When Assumptions Lead to Failures

Sep 4, 2020 · 4 min read

The Rise and Fall of Rhapsody, the Revolutionary Streaming Service You Probably Never Heard About

Photo of the Rhapsody Streaming Service interface circa 2001 — Rhapsody’s original interface in 2001

Background

The year is 2001, and the music consumption ecosystem was rapidly (and radically) changing. Apple had just launched iTunes, and by December of that year (2 months after the revolutionary iPod was released), Rhapsody was born.