Music fans are now able to gain access to a limited-release Mastercard ‘Music Pass’ NFT which unlocks access to exclusive content and experiences from the payment leader’s ‘Artist Accelerator’.
Mastercard released the Music Pass NFT to enable fans to gain access to access to content from its Artist Accelerator program. The accelerator looks to prepare five emerging music artists from around the world with the tools and skills to harness Web3 technologies to reimagine their creative processes and grow their careers in the digital economy.
Participating artists represent a range of genres and backgrounds and Mastercard specifically chose them because of their unique story, sound and inclusion-focused mindset. The artists selected by Mastercard are:
- LeriQ, a Nigerian R&B and afrobeats record producer and songwriter
- Cocoa Sarai, a hip-hop artist from Brooklyn
- Emily Vu, a Vietnamese and American singer
- Manu Manzo, a Latin pop artist from Venezuela
- Young Athena, a London-based R&B soul singer and BRIT School alumna
The Mastercard Music Pass NFT is minted on the Polygon blockchain. Fans can redeem the NFTs until 8 May. Once redeemed, token holders will be able to follow the accelerator with access to all of the content from the program, as well as Web3 tools, educational materials, and other exclusive experiences.
Beatrice Cornacchia, senior vice president of marketing and communications in EEMEA at Mastercard, explained: “One of the incredible things about Web3 technologies, and NFTs in particular, are the way in which they offer creators more flexibility and ownership of their content while generating exciting new ways for fans to engage with their art.
“The Mastercard Artist Accelerator program and Mastercard Music Pass give us an opportunity to harness NFTs for both of these exciting purposes while helping to support some of the most vibrant, diverse young artists in the world today.”
Mastercard supporting artists
Each artist will go on a unique journey through one-on-one sessions, being guided by mentors including Tushar Apte, an Australian composer and producer who incorporates AI into the creative process and has worked with some of the biggest artists in the industry today; British dancer and content creator Nifè, who will share her knowledge of building an engaging online presence; and chief experience officer of ledger, Ian Rogers, who will advise on how to build a digital business.
The program will teach artists how they can utilise Web3 tools when creating original tracks, which will be redeemable as NFTs – as well as performed live by the artists in a special showcase.
Building on its sponsorships of the GRAMMY Awards®, Latin GRAMMY Awards® and BRIT Awards, Mastercard continues to leverage Web3 technologies to create inclusive experiences. June 2022 saw it launch its first-ever album, ‘Priceless’, through a collaboration centred on mentoring rising artists.
The brand’s track record in music, coupled with its expertise in building strong networks in the digital economy, the Mastercard Artist Accelerator will give emerging artists the tools and capabilities they need to thrive in this tech-driven era.
