EDM Identity
  • News
  • Music
    • Exclusive Mixes
    • Playlists
  • Events
  • Culture
  • Interviews
  • Shop
No Result
View All Result
EDM Identity
  • News
  • Music
    • Exclusive Mixes
    • Playlists
  • Events
  • Culture
  • Interviews
  • Shop
No Result
View All Result
EDM Identity
No Result
View All Result

James Blake’s Fiery Rant on Streaming Leads to Partnership With Vault

John Cameron by John Cameron
March 21, 2024
in News

“I wanted to find a way for musicians to make money directly from the music they make,” said James Blake.


Last week, James Blake momentarily hijacked the music new cycle when his remarks about streaming platforms like TikTok and Spotify devaluing music went viral. It drew enough attention that the team behind Vault contacted him, and how he’s participated in the launch of the fledgling platform.

Vault’s motto is “What if making music was enough,” and it allows artists on its platform to charge fans a monthly fee for access to unreleased music. It also includes a chat feature that theoretically affords fans a direct line of contact with artists, also allowing the artists to contact them about announcements such as shows and releases.

“I wanted to find a way for musicians to make money directly from the music they make, not least to be able to reinvest in the very expensive process of renting studios, hiring musicians, etc.,” said Blake in a video shared to X (formerly Twitter) to announce Vault’s launch. “Music is not cheap to make and I wanted to help incentivize musicians to actually spend more time making music. Also, I’ve spoken to a lot of artists that feel frustrated that so much great music goes unreleased because it doesn’t meet certain requirements or trends.”

While most musicians can certainly appreciate Blake’s sentiment, many have voiced skepticism about whether Vault is a realistic solution. In a retweet, North Carolina DJ and producer Machinedrum wrote, “Or you can join my patreon for $5 a month and get the same thing plus way more!“

CTM Festival curator Mikhail Stangl aka Opium Hum shared a similar sentiment on X. “The way I see it Vault / James Blake are suggesting OnlyFans, but for mp3 files,” he wrote. “I’m somewhat disappointed, esp. by the growth hacking marketing play, but it also shows that artists & audiences are hungry and ready for alternative models. That’s the major learning.”

Blake, whose serene brand of electronic music has earned him two GRAMMY Awards, previously said that he and Frank Ocean “never made a cent” on their collaboration, “Godspeed,” despite the track going viral on TikTok. “The brainwashing worked and now people think music is free,” he wrote on X last week.

It remains to be seen whether Vault will provide the solutions for rightsholders that James Blake hopes it will. One thing is for sure, however: Something’s gotta give with music streaming if the conversation surrounding it is any indication.

Watch James Blake’s video on X:

https://twitter.com/jamesblake/status/1770484680963375519

Follow James Blake:

Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube

ShareTweetShareShare
John Cameron

John Cameron

I'm a recovering techno elitist and the managing editor of EDM Identity. I try to write articles that give the context I wished I had when I started getting more into dance music two decades ago.

MORE ON EDMIDENTITY

EDC Las Vegas 2022 - stereoBLOOM
News

Insomniac’s Discovery Project Inks New Deal with Cosmic Academy

by Grant Gilmore
July 8, 2025
Insomniac Rockies
News

Insomniac Continues Expansion with Launch of Insomniac Rockies

by Grant Gilmore
July 7, 2025
1001 Recordings
News

1001Tracklists and Tomorrowland Music Launch New Label, 1001 Recordings

by Grant Gilmore
July 4, 2025
Anderholm
News

Anderholm Passes Away After Battle with Cancer

by Grant Gilmore
July 4, 2025
Verknipt ArenA 2024
Festival News

Verknipt ArenA’s Upcoming Edition Will Be Its Last

by Grant Gilmore
July 3, 2025
Next Post
Heineken House Coachella 2022

The Heineken House Lineup for Coachella 2024 Has Landed

FOLLOW US

Facebook Instagram TikTok Twitter Soundcloud Youtube
EDM Identity

© 2025 All Rights Reserved

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Team
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility

Cleantalk Pixel
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Music
  • Events
  • Culture
  • Festival Tips
  • Interviews
  • Shop

© 2025 All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.