Emerging from the vibrant streets of Los Angeles, KILLBOY—a self-taught songwriter, producer, and engineer—has crafted another compelling track that resonates with the raw emotion and grit of real-life experiences. On May 15th, Gala Music is thrilled to release “3 Steps Back,” a trap-heartbreak song that encapsulates the complexity of love and loss. Written, produced, mixed, and mastered entirely by KILLBOY, this track promises to tug at the heartstrings of listeners, blending poignant lyrics with a haunting trap-infused beat.
“3 Steps Back” drops as a Signature Edition reward enabled NFT track on Wednesday, May 15th–Presale starts at 12pm PT for those qualified and open sale begins at 1pm PT.
KILLBOY is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry– not just a talented vocalist but a complete musical powerhouse. Managing all aspects of her music production, she has firmly established herself in the industry without relying on anyone else. Her journey from YouTube covers to striking it big with original tracks in LA showcases her relentless dedication and passion for music.
“3 Steps Back” delves into the theme of romantic setbacks. Through her lyrics, KILLBOY explores the painful realization of needing space in a relationship that once seemed destined for forever. Her production infuses the track with a gripping trap beat, setting the stage for a deeply introspective and emotionally charged experience.
Ownership Rewards
When you own a Gala Music track like KILLBOY’s “3 Steps Back” Signature Edition, you can unlock daily $MUSIC rewards for hosting your track on a Gala Music Jukebox Node. When songs are paired and hosted in this way, artists, owners and node operators can all get rewarded for powering Gala’s web3 music ecosystem. This is just one of the ways that Gala Music is revolutionizing the music industry through GalaChain and web3 tech.
For Artists
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a Gala Music artist, it’s now easier than ever before with the Artist Upload self service portal. Gala Musicians can manage their own releases from naming prices to suggesting drop schedules and uploading music videos. Gala Music artists enjoy a 70% revenue share for NFT tracks sold, and that’s only the beginning of the career empowerment options that come with being a Gala Music artist.
Gala Music takes you deeper into the music experience, giving you a chance to unlock exclusive experiences from your favorite artists. There’s always something new in the Gala Music All Access store, and we always encourage our artists to think outside the box and to create truly memorable offerings for their devoted fans.
You can now collect $MUSIC on the daily for simply discovering and listening to new music on the Gala Music app. When you listen to at least 10 unique tracks each day, you’ll get reward points toward the daily Listen for Rewards distribution.
Welcome to Gala Music! If you’re a musician who has yet to grace our platform with your music, this guide is for you. If you’re simply a Gala Music fan with an ear for the latest sounds, you’ll probably find this inside info equally interesting, so read on to experience the perspective of an up-and-coming Gala Music artist!
As you prepare to release your first track on this revolutionary platform, it’s essential to understand the tools and strategies that will enhance your success. Our mission is to empower you and your fans, so we’ll always be on the lookout for ways to better support your success with our growing listener base.
Keep in mind that your work shouldn’t begin or end with this guide. There’s no substitute for discipline in your craft, diligence in self promotion, or brilliance in the uniqueness that makes your music yours alone. We encourage you to always strive for excellence in your Gala Music pursuits. We’re beyond pleased to offer our artists opportunities that previous generations of musicians never knew, but these opportunities alone will not ensure your success.
Some of the world’s most beautiful art is born from butting against seemingly impossible obstacles, overcoming odds you thought were unbeatable. Whether you’re already a Gala Music artist or you have hope to become one in the future, we believe in your unique and amazing abilities. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Put yourself into the forging fire– We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at your own resilience and brilliance when you emerge
Here’s a starter guide on how you can make the most out of your music releases on Gala Music.
Engage Actively on Social Media and Discord
Before you drop your first track, start building your presence where your potential fans are. Since the birth of Gala, we have always cultivated an active Discord community. To this day, you’ll find some of the most dedicated and supportive people in the Gala Music Discord. They are eager to be invited into your process– Do not underestimate their desire to support you as an emerging artist on the platform.
In Gala Music’s Discord community, you can connect with fans and other artists, as well as helpful members of the Gala team and community who are always ready to help out however they can. Engage regularly, not just when you have music to promote. This will build genuine relationships based on trust.
This community is eager to support your releases, expanding their horizons and even exploring and experimenting with new music genres. Remember, consistent engagement can transform listeners into loyal fans. At Gala, we’re in the business of facilitating deeper connections between artists and fans because we understand the power of bridging that divide. If you can learn this power and see the results yourself, you’ll be hooked on Gala’s incredible sense of collaboration and community.
Utilize the Gala Music App for Live Streaming
Live performances are a fantastic way to captivate your audience. Through the Gala Music app, our artists are always invited to schedule live stream performances, which can help you showcase your music and interact with your audience in real-time.
Visibility through live streams can be crucial for success, especially before a track release. Performing live for your prospective audience will prove your abilities, heighten anticipation for your content and keep your audience engaged with your journey.
You may think you need to establish yourself with a fanbase before jumping into a live stream. This is not necessarily true. Music fans are keen on becoming part of the “discovery” process, especially in web3, where such discoveries can unlock serious rewards for those who make them early. For Gala Music fans, early trend spotting is a huge part of the fun. Even if there are fewer live viewers in an early performance than you would like to see, you will have given the early viewers an exclusive sense of being an early adopter, a proud badge of honor in the web3 world. It is difficult to properly evaluate the long term impact of a single “early adopter” supporter for your work, but rest assured that it’s substantial.
Keep in mind that once you’ve begun dropping tracks, users can support your music by locking their $MUSIC to you as an artist. The more $MUSIC support you are able to garner, the more quickly you will grow in your Gala Music success. Additionally, users can support you directly by tipping in $MUSIC– When they do, 100% of the $MUSIC goes straight to you, the artist.
Leverage All Access Experiences
The All Access Experience Store on Gala Music offers unique opportunities to connect with fans through merchandise, collectibles, exclusive real-life experiences and more. Consider how you can offer something unique to your fans in this space. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes content, limited edition merchandise, or intimate meet-and-greets, these experiences can significantly enhance fan engagement and loyalty.
If you are touring or planning to tour, consider dropping IRL concert tickets, VIP backstage passes, as All Access Experiences. Gala Music fans are especially excited when we blur the line between the physical and the digital with experiences they can attend.
With a future update, we will offer a tool that will let you manage your own All Access Experience drops, similarly to the way you can manage your own NFT releases through Artist Upload. For now, connect with us directly to make plans for your next All Access Experience drop. You can tap into our web3 experience and benefit from the types of experiences we know that people are looking for in this space.
Maintain a Frequency of Quality Music Releases
Consistency is key in keeping your audience engaged. Plan to release music regularly to keep your audience coming back for more while still maintaining a high quality standard with your drops. This not only satisfies listeners but also builds your reputation as a professional artist who values quality over quantity.
You can release one track each month through the Artist Upload portal, so choose carefully and always give yourself plenty of time to market and promote your drop. The earlier you submit, the more certain you can be that we’ll have a spot for you at your preferred time.
We are currently limited to 25-30 new tracks dropping each week, which amounts to around 1500 tracks released through Artist Upload in a year’s time. We are committed to expanding our capabilities as soon as possible, but assuring the ongoing scalability and quality of our platform is paramount to our artists’ success, so limitations are necessary. Use these limitations to your advantage by dropping something that is sure to please your fans.
Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific drop date and time for your track. When you submit, you’ll be asked to share a preferred date and time for your drop. We’ll always go with your preferences if we can. Either way, we’ll confirm with you before scheduling the drop.
Familiarize yourself with the latest details on Editions, economy and $MUSIC rewards found in the Gala Music Whitepaper.
Support Releases with Engaging Content
Be sure to make noise about your music releases with consistent and engaging content on your social media platforms. This can include teasers, behind-the-scenes videos or stories about your creative process.
When you drop a new track, always consider releasing a music video simultaneously to maximize engagement. The Gala Music platform is fully capable of supporting a music video with your track release and we’ve made it easy to upload them via Artist Upload. Videos are a powerful tool to visually tell the story of your song and can significantly increase its reach and impact.
Remember to think outside the box when it comes to promotional content for your release. If you can get people talking about your track, you’ll be well on your way to a successful drop.
Ownership & Enjoyment
It’s important to consider the different types of attention you’ll be looking for on the Gala Music platform. We’re looking to redefine artist and fan empowerment for the whole music industry, so our target audience goes way beyond NFT collectors. Along the way, new people will realize the value of NFT ownership as a novel way to support their favorite artists, but listeners will always make up the core of our user base.
While quick NFT sellouts are all the rage in the web3 world, a solid and growing quantity of platform listens should be your goal. The more fans who listen to and enjoy your tracks, the more prospective NFT owners will emerge from those fans. As you climb the Gala Music charts, you’ll unlock access to higher tier releases, allowing you to sell your music to more people by releasing more copies at a time.
Your early adopter supporters will always share in your future success through free NFT drops, a growing catalog, All Access Experiences, $MUSIC rewards and more. The entire system is designed to support those who supported you from day one. Basically, the quick sellouts will always come eventually, so make it about the music and you’ll likely be satisfied with your results.
Avoid Common Pitfalls
As you embark on your music release journey, you should always be mindful of certain traps, especially legal ones. Avoid these issues, which can easily result in your music pulled down without warning, or even costly legal complications:
Artwork Infringement: Ensure that all visuals associated with your music are either original or properly licensed. You should especially keep this in mind when working with AI tools in the creation of cover art, as these tools tend to “borrow” content indiscriminately from existing images and videos on the internet.
Unapproved Music Samples: Avoid using uncleared samples in your music. This can lead to legal complications that might hinder your progress as a Gala Musician. Sampling is generally encouraged, but should always be avoided when not specifically approved in writing.
Low Quality Music: Invest in good production. As any seasoned professional would agree, music quality can make or break your career. Poor sound quality can detract from even the most talented artists’ work.
Abusive & Hateful Content: While vulgarities, adult language and adult themes have their places in new music, artists should always avoid expressing ideas that will alienate or specific groups of people or individuals. Your content should not promote illegal activity, violence or abuse in any way.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the exciting world of Gala Music. Remember, each track release is not just about putting out music; it’s about crafting an experience that resonates with and grows your audience. So, embrace these tools and tips to enhance your musical journey on this innovative platform. Good luck!
Web3 technologies is quickly reshaping how artists connect with fans, manage their careers and redefine the industry’s future. As the leading pioneering force in this decentralized music world, Gala Music sits at the forefront of these changes.
We’re proud to give tomorrow’s most compelling musical artists a new way to build their careers and get rewarded for all their hard work. With our help, the future of music is not only empowering to the artists who share their souls and the fans who make it possible, but borderless, giving musicians from across the globe new opportunities to participate in music’s rapidly rising ownership economy.
Today, let’s look through the lens of Gala Music to explore some of the top trends of 2024—Specifically, Latin Urban music, Afro Beat, and Collaborations.
Latin Music Hits Web3
Rich with dynamic rhythms, vibrant cultural roots and heartfelt songwriting, Latin music is experiencing a meteoric rise in popularity all around the world. Artists like Bad Bunny and Karol G have especially demonstrated the massive global appeal of Latin Urban, paving the way for new Latin artists in the web3 space.
In 2023, Latin music had a second consecutive year as the fastest growing US music market, reaching a massive $1.4 billion in revenue, 16% growth over 2022. Additionally, according to 2023’s US Latin Music Revenue Report from the Recording Industry Association of America, Latin music accounted for its highest ever market share within US music at a massive 7.9%. SOURCE – Article
Emerging artists on Gala Music have clearly recognized these trends, actively engaging with the platform in 2024 to mint and distribute their tracks as NFTs.
Explore Latin Artists on Gala Music
Brray – Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Brray, known for his work in urban, hip-hop, and trap genres, is enthusiastic about the web3 space with Gala Music. He values the new opportunities to connect with fans and has collaborated with stars like Bad Bunny and Ozuna.
Dvice – With his NFT track drop of “Hablame” (feat. Anuel, Bryant Myerz, Juanka, and Lyan), Dvice brought a global smash hit into the web3 music world, with over 13 million streams on Spotify alone.
These are just a couple examples of the wealth of Latin music you’ll find on Gala. Thanks to Gala Music, Latin artists from all over the world can enjoy new opportunities to preserve the authenticity of their sound while retaining significant control over their creations. If you haven’t yet, start exploring the wide variety of Latin sounds on Gala Music today.
Afrobeats: Pulsing Through the Veins of Web3
Afro Beat’s infectious energy and deep cultural resonance have found a new home in web3, where artists can leverage platforms like Gala Music to reach an international fanbase without the traditional barriers posed by mainstream music labels. The genre’s growth is supported by its communal roots, which align perfectly with the decentralized and community-focused nature of web3. Platforms like Spotify have reported a 2000% increase in Afrobeat listeners over the past decade, signaling a ready and growing audience for this genre.
For the last decade as contemporary streaming platforms have risen to prominence, Afrobeats has swept the world with popularity. In a Q&A for Aljazeera from mid 2023, Spotify’s Chief Executive for sub-Saharan Africa offered some valuable insights on the rising popularity of the genre and its impact on the worldwide music scene, referring to Afrobeats as “one of Africa’s biggest cultural exports.”
Thanks to Afrobeats’ embrace of streaming tech to reach worldwide audiences, it’s no surprise that the genre has already found a comfortable home in the emerging world of web3 music. Gala Music is thrilled to host a variety of Afrobeats artists, providing them a new way to reach global audiences with these infectious and uplifting sounds.
Explore Afrobeats on Gala Music
Waje – Lovingly known as “The Voice of Africa,” Waje’s music exudes soulfulness and electricity. Her sound seamlessly blends Afro fusion with soulful melodies, incorporating Afro beats that reflect her cultural roots. Through her music, she expresses the highs and lows of her African experience, showcasing a constantly evolving artistic journey.
With a music career spanning over a decade and five albums to her credit, Waje’s music exudes soulfulness and electricity. Her sound seamlessly blends Afro fusion with soulful melodies,… pic.twitter.com/AtkxZC6rVL
N8tive – This South East London performer of Nigerian descent was exposed to a variety of musical influences. N8TIVE does an excellent job of providing his audience with stories about his life, upbringing, heritage, identity, and emotions while retaining captivating hooks, clever lyricism, and opulent flows through his masterful vocal delivery.
Collaborations: The New Frontier for Artists on Web3
Collaborations have always been a staple in music, bringing together diverse sounds and audiences. In 2024, web3 platforms like Gala Music are taking this to the next level by facilitating easier and more transparent collaborations across borders.
Blockchains and smart contracts encourage collaboration by their very nature with self-enforcing contracts, automatic payments and reduced need for trust. By utilizing smart contracts, artists can automatically split royalties, ensuring fair compensation without the need for costly intermediaries looking to take a cut. The platform’s ability to connect artists globally not only encourages creative partnerships but also amplifies their reach and impact, as seen with recent hits that blend genres and cultures.
Already in 2024, Gala Music has seen a wide range of collaborative track drops, many of which cross genre borders to create truly unique pieces of music. For example, check out the special extended version of “Swear,” by JK Mac and YoungBoy Never Broke Again.
As these three trends explored above demonstrate, the future of music is vibrant and incredibly diverse. Gala Music is not just a participant but a leader in this revolution, offering a robust platform for artists to engage directly with their fans through NFTs, live performances, exclusive releases, All Access Experiences and much more
By joining Gala Music, artists have the opportunity to thrive at the forefront of the music industry’s transformation, which has already begun. When we look at the fact that the most popular and rapidly growing genres in the world today are already establishing themselves within web3, we can get an idea of where music is headed in the coming months and years. The future of music is decentralized, with more ways than ever for artists and fans to empower themselves and join the movement.
Artist Upload for Success
Our revolutionary new self service portal allows Gala Music artists to manage their own releases with minimal friction. If you’re making music, you’ve done the hardest work already and we don’t want you getting wrapped up in red tape when all you want to do is get your music into the world.
Start here by applying for a Gala Music artist page of your own. Once approved, you’ll unlock the ability to start dropping your own NFT tracks, naming your price and tapping into the thousands of eager listeners awaiting your jams.
Whether you’re an artist looking to explore new frontiers in your career, or a fan eager to support your favorite musicians in a more impactful way, Gala Music offers the tools and community to make that possible. Join us today and be part of shaping the future of music, one track, one collaboration, and one beat at a time.
Join us for a special live stream video event from NeueHouse Venice Beach: “In Conversation: The Future of Music + Web3. It’s happening tonight, May 2nd, starting at 6pm PT exclusively on Gala Music.Tune in for special performances and great discussions about the industry’s future from leading music professionals. Read the blog
We could never make such incredible strides in the web3 music revolution without the constant support of our amazing community. We’re grateful for your continued patience and the valuable feedback you’ve never hesitated to share with us. As always, we’ve been listening closely and working diligently to address your concerns and enhance your experience with Gala Music.
In our commitment to build a transparent and trusting relationship, we’re excited to announce a key update that aims to simplify your transactions and enhance the utility of our $MUSIC token.
Payment Options
Gala Music NFT track purchases can now be made exclusively with either credit cards or the $MUSIC token. This update should directly enhance the utility of $MUSIC while continuing to ensure that Gala Music tracks are as accessible as ever.
Previously, Gala Music tracks could also be purchased with $GALA or $ETH, payable from either the GalaChain or Ethereum wallets of any user’s account. These options have now been limited to ensure greater exclusive utility for $MUSIC, the reward token at the core of Gala Music.
Exclusive Discount for $MUSIC Holders
As an incentive for supporting $MUSIC, we’re now offering a 10% discount on all track purchases to users who hold at least 1 $MUSIC in their ETH wallet. It’s our way of thanking you for your support and to encourage the growing use of $MUSIC within our community.
We’re dedicated to improving communication and will continue to release regular updates and features that focus on your needs and feedback.
Thank you for your unwavering support as we journey together into the future of music. Your commitment to our platform inspires us every day to deliver better and exceed your expectations.
Gala Music proudly welcomes the exceptionally talented indie folk artist Lloyd Yates to our platform, marking his debut NFT with the evocative track “Bring Back The Life.”
Releasing today, April 24, with a limit-100 Signature Edition, this song captures the poignant journey of reflecting on the past to revive the spirit of the present. Lloyd’s music transcends simple melodies, weaving narratives that draw deeply on his life experiences.
From the serene landscapes of Jersey in the Channel Islands to the bustling energy of global stages, Lloyd has traveled the world, gathering inspiration from the waves and the profound journey of fatherhood. His collaborations span notable artists like James Walsh, Tom Mcray, and Rudimental, enhancing his vibrant musical tapestry. Having graced stages like BBC radio’s Maida Vale and Hyde Park, and supported acts such as Soja and Xavier Rudd, Lloyd returns to his roots to pen songs that resonate with his deepest muse—his family.
“Bring Back The Life” is a testament to Lloyd’s artistic depth, exploring the nuances of revisiting the past to spark the vibrance of today. This track is not just a listening experience; it’s an invitation to explore the layers of life’s stories through melody and lyricism.
As part of the Gala Music ecosystem, fans can lock in their support for Lloyd’s music by owning “Bring Back The Life” and secure daily $MUSIC rewards for their NFT track. This release, part of our Signature Edition, is limited to 100 copies, ensuring that early supporters hold a unique piece of Lloyd Yates’ musical journey.
Don’t miss out on this standout addition to your music collection. Listen to “Bring Back The Life” by Lloyd Yates now, and join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of life through music. Listen Now and become a part of this musical narrative that connects the past and the present.
