Universal Music Group Nigeria

Record label in Nigeria

Universal Music West Africa

Industry| Entertainment, media, music
Genre| Afrobeats, Pop, Hip-hop
Founded| 2017
Headquarters| Lagos, Nigeria

Area served

| West Africa

Key people

| Sipho Dlamin
Parent| Universal Music Group
Website| universalmusic.ng

Universal Music West Africa (formerly marketed as Universal Music Group Nigeria) is the West African division of the global record label Universal Music Group.[1] Founded in 2017, it has its corporate headquarters located in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. The label has signed at least seventeen artists from various African countries.[1][2] UMGNG is engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content.[1]

In 2020, Billboard Magazine named UMG Nigeria as one of The Gatekeepers of the Nigerian music industry.[3]

## History

[edit]

Universal Music Group Nigeria was founded on 17 July 2018, as a flagship of Universal Music Group, and a division of Universal Music Africa. Following the launching of the imprint, UMG appoint's Ezegozie Eze Jr., the former executive at South African-based music station, Channel O, as the General Manager of Universal Music Group Nigeria.[4] UMGNG began operation with WurlD, Odunsi (the Engine), Tay Iwar, Cina Soul and Stonebwoy, as its first recording artist. The label also signed Mr Eazi, co-signed Tekno in conjunction with Island Records UK and Vanessa Mdee in conjunction with AfroForce1 Records, Universal Music Central Europe, and Universal Music South Africa.[4]

On 30 April 2019, Demi Grace joined Universal Music Group Nigeria artist roaster.[citation needed] On 8 November 2019, Idahams signed with Universal Music Group Nigeria, in conjunction with Grafton Entertainment.[5] Shortly after the announcement, he released his first single "Billion Dollar", under Universal Music Group Nigeria.[5]

### 2020s

[edit]

Ezegozie Eze Jr. served as the general manager of Universal Music Group Nigeria since 2017 and stepped down from his position in the second quarter of 2020. Eze participated in the signing of WurlD, Odunsi (the Engine), Tay Iwar, Cina Soul, Stonebwoy, Mr Eazi, Tekno, Vanessa Mdee, Demi Grace, Idahams, IDYL, Larry Gaaga, Alpha P, Tomi Owó, Nonso Bassey, and Nasty C, to Universal Music Group Nigeria. In 2020, Chinedu Okeke, the co-founder of Gidi Culture Festival, and Eclipse Live Africa assumed control over the label until an announcement commenced on 4 January 2021, appointing him, as the general manager of Universal Music Group Nigeria,[6] and resigned from his position in August 2021.[7]

## UMG and music licensing

[edit]

### UMG and Boomplay

[edit]

In 2018, Universal Music Group announced a multi-year licensing agreement with Boomplay – a major African music digital download and streaming service. The licensing agreement enabled Boomplay to stream UMGNG's music catalog across several African states including Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi and Zambia.[8]

### UMG and uduX

[edit]

In 2019, UMG became the first major music company to license its substantial music catalog to uduX music, a platform that offers its users access to high-quality music and videos. The partnership between the service and the label is intended to extend the reach of Universal Music Group and make the music of its global recording artists more accessible.[9][10][11]

## UMGNG business divisions

[edit]

Universal Music Group Nigeria operates business divisions that co-exist with its music, music publishing, and audiovisual content divisions.[1] These units include ULive Africa (the live events and production company), UMG Live Africa (the talent booking and management division) and UMGB (the creative and brand partnerships division).

### ULive Africa

[edit]

ULive Africa, founded in 2016, is a promotes, produces, and invests in live entertainment. The entity is engaged in staging, programming, producing, and hosting large-scale events and live concerts.[1][12] In 2018, ULive Africa produced the Lagos leg of the Major Lazer Soundsystem Live tour, as well as Adekunle Gold’s three-night residency at Terra Kulture titled AG Live.[13][14]

### UMG Live Africa

[edit]

UMG Live Africa was launched in 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is the talent and booking management division of Universal Music Group and consists of both UMG and non-UMG artists.[1]

### UMGB

[edit]

Universal Music Group and Brands (UMGB) is the creative and brand partnerships division of Universal Music Group.[1]

## Managing Directors

[edit]

* Ezegozie Eze Jr. (2017–2020)
* Chinedu Okeke (acting, 2020–2021)[6]

## Artists signed to UMGNG

[edit]

* Davido
* Cina Soul
* Demi Grace
* Idahams
* IDYL
* Irene Ntalé
* Jinmi Abduls
* Juls
* Alpha P[15]
* KiDi
* Lady Zamar
* Larry Gaaga
* Naiboi
* Nasty C
* Nonso Bassey
* Okmalumkoolkat
* Odunsi (The Engine)
* Stonebwoy
* Tekno
* TMXO
* Tomi Owo
* Vanessa Mdee
* Vector
* WurlD

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g "Universal Music Group Launch Strategic Division in Nigeria". www.universalmusic.com. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
2. ^ "Nigeria: Universal Music Groups Opens Office in Nigeria, Unveils Tekno, Mr Eazi, Others". www.allafrica.com. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
3. ^ Cirisano, Tatiana. "The Gatekeepers". Billboard. p. 3\. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
4. ^ a b "Universal Music Grows African Presence With Launch Of Nigeria Division". www.billboard.com. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
5. ^ a b "Idahams Signs Deal With Universal Music Group, Drops "Billion Dollar"". The Guardian Nigeria News. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
6. ^ a b Variety Staff (4 January 2021). "Universal Music Unveils Key Executive Appointments in Africa". Variety. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
7. ^ Alake, Motolani (4 March 2022). "Tega Oghenejobo of MAVIN can be the answer to Universal Music Group's troubles in Nigeria [Pulse Explainer]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
8. ^ "Nigeria: Boomplay, Universal Music Group Signs Distribution Deal". www.allafrica.com. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
9. ^ "Continuing Its African Expansion, Universal Music Group Partners With Nigeria's uduX Music". www.digitalmusicnews.com. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
10. ^ "Nigerian Streaming Service uduX Inks Licensing Pact With Universal Music". www.billboard.com. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
11. ^ "Universal Music Partners With Nigerian Streaming Service uduX". www.variety.com. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
12. ^ "Preparation heats up as Universal Music Group partners Runway Jazz 2018". www.guardian.ng. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
13. ^ "U-Live Africa brings Major Lazer to Nigeria". www.guardian.ng. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
14. ^ "U-Live Africa set to host Major Lazer for the first time in Nigeria on Friday, October 5th". www.bellanaija.com. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
15. ^ "FROM BENIN TO THE UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP- THE ALPHA P STORY". www.culturecustodian.ng. Retrieved March 23, 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* UMGB [1]
* UMGLIVE Africa [2]

* v
* t
* e

Universal Music Group

People|

* Lucian Grainge
* Sherry Lansing
* James Mitchell
* Manning Doherty
* Bill Ackman
* Philippe Flageul
* Jody Gerson
* Boyd Muir

Interscope Capitol Labels Group|

| Capitol Music Group|

* Capitol Records
* Blue Note Records
* Astralwerks
* Harvest Records
* SharpTone Records
* Capitol Christian Music Group
* ForeFront Records
* Sparrow Records
* Priority Records

|

Interscope Geffen A&M Records|

* Interscope Records
* Geffen Records
* A&M Records
* Nuclear Blast Records
* Blood Blast Distribution
* Interscope Films
* Aftermath Entertainment
* Darkroom
* Dreamville Records
* Kidinakorner
* Lost Highway Records
* Shady Records
* Cinematic Music Group
* Downtown Records

|

Verve Label Group|

* Deutsche Grammophon
* Decca Records
* Decca Classics
* Mercury KX
* Impulse! Records
* Verve Records
* Verve Forecast Records

Republic Corps|

* Republic Records
* Motown
* Quality Control Music
* Rowdy Records
* Motown Gospel
* Mercury Records
* Cash Money Records
* Young Money Entertainment
* SRC Records
* American Recordings
* Boominati Worldwide
* Brushfire Records
* Casablanca Records
* Federal Films
* Lava Records
* Universal Arabic Music
* XO
* Out of Line
* Def Jam Recordings
* Island Records

Virgin Music Group|

* Virgin Records
* Caroline Records
* Fontana Records
* Neon Gold Records
* Sumerian Records
* V2 Records
* PIAS Group
* PIAS Recordings
* A24 Music

UM Latin Entertainment|

* Capitol Latin
* Disa Records
* Fonovisa Records
* Machete Music
* Universal Music Latino
* Universal Music México

MCA|

* MCA Nashville
* Mercury Nashville Records
* Capitol Records Nashville
* EMI Records Nashville

UM Australia|

* Island Records Australia
* Golden Era Records
* Modular Recordings
* Mercury Records Australia
* EMI Music Australia

UM Japan|

* Polydor Records
* EMI Records
* Universal D
* Eastworld
* Virgin Music
* Def Jam Recordings
* Mercury Tokyo
* Universal Classics

UM UK|

* EMI Records
* Capitol UK
* Island UK
* Motown UK
* Polydor Records
* 0207 Def Jam
* Universal Music On Demand

UM Greater China|

* Capitol Records China
* EMI China
* PolyGram Records China
* Republic Records China
* Universal Music China
* Universal Music Hong Kong
* Universal Music Taiwan

UM France|

* Capitol Music France
* Decca Records France
* Island Def Jam
* MCA France
* Polydor France
* Romance Musique
* PIAS France
* Virgin Records France

UM Philippines|

* Def Jam Philippines
* EMI Records
* Island Philippines
* Republic Records Philippines
* UMG Philippines

Universal Music Africa|

* U-Live Africa
* Motown Gospel Africa
* Def Jam Recordings Africa
* Universal Music Group Nigeria
* Universal Music South Africa
* Blue Note Records Africa
* Virgin Music Africa

Other UMG labels|

* Universal Music Enterprises
* Hip-O Records
* Universal Music Indonesia
* Universal Music Malaysia

Publishing division|

* Universal Music Publishing Group
* Universal Production Music

Film/TV units|

* Eagle Rock Entertainment
* Grace - A Storytelling Company
* PolyGram Entertainment
* Universal Music Animation
* Vevo

Non-UMG distributed labels|

* Big Machine Label Group
* Disney Music Group
* Hollywood Records
* S-Curve Records
* Walt Disney Records
* Roc Nation
* ECM Records
* Dew Process
* Nickelodeon Records
* Because Music
* London Recordings
* Ed Banger Records

| International third-party licensees|

* Dreamus (South Korea (JYP Entertainment))
* Helicon (Israel)
* Tuff Gong (Caribbean)
* YG Plus (South Korea (HYBE Labels))
* Musica Studios (Indonesia)

|

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