Rolling Stone’s Singaporean co-owner acquires UK DJ live-streaming startup

Photo credit: BandLab.

Singapore-based social music-making platform BandLab announced today that it has acquired UK startup Chew, a live-streaming service for DJs.

The acquisition allows the live-streaming tech to be integrated into BandLab’s web platform, as well as its Android and iOS apps, making it available for BandLab’s nearly 2 million users. Meanwhile, Chew will continue as a separate service, rebranding itself as Chew by BandLab.

BandLab’s co-founder and CEO Meng Ru Kuok said that performing live is one of the most important parts of being a musician. “With Chew in the BandLab family, it means we can deliver more great technology and a streaming product to our users, as well as welcome in a group of very talented and passionate people to our broader community,” added Kuok.

Chew was originally a graduate of the startup accelerator known as Ignite. Despite having a loyal and passionate user base of more than 380,000, the startup has been experiencing some financial difficulties over the last six months. In July, the company announced that it has raised more than US$15,000 in donations, after rallying its community under the #savedchew hastag.

BandLab previously made headlines after acquiring a 49 percent stake of Rolling Stone magazine last year. The investment gave BandLab part ownership of the magazine’s print and digital assets.