Instead of waiting for a record label to finance their new album, Public Enemy has an even better idea: Have the fans pay for it.
The legendary rap group has teamed up with SellaBand.com--a site that focuses on working with indie artists--to facilitate a fan fundraiser. All money raised goes towards PE recording their new record.
"SellaBand's financial engine model goes about restructuring the music business in reverse," Chuck D said. "It starts with fans first, then the artists create from there. The music business is built on searching for fans and this is a brand new way for acts to create a new album with fans first, already on board."
The bold and creative business model recalls rock band Radiohead's 2007 pick-your-price album release for In Rainbows, in which the band released an album as a digital download through its website and allowed fans to pay what they choose.
PE is hoping to raise $250,000, by way of $25 donations. --Linda Hobbs
