The Biz On Album Leaks

One of the greatest problems faced by the music industry in the dawn of the digital age is the dreaded “album leak.” So we’re all on the same page, a leaked album is one that is available for stream or download on the internet prior to its intended release date.

One of the greatest problems faced by the music industry in the dawn of the digital age is the dreaded “album leak.” So we’re all on the same page, a leaked album is one that is available for stream or download on the internet prior to its intended release date.

Leaking is a fairly common occurrence these days-Coldplay’s Viva la Vida could be found on the net weeks before its June release. Rather than trying to fight a trend that probably won’t die with lawsuits and complaints, the music industry is trying something new: accepting the change and looking on the bright side.

Many industry insiders are going so far as to call the leaks positive ways of artist promotion, assuming that if fans hear something they like they will be more likely to go out and buy the album when it is released. Upon the leak of Nas’ upcoming album to the net, his business associate Anthony Saleh explained that he isn’t worried. “I don’t think the leak has hurt Nas in any way… if [fans] want to support it, they’ll go buy it,” he said.

Some artists, seeing the possibility of a leak as likely, have reacted to the trend by leaking their own albums themselves. Indie act Hold Steady posted their upcoming Stay Positive in its entirety on their MySpace over a month before its release, and the album is still expected to fare well in stores.