How it works:

• Artists upload tracks to our paywalled site.

• They earn money each time someone downloads their track.

• Members can remix, collaborate, and build new songs together.

• Unreleased music becomes a new source of income.

• Superfans turn into distribution.

This is a next-generation label that enables artists to win alongside platform and for music to be monetized in a new way. We’re now in talks with major artists and catalog owners to white-label Phlote.xyz.

Gather the emails for everyone across your creative and professional network.

Drop more music on BandCamp. DTC everything.

Send emails to everyone, sending them to your Bandcamp

The more songs you have working for you, the less jobs you need.

Start an Archive

Don’t delete anything

Everything has value, especially the process stuff

Creating space for people to release/have fun is in high-demand

Live performance from heaven

Capture inspiration and share it

Freestyles and references may be the most valuable content you have.

There is now space to be creative and weird. That is the anti-AI trade.

DC would become Paris if the artists here were unleashed.

Right now, everyone trying to be cool/fit in.

We’re a DC-based music company that blends the functions of a label and a platform — but flips the traditional model. Like most labels, we aim to help our creative network get visibility and get paid, but we design ways to do this outside the standard - add music on DSPs.

Instead of a roster, we’re growing a global network of artists connected through a free-to-remix music catalog on Phlote.xyz. Artists can upload finished or in-progress work, collaborate freely, and earn a share of subscription revenue when their music is downloaded or remixed. We hope to create a shift in how creators capture value from content platforms they upload to and broaden who can “participate” in music.

We’re starting with music, but over time, can see Phlote becoming a launchpad for artists across disciplines. Running a space in Baltimore has shown us the value that's created when you bring artists together and give them space to create freely. On Phlote.xyz, we create that “space” through a merit-based system that is fair, has clear incentives, and can be trusted.

Our focus today is on strengthening the network of artists and launching the music catalog.

How to turn $1 million into a billion dollar portfolio of music assets.

1. Build and release a free-to-remix music catalog.

   1. Hold 100 recording sessions with the top independent producers around the world.

   2. Film the sessions and release all songs made as a free-to-remix content.

2. Monetize music’s true super fans - music creators - with a subscription to access, download, and remix music from the catalog.

Why this works?

Each producer, song, and remix makes the catalog more valuable. Music can finally be positioned to benefit from network effects.

What are the numbers?

• 100 million music creators exist online.

• 40 million are on Soundcloud alone.

• At 3500 subs, we breakeven

• At 10k subs, the catalog generates $1 million ARR + royalties

• At 1 m subs, the catalog generates $120 mm ARR from subs alone

  • We become the most valuable music label in the world.

Traditional labels leave billions on the table by making collaboration difficult and promoting win-lose economics. We flip the model - we grow and monetize catalog by making collaboration easy.

Phlote.xyz was designed to execute this strategy and it’s live. 92 artists from our network are on today and 100 million more exist online.

By AJ Washington

As AI floods the internet with content, something strange is happening: the platforms we once loved for discovering new music and ideas are starting to feel… empty. Spotify, YouTube —once homes for raw human expression—are being polluted more and more with AI created content.

Hate to say, but our favorite platforms are slowly turning into AI spam wastelands.

Soon, much of what is consumed on today’s UGC platforms won’t come from people at all. It will be generated, optimized, and uploaded by machines trained to lock you in. The problem isn’t just that the content is synthetic. It’s that we may never know what the true intent of AI content really is.

When every thumbnail is a trick, every beat could be a bot, and every artist might be a faceless algorithm, it’s hard to trust the intent behind what we consume. Media is too powerful to not trust the source or intention behind it. Just as we’re now more conscious of the food we put into our bodies, does AI dawn an awareness of the dangers of algorithmic feeds?

Does this lead many of us back to corners of the internet where we can connect with real humans again? I believe the dawn of AI is creating a future version of the internet that’s built for connection.

Phlote is our answer to that future. One where the faces behind the sounds matter just as much as the sounds themselves. And one where people with similar passions have a place to connect.

In a world overwhelmed by AI content, people will seek out places where to establish real human connection.

1. Find customers, not followers.

2. Make art that’s functional.

3. Be a platform for others.

Make your work rooted in service.

Think. “I’m not here to be the star. I’m here to build the stage.”

There's no doubt artists create value when they work together. For proof, look at the market value of every music platform and label - UMG ($50 billion), Warner ($18 billion), Soundcloud ($2 billion), Spotify ($120 billion), and Youtube ($183 billion).  All of these platforms would be worthless without the work of creatives. The problem is, artists have no way to share in the value they create on these platforms. Instead, your work makes more money for shareholders than it does for you. Your work is working for them.

Our goal is to change that.

On Phlote, the artists are the shareholders. We've designed a platform that allows you to create value together. When we say we're “Turning Music Into a Team Sport”, we mean that literally. No longer is your work making others rich. Phlote.xyz allows you to capture the value that your music creates.

Collaboration is a superpower that fuels championship dynasties and allows humans to make unthinkable technological advances. It's also the way that billion-dollar companies are built in Silicon Valley every day. Clear incentives allow talented passionate people to turn their contributions into company ownership and build something that no individual could do on their own. We're bringing that concept to music for the first time. The talent in our network can build one of the most successful music businesses in the world. 

The way it works is simple. Phlote.xyz gives you a place to release demos, works-in-progress, and early ideas for others to remix, edit, and evolve. Each time your music is downloaded, you earn Points which represent a small ownership stake in the platform. Your demos and loops can turn into assets with infinite upside potential. These Points can represent many types of rewards, but the most powerful is an ownership stake in the platform itself. This creates a strong alignment between all of us giving us all a way to come up together. As the quality of the music attracts new subscribers, Points become more valuable giving you a way to share in the success of the platform.

This is a new way of doing business that we believe is fair and creates better alignment artist-to-artist and artist-to-platform. This is a rare opportunity today, but in the future, this should be the standard.

The next six weeks are critical to successfully launch the site and grow the community. Two things you can do today.

1. Share music on Phlote.xyz. The site is designed to help you unlock value from the 1000's of tracks you have sitting idle on your hard drive. Demos, works in progress, and loops are all fair game. To upload, simply follow these steps or watch this explainer video.

   1. Go to phlote.xyz

   2. Hit "Connect" to connect your wallet in the upper right corner

   3. Click “My Sessions”

   4. Click Start New Session

   5. Upload your bounce and stems (all stems must be the exact same length as the full bounce for the UI to work)

   6. Once all bounce and stems are loaded, add session name and any relevant tags. Then hit "Create Session”

2. Help us grow the network. We will continue to broaden the community by inviting producers, DJ's, artists from across the globe. We know each of you brings a network of artists who could help us all accelerate as well. We are relying on you to help steer the ship in the right direction. Feel free to forward this to artists you think would be good additions to the team and might have interest in joining. We're happy to chat with anyone who shares our vision and mission.

Respectfully,

Team Phlote

By giving artists a place to release free-to-remix tracks, we’re giving them a new way to unlock value from their music and help it spread. By creating an ecosystem that allows producers to connect and collaborate freely, we both strengthen our network and position it to win.

Phlote could redefine the label category for the internet age. Founded on the revolutionary ideas that fairness is good for business and that it’s more profitable to play together.

People after listening to Danny Hesher's tracks:

“The moment the track started, I felt my entire self dissolve. I wasn’t ‘me’ anymore—I was everything. The stars, the earth, the air, even the space between—all of it was me.”

“I found myself in this vast, infinite cathedral made of glowing, pulsating geometry. The walls were alive, breathing, and shifting colors that I can’t even name. It wasn’t just beautiful—it felt... sacred, like I was in the presence of something far beyond human comprehension.”

Danny Hesher blends modern hip-hop and melodic rap with introspective lyrics and fresh production. His music has been gaining traction on Apple Music and Spotify, showcasing his versatility as a dynamic artist. Hesher’s growing fanbase appreciates his raw honesty and creative beats, making him a promising collaborator for producers.

For DJs - Free download on Soundcloud

For Producers - Full stems available on Phlote.xyz

Want to drop a sample pack with Phlote? Find us on Discord

Best,

Team Phlote

The Power of a Collective Creative Space

What set Warhol’s Factory apart wasn’t just his artistic output but the collaborative energy it cultivated. The Factory gathered a diverse array of artists, musicians, writers, and thinkers, creating a network of creatives that thrived on the exchange of ideas and continuous reinvention. This environment gave birth to groundbreaking work, encouraging artists to experiment without fear of failure and to create in a way that challenged societal norms. By pooling their talents, Factory members could explore new directions that may have been impossible alone. This community-driven approach resonates with anthropologist Lewis Dean’s assertion that "cultural ratcheting" requires the ability to transmit knowledge collaboratively, which accelerates creativity and innovation. The synergy at The Factory powered its success, influencing each member’s artistry and fostering innovations that would resonate for decades.

The Silver Era: A Creative Playground

The “Silver Factory,” as the original space on East 47th Street was known, was a visual testament to Warhol’s love for the unconventional, with its walls covered in tinfoil, mirrors, and metallic finishes. This space became a playground where artists collaborated and experimented, producing an array of art, including lithographs, silkscreens, sculptures, and films. Warhol worked closely with his “Warhol Superstars”—a community of artists, socialites, and collaborators who contributed to both his projects and the lively, boundary-pushing atmosphere that defined The Factory.

Defying Conservatism

Warhol's art often challenged conservative views in America, particularly around sexuality and identity. At a time when mainstream entertainment largely avoided these topics, Warhol fearlessly explored nudity, drug use, and LGBTQ+ representation in his work. Films like Blue Movie, featuring friends Louis Waldon and Viva, and projects with notable drag queens like Jackie Curtis, Holly Woodlawn, and transgender icon Candy Darling, celebrated alternative lifestyles with unapologetic openness. The Factory embraced sexual and creative liberation, giving rise to performances, film screenings, and even staged weddings among drag queens, defying societal norms and creating a space where taboo topics could be openly explored.

Warhol’s Factory Embodied the Era

The Factory became synonymous with the countercultural revolution of the 1960s, embodying the spirit of the era’s shift toward liberalism and freedom. Through his creative incubator, Warhol inspired countless artists, breaking down boundaries and pioneering new forms of expression that mirrored the social changes of his time. The Factory was not only a physical space but also a cultural statement—a symbol of openness, creativity, and defiance that helped shape the course of art history.

The Digital Age: A Modern-Day Factory?

In today’s digital age, Warhol’s Factory raises the question of what a similar creative hub might look like now. As evolutionary geneticist Mark Thomas noted, “It’s not how smart you are... it’s how well connected you are.” This insight highlights that interconnectedness, like that within The Factory, fuels creative breakthroughs, making a case for a modern version of Warhol’s collective—one that spans physical and digital boundaries.

If the internet had existed in Warhol’s time, could he have harnessed a global network of creators to share ideas and collaborate across borders? Inspired by Warhol’s vision, we have sought to create our own platform, Phlote.xyz—a digital space where artists from around the world can connect, share, and work together on transformative projects.

Phlote aims to capture the spirit of The Factory, providing a digital and physical home for creatives to innovate, collaborate, and experiment together. From history, we know the power that arises when creators have a space to exchange ideas freely. Phlote offers that space, combining the community energy of Warhol’s Factory with the global reach of modern technology. By fostering a creative home base, we can fuel a movement that brings together today’s brightest minds to shape the next generation of art and culture.

Conclusion: Where is Today’s Factory

What if the internet had existed in Warhol’s era? Could Warhol have extended his reach to galvanize a global creative community across the web? Today, it seems that many creative communities have yet to harness this potential fully. The great work that emerged from The Factory was deeply influenced by its vibrant community. What if something similar existed today? What would it look like—a brand that truly represents its community of creators?

Inspired by this vision, we created Phlote.xyz to make this a reality. Our aim is to bring great minds together to share ideas, collaborate, and bring creative projects to life. History shows that when creators have a space to connect and exchange ideas, the results can be transformative. We’re building a home base where creatives can chat and collaborate, magnifying our collective impact by expanding it globally using Phlote.xyz.

• The Potential of TCRs:

  • Next wave of billion-dollar internet unicorns.

  • Unlock an internet superpower - the ability to enable massive collaborations.

  • Phlote.xyz aims to use TCR philosophy to transform how value is created and shared online.

• What TCRs Enable:

  • A fairer, more dynamic internet made up of diverse, bottoms-up labels.

  • A sustainable model for any internet group to turn their hobby into a profession.

  • Equitable brand building, where curation is monetized and benefits are shared.

• The Need for Internet Curation:

  • Too many artists. Too few platforms.

  • Valuable content is being lost; people are willing to pay for better curation.

  • Audiences crave experiences that are unique, educational, and save them time. For example, users don’t want to sift through 1000 bad articles, songs, or recommendations to find one good one.

  • TCR’s potential to disrupt Music and Media:

  • Two industries that are burdened by the abundance of content online and have not fully embraced the internet.

• Artists Empowered Through Curation:

  • Many artists don’t appreciate their potential as curators.

    • For example, music fans want to know what their favorite artists are listening to just as much as they want to hear what they’re making.

  • TCRs allow artists to financially benefit from this innate skill.

• Within TCRs, high quality curation leads to premium distribution.

  • Maintaining a high standard of content creates a more aspirational platform that can be better monetized.

  • Within music, many artists are lost on the internet and searching for a way to stand out. Open access is no longer special. Artists now want to be a part of a curated space.

• Phlote’s Billion-Dollar Blueprint:

  • Inspired by Silicon Valley’s success with incentives to unite talent.

  • Empower artists to share in the internet-driven value they create.

  • Curation as the foundation for creative and economic growth.

  • Producer platform (Phlote.xyz) + DJ network (Phlote.TV)

We’ve seen how silicon valley creates value by using incentives to bring talent together. We’ve seen how artists create value on the internet as well. Until now, they haven’t had a way to extract that value. Phlote creates that opportunity for artists.

The music industry is broken and ripe for disruption.

Since 2017, I’ve been focused on finding ways to get artists paid at scale. In 2019, I discovered Tokenized Curated Registries (TCRs), one of the most disruptive idea to emerge from Web3. While NFTs were promising, they have not developed a market. TCRs, however, offer a real pathway to transform how value is created and shared on the internet.

A TCR is a system that monetizes curation by creating a high-quality, community-driven list. TCR’s work like magazines: higher quality content leads to more subscriptions. More subscriptions makes the publication more prestigious to be featured in. But it starts with quality. What makes TCRs unique is that they are decentralized. They give a group of people a way to financially benefit from maintaining a high quality standard for content. Unlike today’s digital platforms, in a TCR, the benefits flow back to contributors, creating a moat that the music industry is not likely to follow.

At its heart, a music playlist could function as a TCR. So could a label, a media channel, or a network—all with the potential to show a powerful new model for collaboration on the internet.

Phlote.xyz is our experiment in applying TCR philosophy to music. As a tool, Phlote.xyz is a place for DJs and producers to share and find high quality sounds and high quality collaborations. As a community owned asset, Phlote.xyz becomes more valuable as it's quality and the number of contributions increases, putting every member in control of the outcome.

What makes Phlote.xyz unique is the way artists can earn stake in the platform for their contributions. Creators share tracks that others can download and remix, and earn points when their tracks are used. Success is measured by “usefulness” instead of plays, offering a new success metric that helps creators to unlock new value from old tracks.

Phlote offers a new form of distribution for artists that leverages the power of collaboration. Through Phlote, an artist can turn one song into many. Releasing “open source” free-to-remix tracks, gives creators more shots at virality and a clear picture of what their music has inspired.

Our plan is to attract 333 creators to join Phlote.xyz at the ground level. These creators will have the unique ability to collaborate with us to shape the music on the platform. This is an experiment to see if together, we can:

1. Build a valuable tool for artists and producers on the internet.

2. Unleash the collaborative power of the internet to create win-win for everyone involved.

3. Move internet and music culture forward.

If this vision succeeds, several outcomes are possible:

1. Licensing Opportunities: Labels or platforms may want to license our technology.

2. Increased Membership: More artists will want to join.

3. Acquisition Potential: Platforms may want to buy us—creating a huge win for everyone.

Phlote.xyz is allowing us to build a music ecosystem based on merit, not clout. And a more collaborative and creative internet led by artists.

Join Discord to learn more.

Untitled is creating a nice tool the is pushing into the creative. If successful, they will create a new more efficient way for creators to make and share music. But where does all this music go?

Most will likely stay on the app forever, making [untitled] the unofficial archive of creators on the app. Right now, that archive is not available to the public. But what if it was? They could allow artists to publish right on the app and share broadly, which would be interesting. It does not seem as though their plan is to become a music content platform, but they have the opportunity.

Spotify is already a bottleneck for music. There are too many songs getting too little views as it stands. Too many great artists getting lost in the shuffle. As the primary consumption point for listeners, this is not good for them either.

At some point, artists may see the benefit of more curated music platforms that give both the artists and curious music fans a more bespoke experience.

This is where labels could make a come back. As curation platforms, labels will be extremely important going forward. Their primary job will be to find talented artists and give THEM a platform. The roster will turn into the community of artists. Instead of one Spotify, there could be many platforms that simply give members of their community better visibility and as well as better economic terms.

New labels can be their own source of distribution. For example, they could release music as open source content, like sample packs, that intentionally invite collaboration, spread, and serendipity as a new lever artists can use to unlock value from their music. Labels could own their own clubs and digital venues. They could be infrastructure providers and make their tools available broadly for a price or operate more discretely. They will likely work on more equitable terms, seeing themselves as collaborative partners within their community and seeking to create win-win scenarios instead of what’s available today.

In today’s rapidly evolving economy, the most successful cities are those that foster innovation, creativity, and collaboration. Silicon Valley became the global tech hub not simply because of its early adoption of technology, but because it nurtured an ecosystem where ideas could flourish, experiment, and grow into billion-dollar companies. The next great hub won’t just be about technology—it will be about creativity and culture. Following the pandemic, nearly every city around the world has a vacancy issue for office space they're working to combat. The first city to transform its vacant spaces to art spaces could become the next Silicon Valley.

The Untapped Potential of Vacant Space

Cities across the world are grappling with vacant commercial and industrial spaces. Empty warehouses, unused office buildings, and abandoned factories are signs of a shifting economy. While these spaces often stand as symbols of economic decline, they are, in reality, opportunities waiting to be transformed.

Cities across the world also have an artist community that is being under-served, but offer tremendous potential. Historically, artists have always found ways to thrive in overlooked areas—turning old warehouses into studios, reviving forgotten neighborhoods with galleries, and transforming urban landscapes into vibrant, cultural destinations. In fact, artists have been the force behind the type of revitalization that spurs economic benefits for entire cities and regions. By giving artists the tools and space to create, cities can unlock economic potential in ways that tech or finance alone may not.

Artists as Catalysts for Innovation

Creativity is at the heart of all innovation. It was not a rigid corporate structure that birthed the tech giants of today; it was the experimental, boundary-pushing mindset that saw potential where others saw nothing. Artists bring this same mentality to urban spaces. All they need is space to connect.

By converting vacant spaces into artist hubs—places where musicians, painters, sculptors, filmmakers, designers, and digital creators can collaborate—cities have the opportunity to create fertile ground for new ideas, technologies, and industries. These hubs become more than just spaces for art; they become incubators for creativity that spread into the broader economy.

The Economic Ripple Effect

The economic impact of giving artists space extends beyond the creation of a few murals or local gallery events. It transforms the entire ecosystem. As artists move in, so do cafes, restaurants, and shops. Soon, tourists descend, as do tech startups and creative agencies that are drawn to the vibrancy that art brings. Areas undergo a renaissance driven by the next wave of innovation. There are many examples of this phenomenon happening in many cities around the world.

Consider the example of SoHo in New York or Wynwood in Miami—what began as artist enclaves transformed into some of the most valuable real estate in the country. But what’s missing from these examples is the infrastructure to truly support the artists that provide the intitial boost, but eventually get priced out as real estate values rise. What's needed is a long-term solution that supports the creative community and allows for sustainable growth and scalability. The cities that will win will not just offer artists a temporary home but build them into the city's economic fabric.

The Blueprint for Success

For a city to truly capitalize on this opportunity, it needs to do more than provide cheap rent or temporary artist residencies. It must commit to building a supportive ecosystem that includes:

• Affordable, long-term space: Artists need stable environments to thrive. Cities must offer leases that protect creatives from being displaced by rising rents.

• Access to resources and tools: From tech labs and recording studios to 3D printing facilities, the spaces should be equipped with tools artists need to experiment with new media.

• Funding and grants: Public-private partnerships that provide artists and for-profit art projects with financial support needed to take creative risks, build sustainable businesses.

• Collaboration opportunities: Spaces that encourage collaboration between artists, technologists, and entrepreneurs foster cross-pollination of ideas and provide the seeds for the next big things to emerge. The lines between art, tech, and business will blur, leading to groundbreaking projects.

• Global visibility: Just as cities like NYC, Paris, and Berlin have built international reputations for creativity and culture, the next city to embrace its artists will attract global attention, tourism, and investment.

Why Artists? Why Now?

In a time when the internet has flattened culture, consumers are seeking unique experiences that many cities can offer. By creating opportunities for the local art scene to be seen, cities could unlock a gold mine by doing nothing more than making local culture visible.

The city that becomes the first to fully turn its vacant spaces into art spaces will create a ripple effect that touches every aspect of the local economy and serve as an example for other cities to follow. It will build a thriving ecosystem that drives growth, attracts talent, and fosters collaboration in ways that mirror the rise of Silicon Valley.

Art is no longer just an aesthetic pursuit—it’s the key to a brighter economic future. The next Silicon Valley will look different and be born where creativity and space converge, giving the city that see this potential first a first-mover advantage in shaping the next chapter of global innovation.

Free everyone.

A Black Punk Movement

There are no more norms.

All restrictions are self imposed.

You are in control, not the media.

Do not let someone else control your narrative of self.

We are limitless.

There is no doubt.

We’re not close to reaching our full potential.

The powers that be know this.

They want us to be unaware of our special powers.

But we’re figuring it out.

Be aware of any limiting beliefs and flip them.

You are in control of your life.

You are in control of your performance.

Life is working for you, not against you.

You have everything you need, to get what you want from life.

There are no obstacles that can withstand your focus, commitment, and enthusiasm.

You’re battle tested by ancestry.

You are advantaged!!

Art Supremacy

Maintaining a public creative journal is a critical part of the philosophy that I outline to any artist that will listen. For musicians, I always say, making and releasing music should be a daily practice. I encourage them to think about their creative process as a practice. A way for them to generate and share ideas and create the opportunity for serendipity.

The “journal” doesn’t need to exist publicly, but should exist somewhere. Ideally, it’s shared within a trusted circle of friends, fans, or collaborators, to enable feedback and so the artist can both feel the sense of release and get in the routine of releasing.

Releasing unfinished ideas, putting them “into the market” to see what happens is a scary thought, but a critical part of the practice.

Mirror is where I will do the same. Release unfinished ideas. Get some feedback.

Rule #1. Assets Create Income. The beauty of a song, movie, book, game, and most forms of IP is their ability to generate cash flow. perpetually. Forever. Building a catalog of royalty paying assets is the objective.

Rule #2. Release “Coloring books”. Turn consumers into co-creators. The best assets create other assets. If you’re a designer, sell the pattern and the shirt itself. If you’re a musician, sell the sample pack and the song.

Rule #3. Use Compounding. Collaboration is the easiest form. Allowing others to touch your work, use it, edit, and adapt it enables them to invest in your work. Collaboration is also how you get ideas to spread, how to create an incentive for sharing.

Rule #4. Make and Release Tools. Function over form. Usefulness is the only measure that matters. What’s it supposed to do? Does it fucking work? What is the purpose for this thing existing? What is it supposed to do?

Functional art is the best art.

Rule #5. Build Money Machines. Start a subscription. Pay to play is the only way.

Rule #6. Share the Codes: Open source everything. Letting others steal your ideas is a way to show the true cultural value for your work.

Please send questions, thoughts and feedback to aj@phlote.co.