AFRICA (CelebrityAccess) – Digital rights agency Merlin has signed a deal with Boomplay, Africa’s leading streaming and download music service.
Boomplay, which is currently available in Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Zambia boasts a catalog of over 10m songs and videos.
Merlin’s membership currently embodies more than 20,000 record labels and distributors from over 60 countries, representing in excess of 12% of the digital music market.
Under the terms of the new deal, Boomplay, which reportedly now has more than 62 million users, will have access to Merlin’s entire independent music repertoire.
Phil Choi, Boomplay’s director of content & strategy, said: “We are so excited to be working with Merlin and introducing the world’s largest network of independent labels into Africa. Boomplay continues to be at the forefront of developing the African music industry and this partnership will enable a far greater range of international artists to access our market.”
Tosin Sorinola, Boomplay’s head of marketing Africa, added: “This is an important partnership, and offers our African listener base a stronger opportunity to access and enjoy a greater range and depth of music. Boomplay’s vision is to build the largest and most reliable music ecosystem in Africa, and working with Merlin brings us significantly closer to that goal.”
Charlie Lexton, chief commercial officer, Merlin, said: “Merlin is a globally-facing business, and I am delighted that our independent members will now be at the heart of Africa’s exciting and fast-evolving music market. We look forward to working closely with Boomplay, to further developing this partnership, and building deep and lasting connections across the continent.”
Boomplay’s agreement with Merlin follows the platform’s recent licensing deal signed with Sony Music Entertainment last month.
