Very interesting experiment, something you might expect from Chuck D maybe but not really from most mainstream acts though. HipHop = materialism > actvism, nowadays. I’d admire an act that followed this example, Lupe’s The Coolmaybe?

A group like Radiohead (whom I’m just getting into, copped their OK Computer and will revisit that later as that album just came off as DEPRESSING) can afford to do this, since a. they’ve got a huge fanbase, b. a dependable one at that…I won’t expect a new hip hop cat to try this out…

^ What esbee said.

Plus, it’s kinda f*cked up that if you wanna buy a physical copy of the album it’s like $80.

All in all, I think it’s a good look cuz the only reason people still buy records is to support the artists. Fans feel disheartened when they don’t have the $15 to buy each and every record, but now that Radiohead is giving them a choice, they may be more inclined to dish out $3 or $5 and so on…

We just want good, quality music man, in any way, shape or form. So if Radiohead’s new album is good, people are going to get it, for free or for $80 if they’re on Radiohead dick like that. That group also speaks to a different demographic so they may be able to pull it off with this method of marketing and distribution.

Personally, I love Radiohead. I’ll support their music if it’s good. I’ll still pay $0.00 for the new album and show support.

Radiohead is our generation’s Pink Floyd, but on an reclusive tip. Definitely going to show them some $15 love for the CD.

I hope they are databasing the pay amounts though. Could help establish what the “real cost” of an album has become. At least for a mega-group like Radiohead.

you don’t have to pay the $80 to get a physical copy. they’re saying they’ll release a traditional cd on early 08.

i’m planning on paying nada now and getting the cd in 08 if i like the album.

I’m incredibly psyched for this. Saw it the night that it was announced and couldn”t stop telling people about it. People who wouldn’t have otherwise even known what a Radiohead was.

Very hot

I think this is a great idea. I know of one record label that has tried a similar model called magnatune (www.magnatune.com) that supposedly shares 50% of the revenue with the artist, though I have no idea how this has been working out for them.

Only problem is that Radiohead has so much respect already that theyll make a lot of money this way. The average rap fan from 15 - 24 isnt trying to give up money if they dont have to, so I would expect alot of downloading with no one paying.

It could work for Tru School rappers from the 90s, but the reputation of rap is so bad that this model just wont suit the new stuff. But what I do know, its worth a try.

To add to the above statement….I think that Prince model i.e. licensing your music for free release with some corporate sponsor and including your album in your concert ticket price (handing them out at the show of course) are some of the best strategies I can thnk of.
On the other hand, good luck on convincing the companies to license your music, if you are a new act, and it might be easier for The O’Wiley’s of the world to attack you if they dont like your content.

i thought thats what talib and madlib did when they dropped that one cd for free download earlier this year?

I actually wouldnt expect this from many hip hop artist because they are SO industry driven now.

And, as Ninoy notes, underground or lesser known acts have done this (see Liberation

Actually, there is a rapper who did this: Lil Wayne.

Weezy’s latest album, Tha Carter III, was leaked and he gave it away for free online.

Granted, it’s given away as a mixtape, one of many he’s made, but.. it is a studio album for free online.

“The Leak” - but you all already knew that..

[...] a month ago I asked whether hip-hop artists should attempt the Radiohead route. Saul Williams responded by releasing his latest effort, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of [...]