Grimes, Who Once Banked $5.8 Million in 20 Minutes By Selling Crypto Art, Says She's Made More From NFTs Than From Her Entire Music Career She recently offered to split 50% of royalties with anyone who made a song featuring her AI vocals.

By Palmer Haasch

Key Takeaways

  • Grimes says she has made more money selling NFTs than she has through her entire music career.
  • The Canadian musician made more than $5.8 million in less than 20 minutes from selling NFTs in 2021.
Getty Images via Business Insider
Grimes

This article originally appeared on Business Insider.

Grimes says her earnings from selling NFTs outpace what she's earned over the course of her music career.

The artist, whose given name is Claire Boucher, reflected on her venture into crypto and non-fungible tokens in a wide-ranging interview with Wired's Steven Levy.

She launched "WarNymph," a collection of 10 NFTs made in collaboration with her brother, Mac Boucher, in 2021. The NFTs brought in more than $5.8 million in less than 20 minutes.

"That was on my brother," Grimes said of the money she earned selling NFTs. "He had a real vision, and we wound up doing one of the first big ones. It did actually change my life."

When asked whether she had made more money selling NFTs than her music career, Grimes said, "Yeah."

Grimes holding up a book while wearing a science-fiction-inspired costume with a metal mask.

Grimes at the 2021 Met Gala in New York. Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Grimes, who shares two children with Elon Musk, has been releasing music since 2010 and dropped out of school in 2011. She released her breakout album, "Visions," in 2012 and the critically acclaimed album "Art Angels" in 2015.

The musician recently released AI-voice software that allows creators to create vocals using her voice and offered to split 50% of royalties with users who made a song with the software.

"Two, in particular, were very, very good," Grimes told Wired of user-generated tracks featuring her voice. "They're so in line with what my new album might be like that it was sort of disturbing. It's like, 'Who am I, and what am I here for?' On the other hand, it's like, 'Oh, sick, I might get to live forever.'"

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

'I Love Doing Product Reviews': Bill Gates Stepped Down from Microsoft in 2020, But Admits He Still Spends 15% of His Time Working at the Company

In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal, Gates also said he is still close with Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella.

Business News

Uber's CEO Says Drivers Have About 10 Years Left Before They Will Be Replaced

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says the jobs of human drivers are safe for the next decade, but after that, another type of driver will take over.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

'Everyone Can Profit From It': What Is DeepSeek? China's 'Cheap' to Make AI Chatbot Climbs to the Top of Apple, Google U.S. App Stores

DeepSeek researchers claim it was developed for less than $6 million, a contrast to the $100 million it takes U.S. tech startups to create AI.

Branding

How to Build a Strong Brand Identity for Your Early-Stage Startup

Branding might not be your first priority, but neglecting it can hurt your startup. A strong brand identity early on sets the stage for marketing success.

Business News

Elon Musk's DOGE Is Hiring People Eager to 'Work Long Hours' to Eliminate 'Waste, Fraud and Abuse' in the Government. Here's How to Apply.

The Department of Government Efficiency is hiring U.S. citizens to help cut spending and headcounts in the federal government.