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Universal Music South Africa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Universal Music South Africa
Universal Music (Pty) Ltd.
Company typePublic
IndustryMusic publishing
Founded1997
Headquarters26 Cradock Avenue, ,
South Africa
ServicesMusic publishing
ParentUniversal Music Group
Subsidiaries
  • EMI Music South Africa
  • UMG Live Africa
Websiteumgsa.africa

Universal Music South Africa (aka Universal Music (Pty) Ltd. and often abbreviated UMGSA) is the South African division of the record label Universal Music Group, founded in 1997.[1]

Overview

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Universal Music South Africa, was founded in 1997, as the second-largest African division of Universal Music Group. On 31 May 2012, P-Square signed a distribution deal with Universal Music SA.[2] On 7 March 2016, Sipho Dlamini, was appointed the managing director of Universal Music South Africa.[3] On 4 November 2016, Dominic Neill signed a record deal with Universal Music SA.[4] On 21 February 21, 2018, Pino Di Benedetto, was added to the director board of Universal Music South Africa.[5] On 18 May 2018, Tellaman signed a record deal with Universal Music South Africa.[6] On 16 April 2019, 25K joined Universal Music South Africa artist roaster.[7]

In 2020, Jeremy Loops signed a licensing deal with Universal Music South Africa, in partnership with Decca Records. On 22 May 2020, Jeremy Loops release his first single under UMG South Africa titled "Mortal Man"[8] through Universal Music Group, Decca Records and Polydor Records. On 4 January 2021, Sipho Dlamini was promoted to the Chief executive office, of South Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa.[9] On 10 September 2021, Universal Music South Africa co-signed Lloyiso, in conjunction with Republic Records.[10]

EMI Music South Africa

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In the early 2010s, EMI became part of Universal Music South Africa,[1] and began operating in South Africa, as EMI Music South Africa. On 16 November 2010, EMI appoints Pino Di Benedetto, as managing director of EMI South Africa[11] and head of EMI Music South Africa till 2012, after the parent company became inactive.

UMG Live Africa

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In 2017, Universal Music Africa launched UMG Live Africa, for talent and booking management, and the flagship of UMG Live, owned by Universal Music Group. On 21 February 2018, Universal Music South Africa, acquires the artist management company G Management,[5][12] and appoints the director of G Management, Morgan Ross, to head UMG Live Africa.[12]

Partnerships

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National School of the Arts

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On 10 November 2020, National School of the Arts, signed a partnership deal with Universal Music South Africa. According to Universal Music Group’s Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC), said "The landmark partnership will include the newly renamed “Universal Music Department,” which caters for 165 learners from Uganda, Zimbabwe, DRC and South Africa, as well as hands-on support from the global music company in the form of resources, classes, industry participation, and internships".[13]

Artists

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African artists signed to Universal Music South Africa, and EMI Music South Africa:

Selected discography

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Albums & EPs

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Incomplete list of album and ep releases for EMI, and Universal Music Group in Africa
Year Title Artist(s) Details Certifications
2003 O Mang? Hip Hop Pantsula 1 September 2003
2004 O Mang Reloaded Hip Hop Pantsula
2005 YBA 2 NW Hip Hop Pantsula 17 October 2005
2007 Acceptance Speech Hip Hop Pantsula November 2007
2009 Dumela Hip Hop Pantsula November 2009
2011 Motswako High School Hip Hop Pantsula 31 December 2011
Hungry ChianoSky 2011
Motswafrika Hip Hop Pantsula, JR 2011
2012 I Am An African Lungelo, Riot Zungu, Zahara 2012
The Homecoming AB Crazy 2012
2017 Blue Skies AB Crazy 3 November 2017
Highly Flavoured Busiswa 8 December 2017
Ikhambi Nduduzo Makhathini 29 September 2017
2018 Strings and Bling Nasty C 6 July 2018
2020 Zulu Man with Some Power Nasty C 28 August 2020
2021 Red Lady Zamar 11 June 2021
2022 Ivyson Army Tour Mixtape Nasty C 16 September 2022
2023 I Love It Here Nasty C 16 September 2023

References

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  1. ^ a b "Universal Music South Africa". Music In Africa. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Psquare signs distribution deal with Universal Music South Africa". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 29 July 2013. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Universal names Sipho Dlamini new boss of South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa". Music Business Worldwide. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Dominic Neill Signs To Universal Music South Africa". The House Of Pop. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  5. ^ a b Dark, Yule (21 February 2018). "SA music industry gets boost as Universal Music Africa acquires G Management". Yule Dark. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Tellaman signs with Universal Music South Africa". Online Youth Magazine | Zkhiphani.com. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Pretoria Rising Star 25K Signs To Universal Music Group South Africa". slikouronlife.co.za. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Jeremy Loops signs global deal with Universal Music, releases new single & announces Ed Sheeran writing collab". Texx and the City. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  9. ^ Barrionuevo, Alexei (4 January 2021). "UMG Beefs Up Leadership in Africa, Promoting Sipho Dlamini to CEO Role". Billboard. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Republic Records signs singer Lloyiso - he joins Drake, Ariana Grande among others". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  11. ^ Coetzer, Diane (16 November 2010). "Pino Di Benedetto To Head EMI South Africa". Billboard. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Universal Music Africa Acquires G Management". UMG Live Africa. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  13. ^ "UNIVERSAL MUSIC SOUTH AFRICA PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE ARTS and Okuhle Ngcobo". UMG. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2022.