UMG buys major stake in Don Jazzy's Mavin💰| X's non-paying users access audio/video call feature 📲

In today’s menu 🥘

💰 Universal Music Group buys major stake in Afrobeats Pioneer, Mavin Global
📲 X begins offering audio and video call functionality to non-paying users 
📱NCC Reports 2.3 Million 5G Subscriptions in Nigeria as of December 2023

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💰 INVESTMENTS

Universal Music Group buys major stake in Afrobeats Pioneer, Mavin Global

Universal Music Group (UMG) has made a majority investment in Mavin Global (Mavin), a powerhouse independent record label based in Lagos, Nigeria. This groundbreaking collaboration, pending regulatory approval and slated to conclude by the end of Q3 2024, signifies a pivotal moment in the music industry, particularly within the vibrant realm of Afrobeats.

Late last year, it was reported that Mavin was seeking investments or an outright sale and that significant bids had emerged from industry giants like Universal Music Group (UMG) and HYBE.

Mavin’s impressive roster includes notable artists such as Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Johnny Drille, Crayon, Magixx, Bayanni, Boy Spyce, DJ Big N, Lifesize Teddy, and global chart-topper Rema. Rema’s “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez notably secured the top spot on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart in its inaugural week, solidifying Mavin’s global influence. The song also became the first song by an African Artist to Join Spotify’s Billions Club.

UMG’s strategic investment aims to amplify Mavin’s full-service offerings in Nigeria through its expansive global network of labels and businesses. While Mavin is currently distributed internationally (excluding Africa) through Virgin Music Group, the partnership with UMG is expected to strengthen Mavin’s global integration, leveraging UMG’s unparalleled network.

Despite this collaboration, Mavin will retain autonomy over its strategy and talent development. Don Jazzy and COO Tega Oghenejobo will continue to lead the company, offering UMG the opportunity to collaborate with proven local executives and experienced A&R professionals.…..continue reading

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📱COMMUNICATION

NCC Reports 2.3 Million 5G Subscriptions in Nigeria as of December 2023

Recent data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) underscores the growing adoption of 5G technology in Nigeria, revealing that the country’s 5G subscriptions reached 2.3 million by the end of December 2023.

Despite this significant milestone, 5G subscriptions constitute approximately 1.04% of the nation’s overall active telephone service subscriptions, which stood at 224.7 million at the close of the year.

Among the key players propelling 5G deployment in Nigeria are major mobile network operators such as MTN, Airtel, and Mafab Communications. These operators have played pivotal roles in expanding 5G services across the nation. However, certain challenges, including the elevated costs of 5G-enabled devices, have contributed to a slower-than-anticipated adoption rate.…..continue reading

📱SOCIAL MEDIA

X begins offering audio and video call functionality to non-paying users 

X is gradually initiating the roll-out of audio and video calling features to users who do not subscribe to its premium service formerly known as Twitter Blue. Twitter first introduced this feature for the iOS users last year as an exclusive benefit for its paying subscribers.

This step was in alignment with CEO Elon Musk’s vision of transforming Twitter into an “everything” application. Earlier this year, these capabilities were extended to Android devices, but they remained restricted to premium subscribers. However, Musk announced in January that Twitter would open up audio-video calling for all users once the company was confident about its robustness.

As things stand, users wishing to make calls via the Direct Messaging (DM) feature are still prompted to subscribe to Twitter’s premium service. However, those who receive the update will be able to place calls without a paid subscription. The official Twitter support page for this feature now declares that all accounts are enabled to make and receive calls, granted both users have interacted via Direct Messaging at least once. Prior to this update, this page stated that only premium subscribers could place audio and video calls..…..continue reading

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