"Down With Artists!"

DOWN WITH ARTISTS!

Yep, I said it. And now that I have your attention, I guess the above bold statement needs to be explained for you to understand my position.

Historically, artists in the music industry were focused on providing great music and songs to the public. They sold records, went on tours, and even made appearances in movies and commercials. Artists were iconic because their music was everywhere that music was played. Being an recording artist was a very exclusive thing because everyone didn't have access to a studio (nor the money to build one) to record.

And then there came MIDI.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) began the technology boom for music creation. MIDI describes a protocol, digital interface and connectors and allows a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers and other related devices to connect and communicate with one another. MIDI changed the world of music this way and forged the creation of the first generation of home studios to be born and with it, a new generation of producers and artists that were not confined to having to go to a big studio in order to record. MIDI would ultimately play an integral part in the further development of music technology, ushering in ProTools, Logic, Cubase, and SoundForge. The development of music technology, the introduction of the Internet as we know it in the beginning of the '90's, and subsequently the creation of MySpace and today's social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (just to name a few), lead the way to the exponential growth of artists and producers.

Today's artist is definitely a different breed - a new breed - that has the ability to get his music into the hands of everyone and anyone around the world within mere moments. Today's artists has the ability to be engaged with their fan base like never before via interaction via social media. Today's artists can rally followers on Twitter and Periscope to buy their record on iTunes, share their video on Facebook, and get likes for their album cover on Instagram. Today's artist has the ability to create campaigns on PledgeMusic and other crowd funding sites to create a full album. Today's artists has the power to create content that engages and compels their fans.

Today's artist is a content creator. One that creates experiences across the board - not from the "one-dimension" of music, but from a "three-dimensional" approach that involves engaging their fan base to get involved with what their music represents.

For every artist our there that creates content around your music, supporting your music, you're not an artist. Take the limits off yourself. You are a content creator and you create more than just music. Put down the artist title and embrace who you really are.