Blaqk Stereo - DeDistribution and Music Mobile Dapp

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Hawwal Ogungbadero

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Nife O.

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Blaqk Stereo addresses royalty payment delays, financial barriers, regional restrictions, and intermediary reliance with our De-distribution, providing crypto payment solutions to music artists.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Blaqk Stereo is making its wallet payment solution open source. With this initiative, developers worldwide can access, modify, and distribute the code freely, fostering innovation and collaboration. We'll be utilising the MIT License, allowing for maximum flexibility and reuse.

[METADATA] SDG rating

>> SDG SELECTION:

• SDG goals:
• End poverty in all its forms everywhere
• Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

• SDG subgoals:
• Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions

• Key Performance Indicator (KPI):
• Total official development assistance grants from all donors that focus on poverty reduction as a share of the recipient country’s gross national income

>> PHDI SELECTION:

The following report is applied for the selected Planetary pressures-adjusted Human Development Index:

'''

Nigeria is ranked 163 (Human Development Index) and when adjusted for the Planetary pressures is ranked 160 a rise of 3. 

 In 2021 it had a Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.535 that when adjusted for the Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI (PHDI) had a value of 0.524, a difference of 2.06. 

 The Planetary Pressures adjustment factor of 0.98 is made up of the SDG9.4 Carbon dioxide emissions per capita (production) 2020 of 0.61 tonnes (indexed value 0.99), and the SDG8.4 and 12.2 Material footprint per capita of 3.6 tonnes (indexed value 0.97). 

 For more information about the details of the PHDI please reference: 

 https://hdr.undp.org/planetary-pressures-adjusted-human-development-index#/indicies/PHDI 

 https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/phdi2020technicalnotespdf.pdf 

 The specific SDG targets 

 https://indicators.report/targets/9-4/ 

 https://indicators.report/targets/8-4/ 

 https://indicators.report/targets/12-2/ 

 Source data: 

 https://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/2021-22_HDR/HDR21-22_Statistical_Annex_PHDI_Table.xlsx (table 7)

'''

#proposertoolsdg

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Watch this Video Presentation:

https://youtu.be/aT8KFx1aO-A?si=KFcVhVG0Sbdd1NNc

• Blaqk stereo applies the “mobile-first” approach to make transaction in cryptocurrency user-friendly and simplifies access to global financial services in which creatives can get paid directly stress-free. By offering a decentralized distribution platform and alternative payment solutions in crypto, Blaqk Stereo seeks to empower artists, foster financial inclusivity, and streamline the music ecosystem.
• De-Fi offers payment solutions that are decentralized, enabling direct transactions without the need for traditional banking systems, thereby reducing fees and increasing accessibility across the globe, bringing this tech into the music industry will give music artists the enablement to earn with ease while creating and carrying out their day to day transactions.
• This project is primarily for music artists both independent, & signed musicians and secondarily for music lovers as well and our target region is Africa. Africa’s music streaming revenue projected to reach $314.6 million by 2026 and we want a stake in that market.
• Blaqk Stereo app currently has a prototype which has been designed and we intend beginning the development which the community will be updated as we progress through our community channels and website blog.

Blaqk Stereo has achieved significant milestones, establishing itself as a dynamic platform at the intersection of innovation and creativity. Our traction points underscore the success and impact we've garnered in the industry:

Grants and Funding:

Blaqk Stereo has secured a substantial $20,000 USD in grants from the prestigious Near Foundation. This financial backing reflects confidence in our vision and dedication to improving the music landscape.

Prototype Development:

We have successfully developed and presented the Blaqk Stereo UI prototype, showcasing the DApp's unique features and capabilities. This marks a crucial step towards bringing our vision to life and providing users with an unparalleled music experience.

Guinness World Record Achievement:

In 2022, Blaqk Stereo made history by achieving the Guinness World Record for the Longest Recording Session with Multiple Artists. This remarkable feat not only demonstrates our commitment to pushing boundaries but also solidifies our presence as an innovative leader in the music industry.

Legal Entity Establishment:

Blaqk Stereo has taken a strategic step by registering as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) under Delaware law in 2022. This legal status ensures a robust foundation for our operations and underscores our commitment to professionalism and compliance.

Importance to the Cardano Community:

1. Blaqk Stereo’s adoption of the stable token "USDM" under "Ada" would increase the currencies liquidity, thereby sparking a higher demand and greater market confidence for the Cardano ecosystem with an expected average of 100,000 - 300,000 active users on our platform within the next 2 years.
2. Higher trading volumes from the Blaqk Stereo app will contribute to maintaining price stability of "Ada" by ensuring the value of "USDM" remains closely pegged to the USD.

Importance to the Cardano Community:

1. Blaqk Stereo’s adoption of the stable token "USDM" under "Ada" would increase the currencies liquidity, thereby sparking a higher demand and greater market confidence for the Cardano ecosystem with an expected average of 100,000 - 300,000 active users on our platform within the next 2 years.
2. Higher trading volumes from the Blaqk Stereo app will contribute to maintaining price stability of "Ada" by ensuring the value of "USDM" remains closely pegged to the USD.

Why Blaqk Stereo:

For Artists -

Blaqk Stereo offers artists what traditional platform don’t offer which is access to a financially inclusive ecosystem for artists prioritising grants and amenities. We empowering artists at all stages of their careers.

For Subscribers -

In many regions worldwide, PayPal and similar platforms are inaccessible, requiring costly currency conversions. Blaqk Stereo, powered by Cardano, offers a seamless, cost-effective payment solution. Subscribers will enjoy value at a lower cost and engage with artists through NFT collections, encouraging symbiotic relationships and earning opportunities by trading valuable music artist creations within vibrant communities.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Blaqk Stereo Impact Measurement:

We intend measuring our impact through these key points below:

1. User Engagement and Growth

• Active Users: Track daily, weekly, and monthly active users to gauge platform engagement.
• Subscription Rates: Monitor the number of new and renewing subscribers to evaluate market acceptance.
• App Downloads: Count the number of app downloads as a direct measure of growth and reach.

2. Financial Performance

• Revenue: Measure total revenue generated from subscriptions, royalties, and other services.
• Profitability: Monitor net profit to assess financial health and sustainability.
• Royalty Payments: Track the frequency and volume of royalty distributions to artists to ensure they are timely and fair.

3. Artist Impact

• Artist Sign-Ups: Number of new artists joining the platform.
• Artist Earnings: Evaluate the increase in earnings artists achieve by using Blaqk Stereo compared to traditional platforms.
• Artist Retention Rates: Monitor how many artists continue to use the platform over time.

4. Technological Adoption

• Transactions on Cardano: Count and monitor the number of transactions processed using blockchain technology to measure tech adoption.
• Error Rate: Track the rate of transaction errors or failures to ensure the stability of the technology.

5. Community and Social Impact

• Community Engagement: Use surveys, feedback forms, and social media analytics to gauge user satisfaction and feedback.
• Impact Stories: Collect qualitative data through case studies and testimonials that illustrate how Blaqk Stereo has positively affected artists and users.
• Outreach Programs: Assess the reach and effectiveness of programs aimed at promoting financial inclusiveness and support for artists.

6. Innovation and Development

• Feature Updates: Track the rollout of new features and their adoption.
• Platform Upgrades: Measure improvements in platform performance and capabilities.

7. Partnerships and Collaborations

• Number and Quality of Partnerships: Evaluate the strategic partnerships formed and their impact on platform growth and visibility.

We will be sharing our outputs & opportunities with the Cardano stakeholders and community through these means:

The outputs and opportunities from the Blaqk Stereo project can be shared and utilized in various ways to benefit artists, users, and stakeholders. Here’s a breakdown of how these can be effectively distributed:

• Artist Opportunities

1. Royalty Payments: Artists receive immediate and transparent royalty payments through the platform’s use of Cardano's tech, ensuring they are compensated fairly and promptly.
2. Exposure and Promotion: Artists gain exposure through featured spots on the app and promotional activities conducted by Blaqk Stereo, helping them reach a broader audience.
3. Creative Freedom: By reducing reliance on traditional music labels and intermediaries, artists can retain more creative control over their work.

• User Benefits

1. Access to Exclusive Content: Users can access unique content such as limited-edition tracks, pre-releases, or special remixes through the platform.
2. Community Features: Features like direct messaging with artists, community forums, and live Q&A sessions enhance user engagement.
3. Incentives and Rewards: Users can earn rewards for activities on the platform, such as sharing music, participating in community events, or curating playlists.

• Technology Sharing

1. Open Source Development: Blaqk Stereo opts to make its wallet technology open source, and by doing so, we aim to accelerate innovation and adoption of Cardano tech.
2. API Access: Providing developers with access to Blaqk Stereo’s APIs would encourage the creation of third-party apps and services that enhance the user and artist experience.

1. Educational Initiatives

• Workshops and Webinars: Offering educational resources to artists and users on navigating the blockchain space, understanding crypto payments, and maximizing platform benefits.
• Partnerships with Educational Institutions: Collaborating with universities and educational platforms to integrate music and blockchain education into their curricula.

1. Economic Impact

• Job Creation: As Blaqk Stereo expands, it will create jobs in technology, marketing, customer support, and more.
• Economic Growth: By enabling artists to earn more and reinvesting profits into local communities, Blaqk Stereo can contribute to economic development.

1. Strategic Partnerships

• Collaborations with Tech Companies: Leveraging relationships with tech firms can bring advanced features, better infrastructure, expansion to newer territories and more robust security to the platform.
• Music Industry Partnerships: Aligning with record labels, production companies, and event organizers to offer broader opportunities for artists and enhanced experiences for users.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Hawwal Ogungbadero, the innovative founder behind Blaqk Stereo music and Celo Tribe, boasts a rich blend of creativity and technological prowess. A Guinness World Record holder for orchestrating the longest recording session with multiple artists, Hawwal’s initiative aimed to spotlight young, emerging talents within his community. His enduring passion for the transformative potential of Web3 has seen him actively engaging with and building on various blockchain networks for over half a decade. Hawwal's singular commitment to leveraging Web3 technologies ensures the delivery of sustainable, life-changing solutions across the digital landscape.

Here is the blaqk Stereo tech stack overview:

Frontend Development:

• Cross-Platform App Development: Utilising React Native for seamless iOS and Android app development.
• Blockchain Interaction: Implementing libraries for Cardano blockchain integration and wallet functionalities.

Backend Development:

• Server-Side Development: Leveraging Node.js and Express.js for flexible and efficient backend development.
• Data Querying: Utilizing GraphQL for streamlined data querying and manipulation.

Blockchain Integration:

• Smart Contracts: Developing Cardano-based smart contracts for tokenization, royalties, and other blockchain-related operations.

Database:

• Data Storage: Selecting MongoDB or PostgreSQL based on specific scalability and data structure needs.

Authentication:

• User Authentication: Implementing authentication and authorization using Stytch, Dock.io, or OAuth.

Payment Gateway:

• Blockchain Payment Integration: Utilizing Cardano Blockchain Payment API for subscription models, in-app purchases, or donations.

Cloud Services:

• Cloud Infrastructure: Leveraging AWS or Google Cloud Platform for scalable and efficient cloud services.

Version Control:

• Version Control: Utilizing Git for efficient version control and collaboration.

Development Tools:

• Collaboration Tools: Employing GitHub or GitLab for version control and collaboration.
• Containerisation: Utilizing Docker for streamlined containerisation and deployment.
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Implementing CI/CD tools like Jenkins or GitHub Actions for automated testing and deployment processes.

Testing:

• Unit Testing: Utilizing Jest or Mocha for efficient unit testing.
• End-to-End Testing: Implementing Cypress or Detox for comprehensive end-to-end testing.

Monitoring and Analytics:

• Application Monitoring: Employing Sentry or New Relic for real-time application performance monitoring.
• User Analytics: Utilizing Google Analytics or Mixpanel for in-depth analysis of user behaviour and engagement.

UI/UX Design:

• User Interface Design: Utilizing Figma for intuitive and user-friendly UI/UX design.

Security:

• Data Security: Implementing SSL/TLS protocols for secure data transmission.
• Application Security: Adhering to OWASP best practices for comprehensive application security.

Preferred Blockchain:

• Deployment Platform: Cardano blockchain preferred for its reliability and industry adoption.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Legal & Policy Compliance: Completion of the upgrade from LLC to Corporation status and obtaining all necessary licenses and permits within 3 months.

Evidence:

• Legal documentations and registrations.

• App Launch and Feature Development: The successful development and launch of the Blaqk Stereo app on the Cardano mainnet within the specified time frame (6 months).
• Smooth Platform Operations: Ensuring the smooth operation of the platform by covering hosting and subscription.

Evidence:

• Product availability on App store and Play store.

Brand Awareness and Artist Onboarding: Implementation of marketing campaigns and successful onboarding of a minimum of 1500-3000 music artists within 4 months.

Evidence:

• User data metrics available through App downloads and monthly returns.

Marketing: Launch of various campaigns, events and workshops to help artists.

Evidence:

• Onboarding of minimum of 200 music projects to Blaqk Stereo.

Product Launch: October 2024

Project Close-out Report and Video

Evidence:

• Product availability on App store and Play store.
• Video available on Youtube with report available via blog channels.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Team members:

Our team comprises seasoned professionals with a deep understanding of both the music industry and blockchain technology. With diverse expertise ranging from UI design to App build to blockchain deployment, we possess the perfect blend of skills needed to innovate and execute Blaqk Stereo's vision effectively.

• Founder, Blockchain dev: Hawwal Ogungbadero, IN
• Co-Founder: Nife O. IG
• UI/UX: Ololade A., IN
• Dev Lead: Victor A., IN

Partner / Adviser

• Victor AD: Award winning musician IG
• Don Jazzy: Founder Mavin Records, lN, IG

Bio:

• Hawwal Ogungbadero is the founder of Blaqk Stereo music, Blockchain Dev. and a Guinness world record holder

• Nife O. is a Talent Management and A&R with almost half a decade in music management and has worked alongside some of Afro-beats most promising music stars.

• Ololade is a UI/UX designer and she has worked on several projects one of which is Tappi which is platform that digitizes SMEs here in Africa. She’s the Ui designer of the Blaqk Stereo product.

• Victor A. has a decade of experience as a frontend engineer and is the lead dev on the Blaqk stereo product. He’s worked on a number of projects one of which is Evolve credit which is a bank lending app.

• Victor AD is a multitalented award winning Afro-beat artist and entrepreneur.

• Don Jazzy is Founder of Mavin music records and music industry giant who has produced the likes of Rema, Wanda coal, Ruger, and so many more world renowned Afro-beats stars.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Budget:

This a detailed breakdown of costing across Blaqk Stereo’s various tranches. 

Product Development (₳45,000):

• Time Frame: 6 months
• Infrastructure and Operational Costs
• Cover hosting fees and software subscriptions
• Maintain smooth operation of the platform
• Enhance app features for better user experience
• Integrate new functionalities like NFT marketplace

Legal and Compliance (₳20,000):

• Time Frame: 3 months
• Obtain necessary licenses for expansion
• Ensure compliance with global regulations

Marketing and Promotion (₳20,000):

• Time Frame: 4 months
• Launch targeted digital marketing campaigns
• Increase brand awareness through partnerships

Team (Full-time staff) ₳15,000:

• Split amongst Founder, Co-Founder, Dev. Lead, & UI designer - Duration (6 months)

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

• Average developer in my country Nigeria earn $8.9 an hour (article)
• Legal & Policy compliancies may range from $5,000 to $50,000. check this (article)
• We will be creating marketing contents for radio, social media, billboards and blogs.
• The Blaqk Stereo team will be working on the project full-time through out, that is why a allocation was made available for them.