Universal Music Group to Launch Strategic Division in Nigeria
First marquee label signings include acclaimed artists Tekno, Stonebwoy, Vanessa Mdee & Mr Eazi.
SANTA MONICA/LAGOS, July 17, 2018 – Universal Music Group (UMG), the
world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced a significant
expansion of operations within Western Africa, with the launch of
Universal Music Nigeria. This new strategic division, will operate from a
new office in Lagos, under the leadership of seasoned music executive
Ezegozie Eze Jr., who has been named General Manager of Universal Music
Nigeria.
Eze and his team will support artists from Nigeria, Ghana, and Gambia
throughout the continent and beyond, utilizing Universal Music Group’s
global networks for wider discovery, marketing, promotion and
distribution. Eze, has previously held roles at Channel O Television,
Empire Mates Entertainment (Banky W & WizKid) and was a founder of
Pan-African creative companies, Republic 54, Alore Group, and Duma
Collective, brings vital experience in the Nigerian music market. He
will report to Sipho Dlamini, MD, Universal Music South Africa and
Sub-Saharan Africa.
The label has signed a host of Nigerian-born artists including WurlD,
Odunsi (the Engine), Tay Iwar, and Ghanaian-born artists Cina Soul and
Stonebwoy. In addition, the label has recently signed marquee deals with
acclaimed Banku singer and songwriter Mr Eazi for pan-African releases,
co-signed Nigerian artist Tekno in conjunction with Island Records UK
and Tanzanian singer and songwriter Vanessa Mdee in conjunction with
AfroForce1 Records/Universal Music Central Europe/Universal Music South
Africa. These two signings mark the first time UMG labels from the two
continents have combined to sign and release African artists globally,
with other artist partnerships in the pipeline with UMG labels from
around the world.
In making the announcement, Dlamini said, “In recent years there has
been an increase in visibility of Nigerian and Ghanaian music and its
influence on contemporary music around the world. Eze and his team are
perfectly placed to support, nurture and help develop artists and
musicians from the region, whilst creating opportunities for new talent
from the region to reach the widest possible audience.”
Ezegozie Eze |
Eze commented, “I am delighted to be officially launching Universal
Music’s Nigerian division at such an exciting time for African music
around the world. The world’s largest music company opening an office
within the region is a huge statement of belief in our local music
talent. The signings we have already made show our ambition to help our
artists reach the widest global audience and we are looking forward to
working closely with our UMG label partners around the world to make
that happen.”
This new division will work in partnership with existing UMG
operations throughout the continent including Cote D’Ivoire, Morocco and
alongside key markets across English-speaking Africa in order to offer
artists comprehensive opportunities throughout the region and provide
pan-African talent the best possible launch pad for wider international
success.
Universal Music Group operates two successful live music companies
within Africa, both of which will also have divisions within Universal
Music Nigeria. Launched in 2017 in Johannesburg, UMG Live Africa has
quickly become one of the leading talent booking agencies within the
continent. It has succesfully helped redefine the role of a booking
agency within Africa, with a broad roster of artists made up of both UMG
talent and non-UMG signed artists making more than 600 performances
throughout 2017. ULive Africa was founded in 2016 and is engaged in
staging, producing, programming and hosting large-scale live concerts
and events throughout Africa including Runway Jazz, the innaugral
African Comedy Awards, Lekki Sunsplash (30th Anniversary Edition), The
Music Industry Awards in Nigeria, Afrochella and Baskets & Wine in
Ghana, and Cocktails in the Wild in Uganda and Nigeria, with several
other exciting projects in the pipeline.
Universal Music Group is also working closely in partnership with
parent company Vivendi, and several of its divisions including
CanalOlympia, Vivendi and Canal+ to support and develop the live music
industry throughout the continent.
Universal Music Nigeria is currently developing plans to open a
recording studio in Lagos in order to further advance the recording
facilities available to local African talent. It will become UMG’s
second fully purposed studio within Africa, alongside the existing
facility in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Through these strategic investments, initiatives and executive
appointments, UMG is accelerating the company’s focus on growing the
entire African music ecosystem including recorded music, music
publishing, production, live events, brand partnerships and
merchandising efforts.
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