Stuff You Should Know The History of Streaming Music
Sep 3, 2024
Explore the seismic shift in music consumption from CDs to streaming, starting with Napster's bold entrance in 1999. Discover the humorous tales of Columbia House and the evolution of platforms like Pandora and Spotify, which transformed how we connect with music. Delve into the challenges faced by artists and the industry's ongoing struggle with piracy and pricing. Reflect on the nostalgic tech that paved the way for modern music streaming and enjoy the playful banter sprinkled throughout this engaging journey of sound.
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Napster's Disruption
- Napster, launched by teenager Sean Fanning and Sean Parker, disrupted the music industry.
- Within two years, it had millions of users sharing music for free.
Consumer Frustration
- High CD prices and albums with limited good songs frustrated consumers.
- This fueled the desire for free music sharing via Napster.
Artist Reactions & Lawsuits
- Artists like Chuck D supported Napster, while others like Dr. Dre and Metallica opposed it.
- The RIAA sued Napster and even individual users, including a 12-year-old girl.