Are the Days of Album Leaks Numbered?

Apparently, Jay Z and Kanye West's "Watch the Throne" album never leaked. Billboard.com has posted an article regarding how they prevented the leak:

Considering how anticipated this release was, I think it's amazing that it didn't leak. It seems that if an album like this can be locked up, any album can. So what do you think? Are album leaks going to be a thing of the past? Do you want them to be? Discuss.

 

The Watch The Throne leak prevention was pretty impressive. But I think that's a singular incident. I'm all for leaks!

 

I don't really care one way or the other. It's cool to hear an album I've been looking forward to early, but I don't get impatient when it doesn't happen.

 

I hope this is a sign of things to come. I can't get myself to wait for album releases anymore. If an album doesn't leak in the first place though, then we're good.

 

I think if they could kills leaks, go for it. But at the end of the day, people who don't want to pay for it can wait for the official release date to get it for free. It's cool in theory, in practice it'll do nothing.

 

I agree with what you're saying about people still not buying the album.

But I think at the very least an artist should have his/her album put out when they want it to be out.

 

Yeah, as far as the pirating issue goes, there's no stopping that no matter when the tracks are put up online, however, if leaks are prevented, it will help in building the suspense of the record longer and won't spoil the experience, but that's about all it will do.

 

How you know that, and why you calling me a dumb-ass? Kidding.

 

I think the days of albums leaking two months in advance are over, but leaks will probably never actually stop completely.

 

If you eliminate physical copies that'll drastically cut down on leaks.

 

I would be crushed if physical CD's stopped being produced, there is something nice about being able to hold it in one's hands. Although I suspect we are on that route.

 

Or at least not the main media source. Digital will take over in time and there will still be some sort of physical form as a secondary source. Whether CDs stay and, hipsters be damned, compete with vinyl or die along with the tape forms is yet to be see.

 

But leaks are good though.

Anyway i think this is a one off thing. It took to much effort for every artist to protect it that well.

 

I still don't understand how this album supposedly didn't leak when people were listening to it the night before it was released on iTunes. Even if it was released in another country where it was Monday first, and that's how everyone stateside got the leak, that's still a leak for the US listeners. It's still pretty impressive technology, regardless, but obviously only artists the caliber of Jay-Z and Kanye West can get ahold of this. I don't see a band like, GIRLS for instance, getting this kind of protection while they're on an indie label. Watch the Throne tour is going to gross millions and millions of dollars, while a little indie band like GIRLS will only get a couple of thousand, maybe.

What I'm saying is, Jay-Z and Kanye West don't need this. If ANYONE needs this, it's the people that are really effected by pirating, like the smaller labels and bands. Katy Perry's new album can leak, and it'll still sell a billion copies the first day. What does it matter? These "stars" are really showing their true colors as relics of the industry, when they refuse to just accept that's the age we live in and try to come up with other options to get buyers to, well, BUY. Not giving local, independent record store chains the chance to have the album until after Best Buy gets it either this week or the next is really fucking stupid, too.

It's sad when Metallica is more open to their album leaking and not really batting an eyelash when it happens than these guys. I love Kanye West to death, and Jay-Z is cool too, but goddamn are they out of touch with current trends.

 

The title of this thread is lololololololol. No they're not over.