Nigerian artist D’banj has partnered with international music company Cinq Music Group to make selected international recordings available to Nigerian fans through USSD, according to a report by PUNCH published on November 6.
The announced offer includes full-track downloads and caller ring-back tones, with prices intended for the Nigerian market. The initial title named in the announcement is T.I.’s “Live Your Life,” featuring Rihanna. The partnership is being presented through C.R.E.A.M., D’banj’s entertainment platform.
Why the format is notable
USSD services can work through mobile network menus without requiring a smartphone app or mobile data connection. Applying that channel to music purchases could give fans another way to access licensed recordings and gives rights holders purchase records tied to completed transactions.
The announcement describes an initial selection of recordings; it does not yet establish the full catalogue, participating mobile networks, final prices, or availability details. Those specifics will matter to listeners and rights owners as the service rolls out.
A direct-to-fan experiment to watch
For music businesses, the model raises practical questions: how users discover the offer, how payments are reconciled, how rights holders receive reporting, and whether listeners return for more titles. The partnership says it hopes to expand to other African markets, subject to rights, commercial arrangements and local infrastructure.
We’ll be watching for details on catalogue expansion and how the purchase and royalty reporting process works in practice.
Source: PUNCH: “D’banj brings foreign songs to Nigeria via USSD”.
Image credit: Blessing Olarewaju / Unsplash. Illustrative image, not a photo of the service launch.
