Physical Address
5106 Whitman Way, Carlsbad, CA 92008
How Music Got Free Is Thrilling Read
The Internet has completely revolutionized our lives and it’s also changed the way that we consume music forever.
How Music Got Free explores the way that digital music piracy has transformed the way that we listen to music and its impact on the industry and performers.
Why We Love How Music Got Free
We all love a true crime story and Stephen Witt has actively documented one of the biggest criminal operations in history which led to an illegal market in music that was four times bigger than the iTunes Music Store!
He shows how the invention of the MP3, the actions of certain people in the music industry and the internet combined to put music into the hands of millions at the expense of the traditional labels and the artists they served.
And most of all he demonstrates how this secret underworld functioned and operated to revolutionize the art form of music.
How Music Got Free is a thrilling read which will leave you amazed at both the ingenuity of Internet pirates and the damage that they did to the traditional industry.
You can grab a copy online here.
Of course, you don’t need to be a pirate, now, to get free music, you just need these free and legal music apps.
If you’re looking for another great read, you might want to check out Musicophilia or The Rest is Noise, we enjoyed them almost as much as we did How Music Got Free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “How Music Got Free” explain?
“How Music Got Free” explains how the invention of MP3s, CD‑leaks by factory workers, and organized file‑sharing networks enabled music to be shared widely without cost.
“How Music Got Free” explains how the invention of MP3s, CD‑leaks by factory workers, and organized file‑sharing networks enabled music to be shared widely without cost.
Who were the key players in this story?
Crucial figures include Dell Glover (a CD plant worker who leaked pre‑release albums), teenage warez groups distributing MP3s, and industry leader Doug Morris adjusting to the upheaval.
Crucial figures include Dell Glover (a CD plant worker who leaked pre‑release albums), teenage warez groups distributing MP3s, and industry leader Doug Morris adjusting to the upheaval.
Was Napster solely responsible for music piracy?
While Napster popularized peer‑to‑peer sharing, Witt reveals the real catalyst was pre‑release leaks facilitated by insiders and the early warez community.
While Napster popularized peer‑to‑peer sharing, Witt reveals the real catalyst was pre‑release leaks facilitated by insiders and the early warez community.
How did piracy force the music industry to change?
Widespread unauthorized sharing shattered CD revenue models, pushing labels into battles and eventually ushering in legal streaming platforms like Spotify.
Widespread unauthorized sharing shattered CD revenue models, pushing labels into battles and eventually ushering in legal streaming platforms like Spotify.
Is there a documentary based on the book?
Yes — a two‑part documentary released in June 2024 features interviews with Eminem, Timbaland, Jimmy Iovine, and is based on Witt’s narrative.
Yes — a two‑part documentary released in June 2024 features interviews with Eminem, Timbaland, Jimmy Iovine, and is based on Witt’s narrative.
What broader impact did it have on listeners and artists?
The story shows how democratized music access reshaped listener habits, diversified taste, and forced a shift toward artist‑fan collaboration in the streaming era.
The story shows how democratized music access reshaped listener habits, diversified taste, and forced a shift toward artist‑fan collaboration in the streaming era.
