With a mission to build and reach the largest possible audience for its developing and established artistes, as well as, label partners, global leading independent artiste and label services company, Virgin Music Group, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG) global network, has launched its operations in Nigeria, with respected music executive, Olukorede ‘Kay’ Ikazoboh appointed as head.
The Nigerian office establishment follows Virgin Music
Group’s foray into the African continent in June last year. The music
distribution company now boasts partnerships with over 50 labels and more than
100 artistes from across 25 African countries.
Among the first signees announced by Virgin Music in the
continent are Dvpper, one of Nigeria’s hottest Afrobeats labels, and Reekado
Banks, a former Mavin Records signee, but now a solo artiste, among others.
Speaking at the official launch in Lagos, Managing Director,
of Virgin Music International, Michael Roe said the music company has played a
major role in many of the world’s emerging popular music genres, including
Afrobeats.
His words: “Mono Mono, The Funkies, Western artistes have
been coming to Nigeria to understand the polyrhythms of this country for 50, 60
years. Paul McCartney came to Apapa in 1973 to record Band on the Run his
biggest album. Ginger Baker drove from London to Lagos to sit on Fela’s tip
feet and Tony Allen’s feet to learn some rhythms. In the year 2023, it’s
changed completely; rather than artists coming here, Nigeria is going out into
the world. The whole world is singing and dancing around the sounds of Nigeria.”
Commenting on Ikazoboh, he said: “Kay is known throughout
Nigeria as a champion of independent labels and artiste development. Her
relationships, expertise, and insight into the local market make her the
perfect executive to lead our operations in this very important music market.”
For the co-CEO, Nat Pastor, “The global appetite for the
incredible musical creativity springing from Africa has never been stronger.
Establishing a presence in Nigeria is another important step in our commitment
to serving independent African artists and entrepreneurs throughout the
region.”
A highly respected music manager via her own Kimani Moore
Entertainment, Ikazoboh has helped to guide the careers of such artistes as
Odunsi the Engine, Mowalola, and Tay lwar. She also served in a variety of
positions in emerging markets for Warner Music Group.
In a short speech delivered at the launch, Ikazoboh said,
“Nigeria has become a hugely important creative hub, producing some of the most
exciting music anywhere in the world. I’m looking forward to working with
independent labels and artistes to help them build their fan bases both here
and around the world.”
“My whole team is here; they flew in from the US and London.
We are just here to make sure that the industry is growing. I am truly honoured
to lead this mission with my team and look forward to the incredible journey
ahead,” she added.
Ikazoboh noted that as one of the largest independent
distribution companies in the world, Virgin Music Group offers global solutions
with the patience, commitment, and experience needed to succeed in today’s
music business, adding that the company has played a major role in many of the
world’s emerging popular music genres, including Afrobeats, música Mexicana,
K-pop, and others. Virgin Music Group has had a presence on the continent since
2021, when the company acquired South Africa’s Electromode, one of the region’s
leading independent music distributors. Last year, the company launched a
dedicated label services division in Côte d’Ivoire with more than 15000 titles,
50 label partners, and 100 + artists from more than 25 African countries.