Tapedeck founder Tim Quirk and Tapedeck global brand ambassador, Busy Signal. Image contributed.
A new music streaming platform that says it’s seeking to put more money into the pockets of artistes through a new profit share model has launched in Jamaica.
The platform is Tapedeck, a ‘pay-as-you-go’ music app.
In a statement on Friday, Tapedeck says it’s “designed to put more money in the pockets of the independent artistes and rights holders by allowing them to earn directly from every play.”
Tapedeck says under its model, rights holders receive 80 per cent of the revenue generated from their music.
The ‘pay-as-you-go’ model is an alternative to the subscription based services that currently dominate music streaming.
The app, which has been operating in Jamaica since early September, officially launched on Friday.
Tapedeck global brand ambassador, dancehall entertainer, Busy Signal, headlined the launch event at Tuff Gong International Studios.
The veteran deejay says Tapedeck’s revenue sharing model will help address a longstanding concern for artistes.
“For years, many of us have been exploited. Tapedeck is one of the best things to happen to the music industry because it puts proper compensation for artistes at the centre,” said Busy Signal.
Busy Signal also revealed that his latest EP will be available exclusively on Tapedeck for three months, before being released on other platforms.
He gave guests at the launch party an exclusive first listen. Busy Signal was joined at the event by Queen Ifrica, one of Tapedeck’s September Spotlight Artistes. She performed tracks from her new album Breath of Life, which is available on the platform.
Executive label manager for Tuff Gong International Distribution, Myshjua Murray, says her organisation and Tapedeck believe in creating opportunities for Jamaican artistes to benefit directly from their creativity.
Tapedeck founder Tim Quirk described Jamaica as a natural home for a service focused on independent artistes and the future of music distribution.
He says the partnership with Tuff Gong will give Jamaican music a prominent place on the platform.
The Tapedeck app is available for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
