists are “set to benefit quite dramatically” from blockchain, as it allows them to attach policies and stipulations for how the content is consumed and shared i.e. derivative works, streaming, public performances, etc. In Lubin’s view, it also allows them to eliminate middlemen: “I think artists in the music industry on average capture about 11 or 12 percent …

Blockchain and Bitcoin mining manufacturer Bitfury announced the launch of a dedicated venture to open source the music industry in a blog post on Jan. 16. The spin-off, dubbed Bitfury Surround, aims to tackle the complex and often unfairly proportioned flows of revenue between artists, fans and middlemen using blockchain technology. The post explains, “The Surround platform will enable the entire music entertainment industry to streamline operations through secure transfer of copyright assets, streamlined connectivity as well as better monitoring and management systems. Surround marks Bitfury’s ongoing expansion into various aspects beyond mining. Within the Bitcoin (BTC) ecosystem, meanwhile, this …

The estate of infamous Wu Tang Clan rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard (O.D.B.) confirmed its Ol’ Dirty Bastard Coin (O.D.B.) will launch Dec. 1, music industry Magazine Vents reported Tuesday, Oct. 23. Originally announced in March and named Dirty Coin, the project — now known as the O.D.B. Coin — plans to use the proceeds from sales of the altcoin to fund various fan engagement projects. Cointelegraph reported at the time of the initial announcement that the issuance will be in partnership with Link Media Partners, a music A&R firm, and will be launched on the TAO network blockchain platform. The …

Bitcoin (BTC) got a new mainstream mention from U.S. rapper Ryan Daniel Montgomery, better known as Royce Da 5'9,' in a track featured on Eminem’s new album "Kamikaze," Forbes reports August 31. Rappers Eminem and Royce Da 5’9’ have collaborated several times throughout their careers, having recorded a combined 66 songs that have made it into the Billboard Hot 100 record chart. Eminem announced his tenth album “Kamikaze” in a tweet Friday, August 31, without much preceding promotion. According to Forbes, in "Not Alike," the ninth track on the new album, co-starring Royce Da 5’9’ sings: "Remember everybody used to …

A blockchain-based company says it is seeking to cater to what it calls a growing demand for Japanese culture — creating animations, music, games and movies, as international interest in this industry grows. According to MINDOL’s white paper, the country’s government is investing heavily in a “cool Japan” strategy, designed to showcase powerful content and enable a market already worth 12 trillion yen domestically (about $108 million) to generate even more revenue from devoted fans in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere. The company has a thorough plan for producing content, and several projects are already in the works. MINDOL has …

A new blockchain-powered platform, combining streaming services and digital payments, aims to pay musicians 80 percent of the streaming revenue from their tracks, such as subscription services and advertising revenue — more than is reported to be standard practice. Choon, a recently launched blockchain-based platform, describes itself as “the blockchain’s music solution.” In essence, every time a track is played, the artist earns cryptocurrency. This could, in turn, eliminate another major problem that Choon has highlighted with regular artist royalty systems: as payment is daily, there will no longer be extended wait periods for artists to see a financial return …

A new decentralized content production and distribution platform is using blockchain to ensure project founders and content creators receive fair compensation for their hard work – helping passionate and talented professionals in creative industries to earn a living. Qravity has created a space that enables visionaries to collaborate more efficiently and profitably when developing monetizable digital media, including movies, video games, music, ebooks, and applications. It will also serve as a marketplace where consumers and distributors can purchase or rent this original premium content. Built on the Ethereum blockchain, the platform uses virtual tokens to securely record every project’s progress …

Hip Hop artist Young Dirty Bastard, the son of late rapper and producer Ol’ Dirty Bastard of the Wu-Tang Clan, is launching his own cryptocurrency in an Initial Coin Offering (ICO), he announced in an interview with Yahoo Finance Tuesday, March 6. Bar-Sun Unique Jones, originally from Brooklyn and better known by his stage name Young Dirty Bastard, claimed in the interview that he decided to launch his Dirty Coin (ODB) to fund his next album and to support music projects and other ventures, including books and video games. Dirty added that he plans to use ODB coins as payment …

The origin of this interview takes us back to the BlockChannel Podcast, hosted by Steven McKie and our own Demetrick Ferguson. The BlockChannel coexists here on The Bitcoin Podcast, where they take-on blockchain technology with a more educational approach, that speaks to the academia crowd. Dee was first introduced to the Ujo project during the BlockChannel’s 1st interview, with Ethereum Co-Founder Joseph Lubin. This conversation took place on Ep1, click here to listen. “What can the blockchain do for this industry?” - J.Grushack Ujo Music is making bitcoin sexy, and sex sells, so for that we thank them. We invited …

A new report by the Berklee College of Music and the Institute of Creative Entrepreneurship Rethink Music estimates that around 20 to 50 percent of money generated by streaming is never returned to the artists. The initiative proposed the blockchain as a solution to tally the transactions and provide greater transparency. Royalties The report analyzed the costs that are distributed between parties that contribute in the distribution of music. “Of the $15 billion in global recorded music revenue for sound recordings reported by the IFPI for 2014, only a small portion of the money beyond the initial recording advances ultimately …