Amazon has made the surprising decision to shut down their live listening service Amp, leaving fans of Nicki Minaj’s Queen Radio and other shows wondering what the future holds. With this development, the online community has expressed their thoughts and concerns, reflecting a mix of disappointment and anticipation for what’s next.
Saying Goodbye To Amp
Amazon’s decision to shut down Amp, launched in March 2022, comes as CEO Andy Jassy aggressively cuts costs within the company.
Despite being launched just a year ago, Amp has quickly become a go-to platform for popular podcasts, including the widely celebrated Queen Radio with Nicki Minaj, T Time with Tinashe, Big Boi’s Tales From The Mothership, and many more. One Twitter (X) user said, “Amp shutting down rip tea time with Tinashe.”
Amazon’s Decision
In a statement released by a spokesperson for Amazon, the decision to close Amp was described as difficult but necessary:
“We’ve made the difficult decision to close Amp. We learned a lot about how live music communities interact in the process, which we are bringing to bear as we build new fan experiences at scale in Amazon Music.”
Amp’s closure adds to the challenges faced by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, who has been reviewing the company’s finances and addressing declining sales in a difficult economy. This is part of a larger effort that has also led to the elimination of over 27,000 jobs within Amazon.
CNBC reports that Amp needed to meet internal goals regarding listeners and other performance metrics, leading to layoffs even before the decision to shut it down.
No More ‘Queen Radio?’
The Queen of Rap had recently returned to the show through Amp in March 2023, following her debut on Apple Music in 2018. Fans of Nicki Minaj and Queen Radio are now left wondering what will happen to the show they have come to love.
The Barbz, as her fanbase is known, are worried that this could mark the end of Queen Radio. A Barb on Twitter (X) also commented, “Manifesting Queen radio now that amp is in the trash.” Another Barb said, “Amp.. is shutting down.. where the hell are we gonna go now for Queen Radio??”
Though some are concerned, there is also hope among fans that Queen Radio will find a new platform to continue entertaining and engaging its audience.
Amazon Set To Move On From Amp
As Amazon moves on from Amp, they have been expanding their presence in the audio and entertainment industry. They acquired podcast network Wondery in 2020, which boasts highly acclaimed shows such as Dr. Death and the Shrink Network. With this acquisition, Amazon has positioned itself to continue offering compelling audio content to a wide audience.
Despite the closure, Amazon remains invested in audio and entertainment, owning various platforms, including a music streaming service, Twitch livestreaming, and audiobooks.
The Recent Return Of Queen Radio
In February 2023, Nicki Minaj announced the return of her podcast, Queen Radio, on the live listening service app Amp. This came after the rap superstar took a hiatus from the internet since November 2022 and made a comeback at the 2023 Trinidad Carnival, generating excitement among her fans.
In recent developments related to the “Super Freaky Girl” rapper, she has unveiled the cover art for her highly anticipated album, Pink Friday 2, teased a new track from the upcoming release, and suggested the possibility of a world tour. Nicki Minaj’s fifth studio album is scheduled for release on November 17, 2023.
Scooter Braun Departs From Celeb Manager Position
In a loosely related development concerning CEO decisions, A-list celebrity manager Scooter Braun recently stepped down from being a manager to focus more on his CEO position at HYBE America. This decision sparked curiosity among fans about the future of their favorite artists, including those under the hip-hop label Quality Control, which houses acts like Lakeyah, City Girls, Quavo, and Offset.