Kerry Washington, Taraji P. Henson and Mary J. Blige throw a girly mixtape party as they star in ad for Apple Music's new streaming service

Published: 11:19 EST, 21 September 2015 | Updated: 13:59 EST, 21 September 2015

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Kerry Washington, Taraji P. Henson and Mary J. Blige are the stars of a commercial for Apple's new music streaming service.

The ad - which aired for the first time during Sunday night's Emmys - is the first of three, with the others set for release this week.

It shows Scandal star Washington, 38, and Empire actress Henson, 45, arriving at 44-year-old singer Blige's house, where they rock out to some beats.

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Rocking out: From left, Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington and Mary J. Blige dance to some beats in a new ad for Apple Music, which aired for the first time on Sunday night midway through the Emmys

'It's like you have a boyfriend that makes you a mix tape, in your laptop,' Washington says at one point during the commercial, in reference to the playlist function.

Apple Music launched in June, as the brand tries to capitalize on the highly competitive music streaming market against rivals including the already-established Spotify along with Jay Z's new venture, Tidal.

It costs $9.99 a month (or $14.99 for a family package) and has a database of more than 30 million songs, according to the Apple website.

Getting their freak on! The girls sit around with a box of mixtapes, but their attention is quickly diverted to Blige's laptop as she flashes up Apple Music

Easy! Blige talks about the playlist function on the service, and Kerry comments: 'It's like you have a boyfriend that makes you a mix tape, in your laptop'

She likes it! Kerry seems impressed as she watches Mary J. scroll around the website

Users have been offered a three-month free trial, which ends in September for the potential customers who signed up back in June.

With the new ad, the brand is firmly targeting women, presenting Washington, Henson and Blige having a girly afternoon with a mixtape party (thanks to the playlist function the service offers).

Sat around a table with a box of mixtapes, Blige complains about how long it took her to make them - but then excitedly spins her laptop around to the other girls and says: 'Look, now a playlist is made for you.'

That was the most awesome @AppleMusic ad with 3 of the coolest women on the planet. I want to be in there.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 21, 2015

I'm pretty sure Apple music just won the ad lottery. DAMN!
— Niceole Levy (@niceolecookies) September 21, 2015

THIS APPLE MUSIC AD WITH TARAJI KERRY AND MARY J BLIGE IS SO GOOD
— daniele (@stairwaytogold) September 21, 2015

The ad ends with a message promising an 'Instant boyfriend mixtape service' and plugs 'unlimited music' for the monthly fee.

Famed director Ava DuVernay directed the commercial and after it aired last night Apple Music tweeted: 'Playlists, the new mixtapes. Go ahead ladies! @maryjblige @kerrywashington @TherealTaraji.'

The advert caused quite the stir on Twitter too.

Shonda Rhimes, the showrunner for Kerry's show Scandal, tweeted: 'That was the most awesome @AppleMusic ad with 3 of the coolest women on the planet. I want to be in there.'

Other users were similarly excited: 'I'm pretty sure Apple music just won the ad lottery. DAMN!' wrote Twitter user Niceole Levy ‏under the handle @niceolecookies.

And daniele ‏@stairwaytogold wrote: 'THIS APPLE MUSIC AD WITH TARAJI KERRY AND MARY J BLIGE IS SO GOOD.'