“[For Artists], It Should Be The Scariest Thing In The World”

Written By S. Samuel

Black Eyed Peas' member Will.i.am has shared his opinion on the growing popularity of digital retail store iTunes and why artists should be cautious with their technological choices.

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Will is a firm believer in young artists becoming aware of their music options and the Internet capabilities.

“Believe me, I love Apple…but iTunes shouldn’t be the answer,” said Will.I.Am in his keynote address at the Grammy Foundation’s 13th annual Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “[For artists], it should be the scariest thing in the world.” Will.I.am described the plight of the modern musician as “like selling echoes” and pushed the need for young singers and songwriters to become experts in computers science so they may better benefit from a fast-paced marketplace. Per his recent appointment as Intel’s director of creative innovation, Will.I.Am spoke of the need to amp up efforts for tech education. “We need to inspire kids to take notice of how and why a computer works,” he said. “It’s the marriage of art and science.” (Hollywood Reporter)

He has also previously talked about his business relationship with Intel and the endless technological advantages.

“Nearly everything I do involves processors and computers, and when I see an Intel chip I think of all the creative minds involved that help to amplify my own creativity,” Will said in a statement. “Teaming up with the scientists, researchers and computer programmers at Intel to collaborate and co-develop new ways to communicate, create, inform and entertain is going to be amazing.” (MTV)

As of late, iTunes sales have reportedly slowed down.

Remember the heady days of music sales, when Apple beat the stuffing out of traditional music labels, even besting retail giant Wal-Mart as the No. 1 seller of music? Well, the Cupertino, Calif. company still leads, but the growth of music is slowing and appears to be giving way to video. Revenue from digital music sales for the last three months of 2010 were up just 1.6 percent for Apple, falling 5 percent from the previous quarter, according to a Tuesday (February 8 2011)report. Although Apple’s digital music sales are slowing, Warner Music Group appears even further along the S-Curve; the publisher’s last quarter sales fell 14 percent, the company announced. For Apple, the next thing is digital video, where one research firm says the tech giant controls almost 65 percent of the sales. (Cult of Mac)

As of last week, Black Eyed Peas’ latest group album has sold nearly 500,000 copies.

Award-winning group Black Eyed Peas’ The Beginning received a six-slot boost to No. 20 with 19,200. With 10 weeks completed, their new offering has sold 474,900 records. (SOHH Sales Wrap)

Check out some past Will.i.am footage below:

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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