Winamp unveils all-in-one suite for creators

The company, a subsidiary of Llama Group, says the move forms part of efforts to empower independent artists and labels at a time when streaming is “not serving the majority of artists who are unable to make a living out of it.” It added that “the need to diversify revenue streams beyond streaming has never been greater.”

“With Winamp for Creators, artists can reclaim control over their relationship with their audience, allowing fans to gain access to exclusive content or personalised memorabilia.”

Winamp for Creators’ range of features also includes YouTube Content ID for copyright owners to easily track and manage their content on the platform, with revenue collected and distributed to creators. The suite also includes a collectibles service that enables artists to create NFTs of tracks, providing a unique and ongoing revenue stream, as well as a Fanzone for artists to build their own social feeds with exclusive content for premium subscribers.

Additionally, in Q1 2025, Winamp will introduce marketing tools that help artists generate direct revenue, manage websites, run ad campaigns, and oversee their social networks, enhancing overall revenue management.

“Streaming has run out of steam and the music industry needs a new model,” Winamp CEO Alexandre Saboundjian said. “Winamp can be part of the solution. At the current level of streaming revenues, it should only account for 30% to 40% of a musician’s total income, while artists create other monetisation avenues. The challenge for independent artists and small labels is to identify new revenue sources and establish a more direct connection with fans.”

Months ago, announcing the worldwide launch of Winamp for Creators, Saboundjian said his outfit aims to “give artists and labels a platform that is focused initially on capturing different types of revenue and creating a team of collaborators. Before the end of the year, we will be adding various marketing and promotional services, such as centralised management of social networks and the creation of websites and mobile applications.

In May, Llama Grouprevealed plans to onboard some 50 000 artists to Winamp in 2024 and one million artists by the end of 2028.

In September, Winamp announced the opening of the source code for the Winamp Legacy version to allow the developer community the “opportunity to play an active part in the evolution of the player that has marked the history of digital music.”