Grammy-winning remixer André Allen Anjos (R.A.C.) and Los Angeles-based producer and DJ Josh Legg (Goldroom) announced Wednesday (May 1) that they have launched a new record label, Minerva Music. But Minerva, which takes its name from the Roman goddess of wisdom and patron of the arts, isn't your average record label: It's the first to distribute all of its music on the Ethereum blockchain.
This isn't the first venture into decentralized digital currency for R.A.C. In 2017, he became the first artist to release a full-length on the Ethereum blockchain with his most recent album EGO. In fact, the electronic music community has always been receptive to the potential of cryptocurrency: Last year, big-tent regulars like Mija, Gramatik and Gareth Emery were either investing in or researching the mind-bending technology. With Minerva, Anjos and Legg will be unveiling music from emerging artists including Mets?, Chela, Nolan Garrett and NASAYA, who provides the imprint's first release, due May 8. "Our goals are to give artists a higher level of autonomy, more separation from the traditional music industry, and ultimately insure that the way they are paid is as streamlined as possible," Anjos adds.