Rapper T-Pain's digital-only record label, Nappy Boy Digital, claims he has sold more ringtones than any other recording artist – over 15 million, including the 2007 triple-platinum ringtones of his songs, "I'm N Luv (Wit A Stripper)" and "BuyYou A Drank (Shawty Snappin')."
Hoping this success continues, the mobile media Zed has signed Nappy Boy Digital to an exclusive deal that will see all of the ringtones created by T-Pain and his stable of up and coming rappers released only through its mobile network.
Nevermind that many feel ringtones should be free, since they're just truncated versions of songs we've already purchased whose play button is tied to an incoming call. They're big business nonetheless, due in part to cellphone manufacturers insistence on disabling phones' ability to use MP3s as ringtones.
"It's exciting to work with partners like T-Pain who have seen out-of-the-park ringtone success and are willing to test out the mobile distribution waters to launch their label and artists," said Zed's US chief marketing officer, Ted Suh. The will deal also include ringtones from other Nappy Boy Digital artists, including Tay Dizm, Jay Lyriq, Sophia Fresh andYoung Ca$h.
My favorite ringtone? The same one that rings on DethKlok's dethphones, recorded from TiVo and loaded onto a Nokia N95.
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Photo: minusbaby