How Apple Buying Beats by Dre Can Change the Future of Indie Music

You probably have heard about Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine being in talks to sell Beats by Dre for $3.2 billion to Apple.

Beats features the popular premium headphone and speaker line, as well as Beats Music, a streaming music service that competes with others in this space…such as Spotify.

This can provide Apple with the opportunity to bring key players in the music business into their corner (Dre and Levine), more flexibility to create product bundles that music lovers may want (e.g. headphones with streaming music and song downloads) and attract new music distribution partners.  Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine could  benefit by reinforcing the solid beats brand they built, while fattening their wallets in the process (they may get offered senior positions at Apple too).

What many musicians like you may want to know is…how will this effect me?

A shift is already happening from digital downloads to streaming music.  Smart headphones may also be coming in the future (steaming music independently, and/or competing with the likes of Google Glass).

Although it remains to be seen if streaming services can make money, artists will still get paid royalties if their music is streamed.  By having a major corporation like Apple in the mix, increased credibility in the music space with Dre and Iovine, and new potential distribution partners …there can be more opportunities to get your music streamed.  The more your music gets streamed, the more opportunity you have to make money with your music.

The process of selling indie music is evolving. Make sure you don’t get left behind.  Now is the time to take control of your music, and be proactive in finding new ways to stream and  licensing your music to your fans.