From “Non-Chain” to On-Chain: How NFTs Bring Artists and Patrons Together Yesterday, I bought a music NFT. I bought it because number one, I love the song—Moonshot, and number two, I know and respect the artist—Violetta Zironi. I didn’t buy the NFT with any expectation whatsoever that price will go up. That doesn’t matter to me, because much like my prized—yet modest—collection of Frank Sinatra vinyl LPs, I will never part with this NFT. Shortly after buying the NFT, I posted about it on X. Within an hour of posting, I got a thank you post from the artist herself and an outpouring of welcome posts from her community of loyal fans. That outpouring of support reminded me of the important role that NFTs play in uniting communities with artists. NFT tokens enable collectors to connect with artists in a away that physical ownership of works simply cannot. That’s because holding a physical work alone—without a digital signature representing proof of ownership of that work—creates an incomplete loop between the artist and the community. Once a physical piece leaves the artist’s hand, the connection between artist and patron is lost. NFTs solve this by fully closing the loop between artist and fan—uniting them via an verifiable proof of ownership on a blockchain. Sending and receiving works via digital wallets creates a bond between artist and fan in a way that no Web2 platform or marketplace can ever compete with. Regardless of what happens to your Apple Music or Spotify account, the songs you collect onchain form an unbreakable bond between artist and collector. People who are skeptical or dismissive of NFTs often downplay the power that comes with digital proof of ownership. They forget that physical and even digital works that don’t come with an onchain “certificate of authenticity” are an incomplete form of ownership. When it comes to music, without a verifiable ledger confirming fractional ownership of the song, collectors are often left unsure of what they actually own or who really “owns” the song. These "non-chain" collectors, as I like to call them, are also denied to the opportunity to stay in touch with their favorite artists—without being subject to the whims and ever changing terms of service that come with parking your songs on Web2 platforms. I firmly believe that as more and more of our physical world becomes digitized and recorded on blockchains, proof of ownership of those physical works will continue to be the preferred method for collectors and art patrons. It’s a unifier and force-multiplier for artists that no Web2 platform can ever match. Someday soon, our wallets will replace Web2 apps and be the storefront marketplace—and gallery—of our most prized pieces of art and culture. Those who get this early will have a significant advantage over collectors who are slow to understand the importance of blockchain provenance. You see, we are the “old guard” of the crypto art revolution. We get it. And when the “new guard” of the crypto world wakes up to NFTs, they are no-doubt going to come for our precious JPGS—motivated by an unquenchable need to “flex” their new-found wealth in virtual wallet galleries thereby confirming both proof of ownership and support for their most beloved artists. And, Music NFTs will be yet another extension of the digital gallery of our lives.