David Arditi Livres

Music industry executives have been the main gatekeepers in determining what music is available to consumers since the advent of the gramophone. As major record labels have become more highly consolidated, there has been an increasing concentration of those who determine what music is available for consumption. With the development of online music distribution, a gap has formed where independent artists can distribute their music by bypassing the costly hard media distribution system. This book explores how the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is used by the major record labels to limit the access that independent artists/labels have to consumers through the internet. It argues that in the process through which the music industry works to co-opt and commodify genres of music, the music is (de)politicized to appeal to a larger audience. This study is geared towards those interested in the music industry, commodification and intellectual property policies.

iTake-Over: The Recording Industry in the Digital Era sheds light on the way large corporations appropriate new technologies related to recording and distribution of audio material to maintain their market dominance in a capitalist system.

The belief that signing a record contract will almost infallibly lead to some measure of success- the ideology of getting signed, as Arditi defines it-is alive and well. Though streaming, social media, and viral content have turned the recording industry upside down in one sense, the record contract and its mythos still persist.

Encouraging us to look beyond the seemingly limitless supply of multimedia content, David Arditi calls attention to the underlying dynamics of instant viewing - in which our access to our favourite binge-worthy show, blockbuster movie or hot new album release depends on any given service's willingness, and ability, to license it.

Focusing on the evolution of the music industry, this book argues that major record labels embraced digital music primarily to enhance their profits, countering claims made by the Recording Industry Association of America. The updated edition delves into the significant shifts from the download era to the streaming era, providing insights into how these changes have impacted the landscape of recorded music.

The book delves into the music industry's gatekeeping by major record labels, particularly how the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) restricts independent artists' access to consumers online. It highlights the shift towards online distribution, allowing independent musicians to bypass traditional media. The author argues that as the industry commodifies music genres, it often strips them of their political significance to attract a broader audience. This analysis is particularly relevant for readers interested in music industry dynamics, commodification, and intellectual property issues.