Chocolate City Music has entered a new partnership with Warner Music Group (WMG), Billboard is reporting.
The new deal says Chocolate City artists will join WMG’s repertoire and receive the support of the company’s distribution and artist services via its independent label services division ADA.
WMG will also invest financially in Chocolate City to advance its quest to develop local talents, the new deal states.
Chocolate City Group CEO, Audu Maikori said in a statement:
At Chocolate City, we have always been passionate about discovering and developing the best talent across Africa and giving them a platform for global growth.
The partnership with Warner Music Group is unique in the sense that our clients get the best of both worlds – curated and bespoke services by a highly experienced team across Africa and a dedicated global team to further push their music and their brands.
Also speaking on the deal, WMG Executive VP Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Alfonso Perez Soto, said:
The music scene in Nigeria is so rich and diverse that it’s important that we develop bespoke entrepreneurial strategies. At the same time, we’ll keep in mind the lessons learned from other emerging markets, for instance Latin America where we successfully broke local artists globally.
We have great affinity with Chocolate City’s creative and ambitious approach and we’re excited about Warner’s role in bringing to life their vision of taking their music worldwide.
The new deal does not change Chocolate City Music’s leadership as co-founders Maikori and Paul Okeugo, along with executive VP’s Jude (M.I.) Abaga and Aibee Abidoye, will continue to lead the company.
