Warner Records UK has teamed up with audio company Bose to offer a collection of 5,000 “utility-enabled” audio-visual NFTs entirely for free.
In a press statement announcing the NFT release, WarnerRecords claims that it “is the first major label to give collectors full creative and commercial freedom through ownership of the copyright”.
Each Stickmen Toy comes with its own ‘track’, algorithmically generated from a variety of bass lines, drums, melodies, sound effects and vocal samples produced by producer duo, The Stickmen Project.
The Stickmen Project have recently toured in support of The Chainsmokers. They’ve also collaborated with the likes of Armin van Buurren, Calum Scott and Felix Jaehn.
The NFT collection features Bose-themed Stickmen Toy NFTs, which can be redeemed with the Stickmen Toys x Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones or SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speakers.
The collection is in collaboration with Warner Records’ so-called “tech-culture partner”, Kapsule, Web3 platform Probably Nothing by Jeremy Fall.
Warner also states that Stickmen Toys will offer “real life”, non-digital value to collectors.
Stickmen Toys holders will gain access to an as yet unconfirmed line-up of live events, Stickmen Toys streetwear, physical collectibles, global brand collaborations and access to future Warner Records NFT projects.
“We’re proud to be the first major label providing collectors with authentic and meaningful ownership of the underlying audio-visual copyright.”
Seb Simone, Vice President, Warner Records
Seb Simone, Vice President, Audience & Strategy at Warner Records, said: “NFTs present a powerful extension of the artist-to-fan relationship, giving people the opportunity to invest in an artist’s future success and providing them value along the way.
“We’re proud to be the first major label providing collectors with authentic and meaningful ownership of the underlying audio-visual copyright, free to collectors.
“We’re even more thrilled to be collaborating with Bose on adding further value to the project.”
“Bose believes in exploring new and innovative ways to bring the power of sound to music-loving communities that share our passion.”
Jim Mollica, Bose
Jim Mollica, Chief Marketing Officer at Bose, said: “We’re delighted to bring one-of-a-kind Bose-themed NFTs to this unique collection with Warner Records and Stickmen Toys.
“Bose believes in exploring new and innovative ways to bring the power of sound to music-loving communities that share our passion.
“Participating in the emerging Web3 music space creates a great opportunity to do just that.”
“Toys play a huge role in everyone’s lives, so we decided to bring them into the Web3 playground where creations are only limited by imagination.”
Joey Tadiar, Kapsule
Joey Tadiar, Founder of Kapsule, said: “NFTs made the crypto space fun.
“They’ve reignited a sense of childlike nostalgia and we wanted Stickmen Toys to embody this.
“Toys play a huge role in everyone’s lives, so we decided to bring them into the Web3 playground where creations are only limited by imagination.
“Kapsule are spearheading the creative on this exciting project, delivering amazing art for the community.”
“We are excited to be collaborating with Warner Records.”
Jeremy Fall, Probably Nothing
Jeremy Fall, Founder of Probably Nothing, added: “We are excited to be collaborating with Warner Records.
“I was attracted to this project for how unique its utilities of IP rights are.
“You rarely see projects that combine both music and design and never see them coming out of major record labels, especially for free.
“My goal is to bridge the gap between Web3 and the next billion people to enter the space by onboarding them the right way, so offering this drop for free is a home run.”
Warner Music Group has been ramping up its presence in all things NFT in recent months.
The Quincy Jones-backed NFT platform OneOF, which is backed by $63 million in seed funding secured in May 2021, entered into a partnership with Warner Music Group in January 2022. The deal saw OneOf generate unique NFTs featuring avatars for WMG artists.
In April, WMG struck a partnership with POAP Inc., a Web3 startup backed by a $10 million funding round secured in January of this year.Music Business Worldwide
