Photo Credit: Bjorn Pierre at Unsplash
With NFTs slowly creeping more and more into the music space, we felt it was time we talk a little more about NFTs and how they are being utilized in music. This should help you gain a better understanding of the topic and how artists and creators can get involved in this space.
On this occasion, we spoke to the founders of the exciting new NFT record label World Has You Records – Kristen Livrand and artist AlmaD.
Hello Kristen & AlmaD, welcome to EG! To start, what is an NFT?
Kristen & AlmaD: Thanks for the invite. Non-Fungible Tokens better known as NFTs, are tokens considered digital assets that represent ownership of unique collectibles like gaming, art, and virtual assets.
They let us tokenize things like art, collectibles, and even real estate. They can only have one official owner at a time and they’re secured by the blockchain (Ethereum, Cardano, among others) – no one can modify the record of ownership or copy/paste a new NFT into existence.
Non-fungible is an economic term used to describe things like your furniture, a song file, or your computer. These things are not interchangeable with other items because they have unique properties.
Here is a real-life example of how an NFT works:
You own a beautiful house or villa. Anyone passing by can take a photo of the property, but only the owner can really benefit from it. Either through living, renting, or selling the property. In this case, the NFT is comparable to a contract for the house.
NFTs in the Blockchain
An NFT is then minted into the Blockchain it will remain there forever. No changes can be made unless you’re the creator and you still own the whole collection.
Blockchain operates as a wallet that works at the same time to prove a specific wallet address owns the NFT. This ensures the ownership of your NFT is secure. However, you can sell your NFT to others if you find a suitable buyer.
The Metaverse
The metaverse is a digital world that has existed for many years already. However, the Blockchain has changed the game via owning digital assets in the virtual world.
A good example to illustrate this is the well-known video game SIMS. Most people know it and know that you’re unable to sell the items that you obtain in the SIMS game. However, with the advent of Web 3.0 and Blockchain, this is now possible.
NFT Parties
Decentraland is the platform World Has You Records has chosen as their preferred platform in the Metaverse. They have collaborated with All-Time High Art Gallery to host their parties.
Parties here work almost the same as in real life, but the difference is that you are not really in contact with people in real life. You can join the party with your own customized avatar and also create and buy different outfits. There are free options available but many people use fashionable or flashy clothes when attending the parties giving it more of a real-life party experience. You can also experience the party with VR glasses which brings another level of immersion.
How are NFTs used in music?
A good example of how NFTs are used in music is the exciting new NFT record label World Has You Records, see their first NFT collection here.
When you buy either the Gold, Silver, or Bronze NFT, it includes unlockable content.
It includes access to exclusive original music only available to the buyer in the form of a 60-minute, 30-minute, or 15-minute mixtape by AlmaD.
World Has You Records has also included a special animation designed by Kevin Philippe accompanied by original music from AlmaD which plays when you view the NFT in your wallet.
The possibilities are far greater than ever before for fans and creators alike. This is further demonstrated by World Has You Records, who have included fan experiences such as:
Meet and greets with artist AlmaD and receive VIP access to the real-life parties AlmaD hosts and DJs.
The NFTs also allow buyers access to World Has You Records Metaverse parties too.
The label is centered around three core principles:
– High-quality exclusive music and art
– Unearthing and nurturing new talent
– Creating memorable experiences
The collection brings owner and music producer AlmaD to the fore. An artist whose passion for music has been evident since his early years, recording mixtapes, giving them to friends, and DJing all by the age of 14.
AlmaD has put together some unique mixes comprising solely of his own music productions, intricately crafted as he traveled the world.
The artwork created by Kevin Philippe is the centerpiece of this music-meets-art collection. The unique pieces have a powerful yet subtle sadness, covered by the gleam of the crystals and metals interwoven into the art. The message of his art is that we all go through struggles and sufferings, and underneath everything, we’re all the same.
When you unite Kevin’s art with AlmaD’s music the result is truly divine and will enrich the lives of those who are fortunate enough to secure one of these unique pieces for their collection.
AlmaD and Kevin Philippe’s ‘Welcome to the Real World NFT’ collection is out NOW on World Has You Records here.
NFT Collection:
1.) Gold: One exclusive piece – A 60-minute mixtape of original and exclusive house music produced and mixed by AlmaD accompanied by a unique art piece by African artist Kevin Philippe.
2.) Silver: 25 pieces – A 30-minute mixtape of original and exclusive house music produced and mixed by AlmaD accompanied by a unique art piece by African artist Kevin Philippe.
3.) Bronze: 100 pieces – A 15-minute mixtape of original and exclusive house music produced and mixed by AlmaD accompanied by a unique art piece by African artist Kevin Philippe.
