The Positive and Negative Effects of Music on the Internet
Taylor Hartman
Mrs. Blythe
10/17/11
Essay #2
The Positive and Negative Effects of Music on the Internet
Technology has taken over every aspect of everyday life. It’s hard to image life without using some form of technology. The most dominating form of technology has to be the internet. The internet gives users access to new and improved ideas from around the world such as news, gadgets, and music. Music thrives on the internet and it’s impact can be seen as either a good thing or a bad thing. The old formula of the music industry was as followed: 1. an artist creates a demo tape 2. gets it in the hands of a big record label 3. they like it 4. sign the artist and start backing up that artist
That formula would change forever when music became available on the internet. The middle man was cut out and the artist would have creativity over themselves. Origins of that self reliance dates back to 1998 when Chuck D of Public Enemy released a song on his own website without consent from his label Def Jam. That bold move changed the music industry and “redefined the relationship between the musician and his label” (Studio). From then on, new and old artist had a choice of moving ahead with the standard big label formula or move alone by themselves. The independent route went viral and artist started jumping on that bandwagon, benefiting more from that then they ever would have with a label. This new music industry shows a lot of positive progress being made on the artist and label’s part. The biggest achievement the internet has given to the industry is access to a wider fan base. When music is available on the internet, fans can access more music from their favorite artist that they’ve never heard before. With that method, word of mouth starts and it creates a bigger fan base and more attention for the artist. Artists aren’t the only ones benefiting from the internet. Record labels can benefit from
Mrs. Blythe
10/17/11
Essay #2
The Positive and Negative Effects of Music on the Internet
Technology has taken over every aspect of everyday life. It’s hard to image life without using some form of technology. The most dominating form of technology has to be the internet. The internet gives users access to new and improved ideas from around the world such as news, gadgets, and music. Music thrives on the internet and it’s impact can be seen as either a good thing or a bad thing. The old formula of the music industry was as followed: 1. an artist creates a demo tape 2. gets it in the hands of a big record label 3. they like it 4. sign the artist and start backing up that artist
That formula would change forever when music became available on the internet. The middle man was cut out and the artist would have creativity over themselves. Origins of that self reliance dates back to 1998 when Chuck D of Public Enemy released a song on his own website without consent from his label Def Jam. That bold move changed the music industry and “redefined the relationship between the musician and his label” (Studio). From then on, new and old artist had a choice of moving ahead with the standard big label formula or move alone by themselves. The independent route went viral and artist started jumping on that bandwagon, benefiting more from that then they ever would have with a label. This new music industry shows a lot of positive progress being made on the artist and label’s part. The biggest achievement the internet has given to the industry is access to a wider fan base. When music is available on the internet, fans can access more music from their favorite artist that they’ve never heard before. With that method, word of mouth starts and it creates a bigger fan base and more attention for the artist. Artists aren’t the only ones benefiting from the internet. Record labels can benefit from
Cited: Positive Effects of Music Piracy on the Music Industry. 26 November 2006. 10 October 2011. http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/02241/pros.htm Negative Effects on the Music Industry. 26 November 2006. 10 October 2011. http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/02241/pros.htm