Audius

Audius operates as a decentralized music streaming protocol, fundamentally re-envisioning the relationship between artists and their listeners. Founded in 2018 by Roneil Rumburg and Forrest Browning, the platform was conceived to address the inefficiencies and lack of transparency prevalent in the traditional music industry. The founders, with their respective backgrounds in cryptocurrency and startups, aimed to leverage blockchain technology to empower artists with greater control over their music distribution and monetization.

The company's core offering is a music streaming service built on a network of decentralized nodes, which differentiates it from incumbent platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. This architecture allows artists to upload their music directly to the platform, set their own terms for monetization, and interact directly with their fanbase without intermediaries. The business model is community-owned and operated, utilizing the native AUDIO token. Artists, fans, and node operators can earn these tokens by participating in the network, such as by staking, curating content, or securing the protocol. This model aligns the incentives of all participants, fostering a user-governed ecosystem.

Audius serves independent and emerging artists who are often underserved by major labels, providing them with tools for direct distribution and engagement. For listeners, the platform offers a free-to-access library of music with a focus on discovery and community interaction. The platform's unique selling proposition lies in its blockchain foundation, which ensures that artists receive a significantly higher share of the revenue generated from their work—approximately 90%, with the remaining 10% rewarding the node operators who support the network. Key features include high-quality audio streaming (320kbps), NFT integrations allowing artists to showcase their digital collectibles, and a governance system where token holders can vote on the platform's future development.

Keywords: decentralized music, streaming protocol, blockchain, cryptocurrency, creator economy, artist empowerment, music NFTs, community-owned, AUDIO token, direct-to-fan