ADDISTUNES.COM REVOLUTIONIZES AFRICAN MUSIC AND FILM
July 20, 2009 (New York, NY) – AddisTunes.com (www.AddisTunes.com) – the world’s fist site dedicated to Ethiopian music and movie downloads – today announced its official launch, with an impressive array of indie musicians and directors from Ethiopia and the Diaspora. AddisTunes.com’s mission is to showcase the talent of Ethiopian musicians and directors, and to give them an online presence through legally authorized digital downloads of their music and film. Ethiopians represent the fastest growing African population in the United States; and they are passionately committed to staying connected to their culture and traditions. AddisTunes.com believes that music and movies are the linchpins.
AddisTunes.com is currently working with artists such as Ethio Jazz legends Moges Habte and Elias Negash, pop sensation Jossy Gebre, reggae powerhouse Sydney Salmon, and rising director Nikodimos Fikru. Ethiopian musicians and directors have large followings, and typically witness sold out performances. However, fans were often unable to find their music or films available for download. And too often African music and films are sold as bootlegs. AddisTunes.com has changed that by creating a space where musicians/directors and their fans can connect. Downloads are competitively priced at $0.90 per song and $9.99 per movie.
AddisTunes.com president, Diallo Hall, says, “We like to think of ourselves as the iTunes for Africa. There are so many independent musicians and directors from Africa that have been largely ignored by mainstream distribution channels. If you go to iTunes or CDBaby, Ethiopian music is relegated to a sub-category of World Music. At AddisTunes.com, we actually promote and celebrate the creative works of African artists.”
With an estimated 1.2 million Ethiopians living outside of Ethiopia, AddisTunes.com’s Hall also sees considerable profit potential. “There are long-time, fervent fans of Ethiopian music and film who want the instant gratification that the Internet offers – and there are fans of good music and movies that are eager to experience the seductive beauty of Ethiopia,” says Hall.
Notwithstanding the obvious benefits of connecting fans with artists, AddisTunes.com offers economic benefits by allowing Ethiopian musicians to earn US dollars rather than local currency. AddisTunes.com’s team believes that music should be enjoyed – and that purchasing music should be mutually beneficial for the fans and artists. “Ultimately, our goal is to change the world for the better – one download at a time.”
For further information, contact Diallo Hall at 646-408-3268 info [at] AddisTunes.com
