Boomplay, a leading African music streaming and download service and Universal Music Group (UMG) have announced a new licensing agreement that will extend licensing of UMG’s global music catalogue from 7 to 47 countries across Africa.
The deal is expected to benefit African musicians and talent and widen the listening experience for Boomplay users across Africa.
Boomplay’s catalogue has more than 50 million tracks, considered an immense repertoire of local African content globally, with 50 million monthly active users.
The renewal of this deal with UMG will enable African music fans to experience domestic African and International talent best.
Boomplay has been aggressive in the music streaming market and has a much deeper understanding of the local market.
This agreement points to UMG’s ongoing commitment to support and grow Africa’s domestic music ecosystems.
Universal Music Group presence in Africa
UMG has since expanded its presence to Nigeria, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon and Morocco, and South Africa. UMG intends to expand to more countries in 2021 and beyond.
Boomplay users will listen to UMG’s extensive local and global recording artists and labels Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Tasha Cobbs, Bob Marley, Selema Gomez, Billie Eilish, Booba, Tasha Cobbs, among others.
Universal’s African labels will also be supported under the new agreement, including Kalawa Jazzme, Family Tree and Soulistic, among others.
This agreement includes artists and labels distributed by Electromode and Ingrooves Music Group within Africa.
According to Boomplay’s Director of Content & Strategy, Phil Choi, the initial deal with UMG has seen the African music industry grow.
Franck Kacou, Managing Director, Universal Music Africa, said artists and labels would be available to music fans across 25 French-speaking African countries.
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