By the Zonagirante.com team @spinning zone

Cover art by Zonagirante Studio 

We woke up on January 1st, 2025, with enough of a hangover to make us doubtful, And so, amidst the ice on our heads, and the obligatory Richard Clayderman ballads to relieve the noisy heat of the evening, we began to think about the future of the music industry. But, as you might guess, we couldn't turn to any human expert on the matter, since the vast majority would be in a state as deplorable as ours, And others may have shut themselves away in specialized seasonal convents to properly cleanse their minds. But the doubts remained, gnawing at our heads, and, therefore, We couldn't help but contact the specialist agents of three Artificial Intelligence applications to shed some light on the matter. They were noticeably fresh as daisies, almost eager to answer our questions. We asked for their names, and it seemed they all belonged to the same generation and perhaps the same social circle, since their nicknames were very similar: Melodytron 3000, who works in Chatgpt, Tech Melody, of You.com, y Melodrama, of Gemini.

Their comments are based on the following questionnaire:

1. Do you think it is possible for a musical project to grow without relying on a multinational company in the industry?

2. After digital platforms, what do you think will be the next format for artists to reach their potential audience?

3. How do you see the future of independent music in Latin America?

4. Do you want to bet on a Latin American artist, still outside the major spotlights of the industry, who you believe will be popular in the coming years?

Here is the content of their comments.

 

(image created by ChatGPT itself)

«"It is entirely possible for a musical project to grow without depending on a major record label.". Today, digital platforms like Spotify and YouTube allow artists to upload their music and reach global audiences without the need for a label. In addition, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are powerful tools for building a fan community and promoting music independently. Artists can also finance themselves directly through platforms such as Patreon, where fans pay for exclusive content, giving them more control over their career. Self-production is also key., Since today it is possible to create high-quality music from home, thanks to advanced software and tools, including AI. Collaborating with other artists and influencers, without the intervention of a record label, is also a good way to gain visibility.

Regarding the future of independent music in Latin America, Digital platforms will continue to be essential for global visibility. Furthermore, the fusion of genres and self-management will allow musicians to expand their reach, exploring new forms of monetization such as NFTs or virtual concerts in the metaverse. Artists like Rels B, which fuses genres like rap and reggaeton, or Child God with his unique style in hip hop, They are examples of emerging talent in the region with great potential to grow globally.".

 

(You.com does not have the capability to transmit images, so the agent recommended we go to Leonardo.ai)

«"It is entirely possible for a musical project to grow without the backing of a multinational company.". In recent years, many artists have opted for independence, thanks to digital tools and platforms. Social media and streaming services like Spotify and Bandcamp They have democratized distribution, allowing musicians to reach global audiences without the need for a record label. This gives them greater control over their music, income, and personal brand. In addition, platforms of crowdfunding as Kickstarter and Patreon allow musicians to finance their projects directly through their followers, creating a more authentic connection. However, competition is fierce and self-promotion can be challenging, although with a good strategy and a loyal fan base, Musicians can thrive independently.
Looking to the future, Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are emerging as the next formats for artists to reach their audience. These technologies offer immersive experiences, such as virtual concerts, that expand the artist's reach and create new revenue streams.
In Latin America, the future of independent music is also encouraging. Access to digital platforms has allowed artists to distribute their music without a label, and the region's cultural diversity generates innovative musical proposals.. Artists like Silvana Estrada They are on the horizon, merging genres and connecting deeply with their audience, which suggests a bright future for independent music in the region.".

 

(Gemini doesn't yet create images at the level we requested, so the agent recommended we turn to Grok, a tool from X, belonging to the fateful new virtual president of the United States, the not-doctor Elon Musk)

«"The music industry is undergoing a significant transformation thanks to technology.". Today, artists have more tools than ever to achieve success without relying on major record labels. Digital platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music have democratized music distribution, allowing artists to reach global audiences directly. Social media has become an essential tool for promoting music and connecting with fans.. Furthermore, crowdfunding platforms like Patreon offer artists a way to earn a stable income directly from their fans. The future of the music industry is shaping up to be increasingly digital and personalized.Technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence will allow the creation of immersive and highly personalized musical experiences. NFTs are also emerging as a new way to monetize music and create more direct relationships between artists and fans.

In Latin America, the independent music scene is flourishing. Latin American artists are experimenting with new sounds and fusions, and are finding an increasingly wider audience thanks to digital platforms. Some emerging artists worth following include Seher y Marco Mares from Mexico, Facundo Grandío from Argentina, and Paula Arenas from Colombia. While major record labels remain relevant, It is clear that power is passing into the hands of the artists and the fans. With creativity, perseverance, and a good marketing strategy, any musician can build a successful career in today's music industry.

 

Anyway. At times, the answers are overly optimistic. Sometimes they agree on points that don't open up many alternatives.  But on the other hand, these applications are supposed to have accumulated so much information that we could trust in their good faith when responding. They offer words of encouragement and give us alternatives for what's to come, based on what already exists. They don't want to tell us much about what's coming. They believe in Latin America and point to artists we should pay attention to in the future (They don't take many risks, and it's not like they went out to discover alternatives in the most underground caves of the music market, but something is something).

Addendum: 

One final lesson. These friends know what goes on in the music industry., But his sense of humor still leaves much to be desired. At the end of each interview, we asked them to tell us some jokes about the topic, and, definitely, The result was disappointing:

• «"Why did the musician bring a ladder into the recording studio? Because he wanted to reach the high notes!"»
• Why do jazz musicians always carry umbrellas? Because they never know when it's going to rain a measure.
• A young musician walks into the office of a major record label and tells the executive, "I have a song that's going to revolutionize the music industry. It's a unique blend of rock, pop, hip hop, and classical music, all in one song." Intrigued, the executive asks him to play a snippet. The young man takes out his guitar and begins to play. After a few seconds, the executive interrupts him: "Wait, wait... Is that a C major chord?" "Yes, is there a problem?" "Well, look, son, the C major chord was invented over a thousand years ago. I think we need something a little more innovative."«
• Why do musicians always bring a broom to their concerts? Because they always want to sweep away the competition!

You'd better stick to your jobs, esteemed agents.