Warner Music Africa Explained

Warner Music Africa
Hq Location:1 Saxon Rd, Hyde Park, Sandton, 2196
Hq Location City:Johannesburg
Hq Location Country:South Africa
Area Served:Africa
Key People:Temi Adeniji
Services:Music publishing, Music distribution, Music recording, Brand strategy
Parent:Warner Music Group

Warner Music Africa (formerly Warner Music South Africa) is a music corporation of the global record label Warner Music Group, founded on 5 December 2013.[1] with its South Africa arm managing artist development, marketing, and distribution for Warner Music artists in Africa, with its corporate headquarters located in 1 Saxon Rd, Hyde Park, Sandton, 2196, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Overview

Warner Music South Africa was founded on 5 December 2013, following the buyout of Gallo Records share of the joint venture Warner Music Gallo Africa as a division of Warner Music Group. Following the launching of the imprint, WMG appoints the former Warner Music Gallo Africa general manager Tracy Fraser, as the managing director of Warner Music South Africa. Tracy participated in the signing of Josh Kempen,[2] Locnville, Mango Groove, Janie Bay,[3] Dr Bone, Zahara,[4] Julanie J,[5] Masandi,[6] Faith K, CKay,[7] and Diamond Platnumz, with a 360 partnership deal between WMG, and WCB Wasafi.[8] Tracy stepped down from her position in 2021.

On 22 March 2021, Temi Adeniji was appointed by WMG with the combined role of managing director of Warner Music South Africa and SVP, Strategy, of Sub-Saharan Africa.[9] Temi participated in the signing of Kiddo CSA,[10] Sizwe Alakine,[11] and Rouge.[12] On 16 September 2021, Temi participated in the buying of Coleske, one of South Africa largest independent label.[13] According to Unorthodox Reviews, prior to May 2022, Warner Music South Africa began operating as Warner Music Africa.[14] The news was broken by Temi Adeniji, at an exclusive launch held on 11 May 2022 at Warner Music offices in Hyde Park. On 23 June 2022, Warner Music Africa launched a brand strategy division.[15]

The brand strategy division of Warner Music Africa was led by the entertainment lawyer Thembi Mpungose-Niklas, who was appointed. Thembi is to report directly to WMA managing director and senior vice-president of special projects in sub-Saharan Africa Temi Adeniji. On 5 July 2022, Warner Music Group, Blavatnik Family Foundation, and Social Justice Fund announce the launch of the SJF Repertoire Fund, an eight-year $10M initiative that allows WMG employees in participating regions to get involved, making Warner Music Africa, one of its team to receive $1M to be disbursed in Sub-Saharan Africa, by nominating local organizations for grants from $5,000-$15,000 USD.[16]

Warner Music Africa announced its first set of SJF Repertoire Fund grantee partners for Sub-Saharan Africa, would include organizations across Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. On the same day, Warner Music Africa approved grants to the following African organizations, including African Leadership Academy (South Africa), African Digital Media Institute (Kenya), AgroEknor Farmers Education & Empowerment Program (Nigeria), ArtNg (Nigeria), Edugrant (Nigeria), Fair Justice Initiative (Ghana), Kids Haven (South Africa), Rele Arts Foundation (Nigeria), The Sarz Academy Academy Foundation (Nigeria), The Tag Foundation (South Africa), The Tomorrow Trust (South Africa), Zoma Museum (Ethiopia), and WeThinkCode_ (South Africa).

Warner Music Gallo Africa

In 2006, Johnnic Communications (Gallo's parent company, which changed its name to Avusa in November 2007) entered a joint venture with the South African division of Warner Music Group and established Warner Music Gallo Africa. The Gallo Record Company's entire music archive digitally available for the first time. These include rare pressings as well as classic hits by artists such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Letta Mbulu, Spokes Mashiyane, Lucky Dube, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and others. The joint venture ended in December 2013.[17]

Partnerships

Flume

On 22 August 2019, WM South Africa announce a partnership deal with Flume, a digital marketing agency.[18]

WCB Wasafi

On 18 May 2022, Warner Music Group announced a new 360 partnership deal with Diamond Platnumz and his leading independent record label WCB Wasafi. The new deal will see WCB Wasafi incorporated into Warner Music South Africa and Ziiki Media.[19]

Lacuna Creative Studios

On 15 July 2023, Warner Music Africa announces a partnership with Lacuna Creative Studios, to oversee the post-production of Inkabi Zezwe six-part documentary series of the making of Sjava and Big Zulu’s Ukhamba studio album.[20]

Managing directors

Artists

Selected discography

Singles, Albums and Eps, released through Warner Music Africa:

Singles

Artist! style="width:18em;"
TitleYearAlbumRelease date
CKay"Felony"2020Boyfriend12 February 2021
"Skoin Skoin"2021
CKay & Payal Dev"Kiss Me Like You Miss Me"
CKay"Emiliana"Sad Romance23 September 2022
"By Your Side"
"Maria"2022
"Watawi"Sad Romance23 September 2022
"You"
"Mmadu"
"HALLELUJAH"2023Sad Romance (Deluxe)16 June 2023
"nwayi"
Inkabi Zezwe"Umbayimbayi"Ukhamba24 March 2023
CKay"IS IT YOU?"202426 January 2024
"MYSTERIOUS LOVE"
Joeboy"Osadebe"[41] 16 February 2024

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Smirke . Richard . WMG Launches Warner Music South Africa (Exclusive) . Billboard . 19 June 2022 . 5 December 2013.
  2. Web site: Josh Kempen – The River . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  3. Web site: Warner Music South Africa is proud to present Janie Bay’s latest single ‘Die Heelal’ ft. Early B . SA Music News Magazine . 19 June 2022 . 11 October 2019.
  4. Web site: Zahara lands new Warner Music deal . The Citizen . 19 June 2022 . en . 5 July 2017.
  5. Web site: Julanie J releases her sophomore single ‘Sandkastele’ via Warner Music and it’s a smash! . SA Music News Magazine . 19 June 2022 . 7 October 2019.
  6. Web site: Masandi Signs To Warner Music South Africa . slikouronlife.co.za . 19 June 2022 . en.
  7. Web site: Alake . Motolani . Warner Music Group South Africa announces the signing of Nigerian star, Ckay . Pulse Nigeria . 19 June 2022 . en . 27 November 2020.
  8. Web site: Diamond Platnumz signs 360 partnership deal with Warner Music Group . GRUNGECAKE . 19 June 2022.
  9. Web site: Temi Adeniji appointed MD of Warner Music South Africa and SVP, Strategy, Sub-Saharan Africa . Music Business Worldwide . 19 June 2022 . 22 March 2021.
  10. Web site: Kiddo CSA signs Warner Music South Africa deal . Music In Africa . 19 June 2022 . en . 8 October 2021.
  11. Web site: Sizwe Alakine signs Warner Music South Africa deal . Music In Africa . 19 June 2022 . en . 9 February 2022.
  12. Web site: Rouge inks Warner Music South Africa deal . Music In Africa . 19 June 2022 . en . 3 May 2022.
  13. Web site: Warner Music South Africa acquires local independent label Coleske . Music Business Worldwide . 19 June 2022 . 16 September 2021.
  14. Web site: Ackah . Kojo . Warner Music South Africa is Now Officially Warner Music Africa . Unorthodox Reviews . 29 June 2022 . 17 May 2022.
  15. Web site: Shumba . Ano . Warner Music Africa adds brand strategy division . https://web.archive.org/web/20220623153404/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/warner-music-africa-adds-brand-strategy-division . 2022-06-23 . Music In Africa . 29 June 2022 . 23 June 2022.
  16. Web site: Adesina . Michael . Warner Music Group, BFF SJF announces grantees in Africa . P.M. News . 7 July 2022.
  17. Web site: WMG Warner Music Group Launches Warner Music South Africa . WMG Official Website . 19 June 2022 . en.
  18. Web site: Flume partners with Warner Music SA . Media Update . 19 June 2022 . en.
  19. Web site: WMG Warner Music Announces Partnership with Diamond Platnumz and WCB-Wasafi . WMG Official Website . 19 June 2022 . en.
  20. Web site: Warner Music Africa . www.africa.com . 20 August 2023 . 15 July 2023.
  21. Web site: Josh Kempen . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  22. Web site: Locnville . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  23. Web site: Janie Bay . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  24. Web site: Mango Groove . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  25. Web site: Dr Bone . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  26. Web site: Zahara . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  27. Web site: Julanie J . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  28. Web site: Masandi . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  29. Web site: Faith K . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  30. Web site: CKay . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  31. Web site: Diamond Platnumz . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  32. Web site: Kiddo CSA . Warner Music South Africa . 19 June 2022 . en-ZA.
  33. Web site: Superstar Ace . Warner Music South Africa . Warner Music Africa . 12 February 2023 . en-ZA.
  34. Web site: ASH . Warner Music South Africa . Warner Music Africa . 12 February 2023 . en-ZA.
  35. Web site: Mvzzle . Warner Music South Africa . Warner Music Africa . 12 February 2023 . en-ZA.
  36. Web site: pH Raw X . Warner Music South Africa . Warner Music Africa . 12 February 2023 . en-ZA.
  37. Web site: BigStar Johnson . Warner Music South Africa . Warner Music Africa . 12 February 2023 . en-ZA.
  38. Web site: Zandie Khumalo . Warner Music South Africa . Warner Music Africa . en-ZA.
  39. Web site: CampMasters . Warner Music South Africa . Warner Music Africa . en-ZA.
  40. Web site: Communications . W. M. G. . JOEBOY AND HIS YOUNG LEGEND LABEL SIGN DEAL WITH WARNER MUSIC . Warner Music Group . 23 February 2024 . 2 February 2024.
  41. Web site: Joeboy Marks New Career Phase With "Osadebe" - Okayplayer . www.okayafrica.com . 23 February 2024 . en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Warner Music Africa".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.