Interview with DJ Bufalo, the 1st French artist to make a living from his performances in the metaverse

From DJ school to parties in the metaverse

Class valedictorian of the UCPA DJ School in Lyon in 2012, Bufalo began his career touring throughout France and a series of resident DJ jobs in various clubs.

It’s only 5 years later, in 2017, that he began to take an interest in cryptocurrency, before diving into the world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens).

Before launching his first NFTs, Bufalo began by following the various projects and collections that were emerging at the time, in order to understand their relevance to his DJ activity.

Eventually, he took the plunge, releasing tracks in NFT form.which he offered in 5 or 10 copies sold to his community on the OpenSea platform. But where his life changed was when he took his first steps into the Decentraland metaverse in 2021.

💡What is the metaverse? Understand everything about these virtual worlds

What was the context of your first DJ set in the metaverse?

« In December 2021, I contacted Radio FG in Paris to suggest we do what we called the Metaverse Tour. We organized a series of 6 dates in Decentraland, spread over just over 2 months. The idea was to imitate radio stations that follow artists over several dates, or when they tour the beaches in the summer, by sponsoring events in different spots. Each DJ set that took place in Decentraland was broadcast live on the radio and in video on Radio FG’s social networks. Since February 2022, and the end of this tour, I haven’t stopped playing in the metaverse. »

The Rocking Uniquehorns Presents: Bufalo – The Metaverse Tour, Powered by Radio FG | Live Performance starts in 5 minutes pic.twitter.com/sSmWUIaiVV

– Decentraland Events (@DCL_Events) December 14, 2021

How did you become aware of the potential of the metaverse for your DJ business?

« I realized that it could be a turning point for my career when I started working for big brands. I’ve been involved in activating several big entities, such as 20 Minutes, which made its debut in Decentraland last year and booked me to mix at the event. I’ve also performed in the metaverse for navigator Brave, potato chip brand Doritos, etc. »

Today, you only perform in the metaverse?

« Three quarters of my activity takes place in the metaverse. I’m lucky enough today to be one of the few artists able to tour thanks to Web3. Outside the metaverse, my other playground is conferences linked to the world of NFT and blockchain. These days, I do far fewer club and festival nights, although I’d like to do more. But I’m really focused on an audience that’s into Web3, so I concentrate on that. »

Do you know any other pioneering metaverse DJs?

« Of course, I know several, especially in Decentraland. There are a lot of names that come to mind that are getting a lot of buzz in this ecosystem. Three quarters of them come from the United States, but there are also a few European artists. I’m thinking in particular of a Greek friend of mine, a DJ called Steve Saiko. I also have an American buddy called Stoney Eye, a guitarist who can play 7 different instruments. The metaverse is an incredible space for expression, with virtual places that focus solely on the artistic dimension, and give all artists the chance to express themselves. »

Can you tell me about the day-to-day life of a Web3 DJ? Is it different from that of a classic DJ?

« Definitely! First of all, there are fewer trains and planes. On the other hand, there’s still just as much work. Of course, I do more digital and communication work. I spend a lot more time behind a computer, because I address an online community. To keep in touch with them, I keep a Discord and a Twitter account which I update constantly. »

Party in @decentraland on Tuesday, September 20th for Buckwild on The Vinyls w/ @bufalomusic (-100, 129)! 🏜

Join this live set with Bufalo for a Futuristic Western biweekly meta party with the @DGLiveEvents community! 🃏🎶

04PM EST // 08PM UTC pic.twitter.com/8lSjestGmW

– Decentraland NOW (@DecentralandNOW) September 20, 2022

Is it easy for a DJ to make the transition from real-world performances to those in the metaverse? Or on the contrary, does it require a minimum of technical knowledge, budget, etc.?

« It requires a bit of a budget, inevitably, because you need a minimum of equipment to perform in the metaverse. But in the end, it’s still reasonable. To be able to mix, you need a high-performance laptop, which can be found for around 800 euros, as well as a sound card. This is equipment that artists generally already own. Then, for the streaming part, you need OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), a camera and a microphone to interact with the live audience. And if you’re really looking for more comfort, you’ll need a 2nd computer on which you can connect to the event with your avatar, because connecting to a metaverse like Decentraland requires a lot of resources.

👉 On the same theme, check out our long-form interview with DJ Agoria.

Virtual party, physical party, same fight?

Partying in the metaverse remains a niche activitypracticed by a few thousand pioneers. It has to be said that, at first glance, the experience appears quite different from a club night.. Dancing alone in your living room, staring at a computer screen, chatting with pixelated avatars, has little in common with the oozing, intoxicating, galvanizing atmosphere of a dancefloor saturated with decibels, hypnotic visual effects and euphoric clubbers.

Don’t imagine that the party in the metaverse will one day replace club nights and festival trips. It offers a new way of partying, more inclusive, more accessible, more democratic in short.. It’s also a way of experimenting with new sensations, bringing fans closer to their favorite DJs, and federating communities around artistic projects.

From his first steps in Decentraland, Bufalo was immediately seduced by this new universe, this virgin territory offered to him as an artist.. He has succeeded in federating a real community around his universe of electronic music and western influences.

Today, as a veteran DJ on the Web3 scene, he is at the forefront of developing the artistic potential of the metaverse. and establishing it as a key venue in the nightlife world.

💡What is Web3, this decentralized version of the Internet?

Can we really party in the metaverse?

« When I started exploring Decentraland, I came across a club called MetaZoo, which holds parties in a Greek temple. When I saw the energy generated by this event, it made me want to go back. The energy feedback, the crowd reactions that a DJ can get in a club, all that exists in the metaverse too. It’s just the tool, the way of doing things that changes. If I play a sound that really gets people going, they’ll express their emotions through emojis, dance movements or gestures. And when you’ve got several hundred avatars reacting at the same time because they’ve just had this sort of bang in the belly and they love what’s going on, it’s exactly the same sensation as the 500 people who respond to you or raise their hands in the air at a club. The satisfaction I get when I finish my set and stop streaming, it’s comparable to that of a physical performance. »

Does it really take your guts as much as a vibrating, oozing, noisy venue?

« The feeling is a little different, because the return is more virtual. You’ll get lots of mentions on Twitter, for example, and people will post photos, videos and memories on your Discord. You’re going to get new followers on social networks. These are the kinds of things that will give you a similar feeling. After that, in terms of satisfaction as a DJ, a set in front of a camera broadcast in the metaverse isn’t the same as getting up on stage in front of 2,000 people. Obviously, it’s not the same context, it’s not comparable. And yet, there’s the same intensity of energy, the same kind of satisfaction, the same wow effect. »

Our #VIPEHeroes love a good party, check this one on @hyperfy_io ⚡

Thanks to @DCLBabyDolls @Defector_Dan @tangpoko @DollhouseDCL for inviting us to collaborate in the WAGMI show. We had so much fun! 🤙🎏🎇

🎛🎶 @bufalomusic Divine Adornment pic.twitter.com/sEuDi4xpgY

– VIPE (@vipeio) June 15, 2023

And then from the public’s point of view, it doesn’t cost much to come to a party on Decentraland to feel the atmosphere. It’s less restrictive than going to a club, waiting in line, possibly being turned away… Do you know how many clubs there are in Decentraland?

« Today, I’d say there are between 15 and 20, maybe a little more. But there are also a lot of one-off events, festivals, ephemeral clubs created for a given period. There are also clubs that combine partying with mechanisms borrowed from gaming. While the DJ sets the dancefloor alight, you have access to little games that let you win wearables, passes and virtual goodies. This could be a mega-rare PoP (Proof of Presence) NFT, for example, which you can resell at a high price because it belongs to a very famous artist. Even if there are other interesting metaverses, Decentraland remains the biggest platform today, with many major events taking place there. »

At the end of 2022, you opened your own concert hall in Decentraland. What’s in it for you?

« It’s a saloon created on a Land made available by a friend to organize concerts, events… The advantage is that in terms of event formats, it allows me to offer much more diversified things. When you’re an artist, you play your music and that’s already very good. When you’ve got your own club in the metaverse, it opens up other perspectives, not as an artist, but as a builder. It responds to my desire to attract new audiences, to offer something other than electronic music sets. One day I’ll have DJs mixing live in my saloon from Ibiza, former Pacha residents for example, and another day I’ll be offering line-dancing classes, with a teacher teaching country dance moves to the people in attendance. It’s up to the audience to play along, but most of them get downright dressed up, learning the basics of country dancing in the metaverse. Naturally, because we’re in the cowboy mood, we came up with an activity linked to my world. We weren’t going to offer breakdancing classes.

Enjoying a bellydancing lesson by the lovely @isamazing_isa at the @bufalomusic saloon with the dcl fam! Jump in if you can and shimmy with us! ^_^ pic.twitter.com/esFjXy9iKU

– NFTBubblegum.eth (@nftbubblegum) June 17, 2023

Do you have any other events planned in your saloon?

« Of course I do! I’m producing an event called Wild Wild Europa with a friend of mine called Ken Carter. He’s the president of the European Rodeo Federation, and he goes around to ranches all over the place to do different things like look after the cattle, prepare the rodeos and so on. We’ve come up with a super-fun format, evenings where he can show off the good side of his business, such as how cowboys take care of the animals, while partying to big country sounds. It’s a moment that we freeze and make available to the public. And the public is free to take it or not. But for the moment, we rarely, if ever, fall flat. There are always people who are receptive to what I have to offer.

We’ve talked a lot about the advantages of mixing and organizing events in the metaverse. Do you see any drawbacks?

« Honestly, I don’t see many… Even though my life is very focused on it at the moment, it doesn’t stop me from going out, having social activities, being totally at ease with it all. Ultimately, if I had to find a drawback, it would be more a general comment on Web3. I think there are still too many people who don’t make the effort to create, to be authentic, and who rely on the work of others to try and shine. We’ve seen this in particular with all the NFT collections derived from successful collections. It’s a shame, but it’s linked to the speculative aspect of the ecosystem. Personally, I have no reason to complain, because I’m doing what I love in a format that’s brand new. I’m lucky enough to be one of the first to express myself in this way, to imagine new things that give people pleasure. For me, the negative aspects of Web3 weigh very little in the balance compared to all the positive things it brings. »

A dream came to life today, partners. Every cowboy of @decentraland got now a brand new home.

Ladies & Gents, Y’all are invited to the Bufalo Saloon Grand Opening, Oct 8th – 8 PM UTC.
+ Special emote release!

Built by @michi_todd x @Clammyeth , made possible by @ArtReYou1 🏠🤠 pic.twitter.com/8ShdTROigC

– Bufalo / bufalomusic.eth (@bufalomusic) October 4, 2022

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NFT and artist remuneration in Web3

If the metaverse appears to be an Eldorado for all artists in search of innovation, curious about experimenting with new means of creative expression and seeking to appeal to new audiences, the question of remuneration inevitably arises. But then again, the pioneers of this fledgling movement had no shortage of ingenuity when it came to finding sources of income..

Bufalo began selling musical NFTs through OpenSeabefore launching wearables in collaboration with designers present on Decentraland, and even emotes (animations for player avatars) such as country dancing. Lately, however, he’s been working on a more personal project, unveiling his own collection of NFTs, dubbed BOTV Skull. These NFTs serve as a gateway to his « Futuristic Western » universe.

He talked to us about this project, and also about the issues involved in remunerating artists performing in the metaverse.

All concerts in the metaverse are currently free of charge. How are the artists who perform there paid?

« It’s true that apart from a few private events that will close the space to those who don’t hold the evening’s NFT in their wallet, all events are free to the public. On the other hand, there are brand activations that allow artists to earn money. One example is the Doritos potato chip event I was lucky enough to play for last January. It’s a win-win situation, because it allows us to get the word out about the space created by the brand in Decentraland. And I get to perform in a show lasting an hour or two, with other artists, for a fee. But it’s still free for the public.

And when you play in a virtual club outside this type of event, you don’t get paid?

« It depends on the employer. In general, we follow a basic principle: if the event doesn’t generate income, if it doesn’t stem from a company’s initiative, it’s generally not paid and we accept it. You can’t compare an event organized by a brand like Doritos with a party organized by Gérard on his Land to celebrate his cousin’s christening. The two are completely different and should be treated differently.

Do you see an evolution in terms of remuneration for artists performing in the metaverse?

« Clearly. The metaverse is becoming professionalized, to the point where artists are starting to get paid more and more for their performances. Personally, I’m lucky enough to almost always get paid. I’m in great demand, so I can only concentrate on the big events, but that’s not the case for everyone. It depends on each artist’s background. I think it’s important in the beginning to show what you’re worth, to respect a realistic growth curve. It’s a bit like real life in fact. The first time I played in a club, I didn’t get paid, but I was just happy to be able to put my fingers on a turntable without getting kicked out by the bouncer. If you show yourself to be professional, people will end up respecting you and paying you. The metaverse isn’t that different from real life: it’s a system developed by humans, for humans. »

Do you think the metaverse will create new jobs in your industry in the short term?

« I’m sure it will. We already know that in a few months, a few years, there will be photographers who will be paid to capture the best moments of parties in the metaverse. We’ll also have light jockeys, people who work with light as they do in physical clubs, as well as video jockeys who’ll take care of visual effects. Eventually, I think all the players in the world of nightlife and music will be present on this new medium that’s opening up to them. »

One of the new revenue streams offered by Web3 is NFT. Can you tell us more about the collection you’ve just launched?

« It’s called BOTV Skulls, in reference to « Buckwild On The Vinyl », a sound that’s present in all my tracks and virtually all my remixes. The collection includes 1,000 NFT buffalo skulls, which are variations of my logo created with artist Pierre Porcherot. You have 7 different strokes: 6 visual strokes and 1 musical stroke. For this, I composed 10 different Futuristic Western sounds ranging from house to dubstep, mid-tempo, etc., with a rarity system that depends on the complexity of the sounds. »

Happy with the result, so innovative is the project: the NFT « BOTV Skulls » collection for @bufalomusicDJ #1 in @decentralandis online (https://t.co/QtTvPdEtlC) ! With a reward system based on the time the token is held, which will be activated this evening. pic.twitter.com/QX0y0J7Wa3

– Anthony Gourraud (@AnthonyGourraud) March 30, 2023

How useful are they?

« To put it simply, this NFT is going to serve as an entry key to the entire Futuristic Western universe I’ve created, which has been up and running since the end of March 2023. By owning one or more Skull BOTV(s), you’ll have several advantages. The first, and most important, is the BUFA token. This is a crypto that has no financial value other than on our platform. Bufalo Music. It’s a token distributed every day and given to you according to the rarity of your BOTV Skull. From the moment you reach 200 units, you can claim them. The rarer your skull, the more BUFA tokens you receive. And that’s not all. In addition to the two NFT music tracks with commercial rights that we give away every month, every two months we offer a wearable for Decentraland that can be claimed with these BUFA tokens, but also a music tutorial, visual art collaborations, IRL and backstage access for my physical shows, VIP access in the Bufalo Saloon on Decentraland. And anyone who accesses this VIP area during one of my events will earn double the rewards compared to other people who attend the show. »

How far along are you with this project?

« I’m putting it all together slowly, taking my time. to do things right. As for the benefits offered to BOTV Skulls holders, we’re aiming for the end of 2023. At the same time, we’d like to make available to our holders a phygital experience mixing a Decentraland wearable with a real, actual garment that will be customizable. »

Today is the release of our 5th Music NFT with commercial rights, « Two Shots »!
Song will go live at 7 PM UTC on . 500 $BUFA
50 Copies
Artwork by @porcherot ☄️

« Two Shots » is the song we created for the music tutorial, also available on the platform! pic.twitter.com/4TvMOR3Oyc

– Bufalo / bufalomusic.eth (@bufalomusic) June 15, 2023

Do you have anything to add to conclude this interview?

« Frankly no, except that the mint is still running on my site for BOTV Skulls. NFTs cost 0.05 WETH and it’s on Polygon (MATIC), so there’s virtually no charge. What’s more, anyone who mints a BOTV Skull until it sells out gets 3 free Decentraland wearables directly in their wallet: a cowboy hat, a trenchcoat and a crystal Bufalo skull. There are 1,000 copies of each item ready to send, created especially for this. »

👉 How do Web3 and NFTs enrich the live music experience?