Ghana: Aftown Music app gets new features

In operation since 2016, Aftown was developed by Technation Ghana Company and BBnZ Live and is dedicated to African music. The app, which is free to download on the App Store and Google Play Store, generates revenue through premium subscriptions and adverts for free users. Last year, the company partnered with telecoms giant MTN to allow payment via mobile money.

The newly launched features include an opportunity for artists to have real-time access to money in their account as well as create personalised cover artwork for their tracks. Users, on the other hand, can curate and share playlists and gain revenue off their activities on the app. 

“Probably in the whole world, we are the only platform that pays our artists directly,” Aftown CEO Jefferson Seneadza said. “And we’ve been doing that for three-and-a-half years now.

“We started off genuinely thinking about artists, and also thinking about users. It has helped Aftown to be innovative, to figure out what will be best for the industry. And I am so proud of what we have done with this new platform.”

Aftown head of marketing and artist relations Antoine Mensah also disclosed that the company had distributed more than GH₵ 200 000 (about $35 000) to artists in the past three years.

“The most amazing part for artists and users on Aftown is that everyone loves music. If there is a concern, they come up with a solution for it and that’s what you are seeing,” Mensah said.

The new app features were unveiled at an event whose attendees included industry veteran Rab Bakari and the former president of the Musicians Union of Ghana, Diana Hopeson. Rappers Akan and Worlasi were presented with plaques for their performance on Aftown.

Meanwhile, Aftown has partnered with global distribution, label services and rights management company ONErpm to provide artists on to the app access to international exposure.

Watch the Aftown 3.0 launch here.