Pharrell Williams Goes DIRECT TO CONSUMER For New Album!

[@zerastarchild2849]

I am a new artist. I'm a singer songwriter. I'm on Spotify. But I don't have loads of listeners. But I can sell 1 $15 cd at a gig just by putting it on a table with a tip jar next to it. I cannot get the equivalent 15,000 streams I would need to make the equivalent. I'm on Spotify only so I can say at my gigs "I'm on Spotify." It doesn't help or hinder my direct to consumer sales. Those for me happen in person from people who like what I do and want to support. Thank you Curtis. You are a path cutter, and many artists will follow the path you are showing us.

[@DLogan55]

Naw it won't catch on because people will go for the easiest way to get music, when the guy said Spotify is selling convenience he said something because the majority of folks are not going to put aside convenience because the artist wants to make more. I wish this had never caught on because it's too late now.

[@Franksmoney]

@@DLogan55nah ...it’s never too late!!!

[@CurtissKingTV]

Good stuff! What some creatives will recognize soon is that if they are not creating music + experiences worth paying for, this model will be a struggle for them. Wishing you all the best.

[@Firetracks]

Well said Curt! 🤘🏾🎯

[@nevedofficial466]

This!!!! Thank you for this. For new artists the most important thing is building the audience, which streaming is essential. All the ditch-streaming schemes we've seen so far seemed to have been poorly thought out, the black star album for example. You don't wand spotify or streaming services in general to have your money, so instead of making physicals for your huge dedicated fanbase, you make them sub to a podcast network to stream it, then yank it like a year later?

[@jamiecchhh]

THIS IS GENIUS!! this is the modern version of selling mixtapes out the trunk!

[@oy3ah2025]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ summer 2024 and 2025 about to be crazy

[@sipsdolo]

Give Ryan Leslie some recognition, he was ahead of his time in this music business as he was one of the first to do this and more.

[@vincentpaula3184]

I don’t understand KZbin’s algorithm. You’ve been dropping so much valuable content since 2016 when I stumbled on this Chanel. This channel should be a way higher sub count.

[@content_fan]

Vinyls & CDs all the way! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@GodzillaKaijuGK]

tapes?

[@BigReggii]

Bring back CDs and Vinyl Tour the country .

[@genohill9453]

And I will still get it free

[@Loveeeeee33]

Yesss thank God its happening

[@MMXVII]

The streaming world really takes away the focus on fans. It forces you to look at everyone as just another number in your growth. Same goes the other way, streaming makes your music look just like any other release. Take care of your fans, your community. Make your best stuff and share it with those who appreciate what you do fr.

[@VinnieDangerous]

Your content on Direct To Consumer really give me hope. I really appreciate you and the work you do.

[@YNTFAB]

This is good

[@RaggaLyn70]

There's an interview with Chuck D, from the group, public enemy, from back in 1998. He was talking about this. That's how he's been selling his music, for the past 2 decades🤷🏿‍♂️.

[@pongtrometer]

SLAM JAMZ been doing this ✊🏾

[@musta_mind]

First Kanye, now Pharrell 🎉🎉🎊🎊💥💥🔥🔥 Bigups for this video bro.

[@iamveetherhevelaytor]

I’d much rather sell a 5 dollar EP to 1,000 riders, than to get 1,000 streams from one song of the EP. It’s easy to let our insecurities make us feel like we need streaming. In doing that we truly miss out on more musically. I am one who will be starting from no fans when I do come back out. I’m fine with that. I’d rather go for those that will feel my music and message and will support me as an artist than to try and get my streaming numbers up to a level to get some type of recognition and royalty that’s not fully promised. Thank you for this insight bro King. Peace!

[@mrbennett]

I hope in 10 years, when this whole direct-to-consumer thing peaks, people remember how you started the conversation. Thank you, Mr King.

[@YouGotOptions2]

Tory Lanez, uncancelled himself this way until that really got em

[@tempskibeats]

Curtiss 'KING' for keeping us informed! 💯👍

[@Conscriptmedia]

Respect 💯💯

[@CurtissKingTV]

Thank you for the love!

[@codyhammer6293]

Just subscribed to this channel like a month ago and I watch every video that pops up. Keep up the good work man

[@CurtissKingTV]

Thank you for your support Cody

[@dage509]

this a big win for artists. great changes are coming.

[@chadwickwatkins6272]

Good talk, really good talk appreciate it my brother

[@Sadiyyah314]

This is GOLDEN!

[@Ghost_Text]

Its good that more musicians are having this realization. Because meanwhile back at the hollywood ranch...it looks like their reliance on streamings gonna gut if not kill them in the near future.

[@gavin4367]

im so glad heard this rumor late last year and Curtiss you been on this topic for some time so hearing you update this topic lets me know its realllyy going downnnn!!!!

[@Crazysteve0017]

Appreciate your content I learned so much from you within the last 2 weeks alone much love and blessings brother KingCurtis 💯🔥 Keep shining on em 🎶💥

[@solokaithebologuy]

I dint know where a lot of us would get information this valuable if it wasn't for yo channel bruh. Blessings to you 🙏🏿

[@NickBDesigns]

Great vid, this is fire, I’m excited for the future. My money is on the line and I want to make sure my music is in the right place.

[@zthang_]

Thank you for making these videos

[@officialk7g]

I thought of this yesterday and today I ran across this today video. I call it confirmation.

[@geebashiri3315]

I hope we all ditch streaming and the internet as a whole and find a new way to continue the culture. 💪🏾

[@iamhunterreece]

Lots of lessons to learn in this. Cheers Curtiss!

[@FLAVMEDIA]

GREAT STUFF CK:))

[@OperculumAudio]

The first track did it for me, what a banger! I love the vocal harmonies and it has something in the beat that reminds me of, Throw Them Bows from Luda, which we all know the Neptunes produced.

[@pongtrometer]

Oil industry gonna be happy too, with the vinyl and CD’s , cassettes being created for physical. In terms of quality of the sound of the music, I’m happy that physical is making a resurgence, I’m tired of sub quality MP3’s ( okay for promo) , artist invest in their sound to be heard in the best light. Plus to shake off the music for free, that the music industry has laced into the mentality of the consumer . Liberation and prosperity for the Artist.

[@JonathanLittle001]

1:13 @home town of Virginia.... thats a state? 6:50 bars 10:00 Direct to consumer- you can sell disc's out the trunk of your car even easier to.mpre people, cutting out extra middle.en that have to be fed too

[@TheTrueChrisA.K.]

Gotta love it 🫡💪🏼🛠💯

[@nellzburn]

You be ahead of the curve my guy

[@RichesOfNiches]

Same thing we’re doing with my next album fasho.

[@EDP_beats]

Shit... If Pharrell is now doing I can now say you were right! haha! Love ya Curtis!

[@tbj4855]

I just heard the Pharrell album the vocals sound like some future gospel vibes

[@astroblack11]

Yes Sir!!

[@jeremiahcampbell8070]

Wow great info

[@splmafia9690]

Facts 💯

[@HUeducator2011]

Absolutely! We the consumers also see how these streaming services (music and tv/movie) can remove art. I want to own everything I have and don’t mind paying for what I enjoy.

[@waynebo248]

Good stuff. I gotta keep pushing people to my website.

[@bernovaprints]

You should. it’s the central hub regardless of industry you’re.

[@goldyfreeman]

I enjoy the CD's.✌️

[@lilwave.]

Pharell putting on for VA !!! and ima do the same !!!

[@GodzillaKaijuGK]

my state

[@officialnefew]

I get the whole idea of having a handful of diehard fans that enable you to live off of your music, but at the same time some of us are aiming for a large scale touring audience in order to further establish the brand. And unfortunately this will require to be relevant where the majority of consumers are actually consuming music. Especially in this day and age touring is becoming more and more relevant, and that require a touring fanbase that stretches beyond a handful of diehard fans...having both would be the optimal way to go, just my two cents here, love the content Curtiss...

[@CurtissKingTV]

Appreciate the input. To counter, I think you are severely underestimating the power of superfans compared to vanity metrics. Even for your goals of a 'large scale touring audience' you will need capital. By only relying on merch sales, streaming, or loans you are placing your business in a hole you aren't guaranteed to climb out of. Touring is more expensive now top to bottom than it's ever been. Touring is also physically and mentally taxing, especially when you're only breaking even. What Direct to consumer provides is an opportunity to receive data and communication directly from your BUYING audience. DTC allows you to generate more sustainable income off your music that you don't have to wait 3-6 months at .003 per stream for to support those touring expenses.

[@officialnefew]

@@CurtissKingTV Absolutely, I agree with everything you said and that's why I feel that a combination of the two, meaning having your die hard fans on the one hand and an extensive fanbase/reach on the other would be the ideal path. Not sure how my fellow artist on here feel about this but as for me, I definitely want to be able to cross boarders and share my music in person with people all over the globe...

[@CurtissKingTV]

@@officialnefew You gotta do what's best for your business always. Wishing you the best.

[@saltofthaearth]

This is confirmation, I was praying awhile back and Holy Spirit directed me to do the same thing. 🙌🏾

[@sooesoss6063]

Thanks for the info...

[@scarthereddoninfinity6100]

Very informative thx

[@markchristophergarrett]

@CurtissKingTV what you call DIY is what needs to be done regardless,my question to you is I deal with a lot of pro artist and what I see is if you dont register your songs and someone else post it on a social media platform then that platform runs ads on it and pockets the money,basically since there is no copyright claim the platform itself claims it and keeps 100% of the money, I see this a lot!!! How do you plan on safe guarding against this kind of rampant theft and can you make a video on it Thanx! Essentially I dont use tunecore, cdbaby, etc so much for their access to streaming but their services of protecting the product itself from pirates

[@NoSurfacePodcast]

I love the idea of streaming for easier access to content but I understand and respect the artist who is working hard on their craft to earn a living. I’m for the artist and an artist myself and would rather invest in them than the streaming companies who charge subscriptions.

[@moses2009100]

I have a question about direct-to-consumer this is something I was thinking about if you could give me a answer if you put just snippets of your song on streaming platforms almost like a demo like a a minute version or like a minute 30 of your songs on the streaming platform so people can hear it there and then send them over to your website like have your website in the song as a tag or something like how DJs are producers tag their names and the cover art will be your website info that way when people go on a stream and they'll hear your song but just a snippet and to listen to the whole version they have to go to your website

[@CurtissKingTV]

I would definitely suggest testing these out on your audience so you’re able to make fact based decisions on it. Something to keep in mind tho is many distributors have a song duration limit. For example I believe DistroKid’s is 30 seconds.

[@atomicpimp344]

The Bay Area been doing that Directly 2 Consumer. Outta the trunk is the way. And everyone knows sell merch.

[@edeci7235]

A video on what going direct to consumer looks like when it comes to supporters actually downloads and listening to the music would be dope: How the files are downloaded on ios vs android; how the music is even played etc. 💪🏾

[@CurtissKingTV]

I got you. Introduction to Direct To Consumer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqbZZJ9umtqkoqs How To Build Your Own Music Website Without Streaming: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ26l3ePfrSses0si=gTNke8p7l08bhcoP

[@MissTia777]

Kristine Mirelle been advising artists to do this method!

[@jpistle]

I’m starting to imagine a music service like Amazon. But instead of a company who owns the website. It’s the artist. People like variety. Imagine a website where you could buy a bunch of independent artist, physical CD and downloads. But people would spend days on that site trying to find great music. They would never leave it. It would be like music Amazon.

[@JAHMALIJAHMALI]

Love this

[@redpillras3456]

Been saying this for year Allowing people to stream your music is crazy

[@chimichurripapi3327]

What about copywrite for selling your music on your own? What if someone buys it and uses it on their youtube channel or uploads it themselves or uses it in an ad / commercial without permission.. what would be the solution to this aspect? Isrc codes?

[@JarardKenneth]

I'd say assign them/get them anyway. It's metadata

[@CurtissKingTV]

Appreciate you bringing that up. When it comes to protecting your music, indie artists should keep a few key points in mind. Firstly, copyright protection is automatic as soon as you create your music, but registering your music with copyright.gov offers additional legal benefits, such as the ability to sue for statutory damages and attorney's fees. It's crucial to set clear rules for how your music can be used when you distribute it, whether through direct sales or digital platforms, and having terms of use in place is essential for this. While tools like ISRC codes and watermarking can help track your music's usage, they don't prevent unauthorized use on their own. In cases of infringement, the DMCA can be used for issuing takedown notices, primarily in the United States, while services like KZbin's Content ID provide a means of identifying and managing copyrighted content on their platform. Some services, like Music Diffusion, offer these services free. Lastly, signing up with Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC, as well as services like Songtrust and SoundExchange, is essential for maximizing revenue streams beyond direct music sales.

[@itsmaistro]

I think a good way for artist even fans to want there favorite artists to put their music on streaming platforms, maybe the artist should do an incentive so if the single or album makes a certain threshold dollar amount, then the artist will put the project on streaming

[@goldgold7597]

and whats that beat playing in the background im vibin that

[@tbj4855]

Woah the shift is happening 😳

[@sleepysleepy9913]

I kinda feel like listening more. Just cause of that feeling of exclusivity. I'm listening to something nothing else gets to hear. Never thought of that till now

[@tonybonesLD]

I’ve been selling physical copies for decades and win every-time because I don’t putt my albums on streaming (music slavery) platforms. I do great doing so. Just finished an album, currently printing up CD’s , Cassette Tapes and Vinyl records, along with clothing options. Able to be purchased at events in person and I’m building a website for mail order/download purchasing options.

[@davydvenus]

I’m on my first year of using streaming to sell my music and i honestly don’t think i’ll pay for another year of distribution.I’ve seen apps where you can sell your music directly and i prefer that option.

[@princeamu]

Playing devils advocate. Pharrell was in the industry and has built his own fan base and has had soooo much success using the industry the he typically IS the industry. So why should I feel anyway he’s not streaming his album?!? He can ask for a loan easily or behind the scenes, the industry could be funding this project without it being known. Anyone got answers for that?!?

[@CurtissKingTV]

Thanks for your comment and question. When I create these videos it is never presented as "PHARELL DID THIS YOU CAN TOO!" In this case I'm making an example of a model we have been discussing on this channel for years before many of the popular artists like Kanye, Yeat, Meek, etc followed suit. Instead of viewing what he did as a blueprint for your career, I suggest viewing it as a sign of what's to come to the indie music industry. Pharrell has a large music listening audience that he has now exposed to this idea of consuming music directly from the artist's website, perhaps many, for the first time. That's good for everyone in my opinion.

[@GenuineRSA]

​@@AI-yc8omYou guys always complain, when spotify changed it's pay rate y'all complained, now artists are going DTC and yet you still complain. Just stop doing music at all if that's the case bro, cause all y'all see is problems but never take action to see what's working for you. God damn!

[@GenuineRSA]

@@AI-yc8om Alright my G

[@caseyjones3522]

@@AI-yc8om The "music business" is an oxymoron. What business successfully sells a product that consumers can just steal off the internet?

[@authentictalkpodcast]

You called it

[@AG_TheReal]

Let's keep it a Buck! Curtiss them folks been watching you.....or am I trippin? Alcheimist did the same thing....

[@CurtissKingTV]

Appreciate you fam, but Alchemist definitely been DTC for many years now 🙏🏽

[@therealdjshok]

btw THANK YOU!

[@tttttvbbbbyyyy691]

But everybody laughed at Ryan Leslie

[@Phyclone]

Musicians, if you have not been gearing up, NOW is the time. The swing for quality music is coming back along with the D2C approach can work in your favor. Let's GOOOOOOO #DIY0rDIE

[@AG_TheReal]

💯

[@Mainlandrecords]

but even still, those of us who have been independent in general have already been going direct to consumer. Bandcamp ring a bell? Or even earlier Odd Future Tumblr days releasing songs and content directly from their website..having major artist distribute their catalog direct to consumer is kind of funny considering they have had the mega engine this whole time..including Pharrell..but if I could say anything to independent artist, make certain singles and staple songs an option on streaming platforms and produce and distribute new music and content from personal websites outside of Instagram..

[@ONMYWAY81]

do these numbers represent all the platforms at once or is it showing the separate value of each one?

[@travishancock2302]

It’s crazy to me that with the access all these artist have to touch consumers themselves that they haven’t done this already. They need to cut out the record labels that are robbing them while they alive and dead..!

[@Harry_11]

So…y’all know us in the rock, metal, punk, and country communities have never stopped selling downloads, CD’s, vinyl, and cassettes…right? As soon as we could have online stores we’ve been doing this D2C. We kept doing this even after streaming. I feel like this is a uniquely hip hop/pop/EDM realization that you can sell actual music for money. Where was this support back when it would have mattered? Let’s be honest, what some artists are advocating is trying to cajole their audience into buying music by eliminating streaming as an option. Fair enough, it’s your music and you’re free to release it in any way you see fit. But you also have acknowledge that you will limit the amount of people who will listen to your music. This is the crux of the issue I wish you would address, Curtiss. It’s all fine and good for Kanye, or Pharrell, or James Blake or whomever - people who already have fans thanks to the major label system - to say “I’m not putting my music on streaming.” Good for them. But that is way different than a new or mid level artist doing it. The cat is already out of the bag. Pandora’s box has been opened. Streaming is here to stay. So you’re essentially relying on your audience being motivated enough to purchase your music in order to hear it. This worked in 1995 when there was no streaming. But after decades of piracy, iTunes, and now Spotify - recorded music is for the most part “free” and artists are stuck trying to get people to even bother to listen to their music - even the famous ones! And now you want to tell them they have to pay for it? I mean, believe me I wish it were different, but this fight was lost when Spotify launched! Taylor Swift pulled her music off to try and get them to raise rates - only to put it back on shortly thereafter. Even freakin’ Neil Young is back on Spotify. So yes, artists should make their music available for purchase and download. Make cool stuff to try and motivate people to purchase it. But I just think you’re cutting off your nose to spite your face by pulling everything off streaming.

[@MyNameIsCelll]

If you start direct to consumer and build your audience that way...itll continue that way...I dont want fans to discover my music, I want to discover my fans

[@chilisaucecritic]

You are so correct on this

[@Harry_11]

@@MyNameIsCelll music is not the same as a company that sells a product with a real world, tangible function, so you can’t treat it that way. I hear this line thrown out and it sounds good and all, but if it were true then the labels would be making big bucks off recorded music. They’re not. I’m not trying to be negative, just offer a balanced view. The Jack White’s of the world built their image and brand on reverence to the physical, so yes his fans will be more inclined to buy vinyl than say, Ariana Grande fans. But Jack’s bands are all on streaming as well, because he understands the modern landscape and doesn’t want to force his fans to buy music just to listen to it. Curtiss talks a lot about being a salesman, and he’s absolutely right. You catch more flies with honey, and I think trying to force fans into one means of music consumption is a mistake. You want them to feel magnetized toward purchasing your music, not shamed or guilted into it.

[@SONBEAMIN]

Underground hip hop artists never stopped either. It’s mainly mainstream artists and more popular upcoming artists who are having this realization

[@caseyjones3522]

"But that is way different than a new or mid level artist doing it. The cat is already out of the bag. Pandora’s box has been opened. Streaming is here to stay. " It wouldn't be around in its current form if smaller and mid artists all refused to allow these platforms to exploit them. You think users really want to only listen to crappy major label pop bs and legacy recordings? If smaller artists keep using the platform it just perpetuates the evil business model we have now.

[@joelybgood]

I'm not surprised at all. I wish more artists would do this. I remember hearing on a radio morning show that at that time, "Happy" had over 60 million streams (this was a few years ago). He got a whopping 2 thousand dollars from spotify...only 2 thousand for over 60 million streams? It's not right.

[@RobertJeffers-ms6uz]

60 million streams equals roughly 180000. If he only got 2 than he clearly didn't own most of the rights

[@therealdjshok]

smart, mathematic and puts things in your control. I wonder if you would be able to share your business model. I want to do direct to consumer but I am not sure the best plan...

[@shmeepmeep9983]

What’s the name of the music at 16:00?

[@druck7480]

If I download this album will it then open in iTunes, or will it be some kind of proprietary conflict?

[@tea3087-c4b]

More independant artists are actually good for both listeners and creators.👍👍

[@irasoul2023]

CDs and Vinyls all day smart move Pharrell

[@tammyrogers5359]

It is a vol.1 so there will be more on the way.

[@goldgold7597]

i just wanna know how to create that type website

[@JTAITSINGER]

Yezzir!

[@yiqwaba3833]

That's a smart move, because releasing albums through any label online or offline can be destroyed pirated.

[@RoneySmithseedoflife]

The direct to consumer process is exposing that the streaming platforms are a pure vanity move versus true profitability for the artists! This change in mindset alone will make far more artists profitable even against their own will today lol 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ANostalgicFuture]

Going back to building personal relationships and selling from a website etc is a good idea. However, my only quandary is that the big boys can get away with this because they have big fan bases already who would be willing to purchase from them. So if you aren't established now, how do you go about persuading people on the internet to buy your music when you don't even really have anything online for them to hear in the first place (as you wouldn't be streaming any of it) - would you only be putting clips on the website? Seems like it could be a massive struggle seeing as it's difficult just getting people to stream your stuff for what is basically free in the first place... Yeah I know this is when all the marketing and stuff starts to come in, but what are other peoples thoughts?

[@SCAT-G]

Real quick Curtis, didn’t Pharrell start United Masters which is a distributor like cdbaby and tune core, distrokid? This is wild that he makes a move that basically goes against something he thought was a good idea to get more music out there. I guess there was something wrong that he didn’t like. Can you make a video about this and speak on that please.

[@bolojean-luc2337]

Direct to Customers is the REAL indépendant stuff, without middleman that might be scamming our money. And I’m about to remove my music in all platforms too.

[@JTMUSICCHANNEL]

Crazy I'm excited for producers and artist but I'm bringing back my lime wire cuz ain't no way

[@citizen530]

I'm a consumer of music, where can i go to find new music that I didn't know I liked? I've discovered a few bands on KZbin only to find that they split up 10 years ago! It seems to me that somebody is missing a trick, I'm sure there are many others like me.

[@chrisscott7092]

Bandcamp, Pateron, local clubs and venues that support live music, ask a friend, record stores, etc

[@goldgold7597]

So how i make the website

[@uzl829]

some good some bad stuff. i guess “the cons” would be to make sure that it stays competitive with artists who stay on commercial platforms. the content for “direct to consumer” business model has to be on par if not better. and thats not really a con, thats just me saying ppl are not gonna switch this for that if the new thing dont smack the same. But, on the flip side of this, one of “the pros” would be that it does bring awareness to the recording process, which will in fact have more musical appreciation for what we do. Before digital, ppl used to give a dam about the credits. everything and everyone it took to make an album. Now music is dirt cheap and in high supply that ppl dont care or remain unaffected by what we do or how we do it. So, yes, lets sell direct to consumer. If the content is gonna be on par and the consumer has a reinvigorating appreciation for music and this takes off, then hell yes. Im on board.

[@sosleepy3333]

Direct to consumer only works if u have a following already. Aint nobody gonna go to a random artist's website that they never heard of and buy their single or album. If u want to prove me wrong, then use me as a direct example. Im a random artists none of yall have ever heard of, now go buy my albums. If u dont go buy them, then u are proving my point correct. Nobody wants to buy albums from random underground artists they never heard of. Of course Curtis or Pharrell can do it, they have countless fans and connections for many years

[@Sketchnificent]

Let me go buy this album 💿 S/O to Skateboard P yezzir

[@Mr.harden]

That’s Marsha Ambrosius

[@lieutenantpepper2734]

man gone ROGUE

[@PolymerJones]

Soo.. a website with mp3 links ? How is this rocket science

[@KingKatura]

13:25 You do need a established base to sell direct, However with all the social media it shouldn't be too difficult to get a track out there for free to create that base. Be wary though the time is gunna come when working with those companys like spotify, that you will no longer own your content they will. So use it while it exists.

[@andeesway358]

🔥🔥