Mike Shinoda I've been very busy lately. Over the past four years, linkin park He started his solo career and has worked on numerous projects (new experimental mixtape EP “ Zigguratz).
on the other hand, COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) The pandemic has presented some challenges, but Mike Shinoda used the lockdown to connect with his fans.He currently streams several times a week convulsions, offering everything from art and games to live music production. Shinoda also works as a record producer and has produced several tracks for upcoming artists.
But he's not done yet. This year, Shinoda is venturing into some new areas. NFTs. NFTs are a new concept, so it's natural for people who aren't familiar with cryptography to be confused. Many people are asking, “What exactly are NFTs?”
To answer this, on the eve of the release of his very special upcoming NFT music EP, Zigguratz (He describes it as a “generative mixtape.”) We spoke to Mike Shinoda to get answers to a number of questions. Read below to hear his thoughts on cryptography and how he feels it is changing the industry.
AltWire/Derek Oswald: For the uninitiated, in your own words, what exactly are NFTs?
Mike Shinoda: This is your proof of ownership of your digital files. For some people, it might be helpful to think of it like a verified checkmark on a social media page. It says, “This is the real thing.”
AltWire/Derek Oswald: We've already released music in NFT format before this, but our latest release, Ziggurats, is different in the sense that it creates thousands of different variations. Can you tell us more about the project?
Mike Shinoda: the [Ziggurats] First and foremost, it's a music project. If you only want to listen on streaming services, you can listen on December 3rd.rd. However, if you want to experience the magic of owning an NFT, here's how. Zigguratz is a collection of 5,000 mini mixtapes, each approximately 7 minutes long, each with unique music and unique cover art.
The vocals are all the same, but the music and artwork are built from layers I created and assembled in unique combinations, so no two are alike. And some are rarer than others. In fact, I handcrafted 5 special versions of him using art that was not created from layers at all. Those are 5 completely unique images. They are the rarest.
When you “mint” a card (that is, buy it from Ziggurats.xyz on release day), you receive something like an unopened baseball card. No one knows which images and tracks will be included until everything is sold out. Then, all at once, her NFT will be revealed and you will see what your own his NFT looks like.
I know there are many fans who are interested in NFTs but haven't tried them yet. So I designed this release as a simple “first NFT”. There are multiple blockchains and this release is on his Tezos.
To get this, you will need a cryptocurrency wallet like Temple or Kukai, which will cost you around 16 Tez (about 100 USD). We recommend getting your tickets ready on our website as soon as they are released, as they can sell out quickly. All information leading up to the release will be posted on my socials, Ziggurats.xyz, and discord.gg/mikeshinada.
AltWire/Derek Oswald: Can you talk about the environmental concerns surrounding cryptocurrencies? Why Tezos?
Mike Shinoda: I chose Tezos Because it is an eco-friendly blockchain and has one of the lowest carbon footprints among popular chains. If you're worried about the environment, think about what you eat, what you drive, and who you vote for. These places will help you make the most impact. But when it comes to cryptocurrencies, there are two things to remember.
First, not all blockchains are the same when it comes to carbon footprint. Tezos is now 2 million times more energy efficient Ethereum, for example. Second, this is a developing universe, progressing faster than any universe I've ever seen.
Environmental concerns have already been addressed, and an update to Ethereum is expected to fix energy consumption issues in the near future. Tezos, Solana, and algorand It has already been addressed.
AltWire/Derek Oswald: As a member of Linkin Park, it's no secret that we experiment with new technology. What is it about NFTs that captures your attention and creates excitement?
Mike Shinoda: It's the beginning of a new chapter. The idea of proving ownership of digital items is not new. Everyone has purchased an app that they “own”. microsoft word, music plugins, or in-game items. 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. Louis Vuitton Bags and fakes. We know that there are differences between real pairs. jordan And knocked off. We value authenticity, rarity and originality, even if they are made exactly the same.
What interests me about blockchain is that it can be used in many different ways. There are people using it to crowdfund and organize future projects in business, art, and philanthropy. People using it to create better ways to compensate musicians for their participation in songs. And some people use it to provide funds and services to people who otherwise wouldn't have access.
AltWire/Derek Oswald: With the popularity of cryptography increasing by the minute, how do you think NFTs are changing the music industry?
Mike Shinoda: Some people don't care what Bitcoin is or why it's interesting. But the people who build things, from the apps and devices we use every day to things we can't even imagine yet, know this is game-changing technology. It will reach my parents' generation in a really short period of time, but by then it will be as invisible as a new app or a new version of a cell phone.
AltWire/Derek Oswald: Lastly, you've been extremely busy during the pandemic with Twitch streams, producing for other artists, and doing NFT drops. What else are you most excited about for your future?
Mike Shinoda: I'm exploring a lot of new ideas and looking for things that utilize both my right and left brain. I want to create expressive and exciting musical projects that don't fit into the same box that musicians have lived in for years. What I'm most excited about right now is AI and Metaverse applications for music. This isn't about VR or androids in a dystopian future.
In short, we want people to experience musical projects that feel natural, immersive, and new, but created using completely new technology under the hood. Technology should be invisible. It's not the technology that matters, it's the stories and emotional connections of our communities.
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drop of Zigguratz It happened in three phases. “Whitelist” was released on December 1st, released to the public on December 2nd, and made its streaming service debut on December 3rd. For those unfamiliar with whitelisting, it's a pre-sale limited to a specific group of people.In this case: Existing holder MS Tezos NFT. This whitelist was already generated from a previous MS NFT drop, which occurred on December 1st.
Ziggurats' public launch was a huge success and sold out within minutes. For those who weren't able to get their hands on Ziggurats when Shinoda first dropped them on December 2nd, a number of Ziggurats NFTs are now listed on Objkt. At least he has one “rare” copy already listed, and if he suffered severe FOMO when Ziggurats was first removed, be sure to check out the page and check out his Ziggurats here. Get a copy on his Objkt page.
How to use Temple wallet (holds 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
