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An artist can become their own dapp
DappRadar has launched a new series of interviews with industry influencers where we delve into Web3 topics such as NFTs, gaming and the metaverse through the eyes of branding, marketing and arts professionals.
Musicians have long suffered from unequal treatment in the entertainment industry, but now they have the potential to make money by using blockchain technology to distribute NFTs of their work. They then maintain ownership of what they create and are independent of the record labels, which often tighten their grip on control of the industry.
The traditional payment tracks and lengthy payment structures suit those in power. To break through to the other side would require a strong grassroots movement of independent artists and record labels to drive a new model. This will force the current organizations to have no choice but to embrace a new way of doing business.
How do we build the Web3 creator economy?
VNCCII is one of the talented artists spearheading this powerful movement for change. She embodies the creator economy as a multidisciplinary music artist/singer/songwriter/producer/live performer, etc.
But don’t take it from me. Here’s VNCCII performing in her Holoship virtual music studio.
Tell us about yourself and VNCCII
VNCCII is my multimedia/Metaverse/Web3 project. I am a multidisciplinary self-published creative futurist, technologist, Metaverse storyteller, global keynote speaker, philosopher, and music artist/singer-songwriter/producer/live performer.
Since 2018, I have been presenting my project as a 3D avatar called VNCCII. She is positioned as a fictional super intelligent A.I superhero character to convey my multimedia story, as I am particularly passionate about the fusion of music and games.
In addition, I am fascinated by the concept of super-intelligent A.I. and its impact on humanity from a science fiction perspective. Artificial intelligence is becoming more and more advanced every day, and it is part of my mission to empower humans to live symbiotically and peacefully with AI.
I am now preparing to release my upcoming space AI opera science fiction novel, which accompanies my Metaverse music album and live phygital stage show. vnccii is the lead character in a group of diverse characters that are ripe for adaptation into phygital live entertainment shows, movies, musicals, animations, fashion shows, virtual real estate, cosmic world building and blockchain games.
Recently, I’ve been advocating for Web3’s creator economy and the power of Metaverse storytelling at conferences like SuperVerse in Dubai, the Creative Conference, and the upcoming Immerse in Portugal in September. Overall, the “why” and intent behind this project is to challenge social expectations and to empower and elevate human consciousness.
How did you discover Web3?
As a forward-thinking independent creative, I am always on the lookout for solutions and cutting-edge technologies that can ultimately empower and liberate artists. When I discovered NFTs after the Beeple Christie’s auction, I was inspired to learn more about the Web 3 ecosystem and the power of NFTs to return value to the artist, rather than isolated centralized Web 2 platforms.
This concept has inspired a new cultural digital renaissance. In my opinion, I see NFTs as a gateway to the open and interoperable Metaverse and the MetaFi economy, a complex financial interaction between fungible and non-fungible assets.
What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on launching an IP franchise (TBD) that will follow the storyline of the sci-fi space opera AI novel I wrote. There will also be a live stage show that will be synchronized with this storyline.
I have always been inspired by Walt Disney and his spirit of innovation and imagination. I am passionate about exploring opportunities to create joy for guests in these physical experiences, with future technological innovations including gamification, motion capture, virtual production, VR, AR and XR to create new multi-sensory 4D experiences.
This is a long-term vision that will see the VNCCII brand, IP franchise and community evolve and build assets over time. As the community becomes active stakeholders in this story from a Web 3 and Metaverse perspective, they will have the opportunity to access and broker phytogenic experiences in an active co-creator role. Yes, it’s like leading a cultural revolution. Let’s go!
How do you gamify music and make it “phygital” ?
First, back in 2018, I gamified music by adopting the virtual avatar identity of VNCCII. Since then, I’ve been posting music videos for songs I’ve produced and creatively directed that were created using the Unreal game engine.
Each music video has a real-time UE environment that can be fleshed out into a game experience or real-time social space to celebrate these micro-branches of VNCCII’s storyline.
In addition to the music videos, I explored the concept of VTuber by experimenting with standalone motion capture (I used the Rokoko mocap suite), speaking in real time as my VNCCII avatar character in her Holoship virtual music studio. The possibilities for gamification of music are endless. My next challenge is to bring it to the live stage of storytelling and really create a “phygital” experience that you will never forget.
As an artist who needs to market their work, how do you look at the metaverse and which metaverse is your favorite, if any?
As my friend Tony Parisi would say, there is only one metaverse! There are tons of metaverse here. There are plenty of opportunities for artists on how to market themselves in the metaverse. I believe in productive strategic partnerships, but I also want to emphasize the power of artists becoming their own platform or DAPP as part of a larger overarching strategy.
Pick one NFT collection and one game you identify with, and tell us why
I love RTFKT CloneX and the utility they provide to their holders. Their collaboration with Takashi Murakami is also legendary. At the end of the day, it’s about communities of people coming together to share a common passion and vision for a better future.
In terms of blockchain games, I resonate with what Michael Wagner did with Star Chart. It’s great to see the team building a quality game using Unreal Engine 5 and the markets and factions in the game that are part of the story. After the release of my IP, I will look to build a game experience based on that IP in UE5 that engages the community as co-creators, players, and cultural connoisseurs.
Any memorable lessons from speaking with metaverse thought-leaders in your “Future Humans” live broadcast show?
Since the “Future Humans” live video broadcast show began, I have gained many valuable insights and friendships. The best feedback received so far is that the live video show reminds them of Walt Disney’s vision of “Tomorrow’s World” – practical optimism.
I believe it is imperative to move our society forward through dialogue and breakthroughs without the fear and cynicism that stems from a limited mindset. I choose to step into leadership positions that inspire others to unleash their unbridled creativity and unabashedly embrace their authentic selves.
This positive thought leadership that inspires and embraces a sense of “play” has informed the subjects I interviewed on the show. I value what Kathy Hackel (Episode 2) says, that we are all world builders and that the Metropolitan world is for everyone.
I also value what Mike Pell (episode 13) said about “surfacing the invisible” by envisioning breakthroughs and that “at the heart of it all is communication …… It’s the people …… Anything you do is not about technology, it’s always about people.”
What is your advice for music artists looking to break into the creator economy and connect with fans?
My advice is “know thyself”. Every entrepreneur should have a mission and vision statement, and this is no different for artists. I approached the VNCCII project as an entrepreneurial project from the beginning, which sharpened my business acumen and the “why” of my creative mission.
My advice is to embrace groundbreaking innovation and invention. Use technology to meet your creative needs, not the other way around. We are at a pivotal moment in human history where we can shape the future. Make it work.
Your fans and community will thank you when they feel engaged in all the multi-media and are seen as “guests” or active co-creators. In retrospect, Walter’s theme parks were successful because he didn’t see them as consumers, but as welcome guests. Furthermore, I don’t see them as fans. I see them as members of a community tribe on a collective mission to shape a better timeline of the future.
What will the future look like for NFTs and the music industry in 5 years?
I don’t have a crystal ball, so I can’t say. What I’d like to see is an open, operational, progressively decentralized meta-universe. I’d like to see an evolution of the gatekeeper concept that empowers creative artists to benefit and make money directly from their own creations, through their own communities and decentralized platforms.
More importantly, I want to see the music industry create real-world collective social impact, allowing us to hear and see the light of new superstars and more diverse voices. Because I am an auto-poetic meta-strategist/philosopher and entrepreneur, I fundamentally understand the nature of grit and the need to reclaim power and sovereignty for its creators.
I believe that NFT is a critical path to empowerment when implemented thoughtfully, strategically, and effectively. Finally, I would like to see live entertainment reach a stratospheric new level in terms of musical high-tech stage shows intertwined with theme park-level immersive 4D experiences. It’s time to bring back the fun and inspire the next generation to experience joy, optimism and move humanity forward!” .
Where can people find your work?
They can go to https://www.vnccii.com/.
