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Sony Music Africa

Sony Music Entertainment Africa (SMEA) is a record label, based in Africa,[1] a subsidiary of Sony Music.[2]

History

Sony Music in Africa has a rich history intertwined with the global evolution of Sony Music Entertainment. Founded in 1991, Sony Music Entertainment Africa is the local arm of Sony Music, which was established as American Record Corporation in 1929 and later rebranded to Columbia Recording Corporation.[3]

Over the years, Sony Music has expanded its presence in Africa, including South Africa, with offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The company's strategic growth in Africa involves opening offices in key markets like Lagos, Nigeria,[4] and Nairobi, Kenya, to promote local talent globally.[5]

Subsidiaries

South Africa (Sony Music South Africa)

South Africa is one of the largest and most influential music markets in Africa. Sony Music South Africa is based in Johannesburg and serves as the hub for Sony Music Africa's operations in the region. The division works with a diverse range of artists across different genres, including amapiano,[6] pop, hip-hop, house, and traditional South African music.[7]

Nigeria (Sony Music West Africa)

Nigeria is another major music market in Africa, known for its vibrant Afrobeat, Afropop, and hip-hop scenes. Sony Music West Africa, based in Lagos, Nigeria,[8] focuses on discovering and promoting Nigerian talent both within Africa and internationally. The division collaborates with artists, producers, and record labels to develop and distribute music across various platforms.[9] Godwin Tom was appointed as its first managing director.[10]

Kenya (Sony Music East Africa)

Kenya has a thriving music industry with diverse influences from traditional African music, Afro-fusion, and contemporary pop. Sony Music East Africa,[11] based in Nairobi, Kenya, works with local artists and labels to amplify Kenyan music on both regional and global scales. The division also supports artist development and distribution efforts within the East African region appointing Christine Mosha[12] as its head of marketing.

Ghana

Ghana has emerged as a significant player in the African music scene,[13] particularly in genres like highlife, hiplife, and Afrobeats. Sony Music Ghana, based in Accra, collaborates with Ghanaian artists, producers, songwriters and music industry stakeholders to showcase the country's musical talent to the world.[14] The division also facilitates partnerships and collaborations between Ghanaian artists and international counterparts.[15]

Partners

  • Afrochella[16]
  • Audiomack[17]
  • Bridges for Music Academy[18]
  • Digital Music Commerce & Exchange (DMCE)[19]
  • Boomplay[20]
  • Celebrity Services Africa (CSA)[21]
  • The Women of Music Business (Womb)[22]
  • WatsUp TV[23]
  • Starnews Mobile Côte d'Ivoire[24]
  • MTN Group[25]

Record Labels

Artists

Former Members

Current Members

  • Alikiba[30] – Tanzania[31]
  • AKA[32][33] – South Africa
  • Baraka The Prince
  • Lady Jay Dee - Tanzania
  • Rose Muhando - Tanzania
  • Shine4 – South Africa[34]
  • Aslay[35][36] – Tanzania
  • Gyakie[37][38] – Ghana
  • Abby Chams[39][40] – Tanzania
  • TiTi Owusu[41] – Ghana
  • M.O.G Beatz[42] – Ghana
  • Young Lunya[43] – Tanzania
  • Ommy Dimpoz[44] – Tanzania
  • Tresor[45][46] – Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Ferré Gola[47] – Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • D'banj[48] – Nigeria
  • Kwesta[49] – South Africa
  • Black Motion[50] – South Africa
  • Zakwe[51] – South Africa
  • The Soil – South Africa
  • Zonke[52] – South Africa
  • Shekhinah[53][54] – South Africa
  • 25k[55] – South Africa
  • Mayorkun[56] – Nigeria
  • Dice Ailes[57] – Nigeria
  • Mr JazziQ[58] – South Africa

External links

References

  1. Alexei Barrionuevo. Sony Music Africa to Offer Record Deals to Afrochella, Audiomack Contest Winners Billboard, 2022-11-18, retrieved 2023-01-02^
  2. Andrea Fowler. Sony Music Africa Launches New Business Skills Programme to Build the Next Generation of Female Music Leaders - Sony Music Sony Music Entertainment, 2021-04-15, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  3. CBS Records Changes Name The New York Times, 1990-10-16, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  4. Justin Probyn. Why Sony is pursuing music streaming in Nigeria How we made it in Africa, 2017-02-20, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  5. How Sony Music West Africa is Achieving Its Mission of Growth of the African Music Industry www.turntablecharts.com, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  6. Gloria Masia. TNS Accusses Sony Music Label Of Prioritizing Amapiano - The Yanos Magazine The Yanos Mag, 2022-08-26, retrieved 2024-03-10^
  7. Sony Music Entertainment Africa invests in SA's Young Guns 2019-08-02, retrieved 2024-03-10^
  8. Thania Garcia,Jem Aswad. Music Industry Moves: Sony Publishing Opens Nigeria Office, Names Godwin Tom Managing Director Variety, 2022-08-19, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  9. Anthony Udugba. Sony Music opens office in Lagos, appoints Godwin Tom as MD - BusinessDay, 2022-08-18, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  10. Sony Music Publishing Opens Nigeria Office, Appoints Godwin Tom as MD Sony Music Publishing, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  11. Sony Music Publishing ready to bring East African Artists to digital Market – Hooza retrieved 2024-03-09^
  12. Christine Mosha aka Seven's journey to Sony Africa's top job The Citizen, 2023-03-08, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  13. SMP TO LAUNCH GHANA CAMP HITS Daily Double, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  14. Talent is not enough – Munya Chanetsa of Sony Music to Ghanaian musicians - MyJoyOnline www.myjoyonline.com, 2022-02-09, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  15. Sony Music unveils new artist 'ROZ'; reveals plans to establish studio in Ghana Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana, 2022-07-16, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  16. Miko Marfori. Sony Music Africa Partners With Afrochella and Audiomack to Launch Expanded 'Rising Star Challenge' Competition - Sony Music Sony Music Entertainment, 2022-11-17, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  17. Chris Eggertsen. Audiomack Signs Licensing Deals With UMG & Sony, Marking a Major Label Trifecta Billboard, 2021-02-09, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  18. Bridges For Music Announce Sony Music Africa Partnership 2022-09-22, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  19. Sony Music Publishing Nigeria partners with DMCE Music In Africa, 2023-12-14, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  20. Boomplay Partners Sony Music to Increase its Footprint in Africa innovation-village.com, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  21. Sony Music inks JV to develop artists in Africa with entertainment & brand agency, Celebrity Services Africa Music Business Worldwide, 2020-06-24, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  22. Sony Music Africa partners with Women of Music Business to launch new 'masterclass' training programme Bizcommunity, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  23. admin. Sony Music announces partnership with WatsUp TV Space Watch Africa, 2021-01-21, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  24. Toni Kan. Sony Music Continues Push Into Africa With Ivory Coast Partnership. The Lagos Review, 2021-01-07, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  25. Ray Sharma. MTN Group Signs Music Distribution Deal with Sony www.thefastmode.com, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  26. Ladybrille Magazine. Ladybrille Music: Sony Music & Rockstar4000 Releases Debut Smash Single and Video for Kenya's Female Rapper Xtatic - Ladybrille® Magazine 2012-11-19, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  27. Pistol Pete. R.O.Z and label EMB sign partnership with Sony Music West Africa HipHopCanada, 2022-04-29, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  28. Sony Music Publishing inks worldwide partnership with South Africa's Gallo Music Publishers Music Business Worldwide, 2021-03-24, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  29. SA: Cloud 9ne Entertainment, Sony Music Africa announce joint venture Music In Africa, 2022-06-23, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  30. Mugibson Mugisha. 'Mwana' singer Alikiba parts ways with Sony Music Entertainment record label - MUGIBSON mugibson.com, 2021-01-20, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  31. sqoopadmin. Alikiba quits Sony Music Entertainment – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos 2021-01-20, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  32. yomzansi. AKA signs with SONY Music Africa and Vth Season YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE, 2018-10-08, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  33. Le'Afrinique Le'Afrinique, 2023-02-11, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  34. Roekeloos. Shine 4 Roekeloos.co.za, 2005-05-16, retrieved 2025-12-15^
  35. NTV KENYA-NATION MEDIA GROUP. NTV Kenya: Sony Music Entertainment signs Tanzania's Aslay. NTV Kenya, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  36. Asley signs for Sony Music Africa The Citizen, 2022-11-19, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  37. BellaNaija.com. Gyakie inks record deal with Sony Music/RCA Records UK BellaNaija, 2021-04-08, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  38. Osafo. Gyakie Signs A Record Deal With RCA And Sony Music Entertainment Groove Africa, 2021-03-24, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  39. Dennis Milimo. Sony Music signs multi-talented Tanzanian singer Abby Chams [Video] Pulselive Kenya, 2022-06-08, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  40. Sony Music signs Tanzanian singer Abby Chams Music In Africa, 2022-06-09, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  41. bmensah. Ghanaian sensation Titi Owusu secures global deal with Sony Music Publishing, West Africa YFM Ghana, 2023-07-27, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  42. Ghanaian producer M.O.G Beatz joins Sony Music Publishing Music In Africa, 2024-02-19, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  43. Tanzania's Young Lunya joins Sony Music Africa The Citizen, 2022-06-03, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  44. Tanzania: Ommy Dimpoz signs to Sony Music Africa Music In Africa, 2020-12-10, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  45. Tresor signs global deal with Sony Music Publishing news365.co.za, 2023-09-29, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  46. TRESOR signs global co-publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing TRACE, 2023-09-28, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  47. Congolese musician Ferre Gola joins Sony Music Africa Citizen Digital, 2022-04-01, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  48. Francis I. Ogboko. Dbanj signs new deal with Sony Music Africa Plus TV Africa, 2018-11-08, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  49. SONY MUSIC AFRICA CELEBRATES AS ELAINE, KABZA DE SMALL, KWESTA, DJ MAPHORISA, K.O, MYZTRO AND AKA — Mebala Press Entertainment News, Podcasts, and Celebrity Content Mebala Press, 2023-11-27, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  50. The Journalist. Black Motion SIGN deal with Sony Zkhiphani, 2016-09-29, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  51. Joy Adekunle. Zakwe celebrates 10th anniversary of debut album FakazaNews, 2021-11-29, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  52. admin. ZONKE SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH SONY Hypress Live, 2013-08-14, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  53. Mbalenhle Zuma. Is Shekhinah headed for end of the road at Sony Music? Sunday World, 2023-04-12, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  54. Hilary Sekgota. "Speak out": Shekhinah hints trouble with Sony Music online, SA wants exposé Briefly, 2023-04-12, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  55. SA rapper 25K inks Sony deal, drops new single Music In Africa, 2021-06-11, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  56. Mayorkun Makes His First-Ever Debut With Sony Music As He Releases 'Let Me Know' - THISDAYLIVE This Day, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  57. Dice Ailes returns with Dicey Baba, drags Sony Music over restriction of his music The Guardian, 2024-03-09, retrieved 2024-03-09^
  58. Drums Radio Team. Mr JazziQ inks deal with Sony Music 2021-10-27, retrieved 2024-03-09^