Beatport is about to move to a music streaming model.
So they have acquired the technology, and they have seen the future. Streaming is the new normal. Files are dead and gone, and the last physical medium standing…congratulations vinyl!! (Awesome! But this is not about that) Dj’s you are probably wondering how this is going to play out? I’m wondering myself, and can’t help but think that this just might be the end for Beatport. I’ll explain.
OK so whats going to happen is that for one low monthly subscription rate you will presumably have unlimited access to the entire Beatport library. Just like Spotify, Apple music etc. Awesome! I’m a big Fan! It’s a music lovers paradise. So no problem, high speed internet is pretty universal enough that you can stream from pretty much anywhere directly on your laptop. Beatport already list the usual suspects it will integrate with, Serato, Recordbox etc. Plus the good news is that the technology can track plays and then send royalties in the right direction . Artists get paid! I’m big on that! Love it even more!
But wait
At this time I don’t see any mention of storing tracks locally on a device for use WITHOUT an internet connection. No mention if a DJ can store tracks on a USB either. Uh oh! What if this is not an option? The problem here is obvious, as it excludes DJ’s who play CDJ’s from USB. Which I believe is the majority of professional DJ’s. I know in my circle, and many circles around the world, laptop DJ’s are frowned upon. (Yes I hate them, ask me why in your comments later) There are even clubs and festivals that have flat out banned laptops from DJ booths. So then what? Are the majority of DJ’s then supposed to keep buying files? Haha! Right? Does Beatport think they can force laptops back into the booth? Not likely!
Here's what I think is more likely to happen. As the DJ industry changes over to music steaming models, the gear we use is going to change with it. CDJ’s and mixers are going to become wi-fi enabled. Then directly from the deck the DJ will be able to connect to a Beatport account, access playlists, search and stream the music. This makes a lot of sense to me. Which brings us to the end of Beatport.
How?
Heres the thing. With the gear wi-fi enabled, do you think that Pioneer, Denon etc. are going to build the gear exclusive to Beatport? No of course they won’t. They will also enable Spotify, Apple Music etc. This means serious competition from some very big players.
So tell me who would pay for a Beatport subscription when your Spotify account will work just as good? Plus…give me not just dance music, but ALL the music… IN THE WORLD! Sure, maybe Beatport will try to hang on with “exclusives”. But not many artists are going to want their music held back from the rest of the world for very long. Maybe they will be cheaper? Not a chance. It’s not going to work. In the end Beatport becomes a footnote in history. Nothing is forever.
This is the scenario that comes to my mind. Maybe I’ll be wrong. Let me know what you think? How is this going to play out? How's Beatport going to stay relevant moving into the streaming future, and not end up an also-ran to the streaming music giants? What do you think?
Yes send me your thoughts and comments. Discussion is what this is all about.
Thanks for listening,
Earl Von Bye