gm music fans,
Are we back? Crypto prices are shooting higher and volume is sloshing back into the NFT markets. Most importantly, crypto companies are back offering huge grants for artists.
More than $1.75 million in creator grants were announced this week and we’ll help you get some. Let’s get into it.
Ziggy Ziggy Season 3 is powered by Beatport.io.
Beatport’s second big collection has arrived! KINSHIP is a celebration of diversity in partnership with HE.SHE.THEY — an inclusive record label, fashion brand and events company. The collection features digital art by Enes Güç, an exclusive track by Wax Wings and access to a documentary. Watch the trailer here and check out the full collection.
Headline story: How to get a slice of $1.75 million creator grants
A small grant can change an artist’s life but they’re not always easy to find. Two came along this week at once … with large prize pools. If you’re an artist, label, management company or creative, definitely check these out.
Grant 1: Optimism We ❤️ the Art Competition.
The Optimism Foundation just announced the “We ❤️ the Art” contest with a $1.6 million prize pool (in OP tokens). Here’s how to apply:
Create something in one of four different categories (music, AI art, generative art, 1/1s).
Mint it on Optimism via one of the supporting platforms.
Enter a link to your submission on the “We Heart the Art” website.
There are four different tiers of prizes with 184 potential winners.
What is Optimism? Optimism is an Ethereum “Layer 2” which enables cheaper and faster transactions.
Deadline: December 13th.
Grant 2: Somefund
Artist Somehoodlum has announced a $250k grant to be distributed between 28 different creators (in partnership with Bonfire and Zeblocks). Here’s how it works:
Go to Somefund.xyz and click ‘apply now’
You’ll need to create a custom Bonfire website (this will be your application - it’s very simple to set up).
Use the website to explain your project and how you will use the funds.
When you’re finished, submit the website link to the Somefund website.
Deadline: December 5th.
Onchain music roundup
Sound.xyz announced magic uploads - Artists can now upload music to sound with no gas fees and no wallet needed. Getting music onchain is now as easy as Soundcloud. (Read more).
Spinamp launched collaborative playlists - You can now create a playlist with different members of your community. (Read more).
Songcamp launches CC0 mixtape - Songcamp is a music collective that has been innovating in the Web3 music space for years. Their latest drop is fully CC0 which means you can use the music however you like. (Read more).
Hypeshot partners with Twitch - Web3 livestreaming platform Hypeshot announced an integration with Twitch. (Read more).
Zooming out: broader Web3 news we’re watching
Are we back? ETH NFT volume and unique wallets hits highest since July. (Read more).
Bored Ape Yacht Club founder spends $1.5m+ on NFTs. (Read more).
$11bn crypto inflows since mid-Oct. (Read more).
Opens lays off 50% of staff and restructures. (Read more).
Investors write down OpenSea valuation by 90%. (Read more).
Yuga + Magic Eden launch marketplace with enforced royalties. (Read more).
Simpsons NFT episode. (Read more).
Cryptopunks floor back above $100k. (Read more).
Biggest drops of the week
The Pack Records roster
Pack Records is an independent record label based in New York. On Monday they’ll start rolling out 11 tracks on Sound.xyz. I’m really excited about indie record labels bringing their roster onchain so go check these out.
Follow Pack Records on Spinamp.
Tarot - Matter of Time
LA singer Tarot dropped a music video on Zora that perfectly captures her energy, shot by Jamee Cornelia. The video was airdropped to collectors of Tarot’s recent NFT ticket stub.
Thanks for reading!
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Ziggy Ziggy Music Season 2 is supported by Beatport.io and Spinamp.
Disclaimers: We may own NFTs mentioned in this article, have previous or current contracts with companies mentioned and may earn referral income from links to music NFTs. This newsletter is purely informational and should not be considered financial advice. Nothing in this content should be considered a recommendation to buy a particular NFT, only an expression of our opinion.