Africa’s first legal, home-grown music-downloads platform was recently launched in Senegal. Its mission: to promote the continent’s artists and ensure they are properly remunerated, in addition to combating internet piracy.
MusikBi (which means ‘music’ in Wolof, the language widely spoken in Senegal and neighbouring Gambia) has already signed close to 200 artists, ranging from rappers and jazz musicians to Islamic and gospel singers.
As reported by the Mail & Guardian Africa, tracks cost between US$0.50 and US$0.85, and can be downloaded using mobile credit in the form of text or PayPal. Once the mobile operator’s share has been deducted, the money is split between the artist and platform, with the former receiving 60% of the amount.
