Archive
Web3
New pathways: Analyzing music NFT release strategies from underrepresented genres
October 25 2022

We interviewed nearly 20 different artists and community leaders from underrepresented genres in Web3, to learn about the role of genre in shaping long-term branding strategies as well as artist sentiment around the technology.

Gaming
The Score: What are the licensing opportunities for independent artists in video games?
October 23 2022

There’s been a significant rise in music and gaming collaborations across mobile games, rhythm games, virtual world platforms, and more. But the barriers to entry remain high for most independent artists.

Careers
CC: A new product focus for music/Web3, plus industry-wide metaverse and LatAm roles

Our new, collaborative editorial vertical about the future of work in the music business.

Web3
From ZKPs to the future of music/Web3: What we learned at DevCon
October 20 2022

Connecting the dots between the more technical, cutting-edge discussions taking place among Ethereum developers, and what artists and the music industry can expect (and how they can best prepare) in terms of potential upcoming changes to music/Web3 apps and use cases.

Web3
Sidechain: Future Tape joins Zora, new music/Web3 protocols, and new case studies in royalty-backed NFTs
October 12 2022

Introducing our new, collaborative editorial vertical dedicated to tracking the music/Web3 landscape.

Web3
A needs-driven approach to music NFT metadata

A proposal for a more minimalist, needs-driven approach to ironing out a music NFT metadata schema, grounded in emerging contextual use cases around the artist/fan journey in Web3.

Community Q&As
Community Member Q&A: Josh Dalton, Serenade
October 03 2022

To platform more voices from the Water & Music community, we’ve decided to reignite our Community Member Q&A section. Biweekly, we’ll be running a Q&A with W&M members doing particularly innovative or interesting work with music and technology.

Gaming
The Score: Is Lil Nas X’s League of Legends collaboration his smartest play yet?
September 26 2022

Riot Games, the studio behind League of Legends, has collaborated with Lil Nas X on the 2022 League of Legends World Championship (Worlds) Tournament anthem, “Star Walkin.’”

Careers
Community Barometer, Q2 2022: The future of work
September 23 2022

Our latest community barometer survey identified several challenges currently affecting music-industry workers in a rapidly changing market, while providing context on whether workers feel equipped with the skills needed to enact change in their careers and in the wider music business. 

Careers
CC: Product managers for avatar artists, music/podcast politics, ecommerce services, and more
September 21 2022

Introducing our new, collaborative editorial vertical about the future of work in the music business. On a biweekly basis, our research team highlights the most interesting jobs emerging in music — “interesting” defined as involving new technologies, skill sets, strategic priorities, and cross-industry synergies like in gaming, fitness, and podcasts — as a vector for charting potential futures for the music industry as a whole.

Web3
Sidechain: Venice, Warner Music, and more cross the Web2/Web3 bridge
September 20 2022

Introducing our new, collaborative editorial vertical dedicated to tracking the music/Web3 landscape.

Gaming
The Score: Was Justin Bieber’s first in-game concert a success?
September 12 2022

Justin Bieber played his first-ever in-game concert in Garena Free Fire, a battle-royale game exclusive to mobile devices, on August 27, 2022. Did it generate the buzz and results that we expected!