Universal Music France (UMF), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced a strategic partnership with The Aristokrat Group, a prominent African entertainment company which operates from Lagos, Nigeria and is best known for discovering and developing Burna Boy, one of the biggest acts in the African music industry today. With more than a decade of experience in developing young African talent, Aristokrat represents the spirit and the sound of New Afrika.
This strategic partnership consists of both a label deal, as well as a publishing deal through Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). Aristokrat Group and Universal Music Group will work closely together to discover and develop exciting new African talent, giving artists and songwriters the opportunity to reach global audiences with support from Universal Music Group companies around the world.
From L-R: Jean-Charles Marian, Chief Digital Officer; Bertil David, MD Universal Music Publishing; Eneibimo Apulu, COO, Aristokrat Group; Tinu Adesugba, Executive Vice President, Content & Communications, Aristokrat Group; Piriye Isokari, CEO Aristokrat Group; Kel P, Grammy Nominated Record Producer; Steve Jervier, A&R Consultant, Aristokrat Group; Olivier Nusse – CEO Universal Music France after the signing ceremony between Aristokrat Group and Universal Music Group in Paris, France.
The first recording artists signed to the label are Kel P, Jujuboy Star, and Tneeya. Kel P is a highly respected Nigerian producer, who worked with Burna Boy on his Grammy-nominated album African Giant, and recently worked with Wizkid on his Starboy, The Soundman Vol 1 EP. Jujuboy Star is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer. T’neeya is a Cameroonian singer and songwriter. All Aristokrat Records artists will be signed and distributed in partnership with Caroline France, a Universal Music France label.
In addition, the publishing partnership with UMPG will enable Aristokrat to further discover and develop African songwriters, artists and producers globally, and to maximise creative and collaborative opportunities for its talent worldwide. The first publishing signings are Kel P, Jujuboy Star and Saszy Afroshii, a fast-rising female producer from Lagos.
In announcing the partnership, Olivier Nusse, CEO, Universal Music France, said, “I am very proud that Aristokrat Group has chosen Universal Music France as its strategic partner to reach a global audience. We are convinced that Aristokrat represents the sound of New Africa and we look forward to working with our UMG labels globally to ensure that people around the world, can discover and dance to this sound!”
Bertil David, MD, Universal Music Publishing France, said, “Aristokrat is one of the most important voices in Africa right now. The quality of their A&R, their artistic and creative vision, and entrepreneurship is both unique and progressive. We are very proud at UMPG to be able to partner with Aristokrat to help them achieve the global presence they deserve.”
Piriye Isokrari, Founder and CEO, The Aristokrat Group, said, “This is an exciting time for African musicians, producers, and companies such as ours. Over the last decade, we’ve been at the forefront of cultivating this sound and building sustainable structures locally and we are happy to be able to bring our music and culture to the global market through this partnership with the Universal Music Group.”
About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. Featuring the most comprehensive catalog of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms, and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. Universal Music Group is a Vivendi company. Find out more at http://www.universalmusic.com.
About The Aristokrat Group
The Aristokrat Group is an African Media & Entertainment Company headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. Founded in 2009, The Aristokrat Group has expanded at a steady rate and is now present throughout the entire media and entertainment value chain. The Group currently houses a Record label, Touring and Event Production Company, Film and Television Production Company, Music Publishing Company, and Digital Media Company. The Aristokrat Group also offers a wide range of Multimedia & Entertainment Services to artists, labels and corporate brands. http://www.aristokratgroup.com
In recent years, Universal Music Group has expanded its operations within Africa with offices established in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya), and Johannesburg (South Africa), with Casablanca (Morocco) launching Spring 2020.
