A local digital music platform designed for Malawian artists, Vwaza, has launched an iOS (iphone Operating System) platform to allow artists sell their music directly to fans and earn a percentage of revenue.
Founder Joel Ngozo Fickson said the platform will allow permanent access to music by fans both online and offline.
“At Vwaza, we want to move away from the subscription-based model that most streaming services use. We understand that people no longer want to keep paying monthly for music. We are bringing back the concept of music ownership, allowing fans to buy the music and own it forever, just like they did with CDs in the past,” he said.
Fickson also said 80 percent of the earnings from music sales go directly to artists who are provided with real-time insights into their streams and earnings, allowing them to track their success and manage their finances effectively.
He said: “Vwaza will offer better payouts with higher revenue splits and direct artist payments to ensure that musicians earn more and faster. They do not have to wait to reach a certain number of streams.
“With the iOS version, we ensure that no one is left out. We put Malawian music in the hands of more people, creating opportunities for both artists and fans.”
Tailored for the Malawian market, Vwaza allows fans to access music with local payment options so that both artists and fans can engage with the platform without financial barriers.
Artists can also withdraw their revenue directly to their mobile wallets, ensuring quick and easy access to their earnings.
Musician Slessor said through the Vwaza platform, he has been distributing his album and getting money immediately.
“The platform is satisfactory. Artists get the money the moment a person purchases their music,” he said.
Another artist, Issabel King, said the platform is a game-changer and allows one to monitor progress.
“It is an easy to use platform compared to other platforms and it is beneficial to artists in terms of returns,” she said.
Vwaza is now available for download on both the Apple Store and Google Play store.
