Instagram Launches Music Channel

Instagram founder and chief executive Kevin Systrom announced the launch of a new account, @music, Wednesday morning, which will be “dedicated to exploring music around the globe, from those who create it to the community around it.”

A first for the image-based social networking site, Instagram will reportedly pull its resources to promote the internally operated account to showcase musicians and music fans within the Instagram community, as well as other lesser-known industry figures.

“Today we’re launching @music, a new account dedicated to exploring music around the globe, from those who create it to the community around it,” Systrom wrote. “Each week, we’ll take a look at the musical experience on Instagram. That means showing you a different side of artists you know and love.”

The account will reportedly feature everything from artists to album illustrators to instrument-makers, and also plans to introduce followers to new talent.

“For the past four years, we have become the home for artists big and small,” Systrom wrote, “a place where people across the musical spectrum come to share stories, reveal their creativity, and connect directly with fans.”

The page’s first featured artist Wednesday was Tonight Show bandleader Questlove.

“When it comes to music, Roots drummer and ‘Tonight Show’ bandleader Questlove (@questlove) is all about the highs and lows. Take DJing, for instance. Give the crowd too many hits and you’ll numb them into the ground; too many non-jams and you’ll drive them off the dance floor,” the post reads.

BuzzFeed reports Instagram has revealed that 25 percent of the site’s most popular accounts belong to musicians.

“We’re looking to break artists,” Instagram music editor Alex Suskind told the site. “One of the things we’re focusing on is emerging and unsigned talent who are using the platform to share their music and their stories in a unique way.”

“Music is a huge part of all of our lives here at Instagram,” Systrom finished. “It’s a passion of ours, and we know it’s a passion of yours. So follow along at @music –– we think you’ll discover something new.