“How Music Got Free” Documentary Review
How do you disassemble a decades-long, multibillion-dollar industry in just a few short years? This was the central question explored in the thought-provoking two-part documentary “How Music Got Free” on Paramount+. The documentary delves into the music business in the late 1990s and early 2000s, revealing the impacts of online music piracy on artists, corporations, and consumers.
The Rise of Digital Robin Hoods
“How Music Got Free” portrays the innovators of online music piracy as digital Robin Hood figures who disrupted the industry with their passion for technology and music. It contrasts the lavish wealth of artists with the lives of ordinary individuals, presenting piracy as a leveling force in the economic landscape.
The documentary highlights the significant profits reaped by record labels in previous decades, shedding light on the transition from physical to digital music formats that reshaped consumer behaviors and industry practices.
The Industry’s Reaction
At the time of the piracy surge, the music moguls and corporations responded with a mix of outrage, threats, and litigation. Their efforts to combat piracy mirrored stages of grief, showcasing their struggle to adapt to the changing landscape.
The Streaming Revolution
Despite initial resistance, the documentary shows how the music industry eventually embraced streaming as a viable solution to combat piracy. Streaming emerged as a compromise that allowed consumers to access music online while ensuring revenue for record labels.
Today, streaming is hailed as a populist breakthrough, offering artists more control over their careers and fans diverse ways to experience music. However, the documentary also underlines the challenges faced by middle-class musicians who have been marginalized in the streaming economy.
Impacts on Artists
With streaming dominating the music industry revenue, artists struggle to earn a significant income from their recordings. The documentary exposes the stark reality that only a select few musicians benefit substantially from streaming platforms, while many others find it difficult to make ends meet.
