Photo Credit: Authentic Artists
San Francisco-based startup Authentic Artists has closed a strategic funding round. Warner Music and Crush Music were among the participants.
Authentic Artists says the funding round will help accelerate the development of its AI-driven metaverse music platform. The web3 company is also looking to build its WarpSound music brand and onboarding market-making partners like Warner Music and Crush Ventures.
“We love revolutionary brands, and WarpSound is one of them,” says RTFKT Co-Founder Steven Vasilev. “My Co-Founders and I are excited to join the Authentic Artists team on their journey as they create the sound of the metaverse and ignite new music culture.”
“WMG is focused on harnessing the tools, technologies, and protocols that collectively make up web3 to consistently unlock new opportunities for our artists, songwriters, and fans to create and consume together,” adds Warner Music Group’s Chief Digital Officer, Oana Ruxandra. “This partnership sees us leaning in with the ambitious team at Authentic Artists as they build out unique communities at the intersection of music and technology.”
Authentic Artists says its music platform powers metaverse-native virtual artists, digital collectibles like NFTs, and interactive music experiences. The platform uses deep learning, a game engine, and blockchain technologies to achieve its metaverse vision. “The team is completely re-imagining the source, expression, and shared experience of music for audiences in the metaverse and across all connected stages,” reads the press release.
WarpSound features music ambassadors like virtual artists Nayomi, DJ Dragoon, Gnar Heart, and GLiTCH. The WVRPS by WarpSound is the #1 music NFT collection on OpenSea and offers 9,999 unique, visual trait-driven musical voices enabled by Authentic’s generative music technology.
“Music is Authentic’s lifeblood, and we’re using new creative tools to awaken a deeper connection with music and each other,” says Authentic Artists CEO Chris McGarry. “We’re grateful to have the support of some of the most transformative brands and leaders in music and digital culture as we build the defining metaverse music platform.”