Media brand Billboard has launched ChartStars, a non-fungible token (NFT) based project of curated digital collectibles on the Flow Blockchain.
Billboard has named Universal Music Group (UMG) as its launch partner for the project.
The news follows UMG’s announcement of a partnership with NFT trading platform Snowcrash this week.
ChartStars will be a collection of artist-focused digital artwork that commemorates achievements and milestones on the Billboard Charts.
These collectibles will feature officially licensed art and creative including short visual clips from music videos, album photography and more.
As Billboard’s launch partner, UMG says that it will work across its roster of artists and labels to celebrate Billboard chart achievements for songs that debut in the Top 25 or reach other significant chart-related successes.
These include, but are not limited to, length of time on the chart, a simultaneous number of songs on the chart and historic chart records, among other milestones.
The first ChartStars products are expected to be available for purchase in May.
Unblocked has been signed up as the NFT technology partner for ChartStars. Unblocked, which is backed by Dapper Labs, the company behind NBA Top Shot, recently announced a seed round of financing led by Tiger Global.
With Unblocked, ChartStars will accept credit card payments for digital collectables and run on the Flow Blockchain platform.
“We could not have asked for a better launch partner than UMG, a company who like Billboard, places artists and fans at the center of everything they do.”
Julian Holguin, Billboard
“For the first time, music fans will now have an opportunity to be forever linked to their favorite artists, by sharing ownership of a moment in time,” said Julian Holguin, President, Billboard.
“These digital collectibles will celebrate and commemorate special chart achievements with visually stunning creative. Fans will also compete for real-life prizes, adding an authentic layer of gamification to the entire platform.
“We could not have asked for a better launch partner than UMG, a company who like Billboard, places artists and fans at the center of everything they do.”
“We’re excited to collaborate on this product innovation and open even more avenues for our artists to maximize their creative and commercial potential, all while forging stronger bonds with their fans.”
Michael Nash, UMG
Michael Nash, UMG’s Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy, said: “By harnessing its iconic charts for these compelling digital collectibles, Billboard is creating a ground-breaking new way for artists and fans to celebrate unique achievements and cultural moments.
“We’re excited to collaborate on this product innovation and open even more avenues for our artists to maximize their creative and commercial potential, all while forging stronger bonds with their fans.
“These projects, which will be completed with our artists’ creative direction, will be unique assets that every fan will want in their collections.”Music Business Worldwide