Music NFT 101

Exploring the Music NFT Landscape: Best Marketplaces and Resources - NFT 101 Series

Music NFT 101 - NFT 101 Series

The music industry is ripe for disruption, and NFTs might be the way to do it. Music NFTs, or audio NFTs, are digital assets that represent music or sound. They can be bought, sold, and traded just like any other NFTs. 

Best NFT marketplaces to buy and or sell your  music NFTs

OpenSea 
Sound.xyz
Catalog
rarible
Zora 
Audius
1of1
NFT Oasis (also Metaverse)
PlayTreks

Keep an eye on the music NFT space, as it's likely to grow and evolve in the coming years. 

If on the look to create and launch your own NFT Music collection, Here are some more resources to get started with your own music NFTs:  Starter Guide to your own Music NFT Collection.

Sound.xyz

Sound.xyz is a relatively new music NFT marketplace that has quickly gained popularity among fans and artists alike. The platform offers several unique features that set it apart from other NFT marketplaces and provide a range of benefits to both artists and fans.

One of the most significant advantages of Sound.xyz is that it allows fans to directly support their favorite artists. By purchasing music NFTs on the platform, fans can provide financial support to their preferred artists and help them to continue creating new and innovative music. This direct relationship between artists and fans can also help to build a strong sense of community and collaboration within the platform.

Another great feature of Sound.xyz is the ability for artists to host launch events for their new tracks. These events can create a sense of excitement and anticipation around the release of new music and provide an opportunity for artists to connect directly with their fans. The platform also allows artists to release their music as NFTs, with each NFT having a unique number that can add to its value and rarity over time.

Sound.xyz NFT music charts


One interesting benefit of early NFT releases is that they often have a higher value than later versions. This can be a great way for fans to show their support for an artist while also investing in a potentially valuable asset. It can also provide a sense of exclusivity and excitement around the release of new music.

Another unique feature of Sound.xyz is that it allows fans to post comments on the soundtracks they endorse. This creates a sense of engagement and interactivity between fans and artists and can help to build a more engaged and supportive community around the platform.

Finally, Sound.xyz is the first platform to offer artist-owned contracts, which allow creators to maintain ownership and control over their works. This can be a significant benefit for artists who want to protect their intellectual property and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their work. Overall, Sound.xyz is an exciting and innovative platform that offers many benefits to both artists and fans and has the potential to revolutionize the music industry

Pros: 

  • Direct support for artists: Sound.xyz allows fans to directly support their favorite artists by purchasing their music NFTs. This creates a direct relationship between the artist and their fans, which can help to build a stronger community around the artist's work.
  • Early access to new music: By releasing their music as NFTs on Sound.xyz, artists can offer their fans early access to their new tracks. This can be a great way to build anticipation for a new release and reward fans who are early supporters of the artist.
  • Artist-owned contracts: Sound.xyz is the first platform to offer artist-owned contracts, which allow creators to maintain ownership and control over their works. This can be a great way for artists to protect their intellectual property and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their work.

Cons:

  • Limited selection: Sound.xyz is a relatively new platform, so it may not have as extensive a selection of music NFTs as some other platforms. This could limit the variety of music available for fans to purchase and enjoy.
  • Potential for high prices: As with any NFT marketplace, the prices of music NFTs on Sound.xyz can be quite high. This could make it difficult for some fans to afford to support their favorite artists, especially if they are relatively unknown or just starting out.
  • Technical barriers: Sound.xyz operates on the Ethereum blockchain, which can be complex and difficult to navigate for some users. This could create a barrier to entry for some fans who are not familiar with blockchain technology or who find it difficult to use.



Catalog

Catalog is one of the premier NFT marketplaces for releasing single-edition music NFTs, also known as 1/1 tokens, in the NFT world. What sets Catalog apart from other marketplaces is its ability to allow for the minting and release of a unique edition of a music token, making it a great place to acquire collectible tokens that are not available anywhere else. Catalog operates on the Ethereum blockchain.

Artists can add their music to Catalog's open music library and set a "buy it now" price or list their NFT in a reserve auction or accept offers from collectors. The platform also provides artists with full control over their resale prices, and they receive a portion of the profits from any subsequent sales of their albums. Furthermore, Catalog also acts as a music streaming platform for the music that users purchase on the platform, and it's described as a digital record shop and music community.



Catalog is currently invite-only, but artists can fill out the Catalog submission form to join the waitlist. The marketplace was launched in collaboration with 20 artists by Zora in 2021, and within its first two months of operation, it had already signed up numerous well-known artists, including Laxcity, Richie Hawtin, SALVA, and Boys Noize.

In summary, Catalog is an exclusive NFT music marketplace that provides artists with full control over their music tokens, enabling them to earn revenue from their music sales and subsequent profits. As a result, it is a highly desirable platform for artists looking to launch their 1/1 NFTs and music collectors looking to acquire unique music tokens.

Pros:

  • Unique marketplace: Catalog is a unique NFT marketplace that allows artists to mint and release a single edition of a music token, making it a great place to acquire collectible tokens that aren't available anywhere else.
  • Revenue sharing: Catalog allows artists to keep all the revenue from their first sales and get a cut of the profits from any successive sales of their albums. This provides a financial incentive for artists to use the platform.
  • Resale control: Catalog allows artists to control the resale price they receive for their NFTs. This can be a significant benefit for artists who want to maintain control over the value of their work.

Cons:

  • Invite-only platform: Catalog is currently an invite-only platform, which means that not everyone can use it. This can limit the potential audience for artists who want to use the platform.
  • Limited music library: While Catalog is a music streaming platform, it only allows artists to add a record or a song to the open music library, which can be limiting for artists who want to release a larger collection of works.
  • Limited team: Catalog is run by a very small team, which can make onboarding and support challenging for both artists and collectors. This may limit the growth and development of the platform over time.

Audius

Audius is a decentralized music streaming and distribution platform that allows artists, fans, and developers to share, discover, and stream music. It operates on a blockchain-based protocol, which enables the platform to be decentralized and community-driven.

Audius is built on a custom blockchain-based protocol that is designed specifically for music streaming and distribution. The protocol is called Solana and it is a high-performance blockchain that enables Audius to process large volumes of transactions quickly and efficiently.

The main objective of Audius is to create a fair and equitable ecosystem for music artists by providing a transparent and open platform for them to distribute and monetize their music without the need for intermediaries such as record labels. It allows artists to control their own distribution, licensing, and revenue streams, providing them with more freedom and independence.

On Audius, users can stream, share, and discover a wide range of music genres, including independent and emerging artists. The platform also features social and community-driven features such as commenting, liking, and sharing music with friends and followers.

Furthermore, developers can build applications and services on top of Audius using its API (Application Programming Interface). This allows them to create new tools and services that enhance the Audius ecosystem and provide new ways for artists to connect with fans and monetize their music.

Overall, Audius is a powerful and innovative platform that seeks to revolutionize the music industry by providing a fair, transparent, and decentralized ecosystem for artists and fans alike. Whether you're an artist looking to distribute your music or a fan looking to discover new music, Audius provides a unique and exciting platform for music lovers around the world.

Pros:

  • Decentralized platform: Audius is built on a decentralized infrastructure, which means that it's not controlled by a single company or entity. This can make it more resilient and censorship-resistant.
  • No platform fees: Audius doesn't charge artists or users any platform fees, which means that artists can keep more of the revenue generated by their music. This can be a significant advantage for independent artists who may not have the resources to pay high fees to traditional music distribution channels.
  • User-driven curation: Audius allows users to curate content by creating playlists, following artists, and collaborating with other users. This can create a vibrant community-driven platform that fosters discovery and engagement.

Cons:

  • Limited adoption: While Audius has seen significant growth in recent years, it's still a relatively new platform and has yet to achieve widespread adoption. This can limit the potential audience for artists who want to use the platform.
  • Limited features: Audius currently lacks some of the advanced features of traditional music distribution channels, such as detailed analytics and reporting. This can make it challenging for artists to make informed decisions about their music and audience.
  • Limited revenue streams: While Audius allows artists to monetize their music through streaming revenue and tips, it currently lacks some of the additional revenue streams available on traditional music distribution channels, such as sync licensing and merchandise sales. This can limit the potential revenue for artists who want to use the platform as their primary source of income.

NFT Oasis (also Metaverse)

NFT Oasis is a new platform for creative expression. Built for the creative within all of us, NFT Oasis combines the power of a metaverse and a marketplace. NFT Oasis are using the ETH Ethereum Blockchain. 

NFT Oasis is a platform that allows artists, creators, and collectors to showcase, buy, and sell NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) in a decentralized and secure manner. But what sets NFT Oasis apart is that it also integrates with a metaverse, creating a unique and immersive experience for users.

The metaverse is a virtual world that allows users to interact with each other in a three-dimensional space. In NFT Oasis, users can create their own avatars and participate in live events and concerts that take place within the metaverse. This creates a highly social and collaborative environment for creators and collectors alike.

In addition to its metaverse functionality, NFT Oasis offers a variety of features and services that make it an attractive platform for NFT enthusiasts. For example, creators can easily mint and sell their NFTs on the platform, while collectors can browse and purchase NFTs that are uniquely suited to their interests.

Moreover, NFT Oasis also has a strong focus on community building, with features such as chat rooms and forums that allow creators and collectors to connect and collaborate with each other. This sense of community is a key aspect of the platform's appeal, as it fosters a supportive and creative environment for everyone involved.

Overall, NFT Oasis represents a new era of creative expression that combines the power of blockchain technology, NFTs, and the metaverse. By providing a secure and immersive platform for artists, collectors, and enthusiasts, NFT Oasis is helping to shape the future of the digital art and collectibles industry.

On NFT Oasis you can join first metaverse live events and concerts, you should do that soon!
NFT Oasis Music Events 
NFT Oasis 3D Art

NFT Oasis Metaverse

Pros:

  • Customizable galleries: NFT Oasis allows users to create their own customizable galleries where they can display their NFTs in a virtual environment. This can be an attractive feature for collectors and creators who want to showcase their collections or make a memorable impression on potential buyers.
  • Focus on community: NFT Oasis is designed to foster community engagement and social interaction around NFTs. Users can attend virtual events, participate in discussions, and collaborate with other creators. This can create a vibrant community-driven platform that fosters discovery and engagement.
  • Integration with other platforms: NFT Oasis allows users to import and display their NFTs from other platforms, such as OpenSea and Rarible. This can make it easy for users to consolidate and display their collections in one place.

Cons:

  • Limited liquidity: Unlike some other NFT marketplaces, NFT Oasis currently lacks the liquidity to support large trades or high-volume transactions. This can limit the potential for users to quickly buy or sell NFTs on the platform.
  • Limited user base: NFT Oasis is a relatively new platform, and it currently lacks the same level of adoption and user base as more established marketplaces like OpenSea and Rarible. This can limit the potential audience for creators and collectors who want to use the platform.
  • Technical challenges: NFT Oasis is built on a blockchain that's currently undergoing significant development, which can create technical challenges for users. For example, users may need to manage their own wallets and transactions, which can be challenging for users who are less technically savvy.

PlayTreks 

Introducing PlayTreks, the innovative AI-driven analytics platform and music NFT marketplace that is taking the industry by storm. As a comprehensive platform for music artists, PlayTreks offers a plethora of cutting-edge tools and features to help them succeed.

PlayTrek Music NFT Platform

One of the standout features of PlayTreks is its ability to provide artists with unlimited music industry-related data. This allows them to make informed decisions about their future releases, giving them a competitive edge in the ever-evolving music landscape. Additionally, the platform's licensing control feature gives artists greater control over their music, while the free music distribution service ensures maximum exposure.

PlayTreks also boasts an impressive radio airplay analytics feature, allowing artists to track the performance of their music across various radio stations. This valuable data can be used to refine their marketing and promotional efforts for future releases.

Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of PlayTreks is its blockchain-based NFT marketplace for music NFTs. Dubbed "The Playground," this marketplace offers artists the opportunity to mint their music and convert it into NFTs. This process provides digital proof of ownership and ensures that artists receive the recognition and compensation they deserve for their hard work.

Overall, PlayTreks is a game-changer for the music industry, offering artists the necessary tools and insights to succeed in today's competitive landscape. With its powerful analytics and cutting-edge features, there's no doubt that PlayTreks will continue to gain popularity and revolutionize the music industry for years to come.

Pros: 

  • Robust features: PlayTreks offers a variety of features that cater to independent musicians, such as music distribution, playlisting, and analytics. The platform also allows artists to monetize their music through streaming royalties and merchandise sales.
  • User-friendly interface: PlayTreks has a simple and easy-to-use interface that allows artists to upload and distribute their music without any hassle. The platform also offers personalized support to help artists navigate the platform's features.
  • Affordable pricing: PlayTreks offers competitive pricing for its services, making it a more affordable option for independent musicians who are just starting out.

Cons:

  • Limited reach: PlayTreks is a relatively new platform and does not have the same level of reach as more established platforms. This may limit the audience for independent musicians who use the platform.
  • Competition: There are many other music distribution and streaming platforms available, and PlayTreks faces competition from other established platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal.
  • Lack of brand recognition: As a newer platform, PlayTreks may not be as well-known as other established platforms, which may make it more challenging for independent musicians to gain recognition through the platform alone.

Playtreks also help you with a lot of things you will face in case you plan you NFT DJ for that you chan choose between 3 Paid plans starting from 7.95 EUR per month.

Playtraks Music NFT Plan Price