Glossary

Decentralized Music

Decentralized Music is a term manufactured for the title of Decentralized Music: Exploring Blockchain for Artistic Research (2024, CRC Press, Taylor&Francis) to propose an overarching conceptual and philosophical rethinking of musical creation, distribution, and ownership through technological management of digital musical interactions, processes, and networks without central authorities. This approach encourages viewing music as a participatory and collaborative art form, fostering direct connections within a community-driven ecosystem. In its various forms and notions, Decentralized Music exists thanks to blockchain's decentralized, secure, and transparent nature. Smart contracts and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) enable artists to directly connect, maintain ownership, and ensure the authenticity and provenance of their works. This approach not only facilitates novel artistic collaborations and distribution methods but also challenges traditional notions of agency, inviting a reevaluation of creative practices in the digital realm. Decentralized Music represents a shift toward a more equitable and innovative musical ecosystem, leveraging blockchain to expand the possibilities of musical expression and collaboration.