Kenyan Gospel Music Among Most Streamed in Africa

A file image of a music mixer.
A file image of a music mixer.
File

Mdundo has presented Kenya as one of the countries in Africa leading in downloading and listening to music from the site.

Kenyan gospel, Kikuyu Music and music in the Hausa language in Nigeria were the most sort after music genres.

“It is not about the top ten artists. It is really amazing to look at this local music,” said Martin Nielsen, co-founder of Mdundo.

Gospel musician Betty Bayo.
Gospel musician Betty Bayo.
Facebook

The site was created in an effort to curb the illegal downloading of music, which is widespread in Africa.

“The market is getting bigger,” Nielsen 

According to Mdundo, 93 percent of music fans who use illegal sites also switched to Mdundo.

Other than allowing people to download songs, the site also benefits artists by sharing income generated.

Every song has a 5-10 second advertisement at the start, a model which has helped generate money through the ad sales. 

The service, since its listing on the Danish stock market, posted rapid growth in users in the African markets.

Mdundo’s users increased to 7 million by December 2020, therefore increasing the company's expected reach to 18 million users by June 2022.

The Kenya-based company was established in 2013 and is available to users worldwide.

It, however, focuses on more than 25 African markets including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, Rwanda, Cameroon, Congo, Malawi, South Africa, and Namibia, among others.

Mdundo also signed a licensing deal with the global music publisher and record label Warner Music Group (WMG) in 2017.

Firirida musician Dick Munyonyi (centre), his son Munyoni Junior (R) and musician Epha Maina on Monday, February 22.
Firirida musician Dick Munyonyi (centre), his son Munyoni Junior (R) and musician Epha Maina on Monday, February 22.
The Standard
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