From Vodafone with music

Together in song, Sarkodie and D'Banj

Award winning Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie and Nigerian musician, D’banj joined Vodafone Ghana to launch a new music portal, www.vodafonelive.com.gh, last Friday at the La Palm Royal Beach.

The two renowned artistes, gave the enthusiastic audience for the first time their untitled new single, which they recorded together exclusively for the music portal. The launch which was well attended by other musicians and producers also saw performances from 4×4 and RnM.

Vodafonelive.com.gh allows customers to download music and videos straight onto their mobile phones, giving them easy and simple access to music by Ghanaian and international artistes. It also allows customers to download pictures and subscribe to entertainment updates about their favourite stars.

At the red-carpet launch event, Uche Ofodile, Chief Marketing Officer of Vodafone explained Vodafone’s motivation for introducing Vodafonelive.com.gh at this time: “We’re taking a 360 approach to music. The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards and 020 Live celebrated and rewarded our artistes while Icons unearthed and nurtured new talents.

“We are now looking at access. We want to make the great music our Ghanaian and African artistes create easily accessible to their fans and continue to support the industry by giving the artistes a platform to market themselves. It is only right that they get paid for the music they make.”

After registering their phone number, Vodafone customers and music fans can access the portal to download songs for an average cost of 35 pesewas which will be deducted from their credit. The artistes who market their music and other entertainment materials on the portal will receive a percentage of the revenue generated from all materials downloaded. This offers an opportunity for musicians to make money from the sale of their music as well as getting paid for their live performances.

Sarkodie told Showbiz after the function that he was happy about the new service, which he believed would reduce piracy and put some money in the pockets of musicians.