Audiomack is an on-demand music streaming and audio discovery platform.

Audiomack
Available inEnglish
TypeStreaming media
Websiteaudiomack.com

History edit

Audiomack was co-founded in 2012[1] by Dave Macli, David Ponte, Thomas Klinger, Ty Wangsness, and Brian Zisook.[2] The platform originally allowed artists to freely share their mixtapes, songs, and albums.[3] In April 2013, J. Cole (Yours Truly 2) and Chance the Rapper (Acid Rap) released new projects exclusively on the platform.[4] In September 2018, Eminem released "Killshot", a diss track about Machine Gun Kelly, exclusively on Audiomack, earning 8.6 million plays in four months.[4] In February, 2019, Nicki Minaj released three songs exclusively on the platform,[5] including a remix of Blueface's "Thotiana."[6]

In November 2020, Audiomack signed a music licensing agreement with Warner Music Group, covering the United States, Canada, Jamaica, and five "key African territories," including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania.[7] In December 2020, Audiomack opened its monetization program, AMP, to all eligible creators based in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In July 2021, Audiomack expanded the program to creators worldwide and introduced a partnership with Ziiki Media to help promote artists across Africa.[8]

In February 2021, Variety reported Audiomack has music licensing agreements in the United States with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment.[9] Audiomack also receives music through licensing deals with labels and distributors such as EMPIRE,[10] among others. Also in February 2021, Billboard announced Audiomack streaming data would begin informing some of its flagship charts, including the Hot 100, the Billboard 200, and the Global 200.[11] In March 2021, Fast Company magazine named Audiomack one of the 10 most innovative companies in music.[12]

In April 2021, Audiomack partnered with telecommunications company MTN Nigeria to offer its users cheaper data to stream music in its app.[13]

In December 2021, Audiomack launched Supporters, a "feature that will enable loyal fans to tip their favorite artist’s music."[14] Fans fund artists or rights holders directly by purchasing ‘support badges’ for individual song and album releases.[15] Warner Music Group, which was Audiomack's first major label partner, signed on as the first major label participant in "Supporters."[16] Other participating partners include Amuse, AudioSalad Direct, DistroKid, EMPIRE, FUGA, Stem, and Vydia.[17]

In February 2023, Audiomack announced a partnership deal with MTV Base to improve listeners’ access to quality music material while raising awareness of African musicians throughout Africa.[18]

In July 2023, Audiomack announced a partnership with Love Renaissance (LVRN), an American record label and management company, to identify emerging musicians.[19]

In April 2024, Audiomack and Merlin announced a "strategic, indie-centric partnership." Through the partnership, Merlin’s membership gained access to Audiomack’s global audience of engaged listeners.[20]

Audiomack reaches 30 million monthly active users globally, as of May 2024.[21]

Features edit

Offline playback is free to all users and not blocked by a paywall. Users and artists can upload their music to the service through its website. Audiomack uses a combination of audio fingerprinting, DMCA takedown requests, and manual curation to police unauthorized uploads.[22] Audiomack does not limit or charge creators for storing content on its service.

In February 2022, Audiomack launched Creator App, giving its users the ability to "upload new music, analyze data, and connect with ... fans all in one app."[23] The Creator App surpassed 1 million downloads in spring of 2023.[24]

In May 2023, Audiomack updated its Creator App, adding Promote, "a new tab that provides creators with downloadable assets for marketing and promoting their work."[25] In July 2023, the company announced Connect, a "free, first-of-its-kind feature" that allows creators to message their followers on the service.[26]

Audiomack introduced Audiomod, "a new set of tools that allow users to fiddle with tracks by changing the tempo, modifying the pitch, or swaddling them in reverb," in late 2023.[27] The user-facing feature is the first of its kind in the music streaming space.[28]

Content edit

Audiomack produces several original video content series, including Trap Symphony, with past episodes including Migos,[29][30] Chief Keef,[31] and Rich the Kid,[32] among others. Other series include Bless The Booth and Fine Tuned, which featuring YNW Melly[33], among other acts.

In March 2021, Audiomack officially launched Audiomack World, the editorial arm of the company. Users can read articles in the Audiomack app on Android and iOS, as well as their desktop site.[34]

In February 2024, Audiomack introduced You Need To Hear, a global rising artist program. The first artist selected for the series was FOURFIVE, a rapper from New York City.[35]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Payne, Ogden. "How Audiomack's Niche Value Proposition Established It As A Competitor In Music Streaming". Forbes. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  2. ^ Aziz, Adam (October 1, 2021). "The coming battle over rap album lengths". Andscape. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  3. ^ Suarez, Gary. "How Chief Keef Gave Audiomack A Boost In The Streaming Music Wars". Forbes. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Rys, Dan (January 15, 2019). "How Audiomack Went From Mixtape Destination to One of the Most Influential Underground Streaming Services Around". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  5. ^ QUEEN (February 2, 2019). "Barbie Goin Bad Barbie Drip". @nickiminaj. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  6. ^ Audiomack (February 6, 2019). "New @NICKIMINAJ! #BustDownBarbiana". @audiomack. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  7. ^ "Warner Music inks licensing deal with Audiomack for key African markets". Music Business Worldwide. November 11, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  8. ^ "Audiomack Boosts Its Presence In Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa". Digital Music News. July 14, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  9. ^ Aswad, Jem (February 9, 2021). "Universal and Sony Music Ink Licensing Deals With Audiomack Streaming Service". Variety. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Songtrust Partners With Youth-Focused Streaming Platform Audiomack to Help Creators Get Paid". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  11. ^ Trust, Gary (February 8, 2021). "Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Leads Hot 100 for 4th Week, The Weeknd & CJ Hit Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  12. ^ Staff, Fast Company (March 9, 2021). "The 10 most innovative music companies of 2021". Fast Company. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  13. ^ "How Spotify's Competition in Africa Won the Hearts of Listeners". Bloomberg.com. May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  14. ^ Brandle, Lars (December 7, 2021). "Audiomack Launches Fan-Engagement Feature 'Supporters'". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  15. ^ Mulligan, Mark. "Audiomack and the coming monetization / remuneration tipping point". MIDiA Research. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  16. ^ Lynch, John. "Audiomack CEO on how the streaming platform's new 'Supporters' feature can enable artists to generate a 'first-of-its-kind' revenue stream". Business Insider. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "AUDIOMACK OPENS THE TIP JAR FOR ARTISTS". HITS Daily Double. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  18. ^ "Audiomack Partners With MTV Base In Africa". Africanfolder.com. February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  19. ^ "Independent music company LVRN teams up with Audiomack to identify and develop emerging artists". Music Business Worldwide. July 27, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  20. ^ "Audiomack signs partnership with Merlin, as streaming service aims to monetize and legitimize modified audio". Music Business Worldwide. April 18, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  21. ^ May 09, EIN Presswire; 2024; Et, 12:41 Pm (May 9, 2024). "Audiomack and Beatlibrary's Game-Changing Partnership: Free Beats for Artists Worldwide". WBTW. Retrieved May 10, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last2= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "How Audiomack Is Playing Major League Ball With Minor League Talent". The FADER. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  23. ^ "Control Your Career With Audiomack's Creator App". Audiomack World. February 3, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  24. ^ "Audiomack signs partnership with Merlin, as streaming service aims to monetize and legitimize modified audio". Music Business Worldwide. April 18, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  25. ^ "Promote Your Music With Free, Personalized Assets on the Audiomack Creator App". Audiomack World. May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  26. ^ "Connect With Your Fans Directly on the Audiomack Creator App". Audiomack World. July 26, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  27. ^ Leight, Elias (May 7, 2024). "Bootleg Remixes Are Everywhere. What If They Were All Legit?". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  28. ^ "Audiomack signs partnership with Merlin, as streaming service aims to monetize and legitimize modified audio". Music Business Worldwide. April 18, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  29. ^ Pastuk, Slava (July 21, 2015). "Here's the Migos Performing "Hannah Montana" with a Symphony". Noisey. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  30. ^ Fleischer, Adam. "Migos Turned 'Hannah Montana' Into A Symphony". MTV News. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  31. ^ Haffenden, Dayna (November 7, 2018). "Chief Keef Performs "Love Sosa" and More With an Orchestra - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  32. ^ "Rich The Kid Performed 'Plug Walk' With An Eight-Piece Orchestra". UPROXX. February 20, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  33. ^ Chesman, Donna-Claire (January 17, 2019). "Watch YNW Melly Perform "Murder On My Mind" With an Electric Guitar". The Audiomack Blog. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  34. ^ Chesman, Donna-Claire. "Audiomack Officially Launches World". DJBooth. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  35. ^ "You Need To Hear: FOURFIVE". Audiomack World. February 27, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.