Hype Machine is a popular tool for discovering music from music blogs in a way that is more efficient than going to a bunch of crappy mp3 blogs. It has 'come to prominence' in the indiesphere for being a launching point for downloading/stealing free mp3s. The genius of the site is not the interface/design/functionality, but the fact that much of the 'legal liability' falls on the bloggers for hosting borderline-illegal mp3s. It seems like it has 'been acquired' by a massive media company since they want to make blog dollars off it, since it probably gets more pageviews than most big music blogs.

BREAKING UPDATE:
PREVIOUS STORY IS 'COMPLETELY ERRONEOUS'. THE HYPE MACCHY HAS ENTERED INTO A LUCRATIVE EXCLUSIVE AD SALES CONTRACT WITH BUZZMEDIAS.

Digging a bit deeper, it looks like the acquisition of The Hype Machine for one had been rumored for a while, based on the mentioning of BUZZMEDIA in the site’s footer. But the site’s founder, Anthony Volodkin, responded to blog posts spreading that rumor in comments, saying they needed to be corrected because BUZZMEDIA does not in any way own but merely sells advertising on The Hype Machine.

BuzzMedia has added today 6 major music blogs. PureVolume, PopMatters, Gorilla vs. Bear, The Hype Machine, Concrete Loop and RCRD LBL join Stereogum, Buzznet, Idolator and Absolute Punk in the web entertainment publisher's music portfolio.

Is HypeMacchy even a blogspot?
Do u think Hype Machine will 'change'?
Will they be forced to 'give up their editorial control' of their blog?
Do u think Hype Machine should be allowed 2 sell ads?
Does Hype Machine make more of their revenue by selling ads or by charging PR agencies to let specific bands go to #1 on their charts?
Will Hype Machine become a 'mainstream corporate major label peddling website', or will they stay closer to their roots as 'a place that hosts a shit storm of SEOed remixes + indie band of the month mp3s'?
Will the hypemachine be relevant in 10 years, or will something like Napster/Pandora/Pitchfork blog aggregator replace it?

How do u feel about this 'recent wave' of blog acquisitions? Do u think u might start a music bloggyspot?
One day will u be rich and famous for starting a blog / alt web tool?
Do blogs make more money than indie bands?