Universal Music Group has agreed a deal to license its catalog to Boomplay, the streaming and download service which covers multiple markets in Africa.
UMG becomes the first major music company to license the service, which is the most popular streaming service in the region.
Boomplay, which launched in 2015, is jointly owned by two large-scale Chinese companies, as part of their Transsnet Music Limited JV: Transsion Holdings – a Chinese manufacturer that is currently the number one smartphone company by sales in Africa according to IDC – and NetEase, Inc., a leading internet technology company from China.
The platform currently boasts more than two million songs and thousands of music videos on its service.
Boomplay is used by more than 36 million users, with nearly two million new users added each month.
“We’re looking forward to working with Boomplay as we provide our African artists a range of creative, marketing and promotional resources to accelerate their careers within this vibrant and growing music market.”
Those users will now have access to UMG’s extensive catalog of both local and global recording artists including Eminem, Tekno, Post Malone, Nicki Minaj, Lady Zamar, Lil Wayne, Bob Marley, Brenda Fassie, Wurld, J.Cole, Dr. Tumi, Nasty C, 6lack, Diana Ross, Hugh Masekela, Jon Bellion, Larry Gaaga, Tamia, Maroon 5, Aka & Anatii, TJAN, Jah Prayzah, Nonso Bassey, Mafikizolo, Cina Soul, Ella Mai,and Mr. Eazi.
Earlier this year, UMG announced the launch of Universal Music Nigeria, a new division within Western Africa, to boost the prospects of international artists in the region, as well as to discover and develop local talent.
“Boomplay is determined to continue meeting the music passion point of Africans in a legitimate way.”
Joe He, Boomplay
Universal Music Group, Executive Vice-President, Market Development Adam Granite said, “We’re looking forward to working with Boomplay as we provide our African artists a range of creative, marketing and promotional resources to accelerate their careers within this vibrant and growing music market. This agreement will help UMG artists to reach new audiences, whilst boosting the African streaming experience to benefit both music fans, artists and songwriters.”
“This partnership extends our reach and makes our artists’ music accessible to millions of African music lovers,” said Ezegozie Eze Jr., General Manager, Universal Music Nigeria, “We are delighted to be the first global music company to partner with Boomplay and look forward to bringing the extraordinary creativity of our artists to as many Africans users as possible.”
“We are delighted to be the first global music company to partner with Boomplay and look forward to bringing the extraordinary creativity of our artists to as many Africans users as possible.”
Ezegozie Eze Jr, UMG
Boomplay CEO, Joe He, said: “Boomplay is determined to continue meeting the music passion point of Africans in a legitimate way, especially Boomplay users, and teaming up with a major music company in the global music industry like Universal Music Group, offers yet another significant opportunity for us to do so.”
The Boomplay App, which is currently only available for Android users, is scheduled for release via iOS in the coming weeks. In addition, new Boomplay users will be able to obtain a free one-month subscription when they opt in for a monthly auto-renewable subscription plan.
Boomplay’s streaming and download platform is available in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.
As a continent Africa has the youngest median age in the world, with 60% of its population under 25 years old, according to UN World population data.
According to GSMA Mobile economy report data – there are currently 444 million mobile phone subscriptions and 747 million sim card users within sub-Saharan Africa, with Smartphone usage expected to reach 690 million by 2025.Music Business Worldwide
