As a decentralized system, Web3 eliminates middlemen such as traditional record labels, allowing artists to retain ownership of their intellectual property.

We’re witnessing the emergence of music platforms, marketplaces, and communities, all built on the principles of Web3. With this new ecosystem, music artists have an alternative way to monetize their work, grow a fan base, and build their careers.

While all of these benefits do sound very appealing, it’s important to also be aware of all the challenges that come with the Web3 music ecosystem. Success is very much dependent on each individual artist and the strategies they take.

In this Web3 music starter pack, we will provide you with the best learning material on the essential tools, resources, and platforms that will help you prepare yourself and succeed in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, this guide will give you the knowledge you need to navigate the Web3 music world.

P.S the list will be updated regularly.

Introduction to Web3 music

Music legos - the simplest way to explain Web3 music

Helping music artists leverage Web3 & the NFT ecosystem

Biggest ever guide to Web3 music ecosystem

How Web3 can really disrupt the music industry

Understanding the Web3 music ecosystem

Music NFT Landscape

Music Not NFTs

Web3 Labels

Web3 Collectives

Collecting Culture

Collecting Music NFTs

Defining music NFT ownership, from the digital to the analog world

The state of music/Web3 tools for artists

Establishing yourself as a music artist in Web3

Build a loyal fanbase as a music artist

Do Music NFTs Lead to More Spotify Streams?

Artist Development in Web3

Open Editions

Web3 Creator Onboarding

Sources

You can continue learning about Web3 music by following these publications:

https://coopahtroopa.mirror.xyz/

https://web3musicguide.substack.com/

https://ziggyziggymusic.substack.com/

https://www.waterandmusic.com/

What is Libby?

Libby is a decentralized, chain-agnostic web3 label/agency hybrid. We offer a wide range of services including syndication on crypto streaming platforms as well as the creation and promotion of music NFTs on various audio NFT marketplaces.

Our primary focus is to find talented new artists, positioning them for success by providing resources and guidance in the early stages of their careers. Our A&R team manually scours the internet on a daily basis to continue to find and develop the best talent in the world.

Our Solution

• Building a community-curated & governed ecosystem of Web3 music projects that makes the journey of new users easy & safe.

• Accelerating mainstream adoption of Web3 technology as a means to enable musicians, their audiences, as well as other industry professionals to engage with the music economy directly.

• Developing Web3 music ownership, rights transfer, publishing, advances, pre-release sales and promotion, distribution, label services, management services, and streaming all within an open, distributed, smart-contract-based platform.

  **

Join Libby and build a loyal fanbase that will enable you to make a living from your music without relying on old-fashioned record labels, distributors, or other intermediaries. **

As I said, I haven´t been always an intergalactic whale. Once, my name was Captain Mordecai Wirikik and my story is more absurd, than it sounds, but true, nonetheless. I was born in the 18th century in what is now the United States of America to a family of mixed ancestry: My father was an American Indian, while my mother came from a Jewish family that lived in Eastern Europe in a region that roughly corresponds to present-day Poland.

I left my era to travel through time and space to your present: Indeed, I am a time traveler. I did not know why or how it happened, I only know when: during the Battle of New York, at the end of the Revolutionary War. I was a soldier under George W. Washington: I was the captain of my troops. I was not proud that I had made my living by killing other human beings, perhaps that is why I was given another chance as a human to redeem my mistakes.

After the time trip I did my living by playing music: they called experimental music; In fact, a mix of all the cultural influences I received from my family, friends, and brothers in arms. When I still was a human, I had my first music lesson as a boy, learning old arias from the Italian repertoire thanks to an Italian opera singer who had moved to America with her wealthy husband. This was a big step in my training as a musician. I learned to use my voice for the first time, and since I was a shy person, I learned to be more confident.

Later, I became curious about all kinds of musical instruments, had a chance to get my hands on them, so I became what you call a multi-instrumentalist, a curious music lover. I was part of the folk music scene in my small town in America: I knew people, I knew their stories, and I played my story with them. Then the war came, and everything changed. When I got stuck in your time, I needed to reinvent my life.

I decided to do what I had dreamed of for a long time: to become an artist. I discovered your music, the music of my "future." And I discovered your visual art, the art of my "future." In all genres, I found some spark of that togetherness that I had discovered during my youth; however, what really struck me was what you called "atonal music," the broadening of possibilities within musical composition. I decided to follow this path, a new path for me, but still new for all of you as well.

I discovered an organic way of creating a composition, where the "mistake" represents the starting point of something bigger and unexpected. The Internet (it took me a long time to get used to it, really a long time) did the rest: it allowed me to get in touch with people from all over the world and to broaden my artistic vision, discovering deeper paths in me that I should never have discovered.

Through these paths other musical projects were born Il Carro di Fieno (with experimental guitarist Giovanni Boero), the duo Nevskij & Wirikik, collaboration with Italian experimental artists Claudio Milano and Alberto Nemo, and my involvement in the extreme music scene (Grevlar). Some works have already been published, others have yet to be released.

Since last year I discovered the possibility of expanding my artistic and human vision and entered the world of Web 3.0. There I could finally merge my visual representation of the world with my music. For this revolutionary task a new metamorphosis was necessary: From human to intergalactic whale.

Even though the internet gives us access to all the necessary tools and resources, it is still tough for up-and-coming artists to stand out from the rest of the crowd. You have everyone competing for the same spotlight. With that being said, finding that differentiating factor is a challenge.

There was a time when you could easily take advantage of social media platforms to grow an audience and build a strong presence as an artist. These opportunities are still available but now it’s much more difficult because your followers might only be interested in you for a short period of time. Unlimited access to any music provides everyone the freedom to jump from one artist to another.

For quite some time it wasn’t clear if there was a way to solve this problem but now the wheels have started to turn in the other direction.

1,000 true fans over millions of listeners

For an artist, the most important thing is to build a dedicated fanbase. There is a common misconception that size is more important than patronage which means that you can only achieve success and make money if you have enough people following you.

The new online landscape offers an alternative solution.

In a world of instant gratification, fandom is beginning to take a new shape. The idea is that music artists have the ability to build a small dedicated fanbase that supports them in all parts of their creative journey. 

The concept is better known as “1,000 True Fans” popularized by Kevin Kelly. 

Kelly describes a true fan as someone who will invest in the work of an artist emotionally and financially. They will purchase every piece of art an artist creates, attend every show, and tell their friends about it. People who care remain loyal to musicians, artists, and writers even when the markets fluctuate.

How to build a dedicated fanbase

First and foremost, it's important that you show authenticity by being transparent. Your art should reflect your personality, so be yourself. Allow your fans to be a part of your creative process and challenges.

True fans also have the desire to connect with the artists they love. You can foster that connection by engaging with your fans on social media through comments and messages.

Some of the biggest opportunities for artists are now available through WEB3 technologies, such as blockchain and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). They allow music artists to monetize their work and reach new audiences. You can read the full breakdown here.

Here are some of the ways artists can use WEB3 technologies and bring value to their core fanbase:

• Sell unique digital assets/collectibles: Musicians can use NFTs to sell music videos, album art, or individual tracks. This can provide a new revenue stream for music artists and give fans the opportunity to own something special and unique.

• Offer NFTs as rewards for fan engagement: Consider offering NFTs as rewards for fans who engage with your content, share your music, or participate in special events or contests. This can be a great way to incentivize fan engagement and create a sense of community.

• Use NFTs to create interactive experiences: Music artists can use NFTs to create interactive experiences for their fans, such as virtual meet-and-greets or exclusive concerts. This can help to build a sense of connection with your audience and create unique and memorable experiences.

• Share behind-the-scenes content: Consider using NFTs to share behind-the-scenes content or other exclusive material with your fans. This can create a sense of intimacy and allow your fans to feel like they have a special connection with you and your music.

It's important to note that while NFTs can be a powerful tool for musicians to connect with their fans, they are still a relatively new technology. Musicians have to carefully consider how they can use NFTs in a way that adds value and strengthens their relationship with the fans.

Fortunately, our Libby collective has the ability to save you from all this hassle. We can help you bypass all the barriers needed to enter the NFT music ecosystem and set you up with a clear strategy.

Introducing Libby

Libby is a decentralized, chain-agnostic web3 label/agency hybrid. We offer a wide range of services including syndication on crypto streaming platforms as well as the creation and promotion of music NFTs on various audio NFT marketplaces.

Our primary focus is to find talented new artists, positioning them for success by providing resources and guidance in the early stages of their careers. Our A&R team manually scours the internet on a daily basis to continue to find and develop the best talent in the world.

Our Solution

• Building a community-curated & governed ecosystem of Web3 music projects that makes the journey of new users easy & safe.

• Accelerating mainstream adoption of Web3 technology as a means to enable musicians, their audiences, as well as other industry professionals to engage with the music economy directly.

• Developing Web3 music ownership, rights transfer, publishing, advances, pre-release sales and promotion, distribution, label services, management services, and streaming all within an open, distributed, smart-contract-based platform.

  **

Join Libby and build a loyal fanbase that will enable you to make a living from your music without relying on old-fashioned record labels, distributors, or other intermediaries. **

Introduction

The music industry has been trying to sort itself out for quite some time now. We have seen it go from vinyl, cassettes, and CDs to mp3s, and streaming services.

But these technical advancements certainly aren’t the only things that shaped the music industry as we know it today.

Artist-label relations were always the talk of the town. For many decades, artists have expressed their frustrations with major record labels for the lack of control over their music and income.

Record labels often take a significant portion of the revenues generated by an artist's music. This can include not only the money from album sales, but also from touring, merchandise, and licensing deals.

Music distribution platforms such as streaming services are not helping much either since they tend to prioritize their own interests as well leaving music artists with limited options.

Luckily, the ship has started to steer against the wind again and we’re witnessing a new technological revolution that is bound to change the music industry for the better.

The birth of blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is now offering a new playground for music artists to finally get what they deserve and build a stronger connection with their respective audiences.

To have a better perspective on how this shift has started and the benefits it provides to the artists, we need to understand how the internet and decentralization sparked the change that we see today.

The start of the revolution

Back in the early/mid-90s, the music industry was experiencing its golden age. Album sales were booming, and profits were skyrocketing thanks to the - at the time very successful - CD format.

However, by the end of the decade, things took an unexpected turn.

The rapid growth of the internet and the adoption of a digital audio file format known as MP3 gave life to the file-sharing revolution. It allowed people to easily share digital files, such as music, movies, and software simply through the availability of an internet connection and their home computer.

One of the most significant developments during this period was the rise of Napster, one of the first popular file-sharing services.

Napster allowed users to search for and download digital copies of songs from other users' computers, effectively allowing people to access and share music for free. This posed a major threat to the traditional business model of the music industry, which relied on the sale of physical copies of music, such as CDs.

The platform’s rise in popularity led to widespread concerns about music piracy, as it became much easier for people to access and share music without paying for it.

It had a negative impact on the revenues of record labels and artists and led to a number of high-profile lawsuits against Napster and other file-sharing services.

At the time, both the artists and the record labels suffered dramatically but it was the start of a long-needed change.

Despite the controversy, Napster's impact on the music industry was undeniable.

The service helped usher in a new era of digital music and paved the way for the development of other popular music-sharing platforms, such as iTunes and Spotify.

It also helped to accelerate the shift away from physical music formats and towards digital ones, which has become the norm in the industry today.

The era of streaming services

Music streaming services began to emerge in the early 2010s, as broadband internet connections became more widely available, and the cost of data storage decreased. These services offered users the ability to listen to large libraries of music on demand, without needing to download or store the files on their own devices.

One of the first popular music streaming services to appear on the scene was Spotify, which launched in 2008 in Sweden. The platform allowed users to listen to a wide range of music for free, with the option to upgrade to a paid subscription that offered additional features, such as the ability to listen offline and access exclusive content.

Other music streaming services soon followed, including Apple Music, Pandora, and Tidal. These platforms offered similar features to Spotify and helped to facilitate the growth of the music streaming industry.

Today, streaming services are a major part of the music ecosystem, and they have largely replaced traditional forms of music distribution, such as the sale of physical copies and digital downloads.

However, there are several potential downsides to these platforms.

One major issue is that the revenues generated by these services are often quite low, compared to the sale of physical copies of music or digital downloads. This means that artists and musicians may not earn as much money from streaming as they would from other forms of music distribution.

Another downside is they can make it more difficult for new and emerging artists to gain exposure and build a fanbase. Because there is such a large amount of music available on these platforms, it can be hard for new artists to stand out and attract the attention of listeners.

Additionally, some critics argue that music streaming services can lead to a decline in the overall quality of music. Since these platforms often use algorithms to recommend music to listeners, there is a risk that they will promote music that is popular or well-known over more experimental or niche genres. It can lead to a homogenization of the music industry, where only a small number of artists and genres are able to thrive.

Giving power to the artists through NFTs and decentralization

Over the past few years, the emergence of blockchain and adjacent solutions such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) started delivering unique and unprecedented use cases for the music space.

This new paradigm shift has been labeled as Web3 or Web 3.0 referring to the third iteration of the World Wide Web that places its primary focus on security, transparency, ownership and decentralization.

Through the use of blockchain and decentralized networks, Web3 music platforms aim to provide artists with more control over their careers and enable more direct and transparent relationships between artists and fans.

Out of all the different use cases and solutions of Web3, the most significant one for music artists is the application of NFTs.

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are unique digital assets that can be bought, sold, and traded on blockchain-based platforms.

By creating unique, digital collectibles that fans can purchase and own, artists have the ability to earn income and create a sense of exclusivity and scarcity that increases the value of their work.

Another way that NFTs can benefit music artists is by enabling them to create new experiences and interactions for their fans.

For example, an artist could create an NFT that provides fans with access to exclusive content, such as live streams, behind-the-scenes footage, or unreleased new music to create a more engaging and immersive fan experience and foster a sense of community and loyalty among fans.

This new wave of decentralized music has seen a new generation of Web3 artists coming up with innovative ways to appeal to their fan bases and make music more accessible. NFTs and virtual concerts, as well as increasingly decentralized music label models, are becoming a regular fixture in the Web3 music world, giving musicians like never before the capacity to be their own artist-entrepreneurs.

The evolution of Web3 music has given each artist the chance to truly own their art and have complete control over the distribution which is what the streaming services and previous innovative solutions have failed to accomplish.

Introducing Libby

Libby is a decentralized community-based web3 label/agency hybrid helping music artists to take advantage of NFT economy.

We offer a wide range of services including syndication on crypto streaming platforms as well as the creation and promotion of music NFTs on various audio NFT marketplaces.

Our Solution

• Building a community-curated & governed ecosystem of Web3 music projects that makes the journey of new users easy & safe.

• Accelerating mainstream adoption of Web3 technology as a means to enable musicians, their audiences, as well as other industry professionals to engage with the music economy directly.

• Developing Web3 music ownership, rights transfer, publishing, advances, pre-release sales and promotion, distribution, label services, management services, and streaming all within an open, distributed, smart-contract-based platform.

Our Values

Diversity

Most traditional labels limit themselves to a particular genre of music. We don't subscribe to this way of thinking; we feature *all* genres of music from people of all races, religions, and beliefs.

Honesty

It's no secret that several crypto/NFT projects "rug pull" or take other people's money and run. Honesty is a major pillar of our values here at Libby - you can trust that we'll keep our word, 100% of the time.

Think Big

Selling yourself short is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. They think differently and look around corners for ways to serve your target audience.

If you want to start your Web3 music journey and grow your audience while focusing on your craft, don’t hesitate to check out our website for more information on how to join the community.