Event Synopsis

The Base Community Meetup in Buenos Aires demonstrated the transformative potential of Web3 technology for creators in Argentina and greater Latin America. This event, organized by Músicaw3 and supported by Base, aimed to empower local artists with new economic opportunities through blockchain technology.

La Reina del Plata: The Future of the City in the Balance

Argentina, a country rich in natural resources like petroleum, minerals, and precious metals, also boasts a vibrant musical heritage, from the tango masterpieces of Astor Piazzolla to the poetic rock of Luis Alberto Spinetta. However, this sharply contrasts with its troubled economic history. Neoliberal policies in the 1990s under President Carlos Menem initially stabilized Argentina's post-1976 coup economy but eventually led to the 2001-2002 economic crisis. Persistent fiscal deficits and political instability have since caused hyperinflation, currency devaluation, and rising poverty in the new millennium.

Thankfully, the introduction of cryptocurrencies in the 2010s, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, has ignited new hope for economic resilience. They offer a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation, providing an alternative means of preserving value and facilitating transactions. I had the unique opportunity to contribute to this economic 'regenaissance' in a significant way by partnering with Base, an L2 blockchain incubated by Coinbase, and grassroots initiatives like Músicaw3, which aim to educate creators on leveraging Web3 technology to find new economic lifelines for their creative lives.

A Note from the Author

Some readers may know me from my role as a Meta-Governance steward at ENS DAO or my work on the DAO's bi-weekly newsletter. However, my first passion was music. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2014, I worked at SONGS, a music publishing company responsible for fostering talent like The Weeknd, Lorde, and XXXTentacion.

From 2017 to 2020, I consulted for major labels such as APG, Atlantic Records, and Motown Records. My plans to start as an A&R at Motown were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading me to pivot into Web3. After years away from music, I found my way back through the Base Community Meetup initiative in Buenos Aires.

Genesis of the Partnership

The purpose of this initiative was to build a bridge between the Base ecosystem, ENS, and the community of creatives in Buenos Aires and greater Latin America embracing the 'New Internet'. To achieve this, I first connected with community leader Solsiete.eth during the NFT bull run of 2021 in a COLORSxDAO community space.

Solsiete.eth has been building community and mentoring musicians and industry professionals since 2021. She co-founded the first Spanish-speaking Web3 record label and has been an international speaker at events like the Andalucía Music Forum, presenting new technologies to industry leaders in Spain and Latin America. In early 2024, she founded Músicaw3 to continue her mission of educating creators about onchain opportunities.

Overview of Included Technologies

• Base: An L2 blockchain incubated by Coinbase, designed to empower creators by offering a secure and scalable platform for minting and monetizing their art. It leverages the Ethereum blockchain to provide lower transaction costs and faster processing times, making it ideal for artists. Creators can mint their music directly on Base through platforms like Zora, ensuring a seamless process from creation to distribution.

• Zora: A platform within the Base ecosystem that allows artists to distribute their music directly onchain. Artists can manage their earnings and transactions through a secure Smart Wallet provided by Coinbase, ensuring their funds are safe and easily accessible.

• ENS (Ethereum Name Service): A decentralized naming protocol built on the Ethereum blockchain, simplifying transactions and interactions by replacing long cryptographic addresses with easy-to-remember names. ENS can be used to receive and send cryptocurrencies, serve as onchain identification, and store additional information like social media profiles and email addresses.

• Namespace: A platform that enables users to claim free ENS subnames on Base. At the Base Community Meetup in Buenos Aires, members of the Músicaw3 community established their Web3 identity by claiming their Músicaw3 subnames provided by Namespace.

Buenos Aires Base Community Meetup

Event Highlights

The Base Community Meetup in Buenos Aires, organized by Músicaw3, aimed to educate creators about new economic opportunities on Base. Held on Saturday, June 15, at Club Lucero, a vibrant cultural venue known for hosting diverse events that blend music, art, and technology, the meetup offered a unique space in the heart of the city.

The event featured:

• Immersive Video-Audio Experience: Showcasing 11 Músicaw3 artists whose works were minted on Zora.

• Screening of 'El Drop Colectivo Vol. 6': Music videos that set a creative tone for the evening.

• Live Demonstrations: How to create and mint music on the Base Network via Zora.

• Decentralized Identity Overview: Emphasizing the importance of ENS for creators in the Web3 ecosystem.

• Acoustic Performance: By Solsiete.eth, highlighting the intersection of music and blockchain technology.

Músicaw3 Presentation

Solsiete.eth educated her community on Músicaw3's core values, highlighting the transformative power of onchain music platforms. Key points included:

• Cutting out intermediaries for direct artist-audience interaction.

• Transparent payment distribution and fair compensation.

• Immutable onchain records for permanent, tamper-proof ownership.

• Unique artist-to-fan experiences to boost engagement.

• Fair and transparent royalty splits.

• Introducing fan investors and collaborative teams for shared success.

• Championing artistic sovereignty and creative freedom.

Base and ENS Presentation

I discussed Base's potential as a secure and scalable infrastructure leveraging Ethereum to empower creators, and introduced Zora for minting music on Base. Attendees learned how to:

• Start earning with Zora by setting up their Smart Wallet.

• Mint music on Zora via Base.

• Set up their ENS subname via Namespace.

• Use ENS for simplified transactions, enhanced security, personal branding, and interoperability.

Conclusion

The event brought together members of the Músicaw3 community into an immersive, audio-visual experience and environment. With 68 participants claiming their ENS subnames, they learned how to set up their Smart Wallet, mint on Zora, and claim their onchain identity via ENS. This event was unique in offering a high-level overview of the Web3 ecosystem and its opportunities specifically tailored for creators.

Future Plans

• Larger events in partnership with Base.

• Announcement of an upcoming track release by Solsiete.eth recorded at Estudio 0618.

• Encouragement for attendees to join the communities on Base, Músicaw3, Namespace, and ENS DAO to stay connected and informed.

Resources

• Learn more about Base on X

• Learn more about Músicaw3 on X and Mirror

• Learn about Namespace, read the docs

• Learn more about ENS DAO, read the Basics

• ENS DAO presentation slides

• Base presentation slides

• Músicaw3 presentation slides

• Event page