Africa’s largest streaming platform, Boomplay, has removed Wizkid’s songs and projects, except for the Superstar album and Soundman EP. The reason: unpaid royalties for music streams since 2023.
Wizkid’s decision to pull his music from Boomplay highlights the importance of fair compensation for artists. This drastic measure is a clear indication of the severity of the royalty dispute.
Wizkid’s move has been followed by Tems, who has also asked for her songs to be removed from Boomplay. This growing trend of artists boycotting the platform raises concerns about Boomplay’s business practices.
A significant percentage of distributors have started to boycott Boomplay, citing similar concerns over royalty payments. This mass exodus is a clear indication that Boomplay’s business model is no longer sustainable.
The removal of Wizkid’s music from Boomplay sheds light on the delayed release of his album, Morayo, on the platform. Wizkid’s team had been aware of the royalty dispute and chose not to release the album until the issue was resolved.
The removal of Wizkid’s music from Boomplay is a wake-up call for the music streaming industry in Africa. It highlights the need for fair compensation for artists and transparency in royalty payments.
