February 28, 2008

By By Antony Bruno, Denver

Facebook today unveiled a new music section designed to let artist create profiles that showcase their music, videos, photos and other details.

Participating artists can post songs for fans to stream, provide a full discography of previous works and sell tickets or merchandise. Music is streamed through the Facebook Music Player which will also include a "buy" link to iTunes. Merch sales are handled by Musictoday.

Meanwhile, fans can add artists as a "friend" on the service, rate and review the content posted there, and opt to receive messages from the band.

Profiles for artists are free. More than 80 artists are participating as launch partners, including Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake, Matchbox Twenty, Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Decemberists and Wyclef Jean.

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