Afrobeats and More: Data Shows Us How Culture Moves with Christine Osazuwa

If you’re a regular listener, you know we run the Music Tectonics conference. Early EARLY bird tickets are now on sale, and it’s time for you to think about joining us on the beach in Santa Monica CA. Find out about this year's keynote speaker—and why it's a big deal that he's back! We share a few audio snapshots from the conference to give you a taste of the music innovation conversations that take place there. The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!

Join Dr. Portia Sabin, President of the Music Business Association, and Dmitri in a candid discussion about how technology is propelling the industry forward. Their conversation touches on how tech helps to mitigate issues like fraud, and how it is reshaping the way we experience live events. Portia and Dmitri discuss the interplay between innovation and the need for unity amongst the industry's various sectors. The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!

This episode contains a host of insider knowledge. For example, did you know that ideally your pitch to an investor would not go further out than the next twelve months? And that the strength of your team could be more important than your innovative idea. Join Dmitri for a rooftop discussion at SXSW 2024, as he talks with Xavier Péters of Lean Square about his thoughts for securing successful music tech startup funding. The conversation touches on a wide range of topics, including how to find increasingly organized angel investors, and what sectors Xavier is betting on in the coming year.    Lean Square Investors Wallifornia Music Tech Summit 2024 July 9-11   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!   

Vinyl provides a tactile connection to an artist, and stands as an artistic statement amidst the ephemeral nature of streaming. Join us as Tristra talks with Karlyn King, a researcher whose work attempts to decode the enigma of vinyl's unwavering charm.  “We live in the post ownership economy. Music is just a rental service, you're renting the right to use it – like an apartment. Whereas the vinyl experience is completely different…We’re looking for concrete experiences. People are just looking for that little physical anchor.” The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!

How close are you to the exchange of money? Let's take some time to think through this most vital piece of the music tech startup equation. Money. Join Dmitri in this thought experiment as he goes deep – and works through the realities of building a startup within an ecosystem in which music is often undervalued.  The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!

In this week’s episode, we look at the explosion of Afrobeats through the lens of data. Christine Osazuwa, music data expert and Chief Strategy Officer at Shoobs, discusses how data can show us hidden stories behind the globalization of all sorts of genres: K-Pop, Reggaeton, Bollywood, and more.  “Music drives culture, culture drives music, etc,” Christine says. “I find it really funny how people were shocked by the rise of Latin music while the Spanish speaking population in the U. S. grew exponentially. It was very obvious that this rise was going to become a thing ... when it comes to looking at U. S. census data.” Christine highlights significant Afrobeats contributions from Nigerian and Ghanaian artists. She also delves into the unique ways small artists can leverage digital tools to examine data about their own listenership, particularly in regions where YouTube reigns supreme. Christine shares her excitement for new tools that help artists to genuinely connect with fans and tailor their marketing and distribution to their personal beat. Dmitri and Christine delve into the new possibilities for immersive fan experiences and hyper-localized artist promotion.   Fun things that Dmitri and Christine talked about: Amapiano in the New Yorker Amapiano Spotify playlist to get you started SoundCloud Support with AI Musiio Fan Engagement! Faveforfans Openstage Routenote buildingstans Sell Merch easily! Hawkr Christine’s Conference Measure of Music Conference The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!

Venturing into the music tech startup scene requires more than just a bright idea; it demands a deep understanding of the music industry's unique challenges and opportunities. That's where Vickie Nauman, founder and CEO of CrossBorderWorks, steps in. On the latest Music Tectonics podcast, we tackle the nitty-gritty of transforming your innovative spark into a sustainable business. From identifying your real customers to deciding the right moment to assemble a powerhouse team, we cover the groundwork you need to solidify your startup's foundation. The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!

Join Dmitri and Tristra as they explore what’s happening right now in the wide world of music and tech. Using Rock Paper Scissors’ weekly newsletter, Rock Paper Scanner, as a jumping off point, Dmitri and Tristra discuss the TikTok/Universal game of chicken, Spotify’s payouts to the indies, and the current state of live music according to Live Nations earnings call. It’s a lot. Subscribe here for weekly issues of the RPS Scanner   Links to articles discussed The TikTok Showdown (for now) Universal’s Music Isn’t on TikTok, But Artists Keep Using It Anyway TikTok is removing tracks using UMPG-controlled compositions Beyoncé’s TikTok Takeover Proves the Platform’s Power Persists Kim Petras defends UMG over TikTok: ‘The intentions are noble’ Pew Research Center study shows ‘how US adults use TikTok’ Spotify Spotify says independent music generated half of its 2023 payouts Spotify Paid Out a Record $4.5B to Independent Labels & Publishers in 2023 Indie Payouts Songwriters & Publishers Due Nearly $400M After Final Streaming Royalty Rate Determination Live Nation  LIVE NATION IS ‘SURPRISED AND THRILLED’ ITS ALL-IN TICKET PRICING IS A SUCCESS… AND 3 OTHER THINGS WE LEARNED ON THE COMPANY’S LATEST EARNINGS CALL Live Nation reveals 20% growth for concert attendance in 2023 Vision Pro is not Google Glass (?) and some Roblox news The latest Roblox music experience comes from… audio firm JBL Apple’s Vision Pro headset is getting a DAW for musicmaking There was a Vision Pro party in San Francisco — complete with people dancing and pinching the air The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!

Imagine a world where your likeness is more than just an image—it's an asset. Our conversation with Jim Griffin, media technologist and founder and moderator of the Pho list, talks us through name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights in the music industry.    Artists are navigating a new digital landscape where AI has the potential to turn one’s likeness into a substantial revenue stream. The music industry sits on the cusp of transformation, and understanding the trajectory of these changes is paramount. We explore strategies for artists to proactively manage and monetize these rights, drawing from the experience of the sports industry where NIL has already caused significant impact. The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!

Join Dmitri on an exploration through the evolving landscape of modern synthesizers at the Buchla & Friends event held in downtown LA last month. From the innovative offerings of the Buchla Easel to Noise Engineering, Elektron, 1010 Music and the Star Wars vibe of Soma Laboratory’s Terra,  there was a lot to take in. It truly felt like a fusion of a craft fair and makerspace community, and we had a blast. The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!