Boomplay Music is an audio and video streaming and download service developed by Transsnet Music Limited with Joe He as the major developer.
The service was introduced in 2015 by TECNO Mobile, Transsion Holdings, in Nigeria. Boomplay has a subscription and freemium based service; basic features are free with limitations or ads, while features such as ad-free listening and download for offline play are offered in paid subscriptions.
They basically stream on-demand media. The service is currently available for Android, Web, and iOS use, of which you can have an account and access it on any device. At about August 2018, Boomplay Music recorded about 10 million installations off the Google Play App store. It currently has about 60 million users.
Boomplay Music originally focused on African urban and local music content. Boomplay Music released “Boomplay Music Version 2.1” in March 2016, introducing its Premium feature, which included paid subscription services, ad-free listening, and downloads for offline play.
In March 2017, Boomplay Music released Version 3.0, which featured a redesigned User Interface, a new logo, the introduction of the new “Buzz” feature that allows users access to amazing entertainment news without leaving the app, and the following feature that enables you to connect with other users.
In the year 2017, it won the ‘Best African App’ Award at the Apps Africa Innovation Awards in Cape Town (South Africa) and, on April 14, 2017, announced a partnership with TuneCore.
Boomplay Music agreed on a deal with Universal Music Group to distribute content from Universal’s music labels on November 5, 2018.
The agreement brings UMG’s extensive catalogue of both local and global recording artists, including Tekno, Eminem, Ella Mai, Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, Lady Zamar, 6lack, Lil Wayne, Bob Marley, Brenda Fassie, Wurld, Hugh Masekela, J.Cole, Dr Tumi, Nasty C, Diana Ross, Jon Bellion, Cina Soul, Larry Gaaga, Tamia, Aka & Anatii, Maroon 5, TJAN, Jah Prayzah, Nonso Bassey, Mafikizolo, and Mr Eazi to its users. In December 2018, the iOS version of the app was released.
Boomplay announced a licensing deal with Warner Music Group in the month of March 2019. The terms of the partnership with them enable Boomplay access to Warner Music’s wide compilation of over one million songs to its community of subscribers in ten countries; Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Ghana, Tanzania, Cameroon, Uganda and Zambia.
Boomplay’s Partnership Deals
Boomplay signed a distribution deal with Believe Digital distribution services in March 2019. With 32 offices in 16 territories, other clients of Believe Digital include Afrique Caraibes Productions, Baco Records, Chinese Man Records, Fargo, Scorpio Music, Kitsune and Yellow.
Boomplay also announced licensing deals with Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Group, and global indie rights agency Merlin in 2019.
How Well Boomplay Has Progressed
In August 2016, Boomplay Music announced its move into East Africa by opening its Kenyan office. In April 2017, Boomplay opened its Tanzania office. It currently has offices in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania.
Subscriptions and Accounts
As of this time, the two Boomplay subscription types, both offering enhanced sound quality (offering about 320kbps bitrate) are:
- Boomplay Music Free
- Boomplay Music Premium
Boomplay Music Free
This provides Enhanced Sound Quality and Music Downloads but has limited mobile listening time (especially on Apple devices) and doesn’t offer Ad-Free services or the Offline Save and Play service.
Boomplay Music Premium
This provides all the services available. The Ad-free, Mobile Listening, Enhanced Sound Quality, Offline Save and Play and Music Downloads services are available here.
It costs about N500 in Nigeria or 500 Boomplay Coins with can be purchased or earned from watching a number of ads on the app.
Other Features of Boomplay
There is a Reward Points Feature that enables you to get enough points to purchase commodities like Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, Power Banks, Thermal Water Bottles, Music Boxes, Varsity Jackets, Umbrellas, Perfumes, etc.
This is gotten by streaming Music, streaming videos, commenting, reading Buzz articles, following users, etc. You can also purchase subscriptions with the rewards points. This feature makes Boomplay interesting to be on for a long time.
There is a medium for upcoming artists also to upload their songs and get followership, endorsements and popularity.
As a VIP (Subscribed User), you can download playlists for later usage, and enjoy a wide range of songs, old school songs to very recent songs. Check it out here.
