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 f the music Industry was as followed: 1. An artist creates a demo tape 2. Gets It In the hands off 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 Deaf Jam.

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That bold move changed the music industry and “redefined the relationship between the Caucasian 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 heir 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 the use of the Internet. If an artist has an Internet buzz leading to an album’s release, they will see a bigger Increase In sales. That success can provide the record labels with more profit and a better understanding of the new music industry.

Not only major labels but independent labels benefit from the internet as well. Artists on the independent labels don’t have as much exposure as major artists (radio play, TV spots, etc) but their internet presence can be just as important. Since independent labels don’t have as much money as the majors, they don’t stand to lose that much with free music being offered on the Internet. According to the ARIA “85% of artists are actually In money major labels put behind their artist. With an independent artist’s music as available on the internet, the only advantage is exposure for them and the label as Nell.

Since the money is out of pocket, independent labels don’t stand to lose that much. The internet is a stepping stone for opportunity, but this new wave can backfire and bring negative effects to everyone available. The internet serves as a musician’s utopia on the surface, but the business side can suffer due to one big problem: piracy. It’s the biggest downside to the internet as “the industry loses about $4. 2 billion to piracy worldwide” (Cons). From buyers to labels to artists, piracy effects each of these people in a negative way.

Consumers find that CDC become more expensive due to the lack of sales. That drives more buyers to be a part of the millions involved in illegal downloading. Record labels lose as more money in being generated out and not enough is being brought back in. According to the ARIA, ‘eighty-five percent of recordings released don’t generate enough revenue to cover their costs” (Cons). With piracy alive and well, labels can’t afford to fund the shipping of CDC, promotion, and more importantly the artists themselves.