Mastercard and Polygon Partner to Create Groundbreaking Web3 Music Program

The Mastercard Artist Accelerator program is a groundbreaking initiative that combines the power of blockchain technology with the timeless passion for music. At the recent NFT.NYC 2023, Mastercard unveiled the limited-edition Mastercard Music Pass NFT, which unlocks the Artist Accelerator program for both emerging artists and fans alike.

Through the end of the month, music and Web3 fans can redeem the Mastercard Music Pass NFT to gain access to a first-of-its-kind curriculum that provides free educational materials, unique AI tools, and Priceless experiences to boost creativity for music artists. This program is designed to give emerging artists the tools and capabilities they need to thrive in this tech-driven era, and there is no limit to how many fans can unlock the program after claiming their Mastercard Music Pass.

The Mastercard Artist Accelerator combines the power of blockchain with the timeless passion for music and a first-of-its-kind curriculum for both artists and fans.

An amazing Lineup of artists and mentors

Mastercard has selected five up-and-coming artists from different genres and geographies to chronicle their journey in the Web3 music space. These artists will be guided by five expert mentors to help them grow and learn in this innovative new space.

Young Athena is an R&B soul singer whose sound focuses on female empowerment. Manu Manzu is a singer-songwriter from Venezuela who was nominated for a Latin Grammy award. LeriQ is a Nigerian-based artist who started out as a music producer and has since become a recording artist with over 21,000 followers on Spotify. Emily Vu is a pop singer and multi-instrumentalist with over 1.4 million followers on TikTok. Cocoa Sarai is a pop-soul singer who infuses her West Indian heritage and love of hip-hop into her music.

These talented artists will be mentored by a group of experts who will help them navigate the world of Web3 music. Tushar Apte, a producer/songwriter with over 2 billion streams, will serve as a mentor. Latashá, an LA-based rapper and Head of Programming at ZORA, will also provide guidance. Ian Rogers, the CXO at Ledger, the world’s #1 way to buy and secure cryptocurrency, will serve as a mentor. Nife, an Afro-dancer and content creator with nearly 1 million followers on Instagram, will also be a mentor. Brian Trunzo, a crypto expert, corporate lawyer, and business development lead for Polygon, will also offer his expertise to the emerging artists.

Follow these up-and-coming artists and expert mentors as they embark on a journey into the world of Web3 music and see how they grow and learn in this exciting new space.

Emerging Artists:

• Young Athena: R&B soul singer with a focus on female empowerment.
• Manu Manzu: Singer-songwriter from Venezuela known for his Latin pop style.
• LeriQ: Nigerian-based music producer turned recording artist with over 21,000 followers on Spotify.
• Emily Vu: Pop singer and multi-instrumentalist with over 1.4 million followers on TikTok.
• Cocoa Sarai: Pop-soul singer who infuses her West Indian heritage and love of hip-hop into her music.

Expert Mentors:

• Tushar Apte: Producer/songwriter with over 2 billion streams and experience as an NFT creator and startup consultant.
• Latashá: LA-based rapper and Head of Programming at ZORA, creating a space for indie artists in Web3.
• Ian Rogers: CXO at Ledger, the world’s #1 way to buy and secure cryptocurrency and music industry veteran.
• Nife: Afro-dancer and content creator with nearly 1 million followers on Instagram.
• Brian Trunzo: Crypto expert, corporate lawyer, and business development lead for Polygon.

All about the Music Pass NFT

In addition to providing access to the Artist Accelerator program, the Mastercard Music Pass NFT is also a striking digital collectible that leverages Mastercard’s design principles and sonic melody. The NFT was created in partnership with blockchain developer Polygon and is an excellent example of how Web3 technologies can be used to educate and engage people in the digital transformation happening in music.

The Mastercard Artist Accelerator program also includes five up-and-coming artists from across genres and geographies who will be guided by expert mentors as they experience the AI music studio powered by Warpsound. These artists will receive mentorship, gain tips and tricks in using blockchain to monetize their work, and build a community of fans in the Web3 environment. This program is designed to support the creator economy by building skills, encouraging innovation, understanding business, and building networks.

As a global technology company in the payments industry, Mastercard’s mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere. By investing in education and supporting the growth of the creator economy, Mastercard is helping individuals increase their chances of success and contribute to the sustainable growth of the music industry.

The free, limited-edition Mastercard Music Pass NFT is available to music and Web3 fans through the end of the month.

The Mastercard Artist Accelerator program is a groundbreaking initiative that is changing the music industry by combining the power of blockchain technology with the timeless passion for music. Through the limited-edition Mastercard Music Pass NFT, both emerging artists and fans can gain access to a first-of-its-kind curriculum that provides free educational materials, unique AI tools, and Priceless experiences to boost creativity for music artists. This program is designed to support the creator economy and help individuals increase their chances of success while contributing to the sustainable growth of the music industry. So don’t wait any longer, claim your Mastercard Music Pass NFT today and join the digital transformation happening in music!

Web3 Music Revolutionizing the game

Web3 music is a revolutionary new standard in the music industry that seeks to transform the way we create, experience, and enjoy music. It is a vision of a decentralized, open, and equitable music ecosystem built on blockchain technology that empowers creators and fans alike. The goal of Web3 music is to shift the music industry away from the traditional model, where intermediaries and gatekeepers hold significant control over the distribution and monetization of music. In contrast, Web3 music provides a direct connection between artists and their audience, enabling musicians to retain greater control over their work and enabling fans to have more direct access to the artists and their experiences.

One of the main benefits of Web3 music is that it removes intermediaries and gatekeepers from the traditional music industry. This allows artists and musicians to interact directly with their audience and to determine fair compensation for their work. Additionally, Web3 music enables musicians and artists to create unique and valuable digital collectibles, such as concert tickets, backstage passes, and exclusive content. These collectibles can generate additional revenue streams for musicians while providing fans with an immersive and interactive experience.

Web3 music also provides benefits for music fans. Fans can participate in token-based voting systems to decide on an artist’s career direction or access exclusive events and unique token-gated content. Web3 music can even enable partial ownership of rights and royalties, allowing fans to have a stake in the music they love.

Polygon continues their Partnership Steak

Polygon, formerly known as Matic Network, is a popular blockchain platform that is designed to provide fast, low-cost transactions on the Ethereum network. It uses a unique architecture that combines the best features of both Layer 2 solutions and standalone blockchains, making it an ideal platform for building decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. Polygon has gained significant traction in the blockchain industry due to its ability to offer a scalable and efficient solution for developers.

In partnership with Mastercard, Polygon has played a crucial role in the development of the Artist Accelerator program. By leveraging its expertise in blockchain technology, Polygon has helped Mastercard create a Web3 music program that is both innovative and accessible to emerging artists and fans. The partnership between Mastercard and Polygon is an excellent example of how collaborations between established companies and blockchain platforms can create new opportunities for growth and innovation in various industries.