I Am Not a Human Being Mixtape is a 21st Century Reminder

I Am Not a Human Being mixtape, by Lil Wayne, is released today, on the rapper's birthday, despite the fact that Lil Wayne is in prison for weapons possession. As reported at MTV, I Am Not a Human Being mixtape is released only on iTunes.

I Am Not a Human Being mixtape is a nightmare for brick and mortar stores

The traditional model, when a singer releases music, is for the music to be available at your brick and mortar record store or a store such as Target or Wal-Mart. Today, that model is changing. Lil Wayne released his I Am Not a Human Being mixtape available only on iTunes. This is, of course, upsetting to the brick and mortar market. The actual album will be available everywhere later, including physical locations, but not now.

The availability of iTunes for music fans has changed the way people buy music. Ask a person, "When was the last time you walked into a record store to buy music?" Chances are, they may not remember. Downloading music from iTunes, for example, can be done in less than 5 minutes with your credit card or with a gift card. It's a lot easier than getting into your car and driving to a physical spot.

As one merchant said at MTV, "It's disturbing. It's definitely putting brick and mortar second, and we are going to lose business that we would normally get. How is the consumer going to know that the album will have a second physical release?" But as we continue to move into the 21st century, won't brick and mortar lose anyway? It's the 21st century, not the 20th century, and habits have changed. It's Netflix vs. Blockbuster.

Lil Wayne is projected to do well with his I Am Not a Human Being mixtape

According to MTV, "Cash Money/Universal Motown is projecting first week digital sales of 90,000 units for I Am Not a Human Being; second week digital sales of 25,000 units, and then the third week of digital and first week of physical is expected to do sales of 225,000 units, with 20,000 of that coming from digital." In short, Lil Wayne will get a nice birthday present from his smart move of offering the I Am Not a Human Being mixtape for sale and as early promotion for his eight studio album I Am Not a Human Being to be released on October 12.

Sources:

Stacy, Lil Wayne Birthday Album "I Am Not a Human Being" Online, Right Celebrity

Ed Christman, Lil Wayne's 'I Am Not a Human Being' Sets Worrisome Digital Trend, Billboard