Leak Victim

The Singerroom and other music sites reported that the new Usher album, Raymond V. Raymond, leaked months in advance of its scheduled release. Within a day, several of my friends were discussing the project and it’s merits. I used to believe that leaks helped promote a project, and part of me still does, for those fans that are scouring the internet for info about–and tracks by–their favorite artist. Those kinds of fans become advocates and are also more likely to buy the CD anyway, either at a show or at the local Walmart. But, mass media reports of a leak tend to be a giant sign for the general populace (read: casual fans) that says “Hey! Go cop this CD off the torrents while the getting’s good!”

It may not  make a difference in the end. With the free fall of the CD format, the real money for artists appear to lie in live performances, music licensing to various media (TV shows, video games, etc.), ringtones and just about anything but the actual disc that make them recording artists in the first place. The CD is now largely a marketing tool for bookings and endorsements, a kind of justification for fame. Many artists have taken to offering their music for free or allowing the public to pay how much they think the music is worth. Still, some artists like Usher actually still sell CDs (1.2 million copies of 2008’s “Here I Stand“)  and make quite a bit of money off them. It’s one thing for the hardcore fan to stumble upon a leak. It may be the entire store when a leak is reported just like a new release, only this one is ready for a virtual five-finger discount at a site near you.