1) Don't make it autoplay - "Press play to get started" is much, much, much better

2) Ask me for artists I like and make recommendations

3) Ask me for friends that are also on hiphopgoblin and let me see (and play!) their likes/dislikes

4) Make the player pop out and keep the music playing when I open top 50 somehow (new window?)

5) Can I get some visual feedback when I thumbs up something?

Absolutely love the low barrier to entry!

1) Autoplay in my dictionary is fine, it saves me time to figure out what to do next. 2) and 3) +1 4) -1

Question: are you planning to monetize it? if so, how? what about copyright?

http://www.hiphopgoblin.com/top.php

1) Add an in-browser audio control

I had to mess around with my equalizers to get it to sound right (bass static problem), and I'm sure we all have memories of scrambling to lower volume when controls aren't nearby.

#3 - Wow, that's advanced! Way down the road, but I'll keep it in mind for the pipeline. #4 - As per your suggestion, target="_blank". Good idea. Thanks. #5 - Right now the thumbs up becomes bolded, but if other people are also having the issue, I'll see if I can change it to something a little more obvious.

Thank you so much for your support!

(I like the site a lot, and hope it lasts.)

EDIT: Long-term though, it will be tough to avoid scrutiny/prosecution while building a profitable business. Follow the grooveshark model and pass the liability onto the users?

BTW, grooveshark's model was not to pass liability onto the users. It charges premium subscriptions, and sells ads, and uses that money to pay the web-music license to the music licensing corporation.

Monetization is possible, using Amazon affiliate links. Just be aware that if you don't seek permission, you're liable for every penny you earn (regardless of costs), plus the above mentioned statutory damages.

EDIT: note that for songs distributed by a major label, the artist may not own the copyright, so you may have your work cut out for you. The easiest way to avoid the hassle of getting individual permission for each song is to sign a licensing agreement with the music licensing corporation. The most expensive way to go would be to do nothing at all, since the record labels will go after you if they think there's any money to be got.

Is it best voted of all listeners, or does it remember my preferences? It implies the latter, but wasn't sure.

Suggestion: find a way to detect excessive auto-tune use and auto downvote those songs :)

Right now it works with your preferences, and tries to match you with songs voted up by people with similar preferences.

As for credit, yep, I keep track of everything and want to make sure the UI shines. But I'm working on an "advanced" version of the site, with more info.

Don't force choices on users by playing audio for them - and if someone doesn't know how to push "play" then they don't deserve to hear music.

Nice work.

Big question for you - how you gonna monetise this? Not digging for trade secrets of course :)

Obvious way to monetize; link to Amazon or any other affiliate music store for every track (and show a cover ;))

Do you know which affiliate programs offer the best conversion rates, and which make it easiest to sign up?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slope_One