Anthony Martini exits role as CEO of Royalty Exchange, joins Slip.stream as Chief Music Officer and Partner

Music industry veteran Anthony Martini has exited his role as CEO of Royalty Exchange after nine months and joined music licensing startup Slip.stream, as Chief Music Officer and Partner.

Martini joined US-based online music rights marketplace Royalty Exchange in March. Royalty Exchange has paid out over $90 million to artists, according to the statement announcing Martini’s appointment at Slip.stream.

Slip.stream, which raised $3.25 million in an initial funding round in July, says that Martini will build out the company’s frontline record label and develop new music products across the intersection of gaming, content creators and brands.

In June, Royalty Exchange launched what it said was the first ever music publishing NFT, allowing investors to buy music catalogs and songs as NFTs under its new program.

Martini is also an investor and advisor to Factory New, a Metaverse media company behind virtual rapper FN Meka, which has 10 million followers on TikTok.

He was also manager of rapper Tyga and founded independent hip-hop label Commission Records where he signed and developed Lil Dicky, MadeinTYO, IDK, 24hrs, Derez Deshon and more before selling the label to Big Noise Music Group in 2019.

Prior to announcing his official role, Slip.stream says that it acquired the recording contracts of Big Havi, platinum producer Powers Pleasant, and  DJ Envy and DJ Holiday from Martini for an undisclosed sum.

Slip.stream, described as a “creator safe music platform” was launched by entrepreneurs by David Carson (Fuse, Heavy.com, New Stand founder), Dan Demole (Jingle Punks founder) and Jesse Korwin (Jingle Punks CMO).

The platform offers a copyright strike safe library of over 50,000 tracks and 40,000 sound effects, filled with what it says is “real music from real artists”.

Slip.stream’s releases in 2021 include Powers Pleasant’s single Evil Twin featuring Denzel Curry and Zillakami, DJ Five Venom’s Look at What I Did, and Big Havi and KyleYouMadeThat’s Important!”.

Co-CEO David Carson founded Fuse music television, the rock channel that was later sold to Jennifer Lopez’s NUVOtv for $226 million.

Carson is also the founder of publishing media company, Heavy.com and New Stand, which recently closed a $40m fundraising round.

Co-CEO Dan Demole’s music/tech background is with Jingle Punks, along with CMO Jesse Korwin, which sold to WME and Anthem Entertainment

“As new technologies thrust art and entertainment into the future, we’re in the midst of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to innovate. The music fan experience needs freedom to be more dynamic.”

Anthony Martini 

Martini said: “As new technologies thrust art and entertainment into the future, we’re in the midst of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to innovate. The music fan experience needs freedom to be more dynamic.

“The reality is, people don’t just listen to music, they want to USE it. The more people can use music, the more exposure it gets, which increases an artist’s chance of success. Slip.stream is built on that premise.

“It never made sense to me how labels would pay an influencer to promote a song, but then penalize them if they promoted it for free. That’s the type of outdated model that I’m on a mission to change.”

“I’ve worked with Ant on a bunch of projects over the past 10 years while at Jingle Punks, but we always wanted to find a way to build something together.”

Dan Demole

Dan Demole added: “I’ve worked with Ant on a bunch of projects over the past 10 years while at Jingle Punks, but we always wanted to find a way to build something together.

“He’s always innovating and finding what’s relevant in music, tech, and culture which is right where Slip.stream sits. I’m pumped to have him onboard.”

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to work with him.”

David Carson

David Carson added: “Ant sees the future of the music business very clearly. His ability to operate to where the puck is headed is extraordinary. He’s bringing his years of experience and his deep relationships in the industry to help build the future with us at Slip.stream.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to work with him.”

Slip.stream added artist and producer T-Pain to its advisory board in October.Music Business Worldwide