Britney Spears was one among many artists who had an NFT for one among their songs listed on HitPiece.com.
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An NFT web site is being accused of promoting digital collectibles of songs by musicians like Britney Spears and Taylor Swift — apparently with out the artists’ permission.
The weird web site, referred to as HitPiece, claimed to supply NFTs of all kinds of songs, which additionally included work by John Lennon, Bob Marley, Nirvana and rapper XXXTentacion.
Every NFT providing gave patrons possession of a “distinctive music recording,” in accordance with the location. Individuals who bought NFTs had been additionally promised accompanying real-life perks, together with “entry and experiences with artists.”
It’s not clear what the folks acquired after they bought an NFT — whether or not simply a picture of an album cowl, or whether or not there was an audio file connected. No matter it was, it wasn’t approved by the artists, a few of the artists are alleging.
The positioning promised that when it bought an NFT, it could give a royalty to the artist — nevertheless it didn’t give any element on how alleged proceeds could be divided. Now, some artists, producers and different representatives are sounding off on Twitter — they usually say the location is a rip-off.
Jack Antonoff — a musician recognized for his songwriting work with Swift, Lorde and Lana Del Rey — referred to as out HitPiece’s “bulls—t” on Twitter late Tuesday after songs by his band Bleachers appeared on the location.
“Any bleachers NFTs are pretend,” Antonoff wrote. “In the mean time i don't consider in NFTs so something you see related to me isn’t actual. and due to M for sending me this bulls–t :) i’m on one at the moment!”
It’s unclear how lots of the NFTs had been bought and for what costs. Some on the location confirmed bids as excessive as $21.5 million.
Supporters of NFTs — that are digital collectibles traded utilizing blockchain know-how — argue that they make it simpler for artists to revenue from their work, making HitPiece’s obvious unauthorized use of songs particularly galling.
In a sequence of tweets, California different rock band Eve6 claimed that they deliberate to sue HitPiece for minting NFTs of the band’s songs with out its permission.
“We're going to sue you,” the bandwrote. “You can not promote NFTs with out an artist’s permission dumbass.”
Sadie Dupuis, the lead singer of indie rock band Speedy Ortiz, additionally threatened the location with authorized motion after saying that she discovered her songs on the location on the market as NFTs, writing that the location’s “unlawful theft” would result in cease-and-desist letters, lawsuits and fines. Once more, it wasn’t clear how folks would “purchase” Speedy Ortiz’s NFTs on the location — whether or not it was simply a picture a purchaser would obtain, like with many NFTs, or if there have been a music connected.
Following the outrage on Tuesday evening, HitPiece changed its homepage that had beforehand displayed NFT choices with a perplexing message: “We Began The Dialog And We’re Listening.”
The positioning additionally posted an announcement on Twitter, acknowledging that it had “struck a nerve” and claiming that artists will receives a commission if their apparently unauthorized NFTs are bought.
“Clearly we now have struck a nerve and are very desperate to create the perfect expertise for music followers,” HitPiece wrote. “To be clear, artists receives a commission when digital items are bought on HitPiece.”
HitPiece seems to have been co-founded by MC Serch, a Queens rapper who claims to have found Nas and has extensively promoted the location on social media. Serch was one of many first white rappers with hip-hop group third Bass and says he knew Russell Simmons, Diddy and Jay-Z earlier than they had been wealthy.
Reached for remark by textual content, Serch advised The Submit: “We will probably be releasing an announcement later at the moment.” He declined to remark additional.
Rory Felton, a Los Angeles music government who claims to have labored with Sony Music, can be listed on his Twitter and on LinkedIn as a co-founder. Felton didn't instantly reply to requests for remark.
Property from Disney films — together with a minimum of one music from Star Wars — additionally appeared as NFTs on the HitPiece web site. Disney advised The Submit that it has no relationship with HitPiece and didn't give the location permission to make use of its manufacturers.
Smaller impartial artists additionally say they noticed NFTs associated to their songs posted on HitPiece with out their consent.
Taylor Damage, a keyboard participant in New York Metropolis indie rock band Strawberry Lunch, stated she was shocked when she discovered all of her band’s music posted on HitPiece with beginning bids of $100 per music. Once more, it wasn’t clear what folks would obtain after they “purchased” the NFT.
“I used to be getting frantic messages from all my music associates about Strawberry Launch being on HitPiece and that I ought to contact the location to take it down,” Damage, 20, advised The Submit. “I used to be scared at first to see our stuff on there, particularly as a result of we don’t have a supervisor or a lawyer but.”
Damage posted on the band’s social media accounts urging followers to not purchase the NFTs.
Spokespeople for Common Music and RCA, which symbolize lots of the artists whose songs had been listed on HitPiece together with Spears and Bleachers, didn't instantly reply to requests for remark.
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