A few artists have released iPhone apps now that give fans access to their music. Some of the more advanced ones even allow you to edit tracks. But now Universal Music Group (specifically, Interscope Geffen A&M) is apparently going to start launching these for its artists on a regular basis.
It’s launching a new app platform called Romplr in conjunction with digital entertainment studio, Moderati. The first app built on the platform, released today, allows you to remix songs by hip hop artist Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em. Basically, you pick one of Soulja Boy’s tracks, and controls pop up that allow you to decide the various aspects of the song that you hear. And you can tweak things pretty easily.
Then, when you’re done, you can share the recording you just made via email, on the Romplr site or on Facebook with one click. Right now, you can only edit three tracks “Crank That”, “Hey You There” and “Turn My Swag On,” but you will be able to download more.
The UI is nothing to write home about, but for those millions of people who inexplicably download ringtones, apps like this should be right up their alley. And apps like this should be a good test of the in-app purchasing system that was implemented with the iPhone 3.0 software update. It’s not clear if you buy a song in the app, if you can also access it through iTunes, but I would assume not. Regardless, apps that use real music tracks, such as Tap Tap Revenge, are proving to be hugely popular.
Moderati has a history of success in the App Store as it was behind the popular Zippo app, which was downloaded over 4 million times, we’re told. But the plan for this project extends beyond just the iPhone, as Android, BlackBerry and Ovi are all being targeted as well.
You can find the Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em Romplr app in the App Store now for $4.99 [iTunes Link].
More fun for music lovers. I like these apps that just pump the creative juice out of people. Will definitely be giving out a try when I have the chance. Thanks for the tip MG!
- Darren at AdExcel dot Com
More fun for everyone!
Interactive marketing is huge now. Imagine using the same type of interaction to design a new shoe or shirt on your iphone, they share (but really trying to sell) that shoe to your friends…
awesome new marketing possibilities
Truly creative, but isn’t the idea to “give” the pieces of content away. I know there are certainly costs associated but $4.99 seems mighty steep and antithetical to the idea…Also, will the app’s maker move the next hot star once SB has had his day? Just points to ponder.
J
Old school ex. of free music/content: http://bit.ly/yAqt6
“Crank That Soulja Boy Remix On The iPhone”
no.
Interactive apps are a good idea so to engage the users with the artists.
I definitely agree, and I didn’t realize how effective some of these apps could be until just now. I only saw the headline for this article and went to download the app thinking it was free, I downloaded Soulja Boy Tellem TV by mistake. The app combines Youtube videos, a chatting client, twitter feed and iTunes for downloading songs. If I knew anything about Soulja or there were more apps like this for artists I liked, I could see myself using it.
That’s it, I give up.
Whatever happened to CrunchyCrunch?
It was slipping off, and a huge Soulja boy article did the job.Of course, you couldn’t care less though, you’ve got 3392K readers, and you could to whatever you want with it.
Too bad it isn’t good enough to be considered anywhere near ‘tech’
Have fun, the rest of y’all.
I’m really surprised (sorta) that these labels are charging money for these applications. They SHOULD be free. These applications would be a great way for people/fans to discover music, which would lead to cd sales and downloading of mp3s. However with a price tag of $5, I don’t see a lot of people purchasing this application so they can mix songs. The labels should come out with an application with all the artists on it and allow fans to stream music and discover new artists that they like. Would also include cd release dates, lyrics, tour dates, etc. To me, this would be the direction they should move in.
This is too funny !
I approve his app. pow
Soulja boy, you need to come by and visit us. TAADOW!
Where’s the button to make the songs not suck?
(It had to be said.)
Interesting app though, and considering the customization trend, this will be interested to see how it fairs.
As if I didn’t have enough reasons to ditch my boring old Blackberry for an iPhone! Now I can finally create the ultimate remix: Crank that Macarena!
Crank that all the way Austin..LOL
I feel almost like I am in the twilight zone… I came to a tech blog to read about a SOLJUA Boy app?
This seams like something that Perez Hilton would be blogging about, not TECH CRUNCH… things sure are sliding into mainstream and less about TECH
The majority of MG Sieglers posts are absolute trash. Arrington needs to refresh the writing pool, with people that actually know something about technology.
Wait, so when the music industry doesn’t use technology, they’re living in the past, but when they do, it’s not news?
I think you should all go Chuck Yourself: http://itunes.a...640485&mt=8
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