Music is for ALL the fans

As I was catching up with Twitter, I stumbled upon this tweet:

REALLY? I have so many thoughts on this that I decided to retweet to see what my friends think. One of them claims that this is a move based on the fact that a lot of people are streaming music nowadays. Very basic understanding of the music industry since there’s more to it, but she is correct. I thought about this being the possible explanation for this madness. Additionally, it is Apple. It is a very competitive company that has always looked for opportunities to stay ahead of the competition in various industries.

So, with all of this in mind, I still decided to scream from the top of my lungs. This is a very dumb idea, whether it is true or not. Here’s why I think it will not happen (at least by 2019):

1. The music industry is one of those industries that changes very slowly. Think about it: how long did it take the industry to come to terms with the fact that streaming is helping the industry and not harming it? How long did it take Billboard and record labels to find the proper way to measure streaming numbers to incorporate such into sales statistics? How LONG did it take music consumers to leave behind Limewire?!
2. Yeah, a SIGNIFICANT number of people are streaming music nowadays, BUT there is also a SIGNIFICANT amount of people buying records, whether physical or digital. DO NOT forget about those people who enjoy a complete product with booklets.
3. It’s all about marketing and this year is proof of it: Taylor Swift and her two magazines at Target and P!nk and Katy Perry’s releases being bundled with tickets to their shows. All of these releases had big opening numbers. Unless there is a new way for streaming services to provide more, consumers will prefer to make the most out of their money and purchase a product that creates a deeper connection with the artists they admire.
4. The HARDCORE fans like OWNING the products of their favorite artists. They like the idea of helping the artists, the belief that they are a part of something big, and the feeling of being understood.

I hope this is something that is considered later on in time. As of right now, the focus should be continuing the creation of innovative marketing strategies for album releases. Keep bringing fans one step closer to their favorite artists.