By: Meghan Mahaffey
The art of music streaming, which many of us take for granted, is a relatively new phenomenon. Before the 1999 launch of Napster, the platform that allowed people to share MP3 files, music consumption was less of a casual activity.
Preceding technological advancements that allowed for private streaming, listeners gathered for live performances– an experience still familiar to music enthusiasts today. However, this was the sole way to engage with musicians and their art before technology that made music available for individual streaming. Fast forward to the 1960s and 70s, long-playing (LP) vinyl records became accessible to listeners. The record player was in the making for a long time, beginning in 1877 with Thomas Edison’s creation of the phonograph. Still, the 60s and 70s curated a recorded culture because of the accessibility of record players and vinyl. Artists such as Elvis Presley and the Beatles became commercially successful during this era of music because of their fans’ access to their music outside of live performances. Their work reached every corner of the world– even in places they had never physically been to.
Moving into the 80s and 90s, the music industry, once again, experienced a shift in how listeners partook in music. Cassette tapes and CDs became common, allowing for streaming on the go for the first time. Cassettes were the first way streamers could curate their own “playlist,” to put it in today’s terms. Creating a cassette tape for someone was the pinnacle act of thoughtfulness and often romance.
Napster revolutionized music streaming in 1999. Photo Cred: Lifewire
Napster’s limited two-year run before being “sued out of existence by the recording industry in 2001” created a tidal wave in music that still has ripples today. The platform laid the groundwork for applications we know and love today such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora. The popularization of these platforms allowed users to stream and share music privately
at low costs. The applications have prolifically grown since their creation, making music more accessible. Artists can release music on these platforms quickly, and audiences have essentially every musician’s work at their fingertips. Music has made its way into the fabric of society, with people streaming on the way to work and establishments shuffling a playlist all day. The industry’s history aligns with technological advancements, which will continue to evolve.
