Music startup Mdundo has started the distribution of Warner Music’s catalogue across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria, making the likes of Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo and Ed Sheeran available alongside Africa’s biggest musicians on its app.
The Nairobi-based Mdundo has over the last five years been working towards easy and legal access to music in Africa, and has more than 10 million people using its app each year to access songs by 40,000 African musicians.
The partnership with Warner Music will make a host of international stars accessible via the app, with Mdundo chief executive officer (CEO) Martin Nielsen saying the deal marked the latest milestone in the development of the African music industry.
“We are very happy to announce this partnership. There’s a huge demand among African music fans for international, as well as local, repertoire. This deal makes our service more attractive and that will benefit our users, our African musicians and our commercial partners,” he said.
“We are delighted to be working with the committed team at Mdundo, giving our artists the opportunity to promote and sell their music legitimately in these countries,” said Tracy Fraser, managing director of Warner Music South Africa.
