Why songs are being pulled down from Boomplay

Boomplay, one of Africa’s leading music streaming platforms, is facing a major industry shake-up as Sony Music, AWAL, and The Orchard have pulled their catalogs from the platform.

The decision comes amidst mounting allegations of unpaid royalties dating back to 2021, raising concerns about the sustainability of the platform’s operations and its relationships with artists and labels.

A Fast-Rising Platform with Growing Challenges  

Boomplay, a prominent player in Nigeria’s music streaming scene, quickly gained traction by offering freemium and premium plans tailored to its audience.

By 2021, the platform had secured significant partnerships, including agreements with all three major labels and independent artist distributor Merlin.

Its user base soared to an impressive 95 million monthly active users, bolstered by its dual streaming and paid-download model designed to cater to diverse economic groups.

However, reports from TurnTable Charts suggest that Boomplay has failed to pay royalties to artists and labels for over two years.

This issue has driven key players like Sony Music and its subsidiaries, AWAL and The Orchard, to halt new releases on the platform and eventually withdraw their catalogs entirely.

High-Profile Artists Impacted  

This development has affected a roster of high-profile African artists, including Davido, Wizkid, Tems, and Lojay, whose songs are no longer available on Boomplay.

According to Pulse Nigeria, the removal of such prominent content may significantly impact the platform’s appeal to users, especially as the competition in Africa’s streaming landscape continues to heat up.

Allegations from Independent Artists

While the withdrawal of major labels has drawn global attention, the problem extends beyond big players.

Independent artists have also voiced their grievances, citing delayed payments and lack of transparency.

Gospel artist Celestine Donkor publicly criticized Boomplay in a Facebook post, alleging that royalties had not been paid for over a year.

Her husband, Kofi Donkor, echoed these sentiments, claiming that the platform may be planning to shut down its operations in Ghana, leaving many artists unpaid.

“Boomplay, pay us our royalties before you shut down the Ghana office on Friday!” Mr. Donkor wrote on Facebook.

“They haven’t made a payment in over a year. Additionally, I’ve heard that they intend to close their Ghanaian office. We must withdraw our funds immediately.”

The royalty payment controversy raises questions about the future of Boomplay and its ability to maintain trust among artists, labels, and users.

The platform, which once stood as a beacon for African music distribution, now faces reputational damage and potential legal challenges.

As Boomplay seeks to address these issues, its ability to recover will depend on regaining the confidence of its stakeholders and demonstrating a commitment to transparency and fair practices.

Until then, the fallout from the royalty disputes threatens to undermine its position in Africa’s competitive music streaming market.

This situation not only impacts listeners who stream Boomplay songs but also disrupts the careers of artists who rely on the platform for revenue. As users search for alternatives, the role of platforms ensuring fair royalty distribution becomes increasingly crucial in shaping the future of Africa’s music industry.