Seedphrase on the Malleable Nature of Web3 Id
In the event you had gotten into crypto earlier, you’d in all probability be a millionaire by now. At the very least, that’s the widespread sentiment shared by those that missed the boat on the 2013 and/or 2017 Bitcoin booms. Hindsight is nearly all the time 20/20, however we can not change what has occurred up to now. Moderately, we will solely use our expertise to organize for and construct for our personal future.
That is exactly the angle of Daniel Maegaard, higher recognized within the NFT area because the influential collector and investor Seedphrase. Having made a small fortune by investing in Bitcoin and altcoins practically a decade in the past, he not has to take a position whether or not or not his investing objectives are attainable. His story has been advised, and he’s grow to be considerably of a mannequin of prosperity in Web3.
But, whereas the excessive life undoubtedly fits him, Maegaard has discovered himself figuring out with the traditional rags-to-riches narrative much less and fewer. So as a substitute of stepping to his cue as a poster little one for crypto-trading success, he’s now shifting in a course that appears considerably left-field for somebody of his distinctive stature. In 2023, he says he will likely be actively attempting to reshape his longstanding identification.
Seven Trait, Sensible Cash Danny, Seedphrase, no matter you could name him, Maegaard’s identification as a crypto savant is plain. Recognized all through the NFT area because the proprietor of CryptoPunk #8348, a.okay.a (arguably) the rarest of all CryptoPunks, his accolades as a collector, builder, and total proponent of blockchain tech are recognized to all who traverse the tokenized facet of Web3. However over the previous yr, a brand new side of Maegaard’s identification has been launched to the general public.
Seedphrase the DJ, which the NFT neighborhood (and, to a lesser extent, the digital music neighborhood) is bound to have witnessed behind the decks at quite a lot of reveals and festivals, has slowly grow to be synonymous with Web3 social gathering tradition. A personality that coincides with Maegaard’s influential Social gathering Degenerates NFT venture ecosystem, Seedphrase — a DJ who presents himself clad in a helmet that’s visually similar to Punk #8348 — has began to tackle a lifetime of his personal.
“When it began, it was solely meant to be this one-off factor. Seedphrase was simply going to indicate as much as a celebration and begin DJing,” Maegaard mentioned in an interview with nft now. “However after that first evening, and seeing the response from individuals and receiving simply such an extremely constructive response, I spotted that I might need one thing right here. That was sort of the start of Seedphrase, once I really realized, ‘Okay, I can take this someplace.’”
Having been featured in the New York Instances shortly after that first social gathering in November 2021, Maegaard leaned into the thought of turning Seedphrase into one thing palpable. However whereas the primary few appearances of the CryptoPunk DJ at worldwide reveals and festivals may’ve felt random, Seedphrase’s newest surge in recognition is something however. Now that Maegaard has entered talks with some main manufacturers and metaverse gamers, he’s taken time to push previous being labeled a “Web3 model of Marshmello,” and conceive a multifaceted existence for his burgeoning alter-ego.
NFT collector, CryptoPunk DJ, or one thing extra?
Over the following yr, Web3 will seemingly see quite a lot of Seedphrase. Collaborations with legacy style homes, a slew of dwell reveals, and ventures in artwork, gaming, and extra are however a number of of the pit stops on the proverbial roadmap for the rising DJ. For Maegaard, although, the growth of the Seedphrase model is the fruits of his work behind the scenes compartmentalizing his identities and solidifying what his new platform will stand for.
“Folks both know me as Daniel Maegaard or Seedphrase. I sort of wish to use this second for instance the distinction between the 2. They coexist, however there’s clearly a person behind the masks as nicely,” mentioned Maegaard. And though he went on to notice that separating the character from the person is simpler mentioned than performed, by some means, Maegaard nonetheless appears to be thriving inside this division.
Just lately, Seedphrase was reintroduced to the artwork world as a part of WME’s pop-up at nft now x Mana Frequent’s The Gateway in downtown Miami. There, he graced the DJ sales space, curated the vibe, and appeared alongside quite a lot of influential Web3 creators. However whereas partygoers might have witnessed the DJ break character, revealing a sharp-dressed Maegaard beneath, the 2 had been nonetheless perceived as completely totally different individuals.
On the one hand, Seedphrase, who was launched as a “manifestation of at present’s fringe tradition,” was on the job. He posed for images, hit a number of dance strikes, and voicelessly floated across the venue because the face of the evening. However on the opposite, a joyful Maegaard, the early-stage crypto investor and outstanding NFT collector, hugged his longtime buddies, exchanged pleasantries with the who’s who of NFTs, and carelessly sipped on craft cocktails.
Oddly sufficient, whereas Maegaard might have got down to create a significant model, he’s additionally now completely illustrating the malleable nature of digital identification, one thing that others like multidisciplinary artist Snuffy have additionally taken nice curiosity in. Whereas identification is a very tough idea to understand — very true in a realm like Web3 and the NFT area the place nameless and pseudonymous people usually reign — Maegaard success in sustaining his sense of self whereas giving life to his on-line persona might present an archetype for others endeavoring to do the identical.
It’s vital to notice, although, that Maegaard’s need to capitalize on his Seedphrase identification didn’t come frivolously. Based on the influential collector, whereas that aforementioned preliminary social gathering helped kick off the DJ’s identification, his longstanding ethos and excessive hopes for the way forward for Web3 had been the true catalysts behind the Seedphrase model.
“On the finish of the day, Seedphrase is supposed to embody this sacred mentality of what every of us holds expensive on this rising tech area. And to serve this kind of cutting-edge voice that feeds the neighborhood with data, expertise, and knowledge,” mentioned Maegaard. “Your seed phrase, like your precise pockets seed phrase, is a gateway, a key to what you maintain expensive. That’s what I’m attempting to create now with the Seedphrase model itself. An individual you can look to as a guiding gentle in the neighborhood.”
