NEW YORK-Several popular music artists received an early Christmas present in the form of wireless content agreements as music continues its expansion into the wireless industry in the midst of declining CD sales.
Dwango Wireless, a wireless entertainment and content provider, announced an exclusive agreement to provide audio voice tones from hip-hop artists Styles P and Sheek Louch, member of the LOX and D-Block. Dwango said the exclusive content deal was set up through digital record label INgrooves.
Dwango said the content will be featured through carriers across North America, and the exclusive tones can be reviewed and purchased online under the “audio tones” section at www.rollingstone.com/ringtones.
“We are thrilled to work with artists seeking distribution and promotion in the mobile entertainment industry,” said Alexander Conrad, president and chief executive officer of Dwango Wireless.
In a separate agreement, Virgin Mobile USA and Universal Music Group announced a mobile music deal to serve up exclusive access to ringtones from Ashanti and Ja Rule-both part of Def Jam’s hip-hop/R&B line-up. The music content will be made available exclusively through Virgin Mobile’s “First Dibs” program.
“First Dibs has been a great hit for us. Following six months of success to date, we’re moving ahead with our partners at Island Def Jam and UMG on another chart-topping offer,” said Howard Handler, chief marketing officer of Virgin Mobile USA.
Virgin Mobile users can already choose from thousands of downloadable ringtones from dozens of different genres. But its ongoing “First Dibs” program-launched in June-features exclusive access to fresh new Superphonic ringtones from major recording artists.
