Mastercard is launching a spotlight program for emerging music artists built on the Polygon blockchain to help budding creators harness the power of Web3 and blockchain technology.
Launching in Spring 2023, the Mastercard Artist Accelerator program will provide musicians, DJs, producers and five emerging artists with the tools, skills and access to carve their own musical paths in the digital economy. Artists will receive exclusive access to special events, music releases and more. The first-of-its-kind course will teach artists how to build (and own) their brand through Web3 experiences such as minting NFTs, representing themselves in virtual worlds and building engaging communities.
The Mastercard Artist Accelerator is intended as a space for creators to come together and grow their musical communities, and fans are invited to take a seat at the table. Fans can join the platform and learn with artists to improve their tools and knowledge of the space. The program will conclude with a live artist presentation later in the year.
"Music is a universal passion that inspires us, moves us, and brings us together; yet, up-and-coming artists feel impossible to break into. Through the Mastercard Artist Accelerator, we're expanding access and Web3 technologies drive connection even further,” said Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Mastercard. "Our vision is to connect passion and purpose, spotlight amazing emerging artists, and create an interactive community where participants learn, experiment, and grow together."
Raja announced the Mastercard Artist Accelerator program with Polygon Studios on stage at CES in Las Vegas. Mastercard, a sponsor of the GRAMMY Awards®, Latin GRAMMY Awards® and BRIT Awards, is leveraging Web3 technologies to create exclusive, inclusive and scalable experiences for fans and artists alike. In June 2022, the label even released its debut album Priceless.
The network is one of the greenest blockchains in existence, with tens of thousands of decentralized applications powered by a suite of Polygon solutions, including music platforms Royal, StemsDAO, and Bolera.
"Web3 has the potential to empower a new breed of artist, allowing them to expand their fan base, make a living, and introduce novel mediums for self-expression and connection," said Ryan Wyatt, CEO of Polygon Studios. Artist Accelerator is more than just a showcase for brands embracing this new space power, it also provides tools that can educate consumers on how to participate. This is an important step in opening up the benefits of Web3 to more people. "
In March 2021, singer-songwriter Grimes sold a portfolio of visual art for more than $6 million. That same month, EDM musician 3LAU made $11 million by selling an album in 33 NFTs. DJ Steve Aoki famously said last February that he’s made more money from NFTs than he’s made from 10 years of his music.
