NMKR API integration and NFT encryption

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Integrating the NMKR api to easily create music NFTs directly in the NEWM studio and a automized backend to push these directly to the Recordstore.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

We have to work closely with NMKR & the NEWM team to make that happen.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The used API from NMKR can not be open source. Still as always in our partnership between NMKR, NEWM & Sick City we try to open-source as much as possible.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

In addressing the need (we realized by onboarding musicians to the Recordstore) for an automated process to create music collectibles directly within the NEWM studio, we recognize several key issues within the music industry that our solution aims to solve.

Firstly, there is a growing demand for music NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) as a means for artists to monetize their work and engage with fans in innovative ways. However, many artists face challenges in navigating the complex process of creating and managing NFTs, particularly when it comes to music, which requires specialized handling to ensure proper attribution, and authenticity. Which was done manually by Sick City for the Recordstore.

Our approach to this problem involves leveraging the capabilities of the NEWM studio to provide artists with a seamless and automated solution for creating music collectibles as NFTs. By integrating NMKRs API directly into the studio platform, NEWM will streamline the process of minting NFTs from music files, eliminating the need for artists to rely on Sick City - it is a scalability solution for the RecordStore.

Additionally the new NEWMstudio backend will publish all the music collectibles NFTs automatically at the RecordStore to minimize manual handling by Sick City and remove the bottleneck for scalability.

To demonstrate our impact, we will track key metrics such as the number of music collectibles created (onchain data), the revenue generated for artists through NFT sales, and the level of engagement from fans and collectors.

What sets our solution apart is its integration within the NEWM ecosystem, providing artists with a comprehensive platform for creating, distributing, and monetizing their music content. This unique approach not only simplifies the process for artists but also fosters a more direct and transparent relationship between creators and fans, ultimately driving innovation and growth within the Cardano ecosystem by building out the NEWM ecosystem.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

The success of our project will bring significant value to the Cardano community in several ways:

Innovation in the Music Industry: By introducing an automated process for creating music collectibles as NFTs within the NEWM ecosystem, we contribute to the innovation and evolution of the music industry. This not only empowers artists to explore new revenue streams and engage with their fans in innovative ways but also positions Cardano as a leader in leveraging blockchain technology for creative industries.

To measure the impact of our project on the Cardano community, we will track key metrics related to adoption, engagement, and economic activity:

• Adoption: We will monitor the number of artists and labels utilizing the NEWM studio to create music collectibles as NFTs, as well as the volume of NFTs minted and sold within the ecosystem.
• Engagement: We will assess the level of engagement from artists, collectors, and fans through metrics such as social media interactions, platform usage, and attendance at related events and workshops.
• Economic Activity: We will track the revenue generated for artists through NFT sales.

To share the outputs and opportunities resulting from our project, we will employ various communication channels and engagement strategies:

• Regular Updates: We will provide regular updates and progress reports on our project through social media, newsletters, and community forums, keeping the Cardano community informed about our achievements and milestones.

Overall, the success of our project will not only bring tangible benefits to artists and stakeholders within the music industry but also contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the Cardano community as a whole.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

The Sick City, NMKR, and NEWM teams have a proven track record of successfully delivering projects, demonstrating our capability to execute with high levels of trust and accountability. Our collective experience spans multiple industries and includes the successful implementation of initiatives ranging from community events to digital innovation projects. Here are some key aspects of our existing capabilities that demonstrate why we are best suited to deliver this project:

1. Track Record of Success: Our teams have a history of delivering projects on time and within budget, showcasing our ability to effectively plan, execute, and manage initiatives from conception to completion. This includes events organized by Sick City, digital projects undertaken by NMKR, and community engagement initiatives facilitated by NEWM.
2. Expertise in Relevant Domains: Each team brings unique expertise to the table, with Sick City specializing in community engagement by successfully onboarding new artists to the Recordstore, NMKR focusing on technology solutions, and NEWM offering expertise in music industry dynamics and blockchain integration. This diverse skill set ensures that we can effectively address the multifaceted challenges of the project.

Commitment to Transparency and Accountability: We are committed to operating with transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Draft Functional and Technical Requirements Document (One Month)

A: Milestone Outputs: Documentation (Google Doc, PDF) outlining functional (UI/UX) and technical (backend/server) requirements to meet overall API integration requirements, that should be used as guidance in next phase of UI design and creation of formal Product Requirements Document

B: Acceptance Criteria: Documentation is created and approved by the project owners

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion: Documentation shared with the community in form of a Report.

Milestone 2:  UI Design and Formal Product Requirements Document (One Month)

A: Milestone Outputs: Figma (or similar) UI wireframes and comprehensive designs and Product Requirements Document finalizing requirements, both of which can be leveraged by Product and Development teams when creating development tickets and as a reference for Quality team members when reviewing the to-be-developed feature

B: Acceptance Criteria: Designs and PRD are created and leverageable by Product, Development, and Quality teams for the next phase (development)

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion: PRD shared with the community in form of a reduced public version if needed as an PDF.

Milestone 3: Product/API Development (Seven Months)

A: Milestone Outputs: Feature code deployed to TestNet environment

B: Acceptance Criteria: Codebase and feature deployable to TestNet environment, developed to design and specification

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion: Codebase accessible via Github

Milestone 4: Testing and Critical Bug Fixes (Two Months)

A: Milestone Outputs: Quality and testing report and formal release notes

B: Acceptance Criteria: Code is tested and meets all requirements outlined in PRD and UI designs, and all critical bugs have been resolved

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion: Codebase accessible via Github

Milestone 5: Production Launch (Two Weeks)

A: Milestone Outputs: Feature available for the users of NEWM in the NEWMstudio

B: Acceptance Criteria: Codebase is deployed to MainNet environment and available for general use

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion: Video of the live feature of the NEWMstudio

Final Milestone: Project Close-out Report and Video (Two Weeks)

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

1. SickCity (Project Lead)

• Role: Project Management, 
• Responsibilities: Overseeing the overall project execution, coordinating team efforts, and managing event logistics.

1. NMKR

• Role: Integration Specialists
• Responsibilities: Providing expertise in integrating blockchain technology into the NEWM platform, ensuring seamless functionality for creating music collectibles as NFTs.

1. NEWM

• Role: Platform Development
• Responsibilities: Developing and enhancing the NEWM studio platform to support the automated creation of music collectibles as NFTs, including user interface design and backend development.

Here are the LinkedIn profiles for each team:

• SickCity 
• NMKR
• NEWM

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Budget breakdown for the integration project with a budget of 280,000 ADA:

1. Technical Development: 175,000 ADA

• This allocation covers the costs associated with the technical development required for integrating blockchain technology into the NEWM platform. It includes expenses such as software development, testing, and deployment.

1. Platform Enhancement: 80,000 ADA

• This portion of the budget is designated for enhancing the NEWM platform to support the automated creation of music collectibles as NFTs. It includes user interface design improvements, backend infrastructure upgrades, and implementation of new features.

1. Project management Fees: 14,000 ADA

• Project management fees to oversee the integration project, including coordination, communication, and ensuring project milestones are met on time and within budget.

1. Contingency Fund: 11,000 ADA

• Reserved for unforeseen expenses or additional requirements that may arise during the integration process. This ensures flexibility and allows for adjustments to the project scope if needed.

Total Budget: 280,000 ADA

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The costs associated with the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by investing in the integration of blockchain technology into the NEWM platform, which will unlock new opportunities for artists and creators to leverage NFTs and blockchain technology. 

This will allow to automatically onboard more artists from other blockchains to the Cardano ecosystem.