06 March 2019

Universal Music Group (UMG) says it has become first music company to partner with leading African music streaming and download service

Boomplay Music (formerly ‘Boom Player’) is a music and video streaming app that was developed and is owned by Transsnet Music.

It was was first launched in Nigeria in 2015 by TECNO Mobile and has since gone on to become what’s claimed to be Africa’s biggest and fastest growing music app.

According to July 2018 figures on Boomplay’s website, the service has 31 million users and 17 million monthly active. It is also said to add nearly two million new users each month.

Under the terms of a multi-year agreement signed last November, Boomplay will distribute music from UMG’s labels through its streaming and download platforms in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.

Users will now have access to UMG’s extensive catalogue of both global and local recording artists including Tekno, Post Malone, Lady Zamar and Cina Soul, to name but a few.

UMG says it is accelerating its focus on growing the entire African music ecosystem, including recordings, publishing, production, live events, brand partnerships and merchandising efforts.

Earlier last year, the company launched its Universal Music Nigeria division.

It claims this provides “comprehensive opportunities” to artists throughout the region, as well as giving pan-African talent the “best possible launchpad for wider international success”.