Napster's Legacy: How the Music Industry Blew It (and Apple Saved the Day)
2025-08-18
The story of Primitive Radio Gods perfectly encapsulates the music industry's disastrous response to the digital revolution. Their hit song led to a rushed album release full of demos, angering fans and paving the way for Napster. Subsequent attempts like MusicNet and Pressplay, hampered by DRM, internal conflicts, and a user-unfriendly design, ultimately failed. It wasn't until Apple's iTunes, with its user-centric approach, that the industry found its footing, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the customer experience.
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