Secondly, he says that compared to other tech trends such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs, or digital art), this is cheap. “Something like $200 billion was generated in NFT purchases in the last year. In that case, you’re just getting a JPEG,” he says. Thirdly, he argues that the goal is not to exclude. Rather it’s to build a community based on something genuinely new, something that presents and values an artist’s work as they want it to be presented and valued.
West watchers will not be surprised at this attempts to be a visionary disrupter. In the past, he has compared himself to Henry Ford, Steve Jobs and Walt Disney. But it remains hugely unclear whether the casual listener will take this leap of faith with him. Remember Neil Young’s ill-fated Pono device, anyone? Quoting a famous line in The Matrix, Klein says that there’s always a choice. People can do what they want. But he believes a “major movement” is afoot to change that way that music is consumed.
“Clearly tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of people want the Stem player and want to be part of a movement and to support this movement. And if you don’t, you know, it’s okay,” he says.
Just hours after its release, Donda 2 is already available on file sharing sites online. On top of this, the launch event is available to watch on YouTube. Is the Stem not just driving people to piracy?
“I just encourage everyone to look at the Stem player, look at the reviews and look at what it allows you to do. And then make up your mind. The truth is you’re not just paying $200 for an album. That’s a meagre description of what is actually happening. What is happening is that you’re spending $200 on the next iPod,” Klein says, displaying the visionary, messianic zeal of his better-known collaborator. “You’re spending $200 to be on the ground floor of a revolution in technology.”
Despite West’s declaration that it would be out on February 22, the album had yet to appear on the devices by yesterday afternoon (UK time), though four songs appeared later last night. West appeared to have removed assurances from his Instagram page, replacing them with images of what looked like his outfits from the launch party. “Where’s the album Mr West?” were among the comments below. The delay meant that fans who’d spent £200 on a Stem were left holding a remix-ready music machine with very little to mix. It’s a little like buying a car and then being told you may have to wait a while for the petrol.
