Could The Answer To Indie Revenue Be… Winamp?

Remember Winamp? After existing as a desktop computer program for music lovers primarily in the 90s, Winamp is expanding to your mobile phone and new-look desktop app in a much-needed upgrade.

The new version of the program looks nothing like it used to - this is modern and, with easy-looking functionality, can even reach youngsters who aren’t familiar with listening to MP3 versions of tracks or the Napster era. 

While the old-school version of Winamp has stayed popular with its base, maintaining 83 million monthly users (per Fast Company), the new mobile product will be able to stream podcasts and online radio stations. Later this year, it will integrate music streaming services, allowing music listeners to access their playlists through Winamp. 

Like the nostalgic Winamp, it will also play music files stored locally on a device.

Winamp’s Belgium-based owners, Llama Group, said in a statement shared by Music Business Worldwide that the revamped Winamp aims to “unlock the relationship between artists and fans while empowering creators to become their own merchants.”

Llama Group CEO Alexandre Saboundjian continued, “Creators find it increasingly hard to gain value from streaming services, making it harder for them to sustain their art and grow their careers.

“In this environment, artists have to take their future into their own hands – they need to supplement the income by becoming their own merchants. … With the new Winamp player, our aim is to empower creators to make more money, at a time when they really need it.”

This creator-based outlook results in an app feature called Fanzone, where artists can set tiers to sell merchandise and give fans access to exclusive content.

However, Winamp isn’t here to become the next Spotify or even fight against the streaming giants. 

“Winamp does not have the ambition to become a DSP, and indeed the idea is to be complementary to the existing streaming music ecosystem,” Llama Group admitted. 

So, despite the shiny new interface that resembles the UI of Spotify, Winamp still has DIY in mind.

Check out the new Winamp player here.