MTV debuts music app for iPhone

MTV is finally bringing music to smartphones.

After success with an app that curated content from its roster of shows to mobile devices, the network has rolled out an app that will connect users with musicians – and help them discover new acts.

On Thursday the network debuted MTV Artists, a new app exclusive to the iPhone, that offers everything from artist discovery and retro archives and bio info from well known acts to curating exclusive content from artists.

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Unlike popular music based apps like Shazam, iTunes and Pandora, MTV reached for a multi-functional app and it gleaned the best functions of already pre-existing apps for theirs.

Like Shazam the app quickly indentifies tracks playing, but it goes it step further and allows the user to type in what little lyrics they do know to identity a song.

An artist search offers bio info and related acts for more than 1 million musicians, and the app has curated a deep archive of retro footage, interviews and news reports from back in the day (when MTV actually aired a ton of music content and not just reality shows on drunks and whiny teenage moms).

The app will also house original content like live performances and first listens, streamline artist’s social media feeds and allow users to buy albums, singles and concert tickets.