JEENI - A safe arena for Musicians
The global pandemic has closed the world’s music venues - pubs, clubs, arenas and festivals. Professionals and amateurs alike are desperate for alternatives where they can put their talent in front of an audience. Social media seems like a suitable alternative, but creative talent has just been dealt a hammer-blow, with Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram banning music videos. In the UK, the Musicians Union reveals that one-third of professional musicians are facing the end of their music careers, with many already working as delivery drivers or in supermarkets to make ends meet. In the US, the shutdown has already cost the music industry over $10billion in losses. But there is an alternative. It’s called Jeeni.
Jeeni has started to make a huge difference for independent musicians and performers. It’s an online showcase and multi-channel streaming service where indie artists get rewarded for performing in a Covid-safe environment.
Jeeni is the brainchild of Mel Croucher, who founded the UK video-games industry, along with record label mogul Roger Watson, and Kelli Richards, who launched Apple Music with Steve Jobs. Croucher explains, "We've all made it to the top, and now is the right time to give something back and help a new generation of artists." Further support for Jeeni comes from a host of chart-topping musicians and celebrity ambassadors, including John Altman, Steve Salvari, Skyler Jett, Gary Benson, and Teddy Hayes. Croucher adds, "We've already raised over $450,000 to support unsigned artists and performers achieve their dream in a completely safe environment. They get to keep 100% of everything they earn from the sale of their music and performances on Jeeni, and audiences have the power to vote, donate and be rewarded too. Now we're raising our game in the face of the Covid second wave.”
Jeeni has recently hosted its second online festival, which saw a number of Grammy Award-winning musicians playing alongside complete unknowns, ranging in age from seven to seventy. The next festival will feature another mix of stars and unknowns from both sides of the Atlantic performing brand new work, all in a completely safe environment.
Jeeni’s managing director in the US, Kelli Richards, says, "Jeeni treats its members ethically, fairly, honestly and with respect, and numbers have been growing steadily over the past year. Our recent online Music Festival featured some of the amazing musicians in the global community. And as a former A&R exec with EMI Music, I was really impressed with the talent. The highlights reel runs about an hour, and that’s time well spent to discover some wonderful talent. It’s quite an eclectic line-up but some of my personal favorites from this festival include a spine-tingling song from Zeeteah Massiah.” Zeeteah has had a US Number One chart-topper, and toured the world alongside Tom Jones, Michael Jackson and Sting. She is a Jeeni Ambassador, and along with the rest of the team she is determined to help new Jeeni artists survive in these unprecedented times.
further information:
Mel Croucher, Creator of Jeeni
mel@jeeni.com
+44 9742 270102
Shena Mitchell, CEO
shena@jeeni.com
+44 7703 567196
Website: jeeni.com
Jeeni Music Festival: jeeni.com/jeeni-live-music-festival