Troy Duffie, Director of Financial Markets at the Milken Institute, recently sat down with Forbes senior writer Jabari Young to discuss the landscape of financial markets in 2025 and the benefits of building a career in finance. During the conversation, Duffie also shed light on Milken’s HBCU Strategic Initiative and Fellows Program, designed to empower and encourage more students to explore careers in financial institutions.
Category Archives: Finance
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Partners with South Korean FinTech Musicow to Launch Music Equity Service Provider.
The music industry is on the brink of a seismic shift, and Jay-Z is leading the charge. Roc Nation, the full-service entertainment powerhouse, has partnered with South Korea’s fintech leader, Musicow, to launch the first Music Equity Service Provider (MESP) in the United States.
This groundbreaking collaboration will enable music fans to go beyond streaming and into investing, allowing them to purchase fractional shares of royalty revenue from their favorite songs. Here’s what you need to know about this revolutionary new way to connect with—and profit from—music.
What Is a Music Equity Service Provider (MESP)?
A Music Equity Service Provider (MESP) redefines how music royalties are shared. Traditionally, royalty revenue from songs flows exclusively to artists, producers, and record labels. MESPs like Musicow disrupt this model by allowing public investors—including superfans—to buy, sell, and trade shares in music royalties.
This innovation turns music rights into an alternative asset class, unlocking opportunities for fans and creators to earn together in a shared ecosystem.
Transforming Music Investment
Revolutionary Platform Features:
- Fractional ownership of music royalties
- Direct fan investment in artist revenues
- Alternative asset class creation
- Real-time revenue sharing system
Financial Innovation Meets Music Industry
The platform introduces several groundbreaking elements:
Feature | Benefit | Target Audience |
---|---|---|
Royalty Fractionalization | Democratized Investment | Retail Investors |
Direct Artist Support | Revenue Sharing | Music Creators |
Digital Wallet System | Accessible Entry | New Investors |
Market Impact Analysis
Key Financial Metrics:
- Launch Timeline: Q1 2025
- Initial Wallet Bonus: $10
- Market: United States
- Target: Music Rights Trading
The Roc Nation and Musicow Partnership: Why It Matters
This partnership marks a pivotal moment for both the music and fintech industries. Jay-Z and Musicow are bridging the gap between art and finance, empowering both creators and fans.
Key benefits of the collaboration include:
- Fractionalized Royalties: Artists can securely divide royalty revenue from their songs into shares and sell them to investors.
- Fan Empowerment: Superfans gain access to a unique investment opportunity, allowing them to earn revenue alongside their favorite artists.
- Secure Transactions: Built on cutting-edge fintech technology, Musicow ensures transactions are safe and transparent for creators and investors alike.
Jay Brown, Vice Chairman of Roc Nation, perfectly captured the partnership’s vision:
“The music industry is evolving into a shared ecosystem where fans and creators can earn together.”
How It Works
- Artists Fractionalize Their Songs: Artists who partner with Musicow can divide their royalty streams into shares and list them on the platform.
- Fans Invest: Fans purchase shares, gaining partial ownership of a song’s royalty revenue.
- Royalties Earned: As the song generates revenue (e.g., from streaming, radio play, or licensing), investors earn a proportional share.
Example: If a hit song generates $100,000 in royalties and you own 1% of the shares, you’d earn $1,000.
The Impact on Artists and Fans
This collaboration is a win-win for everyone involved:
For Artists:
- Access to a new revenue stream without giving up full ownership of their work.
- A deeper connection with fans through shared financial success.
- Tools and insights from Roc Nation to navigate the intersection of music and technology.
For Fans:
- A chance to invest in the music they love and earn from it.
- A feeling of closeness to their favorite artists, financially and emotionally.
- Early-bird perks like $10 toward their Musicow wallet for early sign-ups.
Why Now? The Fintech Boom in the Music Industry
The partnership between Roc Nation and Musicow comes at a time when fintech innovation is transforming creative industries. Music royalties are now viewed as a viable investment class, attracting both superfans and institutional investors.
Key Stats:
- The global music royalties market is projected to reach $20 billion by 2028.
- Alternative investments, like royalties, saw a 300% growth in 2024, according to industry analysts.
By combining Roc Nation’s influence in the music world with Musicow’s fintech expertise, this partnership positions both companies as pioneers in this growing space.
What’s Next? Musicow’s U.S. Launch in Q1 2025
The first quarter of 2025 will mark the official debut of Musicow in the U.S. Early adopters are encouraged to sign up now to secure their spot and claim a $10 wallet bonus to kickstart their royalty investments.
Woo Rhee, CEO of Musicow US, is confident in the partnership’s potential:
“[This is an] incredible opportunity to drive innovation and redefine the future of our industry.”
This isn’t Roc Nation’s first move to empower artists. In 2024, the company announced that partnered independent artists could retain ownership of their masters under Roc Nation Distribution. Through this initiative, Roc Nation provided tools like data analytics and dashboards to help artists take control of their music and their revenue.
The partnership with Musicow continues this legacy, offering artists not only tools but also financial opportunities in a rapidly evolving industry.
Jay-Z and Roc Nation’s partnership with Musicow isn’t just about profits—it’s about creating a shared music ecosystem where creators and fans thrive together. As the U.S. prepares for the debut of Musicow, the future of the music industry has never looked brighter.
Early adopters can now register for:
- $10 wallet credit
- Priority access
- First-mover advantages
- Direct artist support opportunities
Want to own a piece of the next hit song? Sign up for Musicow now and claim your $10 wallet bonus. Be part of the movement that’s reshaping the way we think about music and finance.
World Economic Forum – Crypto at a Crossroads
The outlook for digital assets is rapidly evolving, with potential regulatory changes in the United States and varying adoption rates of central bank digital currencies worldwide influencing their prospects. This dynamic landscape raises questions about the future of these assets and the potential impact of policy shifts on the broader financial system. The World Economic Forum has recognized the significance of this topic, linking it to their initiatives on The Future of Blockchain and Digital Assets as well as the Future of Growth. To explore these issues, a session was organized in collaboration with Business Insider UK, featuring a panel of notable speakers including Jennifer Johnson, Denelle Dixon, Lesetja Kganyago, Brian Armstrong, Anthony Scaramucci, and Spriha Srivastava. These experts likely discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by digital assets, as well as the potential implications of regulatory changes on the financial ecosystem.
Operation Hope Forum on Securing Funds to Grow Your Business
Securing capital is a critical step for every business looking to grow, but navigating the funding landscape can feel overwhelming. This insightful session breaks down the process, exploring options like traditional bank loans, venture capital, crowdfunding, and grants. Entrepreneurs will gain a clear understanding of the advantages and challenges of each method and how to choose the best fit for their business at various stages of growth.
From crafting a compelling pitch to meeting investor expectations, the session offers practical strategies to position your business for funding success. You’ll learn how to prepare your financials, present your business as a strong investment opportunity, and build relationships with lenders and investors. With actionable advice on negotiating terms and creating lasting funding partnerships, this session equips entrepreneurs with the tools they need to secure the capital necessary to thrive.
Milken Institute discussion on Digital Finance at Middle East and Africa Summit 2024
The future economy is unfolding now, driven by digital technologies like AI, fintech, health tech, and e-commerce, reshaping industries and redefining possibilities. Innovators are transforming currency, modernizing financial systems, and delivering solutions that span the globe. This revolution will redefine how we live, work, play, and invest. But with great transformation comes critical questions: What opportunities and challenges lie ahead? How can stakeholders—policymakers, investors, regulators, and experts—collaborate to ensure this new economy is inclusive and benefits all?
Pew Research: About Half of Americans Demonstrate Strong Personal Finance Knowledge
Approximately 54% of U.S. adults report having a strong or moderate understanding of personal finances, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey. Meanwhile, 33% say they have some knowledge, and 13% admit they know little to nothing about the topic.
Personal finance knowledge encompasses various money management strategies, including saving, budgeting, managing debt, and investing.
Roughly half of Americans are knowledgeable about personal finances
Global Finance and AI: Top Women Leaders Discuss at Women, Money & Power
Francesca Carlesi (CEO, Revolut UK), Michelle Lau (Managing Director, Alibaba.com France), and Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa (South Africa CEO, Naspers) joined Bloomberg’s Stacy-Marie Ishmael at Women, Money & Power in London to explore how AI and emerging technologies are transforming global finance.