Kings of Leon Becomes First-Ever Band To Release an Album as Cryptocurrency

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (10413525p)Caleb Followill of Kings of Leon performs during KAABOO 2019 at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds, in San Diego, Calif2019 KAABOO - Day 1, Del Mar, USA - 13 Sep 2019.
Amy Harris/Invision/AP/Shutterstock / Shutterstock.com

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

When rock band Kings of Leon, out of Nashville, launches “When You See Yourself” on Friday, it will become the first band to release an album as a form of cryptocurrency, Rolling Stone reports. The album will be available on all major digital platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and Amazon, but also through YellowHeart, an autonomous, fully decentralized platform that allows artists and teams to market and sell directly to fans. The YellowHeart version of the album will be the only one released as a non-fungible token (NFT), a form of crypto that holds assets rather than money. 

Find Out: What Is a Non-Fungible Token and Why Are They Booming?Learn More: Smart Crypto Alternatives to Bitcoin

The album token will cost $50 and include enhanced media, such as a moving album cover, a digital download of the music, and a limited-edition vinyl album. The NFT version of When You See Yourself will launch Friday at noon and only be available for two weeks. After that, it will be a tradable collectible, Rolling Stones says. 

In addition, borrowing a tactic from the famous Willy Wonka, Kings of Leon will also create 18 “golden tickets,” auctioning off six and placing the other 12 in a crypto vault. Each NFT ticket unlocks four front-row seats to Kings of Leon concerts for each tour – for life, along with a VIP experience which will include: 

  • A personal driver
  • Concierge at the show
  • VIP access to the band prior to the show
  • Exclusive VIP lounge access
  • Four bags of concert merchandise

Six additional token designs will feature what Rolling Stone called “elaborate visual art.” Prices for these tokens will range from $95 to $2,500, Rolling Stone says. Kings of Leon will mint as many of these tokens as they sell by Sunday, March 7, at 8 PM EST and then the limited edition NFT will no longer be available. The golden ticket auction will also end at that time, although if someone bids within the last 10 minutes of the auction, the clock will reset for another 10 minutes, according to Rolling Stone. 

Check Out: Crypto Bubble Brings a Curious Problem for InvestorsRead Next: Bitcoin Could Reach $1 Million

Artists such as Portugal. The Man, Shawn Mendes, and Grimes have also sold their music as crypto through the YellowHeart platform in recent weeks, but Kings of Leon represent the first performing artists to sell a concert ticket as an NFT.  

GOBankingRates’ Crypto Guides

More From GOBankingRates

BEFORE YOU GO

See Today's Best
Banking Offers

Looks like you're using an adblocker

Please disable your adblocker to enjoy the optimal web experience and access the quality content you appreciate from GOBankingRates.

  • AdBlock / uBlock / Brave
    1. Click the ad blocker extension icon to the right of the address bar
    2. Disable on this site
    3. Refresh the page
  • Firefox / Edge / DuckDuckGo
    1. Click on the icon to the left of the address bar
    2. Disable Tracking Protection
    3. Refresh the page
  • Ghostery
    1. Click the blue ghost icon to the right of the address bar
    2. Disable Ad-Blocking, Anti-Tracking, and Never-Consent
    3. Refresh the page