Changes

For artists, it was exciting, completely self-empowering, and unlike any other creative experience ever. You could have an idea in the morning, record a demo at noon, send your track to someone halfway across the globe to add vocals or an instrumental part, and put your work up in evening for the world to hear. The management of MP3.com seemed to understand the importance of this vibrant artistic community, in submitting an ad to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences ''Grammy'' magazine in 1998:

For artists, it was exciting, completely self-empowering, and unlike any other creative experience ever. You could have an idea in the morning, record a demo at noon, send your track to someone halfway across the globe to add vocals or an instrumental part, and put your work up in evening for the world to hear. The management of MP3.com seemed to understand the importance of this vibrant artistic community, in submitting an ad to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences ''Grammy'' magazine in 1998:

<blockquote>What the whole world listens to…Future Grammy winners found here</blockquote>

<blockquote>What the whole world listens to…Future Grammy winners found here</blockquote>

<strong>The beginning of the end</strong>

 

==The beginning of the end==

When MP3.com went public in 1999, the stock sale raised over $370 million, which was a record for an Internet IPO at that time. To motivate the musicians on the site, the management began a promotion called ''Pay for Play'' which paid a "promotional fee" to each artist based on their monthly streams and downloads...''Oddly, this was the beginning of the end.''

When MP3.com went public in 1999, the stock sale raised over $370 million, which was a record for an Internet IPO at that time. To motivate the musicians on the site, the management began a promotion called ''Pay for Play'' which paid a "promotional fee" to each artist based on their monthly streams and downloads...''Oddly, this was the beginning of the end.''