In a world dominated by traditional streaming services where artists often struggle to see fair compensation for their work, a project called HIO Music is rewriting the rules. Founded by musician and entrepreneur Ryder Havdale, HIO Music leverages blockchain technology to offer a more transparent, artist-first approach to streaming. Unlike platforms like Spotify or Apple Music, HIO Music ensures that 100% of subscription fees go directly to rights holders, eliminating the opaque payout structures that have long frustrated musicians.
A Paradigm Shift in Music Streaming
The inspiration behind HIO Music came when Havdale’s song Tokyo hit one million streams on Spotify. Instead of celebrating, Ryder was left wondering who his fans were and whether he had been paid for those streams. The lack of transparency and artist control in the current system led to the birth of HIO Music.
“While other platforms pool all subscription fees and divide them evenly among all streams on their platforms, HIO does things differently. By dividing your subscription only between the songs you listen to, you can be sure that you are supporting the art you value and not the art you don’t,” Havdale says.
This unique payment model sets HIO apart from traditional platforms. If a subscriber pays $10 per month and only listens to one song, that song’s rights holders receive the entire $10. If they listen to 100 songs, the fee is split accordingly. The model ensures that artists are directly and fairly compensated for their work.
Harnessing Blockchain for Fairer Compensation
HIO Music integrates blockchain technology to empower artists and fans alike. Artists can directly upload their music in-app and even mint their tracks as NFTs, unlocking exclusive content, early access, and physical merchandise opportunities. The platform is available on Apple, Google Play, and Solana’s Saga phone, making it one of the 40 decentralized applications (dApps) supported by the device.
At the heart of this ecosystem is the $HIO token, which incentivizes user engagement. Fans can earn rewards for inviting friends, creating playlists, and sharing music. These tokens can be redeemed for subscription discounts and exclusive content, fostering a dynamic and interactive music community.
The Power of Community and Direct Fan Engagement
One of HIO’s standout features is its emphasis on community (watch Ryder’s recently featured interview to Bitfinex Talks). Unlike mainstream platforms, which force artists to rely on external social media for fan interaction, HIO provides direct access to fan data. Artists can engage with their listeners through in-app messaging, comments, and tipping, creating a more personal and transparent experience. This level of connectivity strengthens artist-fan relationships and offers musicians valuable insights into their audience demographics.
To drive innovation, HIO Music has brought on Arabian Prince, a founding member of N.W.A., as its Chief Innovation Officer. With a long history of pioneering work in technology—including contributions to gaming, VR, and AR—Arabian Prince brings invaluable expertise to the platform. His exclusive catalog is now available on HIO Music, and the company is actively working to secure more major artists for exclusive releases.
Overcoming Challenges and Shaping the Future
Building a Web3 music platform has not been without its challenges. Integrating NFT minting required direct collaboration with Solana Labs, and securing funding without venture capital meant adopting a lean, independent approach. However, HIO Music has thrived through the support of dedicated artists and believers in its mission.
“Our 100% per-user engagement model is the first of its kind and we believe will pay artists at least 5X more than they will receive through traditional DSPs,” Havdale states.
HIO Music’s revolutionary business model could reshape the industry, offering artists at least five times the earnings they receive through traditional digital service providers (DSPs). By prioritizing artist compensation and fostering a direct connection between musicians and their fans, HIO is setting a new standard for the future of music streaming – so stay tuned!
