Jay-Z's Favorite New Rapper: Free Music Is The Future

from the more-artists-getting-it dept

Haggis points us to an article about a guy who's been called "Jay-Z's favorite new rapper," who seems to be working with all the big names in the music business these days. But, Olubowale Victor Folarin, who goes by the name Wale (pronounced wah-lay) understands the importance of "free" within a business model. After all... it's how he got discovered:

Initially, he gained attention by making mix tapes available for free on the internet. Immediately they caught the eye and ear of musical magpie and producer Mark Ronson.

But, wait... wasn't the RIAA telling us that mixtape makers were criminals who needed to be thrown in jail while having their homes raided by SWAT teams? Looks like Wale understands the lessons of free music:

"Free music is the way for the future. To get your music off the ground you've got to give it away for free at first."

And apparently it's the way of big popular bands as well. So, who is free music bad for again? Oh, right. The folks who bet their entire business on selling plastic discs and refused to embrace what technology allows.

Filed Under: business models, free music, jzy-z, mix tapes, wale