AFRICA (CelebrityAccess) – Universal Music Group (UMG) has today (Nov. 5) announced that it has signed a landmark licensing agreement with Africa’s leading music streaming and download service, Boomplay.
UMG is the first major music company to license its catalogue to Boomplay, which currently provides more than two million songs and thousands of music videos to more than 36m users.
The platform is so popular in the region it is seeing nearly two million new users added each month.
Under the terms of the new multi-year agreement, those users will now have access to UMG’s catalogue 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.
Commenting on the deal, UMG’s EVP, 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.”
Boomplay’s CEO Joe He, added: “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.”
Earlier this year, UMG also announced the launch of Universal Music Nigeria, a new division within Western Africa, aimed at increasing the reach of international artists within the region, and at discovering and developing local talent.
