Otabor unveils platform to revolutionise global music industry through AI

Chinedum Ukaegbu

A Nigerian-born technology entrepreneur, Festus Atu Otabor, has launched WillsRecord, an artificial intelligence-powered music platform designed to integrate music creation, streaming, distribution, discovery and monetisation within a single digital ecosystem.

The platform, unveiled in October 2026, operates from Silicon Valley, California, United States, and is legally established in both the US and Nigeria.

Described by its founder as the world’s first AI Music Economy Ecosystem, WillsRecord seeks to transform how music is created, distributed, consumed and monetised by providing creators and listeners with access to various technology-driven services in one place.

Speaking on the innovation, Otabor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WillsRecord Inc., said the initiative was designed to position Africa not only as a global source of musical talent but also as a contributor to the technology and economic infrastructure driving the international music industry.

“Africa has given the world some of its most loved music. I want Africa to also help build the technology and the economy behind it,” he said.

According to him, the platform would enable songwriters, students, producers and other creative talents across Africa and beyond to transform their musical ideas into finished, distributed and income-generating works.

Unlike conventional digital music platforms that concentrate on specific aspects of the music value chain, WillsRecord integrates several artificial intelligence-powered services, including AI lyrics writing, song creation, voice cloning, beat modelling, mixing and mastering.

Other features include track separation technology, video synchronisation, a digital song vault, global music distribution, creator monetisation, enterprise application programming interfaces (APIs) and the WillsCoin rewards ecosystem.

The company explained that the integrated system would allow music creators to move from the initial stage of inspiration to professional production, distribution and potential earnings without depending on multiple disconnected digital services.

Breaking barriers in music production

WillsRecord is also targeting barriers that have historically limited aspiring musicians, particularly the high cost of music production, limited access to professional equipment and industry resources, as well as the challenges associated with securing opportunities within the traditional music industry.

Through its AI-powered tools, the platform aims to make sophisticated music production technology more accessible to independent artists and emerging talents in cities such as Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, New York and other parts of the world.

The company believes the innovation could create opportunities for more people to participate in the global creative economy, regardless of their financial background or access to traditional recording studios.

Listeners to earn rewards

In another distinctive feature, WillsRecord is designed to extend its reward system beyond music creators to include listeners.

According to the company, users may earn rewards through activities such as streaming, engagement, sharing music, supporting creators and contributing to the growth of the platform’s community.

The initiative is intended to transform music consumption from a largely one-way experience into a participatory digital economy in which creators and listeners can benefit from their engagement.

Africa’s place in the global AI revolution

Otabor said the platform reflects his belief that Africa should play a greater role in developing technologies that shape the future of the global economy.

“Africa is no longer simply consuming innovation; it is creating it,” he stated.

He added that WillsRecord envisions a future where the continent contributes not only musical talents but also the digital platforms, technological infrastructure and business models powering the global creative industry.

The company is positioning the platform within the emerging intersection of artificial intelligence, digital entertainment and the creator economy, at a time when technology companies are increasingly exploring AI-driven solutions for music production and distribution.

WillsRecord has consequently invited newspapers, television and radio stations, technology and business publications, digital publishers, entertainment media organisations and content creators to engage with its innovation and explore opportunities for collaboration.