Mike Shinoda I've been extremely busy lately. For the past four years, Linkin Park He has since embarked on a solo career and has been working on a number of projects (including a new experimental mixtape EP). Ziggurat).
on the other hand, COVID-19 The pandemic has brought many challenges, but Mike Shinoda has used the lockdown to connect with his fans: He now streams several times a week. Twitchwhich offers everything from art and games to live music production. Shinoda also works as a record producer, producing a number of tracks for up-and-coming artists.
But it's not over yet. This year, Shinoda is branching out into new territory, including NFTs. NFTs are a relatively new concept, which understandably confuses people who aren't familiar with cryptography, with many asking, “What are NFTs?”
To answer this question, on the eve of the release of his special NFT music EP, Ziggurat (which he describes as a “generative mixtape”), we interviewed Mike Shinoda to get answers to a variety of questions. Read on to find out his thoughts on crypto and how he thinks it's changing the industry.
AltWire/Derek Oswald: For the uninitiated, what exactly are NFTs in your own words?
Mike Shinoda: It's proof of ownership of a digital file — some people think of it like a verified checkmark on a social media page — it says “this is real.”
AltWire/Derek Oswald: You've released music in NFT format before, but your latest release, Ziggurats, is different in that it will spawn thousands of different variations. Can you tell us more about this project?
Mike Shinoda: the [Ziggurats] is first and foremost a music project. If you want to listen exclusively on streaming services, you can find it on December 3rd.rdBut if you want to experience the magic of owning an NFT, here's how it works. Ziggurat It's a collection of 5,000 mini mixtapes, each about seven minutes long, each with unique music and unique cover art.
The vocals are the same for all of them, but the music and artwork are built in layers, created by me and assembled in unique combinations so no two are the same, some are more rare than others, in fact I handcrafted 5 special versions with art that wasn't created in layers, those are 5 completely unique images, these are the rarest ones.
If you “mint” one (i.e. buy it from Ziggurats.xyz on release day), you'll receive what feels like an unopened baseball card. No one knows which image and track you got until they're all sold out. Then, all at once, your NFT will be revealed and you'll be able to see what your NFT looks like.
We know there are a lot of fans out there who are interested in NFTs but haven't tried them yet, so we designed this release to be an easy “first NFT” experience. There are multiple blockchains, but this release is Tezos.
To get one, you'll need a cryptocurrency wallet like Temple or Kukai and about 16 Tez (about $100 USD). They might sell out quickly so I recommend getting on the website to get ready as soon as they go live. All info will be published on my social media, Ziggurats.xyz, and discord.gg/mikeshinoda ahead of the launch.
AltWire/Derek Oswald: Can you talk about the environmental issues surrounding cryptocurrencies? Why did you choose Tezos?
Mike Shinoda: I chose Tezos Because it is a green blockchain, boasting the lowest carbon emissions of any popular chain. If you care about the environment, think about what you eat, what you drive, who you vote for; those things will help you make the biggest impact. But when it comes to cryptocurrency, there are two things to remember:
Firstly, not all blockchains are equal when it comes to carbon emissions: Tezos is currently 2 million times more energy efficient than other blockchains. EthereumFor example, . Second, this is a developing field, and it is evolving more rapidly than any other field I have seen to date.
Addressing environmental issues has already begun, with an update to Ethereum coming in the near future that will address the issue of energy consumption. Tezos, Solana, and Algorand This has already been addressed.
AltWire/Derek Oswald: As part of Linkin Park, it's no secret that you're experimenting with new technology. What is it about NFTs that interests and excites you?
Mike Shinoda: This is the beginning of a new chapter. Proving you own digital items is nothing new. We've all bought apps that we “own.” Microsoft Wordmusic plugins, in-game items, etc. There is no limit to the number of these items. The difference here is that NFTs are limited edition.
This is important because we know that in the physical world there is a difference between what is real and what is not. Louis Vuitton I know the difference between a real bag and a fake one. Jordan Even if something is made in the exact same way, we value authenticity, rarity and originality.
What interests me about blockchain is that it can be used in many different ways. Some people use it to organize crowdfunding and future projects in business, arts, and charity. Others use it to create better ways to pay musicians who participate in songs. Still others use it to provide funds and services to people who would otherwise not have access to them.
AltWire/Derek Oswald: With crypto technology becoming more popular by the minute, how do you think NFTs will change the music industry?
Mike Shinoda: Some people don't care what Bitcoin is or why it's interesting. But the people who make everything from the apps and devices we use every day to things we can't even imagine yet understand that it's a game-changing technology. Bitcoin will reach my parents' generation in a relatively short time, but by then it will be invisible. It will be as invisible as a new app or a new version of your phone.
AltWire/Derek Oswald: Lastly, you've stayed incredibly busy during the pandemic with Twitch streams, producing other artists, NFT drops, etc. What else are you most excited about for the future?
Mike Shinoda: I'm exploring a lot of new ideas and looking for things that stimulate both the right and left side of my brain. I want to create expressive and exciting musical projects that don't fit into the same box that musicians have been living in for years. What excites me most right now is AI and metaverse applications for music. I'm not talking about VR or androids in a dystopian future.
What I mean is, I want people to experience a musical project that feels natural, immersive and new, but behind the scenes, it's made with entirely new technology. The technology has to be invisible, because it's not about the technology, it's about the stories and the emotional connection of our community.
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drop Ziggurat It was done in three phases: there was a “whitelist” release on December 1, a general release on December 2, and a streaming service debut on December 3. For those unfamiliar with whitelists, this is a presale that is limited to a select group of people. In this case, MS Tezos NFTThis whitelist was already generated from the previous MS NFT drop, which occurred on December 1st.
Ziggurat's public launch was a huge success, selling out within minutes, and a number of Ziggurat NFTs are now listed on Objkt for those who weren't able to grab one when Shinoda first dropped it on December 2nd. At least one “rare” copy has already been listed, and if you were seriously afflicted by FOMO when Ziggurat first dropped, be sure to check out Ziggurat's Objkt page for a chance to grab a copy.
How to use Temple Wallet (store Tezos NFTs and cryptocurrencies)
https://madfish.crunch.help/temple-wallet/how-to-add-xtz-tokens-to-your-temple-wallet
How to buy Tezos cryptocurrency on Coinbase:
https://wheretobuytezos.com/how-to-buy-tezos-xtz/coinbase
