Internet Idol? Music Mogul Hopes So

Internet Idol?  Music Mogul Hopes So January 6th, 2009 by Theo

In November a new Online Virtual World from Nicolas Longano, Rodney Jerkins, Ray Brown, and Jonathan Eubanks announced its entrance into the market.  Longano, an 8 year veteran and former Co-Founder of Brash Entertainment, Jerkins, a Grammy¬tm winning producer, Brown who has worked with such celebrities as Will Smith and Quincy Jones, and Eubanks, who has 15 years in video game production under his belt, all hope to bring what they describe as a  "world with real rewards and a unique search for the hottest new superstars " to reality. 

Music Mogul is for music performers and lovers alike, a place where they can watch or perform live karaoke or attend live exclusive in-world celebrity concerts.  According to their official website,  "All residents in the Music Mogul world can create custom avatars, and express themselves through their own Hollywood apartments, ...Residents can explore the nonstop music and entertainment of clubs, lounges, and cafes on the Sunset Strip, participate in open mic sessions, get real industry insights, and discover, sample and purchase original new music. "

The official launch of Music Mogul is slated for February of this year.  According to Rodney  "Darkchild " Jerkins himself, users will be able  "to make a video, ... giving you the opportunity to get your material heard by executives in the music industry. "  If simply creating a buzz surrounding ones work isn't enough he goes onto say that  "Every three months someone is going to win a record deal. "  Jerkins and his team are not being picky either, stating that they will be looking for the best in any genre of music, proclaiming  "We want what you got...you got talent, we want it! "

Regarding the business side of Music Mogul an interview done with Reuters.com discusses some of the finer points.

"Music Mogul will generate revenue through a combination of advertising ...premium subscriptions and the sale of virtual goods and services.  Access to the site and use of its social-networking features will be free, but users will have the option to purchase upgrades to their avatar's clothes and living quarters and attend events that will require paid admission.
 
Music Mogul also plans to offer a monthly subscription that will provide users with access to all fee-based events and avatar accessories.  The company will also invite established musicians to set up their own 'celebrity cribs' on the site. Musicians will be able to stage fee-based album release parties and sell real and virtual merchandise, such as albums and avatar accessories, Jerkins says.

'We're creating something where labels can make money and artists can make more money through micro-transactions like fans wanting to wear a particular artist's hat or clothes," he says. "They can click on that item and buy it.'"

Although not much can be found about who will be participating in Music Mogul, it will be interesting to see if it truly lives up to its claims.  Only time will tell if they acquire talented musicians, singers, and audiophiles or simply produce a social experience for those who wish to live out the dream of being seen and heard.