Boomplay Music is an audio and video streaming and download service developed by Transsnet Music Limited with Joe He as the major developer.
Transsion Holdings introduced Boomplay in Nigeria in 2015. The service is subscription—and freemium-based.
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 stream on-demand media. The service is currently available for Android, Web, and iOS use, and you can have an account and access it on any device.
In 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. In March 2016, it released “Boomplay Music Version 2.1” and introduced 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 2017, it won the ‘Best African App’ Award at the Apps Africa Innovation Awards in Cape Town (South Africa) and announced a partnership with TuneCore on April 14, 2017.
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 catalog 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 March 2019. The partnership enables Boomplay to access Warner Music’s 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 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 or Offline save-and-play services.
Boomplay Music Premium
This provides all the available services. The Ad-free, Mobile Listening, Enhanced Sound Quality, Offline Save and Play, and Music download services are available here.
It costs about N500 in Nigeria, or 500 Boomplay Coins, which can be purchased or earned by watching ads on the app.
Other Features of Boomplay
There is a Reward Points Feature that enables you to earn enough points to purchase commodities like Sweatshirts, T-shirts, Power Banks, Thermal Water Bottles, Music Boxes, Varsity Jackets, Umbrellas, and Perfumes.
This is earned by streaming Music, streaming videos, commenting, reading Buzz articles, following users, etc. You can also purchase subscriptions with reward points. This feature makes Boomplay interesting to use for a long time.
There is also a medium for upcoming artists to upload their songs and get followership, endorsements, and popularity.
As a VIP (Subscribed User), you can download playlists for later use and enjoy a wide range of songs, from old-school to very recent ones. Check it out here.