8tracks
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| Owner | 8tracks Inc |
|---|---|
| Created by | David Porter, Remi Gabillet |
| Website | 8tracks |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Launched | 8 August 2008 |
8tracks.com is an internet radio and social networking website revolving around the concept of streaming user-curated playlists consisting of at least 8 tracks. Users create free accounts and can either browse the site and listen to other user-created mixes, and/or they can create their own mixes. The site also has a subscription-based service, 8 tracks plus, although its features are still evolving. Currently, a $25 payment purchases a 6-month subscription, during which time advertisements are removed from the website interface while subscribers are logged in. Specific DJ-focused features are in the works, but will likely include profile customization, mix analytics, and unlimited uploads.
8tracks was recognized on Time magazine's 2011 incarnation of its "50 Best Websites" List. 8tracks has also received positive press in Wired,CNET, and Business Insider.
8tracks Founder David Porter claims his idea for a "music-oriented social network" has been in development since 1999 during his time in business school at Berkeley. However, this music-oriented social network was founded in 2006 and launched on August 8, 2008. One of Porter's major influences for the project was Napster, more specifically its "Hotlist" feature, which allowed users to add other users to their "hot list," consequently giving them access to that user's entire library. Also, after having spent 3 years prior to business school in London, Porter was fascinated by the social nature of the city's electronic music scene in which DJ's gained cult-like followings and augmented their following primarily through peer referral. Based on these concepts, Porter drafted a business plan entitled "Sampled & Sorted," which is now the name of his blog and was able to garner some initial attention for the project from venture capital firms. However, given his relative inexperience in the business world, Porter joined Live365, gained an understanding of their business model, their strengths and weaknesses, and was able to refine his original proposition. With the rise of Web 2.0, Porter finally decided to found 8tracks in the Fall of 2006, and after compiling a preliminary team, was able to launch the site on August 8, 2008.
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