Audius is one of the most interesting projects in the Web3 space. A decentralized music streaming platform built to give power back to the artists. Instead of relying on record labels or centralized platforms, Audius connects creators directly with fans, letting them publish, share, and monetize their music on their own terms. It’s a platform where listeners stream music freely, while artists earn rewards in the platform’s native cryptocurrency, AUDIO.
Founded in 2018 by Roneil Rumburg and Forrest Browning, Audius has attracted millions of monthly users and hundreds of thousands of artists, including support from big names like Katy Perry, Nas, Steve Aoki, and Jason Derulo. Its mission is simple: remove middlemen and let artists truly own and profit from their work.
How Does Audius Work?
Under the hood, Audius runs on a decentralized network powered by content and discovery nodes. Content nodes host and secure music files on behalf of artists, while discovery nodes index them so fans can easily find tracks. This system replaces centralized servers with a distributed network, ensuring better censorship resistance and transparency.
Artists can upload music directly to Audius, choose how they want to share it (free or paid), and even unlock exclusive content for top fans. Unlike traditional streaming platforms that pay based on plays, Audius rewards artists for overall engagement, from trending tracks to verified uploads and fan interaction.
Originally built on the Ethereum blockchain, Audius later migrated its content system to Solana for faster, cheaper transactions while keeping AUDIO as an ERC-20 token. That hybrid setup combines Ethereum’s reliability with Solana’s scalability.
What Makes Audius Different?
Audius challenges the norms of the music industry by flipping the profit structure. In traditional streaming, artists might receive only about 12% of total revenue. On Audius, artists receive 90% of the rewards directly in AUDIO tokens, while the remaining 10% goes to node operators who help secure the network.
This approach creates a more transparent and equitable mode, one that empowers artists to connect directly with listeners, share exclusive releases, or run their own communities. The platform even partners with TikTok, allowing creators to link Audius tracks directly to TikTok videos, giving exposure across mainstream social media.
Because content is hosted through decentralized storage (via AudSP, an IPFS-based system), artists retain control over their music files. That makes the platform both censorship-resistant and artist-friendly, a rare combination in the streaming world.
The AUDIO Token
The AUDIO token is the backbone of the Audius ecosystem. It serves several roles:
- Staking and Network Security. Node operators stake AUDIO to run network infrastructure and earn rewards.
- Governance. Each AUDIO token grants one vote in protocol decisions, giving users a voice in how the platform evolves.
- Feature Access. Holding or staking AUDIO unlocks premium features, early access to new tools, and artist badges.
AUDIO has an initial supply of one billion tokens and is used for platform rewards, community incentives, and ongoing network security. Holders can also earn additional AUDIO through staking or by helping to grow the ecosystem.
Why Audius Matters
Audius is more than a music app; it’s a proof of concept for how blockchain can reshape creative industries. In short, it offers:
- Direct artist-to-fan connections without middlemen
- Transparent revenue sharing through on-chain rewards
- Censorship-resistant storage for music and metadata
- Cross-chain scalability with Ethereum and Solana interoperability
For artists, it’s a fairer deal. For listeners, it’s a chance to support creators directly and explore new music communities powered by crypto.
Bottom Line
Audius reimagines what music streaming could be in the Web3 era: a fair, open, and decentralized ecosystem where creativity and ownership coexist. It bridges blockchain technology and cultural expression, proving that decentralization isn’t just for finance.
Where to Get AUDIO
Interested in the project? You can get the AUDIO token directly on the Tap app and start exploring the decentralized future of music today.
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