http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/may/13/chance-the-rapper-chicago-music-coloring-book-hip-hop
The article discusses how Chance has been able to roll out three free full-length mixtapes/albums without ever signing to a record label or 'selling out'. Neither of his first two projects, 10 Day and Acid Rap, are on any sort of music streaming service, but rather available for free on his website chanceraps.com and the widely used site for sharing legitimate free music - datpiff.com.
This body of writing also touches upon how fast much the music industry has mutated over the past few years in terms of how an album or project is judged in terms of how successful it is. Only a few years ago first-week album sales were the factor in which determined how well an album was received by the public; whereas now it's first week sales, streaming and downloads that all need to be taken into account.
Chance's Colouring Book project is an Apple Music exclusive for two weeks (still free to download), but back when he released Acid Rap there were no monster corporations fighting for his exclusivity, meaning the only way he was earning any money was through his constant touring and merchandise. By staying in touch with his fanbase, Chancelor Bennett has been able to change the way music fans are able to acquire free music while also staying true to himself and his beliefs by not signing to any record labels.
Because he has released Colouring Cook for free hs is unable to earn a nomination in the Grammys. This sparked up quite a discussion amongst music fans as people realised that free music is not eligible to be nominated; so much so that a petition was started in order to 'Allow Free Music to be Eligible for Grammy Nomination'. This petition, so far, has gathered over 30,800 signatures, one being Chance himself.
Due to the widespread media coverage and the amount of signatures, it has been reported that
'Recording Academy Says It Would Consider Grammy Award Category For Free Music'.
'Allow Free Music to be Eligible for Grammy Nomination'
- International Business Times
"I hear you gotta sell it to snatch the Grammy"
- Chance The Rapper, Ultra Light Beam
"I don't make songs for free, I make them for freedom"
-Chance The Rapper, Blessings
No comments:
Post a Comment