Public Enemy’s Chuck D has warned artists of the world to keep a close eye on the big companies that are investing in online and mobile content platforms. He also warned the majors that the expansion of mobile music is going to have a huge impact on the part they play in music space. He also pointed to the fact the original digital revolution is moving to mobile phones as “the next step”. Whilst being happy that the internet and mobiles give artists the chance to get their music out without having to go through a middleman, he was wary of Murdoch’s buyout of myspace.
He finished by saying he’ll “always tip his hate to rebels”, when asked about hacking of computers. Chuck’s own mobile venture offers ringtones, videos and other hip hop content, and allows emerging artists to put their content out to people’s mobile phones.