Press release
Microsoft have teamed up with Epic Records to bring HD music video downloads for free to subscribers of Xbox 360's live service.
Over the next year, Xbox 360 and Epic Records will showcase 12 up-and-coming artists through the Artist of the Month (AOM) program via the Xbox Live service. Through the alliance, millions of Xbox Live members can enter a monthly sweepstakes with a prize of gaming against some of the hottest musicians through the Xbox Live Game with Fame program.
Kicking off the AOM program is established British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield, who recently captured her second top 10 hit in the U.S. with the smash single "Unwritten," the follow-up to last year's top 10 hit, "These Words." "Unwritten," which currently holds the No. 4 spot on the Top 40 Mainstream Airplay chart, is also exploding on iTunes, making Bedingfield the No. 3 artist overall and making the single the No. 1 most downloaded pop song.
"Our goal has always been to make Xbox Live a cutting-edge entertainment experience," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "This agreement with Epic Records offers our members exclusive artistic content directly from the source. With Artist of the Month we will be providing exactly what music-loving gamers want: brand-new, exclusive music videos that can be downloaded quickly, easily and free of charge."
"The fusion of music and video games now plays a significant role in breaking artists and enhancing the video game experience; the cross-cultivation of the two mediums helps new games and new artists thrive together," said Charlie Walk, president of Epic Records. "Through this alliance, Epic and Xbox show that we are in one business — exciting young adults and leading them to the art of discovery."
