BitTorrent is notorious for facilitating illegal downloads-over 2.5 million so far this year. But they also claim to make available millions of free downloads as well. BitTorrent actually works with labels and artists in helping them reach fans with free music, helping them get exposure in a more controlled setting. Bilboard got interested and decided to ask them what artists were teaming up and making their music readily available.
The answer was pretty interesting, showing that Epic’s Death Grips is the most legally downloaded artist on BitTorrent. This comes shortly after the controversy the band had with their label about making their most recent album a free download on their website. Other artists on the list worth noting were Pretty Lights and DJ Shadow, both of which have been known to give free music to their fans. We also see some weird names pop up like Counting Crows and Chester French, both of which couldn’t pay me to download their tunes. You can read the full list below. [via]
Obviously, with giving away free music, artists need to make money in other ways. Do you think that this is a viable financial solution for musicians and labels? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Official BitTorrent Download Numbers:
- Death Grips: 34,151,432
- Counting Crows: 26,950,427
- Billy Van: 18,702,053
- Gods Robot: 12,172,672
- Way Too Sick: 9,974,321
- Paz: 6,485,001
- Bray: 5,878,492
- Pretty Lights: 5,005,061
- DJ Shadow: 4,349,048
- Chester French: 523,356
