BY CHRIS GOMES
In this modern age of music, more artists have continuously refused to release new material. This has caused a drought in music for a lot of fans, which can lead to a significant decline within the industry.
Many insiders with access to certain artists’ music have caught notice of this and have exclusively “leaked” many artists’ unreleased songs in an effort to become a sort of “Robin Hood” equivalent of the music industry. This both negatively and positively affects music listeners, as well as the music industry overall.
Prominent hip-hop artists that have had their music leaked include Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Young Thug, Juice WRLD, Travis Scott and countless others. Whole albums have been previously leaked, such as Playboi Carti’s album,“Whole Lotta Red.” In fact, many of these songs have had their tracklists uploaded to lyric sites like Genius, where they can be continuously updated and thoroughly explained.
Leaks have generated hype for many artists, especially through the use of viral clips. Countless cases have occurred in the past, but the most recent example of this would be with Kodak Black, Offset and Travis Scott’s single “ZEZE.”
Leaks have generated hype for many artists, especially through the use of viral clips.
A short clip of Kodak Black and Travis Scott dancing in the studio to the tropical-themed song was uploaded to Instagram, took off, and was further cemented as a “meme.”
“Everyone on the Internet knew about the beat. It was a worldwide phenomenon. It was the biggest music snippet of the month, and the biggest meme too,” “ZEZE” producer D.A. Doman said. “The love that the beat got shown hasn’t happened before for an unreleased song to my knowledge and everyone I’ve talked to has said the same thing.”
Music leaks are not something particularly new to this generation, however. Digital album leaks have been happening for more than 20 years, but many of these leaks weren’t as widespread and talked about as modern leaks are.
Leaks since then have had more of a profound impact on the industry, with some artists’ music leaks becoming more valuable than the actual release. People often feel more attached to leaks than the actual music. Music leaks lead to less people purchasing the music when it eventually releases, as they have already experienced the song and thus have no need to spend their money on a legitimate release. Sometimes, however, leaks can substitute for the release if there is no release at all.
Leaks since then have had more of a profound impact on the industry, with some artists’ music leaks becoming more valuable than the actual release.
In some artists’ cases, they cannot release music due to personal problems with their record label, like in Lil Uzi Vert’s case. Lil Uzi Vert, who originally “retired” from music due to problems with his former label, decided to stop releasing music to the public. The news came at the heels of his album release, “Eternal Atake,” which has since been hyped for nearly two years.
Fans have taken notice of the absence and have leaked over 20 songs from the artist since January. Until Lil Uzi Vert releases “Eternal Atake” or chooses not to release the album, the leaks will likely keep releasing.
The impacts of music leaks vary, as they sometimes serve as substitutes for unreleased music or otherwise overshadow new releases. One thing is for sure, however: there is no end in sight for the music leaking industry or the music for starved fans.
Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone
