Mobile operator Safaricom will launch a music streaming service app in July.
The service hopes to offer a platform for music artist to upload and share their hot tunes to fans.
Speaking to about 300 artists in PrideInn Hotel in Mombasa, Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bob Collymore revealed that the platform will be a streaming service that will provide a revenue stream for talented artists. The telco’s CEO believes that music should not be for free. It is a shared assertion owing to the amount of effort artists put into churning out melodious tunes, clever metaphors, rhymes and life teachings that are cleverly packaged in albums and hot mixxtapes.
It should be remembered that this is not the first time that Safaricom is offering its hand in elevating the plight of musicians. For instance, the carrier is supporting artists with Skiza tunes where artists get paid according to how many times artists use the call-playback service. Personally, I have always contemplated on the inconvenience of listening to a track I did not subscribe for when calling a friend – but at least it gives a not-so-ingenious solution for artists to earn some money.
“Skiza is great but you need to be able to stream your music. People need to be able to stream and buy your full tracks. That is why, we are launching a Safaricom music app where you can put your music for sale. I don’t believe your music should be free, it doesn’t work for me,” said Mr. Bob Collymore.
It is worth noting that the approach Safaricom is taking has its advantages from a consumer’s perspective. To begin with, users stand a chance of getting access to unlimited storage (because, streaming) as well as offering an avenue for artists to get paid. Let’s admit it, offline music files tend to cannibalize on limited local digital-hoarding rooms in our gadgets. Users will also be blessed with full tracks that are of better quality (Skiza tunes that scream from your earpiece are not good-sounding, admittedly). At the same time, users will get access to their music provided they have an internet connection, although we are not aware that the service will be accessible via PC.
There is also a good chance that the app will be used widely if the telco offers some form of data subsidies for music streaming services. It is common knowledge that Safaricom data bundles are pricey, which is why an offer that targets to cut insane data consumption will be a welcome idea.
