Popular media isn't just music; it is the audio from media. Many directories contain MP3 rips of 80s FM radio commercials, 90s infomercial jingles, and cable access bumpers. For vaporwave and plunderphonics artists, these directories are gold mines of "found sound."
Before game soundtracks became cinematic orchestral suites, they were chiptunes and MIDI files. You will find massive directories labeled "Nintendo_MP3s" or "PSX_OSTs" containing every sound effect and background track from Final Fantasy VII, GoldenEye 007, or Sonic Adventure—files that are legally difficult to buy today.
You might ask: Why bother? I have Spotify.
Because streaming is a rental, not ownership. And streaming is algorithmic, not historical.
Services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal allow offline listening without downloading individual MP3 files. You gain safety and legality, but you don't own the files.