Why Your Musical Identity in the Metaverse Matters
RELICSxyz was born out of the idea that music is a foundational component of your identity, be it virtual or IRL. This is the second in a short series of hot takes on how we see music and the Metaverse 🤝.
Check out our first post on how we're tackling the transition of music from Web2 to Web3, all while providing a space for artists to earn a living wage through royalties here.
In the coming articles we’ll dive into the future of music in the Metaverse, the inevitable issues with music master and publishing rights (aka “copyright”) on the blockchain, relationships between artists & fans, and more.
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How do you express your identity? Do you dress a certain way? Have a secret handshake with friends? Hang out with certain people? Listen to certain bands? For many of us, music is one of the main ways we express our identity. It's a way to show others what we're into, what we believe in, and who we are.
For some, music is a way to express themselves and share their stories. It can be a way to connect with others who share their love for a certain type of music, a collective type of dance, or simply, to symbolize with those who have experienced similar things.
For others, music is a way to find themselves. To explore different parts of their identity that they may not have been able to explore in other areas of their life. And for some, music is a way to connect with their heritage and their culture.
When we think about music and identity, we often think about how music reflects our personal tastes and styles. This is certainly true regarding the music we listen to in our everyday lives. The songs we choose to listen to say something about who we are and what we're interested in.
No matter why we love music, it’s always been a part of who we are. It is a foundational building block of culture and shared belief. And in a world where we are increasingly connected online through avenues like the Metaverse, music can help us find and connect with others who share our interests and values. It allows for a deeper level of personalization and immersion, and acts as a powerful tool for self-expression and connection within the digital realm.
When compared to our physical world, music will be even more powerful inside the Metaverse. It will to shape our identities significantly. Let us explain why.
Your Personal Identity and Music
Music plays a role in shaping our identity on a subconscious level. Studies have shown that the type of music we listen to can affect our mood and emotions. Upbeat, happy music can make us feel more positive and optimistic, while slower, sadder tunes can make us feel reflective and introspective, and loud music can make us purchase and move more quickly. Think about how important this mood setter will be in the Metaverse.
A soundtrack in the Metaverse is needed.
Similar to video games in the 90’s, virtual worlds are currently made up of simple looped background tracks. The ability to listen to music requires lowering the game audio which can impact your experience. What is Super Mario without the hop and slam soundbites? Eventually video games soundtracks made the leap from background tunes to iconic sounds of our childhood. We believe this is an inevitable future for the Metaverse as well.
It is needed to shape our virtual identities.
Music can be a powerful tool for shaping our virtual identities, as it allows us to express ourselves and connect with others in a unique and personal way. The music we listen to can reflect our personality, interests, and values, and can help others understand who we are and what we stand for.
Early use in games like Roblox and Fortnite have shown that users are willing to experiment with their avatar identity in extremely unique ways, and music has played a big part in that.
In a virtual setting, where our avatars don’t have the benefit of showing emotional or physical interactions, the music we choose to share can help us create a distinct identity. Beyond this, the act of sharing music with others can help to build and strengthen social connections, and can provide a sense of belonging and community within a virtual environment.
Profile picture NFTs (PFPs, or Picture for Proof) were the last darling of Web3, and we think music is next.
With some PFP collections like Bored Ape Yacht Club and Crypto Punks generating over 100 million dollars, the revenue is ripe for picking, it’s just who breaks in first that matters. But just like PFPs, we also believe that music NFTs are going to be much more fun when used inside your Metaverse life. Think about how bland your virtual worlds will be without music…
People collect PFPs as a way to represent themselves on the internet. Collectors use their PFP (i.e. Doodles) as their profile photo for Twitter, Discord, OpenSea, and more. PFPs have grown to even be used in the Metaverse.
By creating a unique musical identity in conjunction with their virtual avatars, users can stand out from the crowd and express themselves in ways that are not possible in the physical world.
At RELICSxyz, we believe that every avatar needs to find their Metaverse theme song.
Collective Identity and Music
There is no more powerful force in shaping a community than music. In virtual worlds, music takes on an even more important role in shaping our identities. It can play a central role in fostering a sense of community, and help to define the identity of those who inhabit the virtual spaces.
In massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs), players form guilds or clans that they play with regularly. These groups often have their own theme songs or anthems that help to bring the members together and foster a sense of camaraderie. We believe this can be applied to the Metaverse as well.
When we share our music with others, we are sharing a part of ourselves. Our taste in music says something about who we are and what we value. Musical taste is one of the many ways we signal our identity to the world. It’s a way of saying “this is who I am” without having to say it directly. Most importantly, the music we listen to with others forms bonds based on “this is who WE are”.
We are determined to create shareable music moments in the Metaverse. Our Metaverse-ready, music-playing IDOLS are our way to help you build virtual worlds, in stereo.
Experiencing music on a collective level can be a truly powerful and memorable experience. When a group of people come together to listen to and enjoy music, a shared sense of connection and community can be formed.
This can be especially evident at live concerts, where the energy of the crowd and the emotions of the music can combine to create an unforgettable atmosphere.
The same can be said for experiencing Metaverse performances. The music industry has embraced the Metaverse as a way to create unique and engaging experiences for fans, without the limitations of physical space. Artists are now using virtual worlds to host concerts, release new music, and even create interactive experiences for their fans.
Take for example Marshmello’s virtual concert in Fortnite. Millions of people from around the world were able to join in and experience the show directly from their homes.
In these moments (even the virtual ones), music can transcend its individual components and become something greater than the sum of its parts, creating a shared experience that can bring people together and foster a sense of belonging and unity. This is also known as collective effervescence.
Music has proven to be an important part of identity in both the physical and virtual worlds. On a personal level, music is an important means of expressing oneself, allowing for a connection between individuals and the outside world. On a collective level, music is used to bond people together, to create a sense of community and shared experiences.
On a more general level, music is a unifying force that helps to bring people together and create a sense of shared identity.
With its vast array of virtual spaces, the Metaverse presents the perfect platform to further explore the connection between music and identity on all levels.
Come find your Metaverse theme song.