Yahoo Takes Music Back To Its’ Roots

Yahoo’s new artist pages take the site back to it’s roots as a directory of content rather than a home for the content. Instead of hosting video, photos, and audio directly at Yahoo!, the content for each artist is aggregated from a host of other social media sites.

You have the option to play full-length tracks right on the profile page for your favorite artists using Rhapsody. You can also explore content from the artist or related artists using built-in Last.fm and Pandora radio players. Photos and videos related to the artist come from Flickr and YouTube.

Customizable Profile Pages

The pages are truly customizable. Drag and drop individual modules wherever you need them. This helps you prioritize the services and types of content that matter to you most. Adding new modules is as simple as clicking a button. Modules are available for Amazon, finetune, Flickr, Last.fm, iTunes, Pandora, Upcoming, and YouTube. You also have your Yahoo! modules like Top Albums, Lyrics, News, Search, Photos, Top Tracks, and Videos.

Giving the Power Back To The User

Yahoo’s new music pages are focused on giving control back to the user. Not only do music fans have the ability to customize their music experience, but the artist has some control over what content finds it’s way to their audience without actually having to manage yet another profile.

Eventually, Yahoo! will open the platform up to any musician, artist or record label. Artists will be able to create and publish their own profiles on and gain access to Yahoo’s enormous audience.

“Artist Pages leverages the scale of the Web and Yahoo!’s massive audience to create something totally new, open, social and original which we believe will attract a new generation of music fans and Web users to Yahoo! Music,” said Michael Spiegelman, head of Yahoo! Music. “Artist Pages is a major game-changer for the digital music industry.”

Ben Parr makes a valid point that “This is good news, especially for lesser-known artists that want to drive people to their other Web content.” As an artist, it’s always clear where to put your music. Sure, there is MySpace, but then you’re left with the job of making sure people find you there. The new Yahoo! Music helps to defragment the online music world and make it much easier to reach the masses.

Category: News, web 2.0 | Tags: Flickr, last.fm, music, pandora, Yahoo, YouTube

About the Author
Rahsheen has been a certified geek since before it was the thing to do. He started programming and tinkering in the 4th grade. Now, Rahsheen mostly writes on various sites about technology trends in social media and mobile. . He is also a musician, singer, rapper, writer, and producer. @rahsheen - +Rahsheen Porter - coachrah.com
See all posts by rahsheen.