Napster Now Offers Virtual Hangouts For Its Artists, Debuting With Funk Artist Ric Wilson

Rebellion. Excitement. Community.

Napster.

This week, Napster debuted its first-ever “virtual hangout” with rap, funk, and R&B artist, Ric Wilson, in a newly announced partnership with open metaverse platform, TerraZero Technologies, that will help the indie music streaming service offer immersive virtual interactions with its artists to fans. 

Napster subscribers, according to Tuesday’s announcement, can now jump into Wilson’s custom designed virtual hangout, where they can chat with other music fans and listen to his music as they explore the space. In the coming weeks Wilson will debut and perform his new single, live, in the virtual hangout.

“Previously these kinds of virtual metaverse style worlds have only been available within platforms like Fortnite and Roblox, but now anyone will be able to access these fun, engaging artist hangouts straight from their browser,” said Napster CEO Jon Vlassopulos.

Vlassopulos also teased Ric Wilson’s virtual hangout as the first example of what the company’s partnership with TerraZero will deliver in 2024 as Napster continues to roll out the ability for any artist on Napster to have their own virtual hangout space to connect with their fans directly. He also added that this partnership will help unlock new revenue streams and ways for artists to express themselves creatively.

“[Wilson] is a fantastic artist to represent our first foray together in delivering online virtual hangouts to music fans on a leading Music DSP and the best part is we’re just getting started,” stated Dan Reitzik, CEO of TerraZero Technologies. 

A Trip to the Past

Since its rebirth, Napster has repositioned itself around the idea that “control has become too centralized.” And now, rather than depriving artists of potential revenue, it wants to open up more channels for artists to monetize their work by enabling them to create virtual merchandise and digital experiences for their fans to earn or purchase. 

When the former peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing platform returned as a digital collectibles marketplace in June 2020, it also left us with the burning question of how today’s average listener can (re) connect with this “Napster 2.0.” It’s evolution over the past four years has brought us back to the early days of ringtone culture and self-expression.

In December 2022, I spoke with Napster’s newly appointed CEO in an interview with Hypemoon, as he walked me through a time machine of the platform’s demise and rebirth. Vlassopulos, whose history with Napster dates back 20+ years, was part of the corporate team at Bertelsmann who loaned $50 million USD to Napster and also offered a $1 billion USD advance to the music labels in an attempt to legitimize the P2P music service. 

Napster undeniably changed the music industry forever when it launched the world’s first P2P music sharing service in 1999. Peaking at 85M users, for many, Napster was not only the first experience of digital music but also the first real social media experience. Vlassopulos’s demonstration of how early Napster was in predicting the future age of digitization, brought back nostalgic memories of how fearful of emerging technologies the RIAA and music industry actually was. The platform went on to be combined with Rhapsody, resulting in the first legal $9.99 music streaming service. 

But here we are at the onset of 2024, and Napster’s sole purpose is to transform and evolve music streaming from being an “access-based monthly subscription” model to a social music platform and marketplace that connects artists and fans, unlocking unprecedented new creative and commercial opportunities. 

Napster stayed relatively busy in 2023, working diligently to rebuild its credibility with OG Napster fans and today’s younger generations – from taking the stage at SXSW 2023 in Austin, Texas to attending Web3-centric events that revolved around digital art, digital currency, and blockchain technology, it is showing no signs of slowing down or giving up on the immense value it truly can bring back to the archaic, top-down music industry model that serves only the record labels’ interests. 

What’s Next?

Later this year, TerraZero and Napster are expecting to launch additional artist virtual hangouts that will offer fans the opportunity to play games, win prizes, listen to exclusive music, buy concert tickets as well as digital and physical merch, watch live performances, and hang out with their favorite artists online.

As for the Chicago-made Ric Wilson has been on a hell of a ride since he broke out with three consecutive EPs – Soul Bounce (2016), Negrow Disco (2017), and BANBA (2018). Before the world shut down, the rapper, performer, and activist spent 2019 on a festival tear through Treefort, Rolling Loud, Governors Ball, and a hometown Pitchfork set (named the 2nd best live show of 2019 only after Lizzo by the Chicago Tribune).

His newest project, CLUSTERFUNK, produced by Chromeo & A-Trak, comprises a collection of nine records, complete with features from King Louie, Felicia Douglass of Dirty Projectors, STIC.MAN of Dead Prez, Kiéla Adira, and a passage from Mariame Kaba. 

“Ahh man, I’m super excited about this, shoutout to Jon and the Napster team…[t]hey are giving artists and their supporters something fresh with these virtual hangouts. I love mine because it’s just so me and fans can come hang and dance together while listening to my music and learn more about me which is what I think music marketing should be. I can’t wait to have everyone check it out,” Wilson proudly stated.