The Last Drop

And they did. The major labels are finally learning. The internet is not your enemy. You just have to find a way to harness it. Even if you kill a few start ups in the process of learning this tale, it’s nice to know that someone somewhere is listening. A whole heap of start ups are renegotiating their licensing terms with the major labels to positive effects. Even though I left Imeem in the wake of LastFM (and will be moving again soon…wait and see on the right nav), it’s good to see that they are not dissolving. And it’s good to see that record labels are trusting start ups to secure a longer term vision of the music landscape and the way we all will interact.

Here’s to new best friends. May they learn to love one another, even if they have occassional cat fights (oh Napster…).

The moment we all were waiting for actually happened. Digital music sales at a record label finally surpassed it’s analog older brother. Better yet, baby boomer father. Who says ringtone rappers are not worth it? Certainly not Atlantic.

I will be very curious to see if this trend spreads to other labels and even tips the balance for the Big 4. I can’t say whether I am enthused or not. On one hand, it’s great to see that the viral impact of technology is allowing more artists to get more fans, feedback, and sales at a lower cost. However, is the death of the record label really a blessing for all artists? Are we really supposed to get all of our information from Myspace, friends, commercials, tv placements and blogs? Do we want to spend all of our time this way?

The only time you will see T.I. hanging with white folk.