Snap Inc., the parent company of popular social media app Snapchat, has announced that it has signed a deal with multiple music labels to expand its Sounds library, which allows users to use song clips in Snaps and Stories.
The company said that participating labels include UnitedMasters, a US-based label, and BUMA/STEMRA and SUISA Digital Licensing AG, both based in the Netherlands. Additionally, the deal includes a repertoire of IP bodies such as Albautor from Albania, Autodia from Greece, and Soundreef from Italy.
Snapchat users will now have access to a wider selection of music to express themselves creatively with the music they love. A selection of work from singers and songwriters signed up with UnitedMasters will be available in the SoundLibrary. Meanwhile, BUMA/STEMRA and SUISA Digital’s library will add sounds from local artists.
In a statement, Ted Suh, Global Head of Music Partnerships at Snap, said, “We are excited to expand the Snapchat Sounds experience as we continue building new tools and developing music industry relationships globally. By offering a wider selection of music, we want to enable discovery and make it easier for Snapchatters around the world to express themselves creatively with the music they love.”
Snapchat’s Creator Fund will support emerging artists working with UnitedMasters. This grant provides creative support to artists in establishing “relevancy” with the audience. Additionally, Snap includes popular licensed songs in Sounds playlists so people can use them in the video clips on the platform.
With the inclusion of new artists through this label deal, there will be more competition to get into the 20 spots that the Creator Fund awards grants to each month. The expanded Sounds library will provide users with even more options to add music to their Snaps and Stories, enabling them to express themselves more creatively.
