Nature Becomes an Official Artist on Music Streaming Platforms
The initiative, called Sounds Right, allows singers, songwriters, and bands to feature nature as a guest artist on their tracks. A portion of the profits generated from streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music will be directed towards biodiversity protection and conservation projects.
The artist page for nature will feature ambient recordings of various environments, ranging from rainforests to oceans, providing a rich tapestry of natural sounds for artists to incorporate into their music. Additionally, at least 70 percent of the profits from these tracks will be allocated to fund conservation efforts.
Katja Iversen, chief executive of Museum for the United Nations – UN Live, emphasizes the power of popular culture, like music, to drive positive global change and engage audiences on sustainability issues.
The initiative aims to raise $40 million within its first four years, with funds allocated by an independent panel of conservation experts and advocates, including Indigenous People and conservationists from the Global South. Current targets include forest preservation in Madagascar and efforts to prevent deep-sea mining.
In support of the initiative, artists such as Brian Eno and Ellie Goulding have released songs featuring nature’s sounds. Brian Eno remixed a version of his collaboration with David Bowie, incorporating the cries of hyenas, rooks, and wild pigs, while Ellie Goulding used sounds from the rainforests of Colombia in her track Brightest Blue.
Through this initiative, nature takes its place as a valued artist, contributing to both the artistic landscape and environmental conservation efforts on a global scale.
