Nigeria’s Aristokrat Group partners with Universal Music France

The strategic partnership, which entails a label and publishing deals, will aim to discover and develop African talent such as artists, songwriters and producers.

Both deals will give signees the opportunity to reach a global audience through Universal Music Group's (UMG's) worldwide network of companies.

The first signings under the deal include the producer of Burna Boy's African Giant album, Kel P (Nigeria), singer and songwriter T'neeya (Cameroon) and singer, songwriter and producer Jujuboy Star (Nigeria). All Aristokrat Records artists will be signed through UMF division Caroline France.

“I am very proud that Aristokrat Group has chosen Universal Music France as its strategic partner to reach a global audience,” UMF CEO Olivier Nusse said.

The managing director of Universal Music Publishing (UMP) France, Bertil David, added: “Aristokrat is one of the most important voices in Africa right now. The quality of their A&R, their vision and entrepreneurship is both unique and progressive. We are very proud at UMP to be able to give Aristokrat the global presence they deserve.”

The Aristokrat Group has been in business for more than 10 years and offers a range of multimedia and entertainment services to artists, labels and corporate brands. The company has worked with a number of big artists in Nigeria, and says it discovered Afro-fusion sensation Burna Boy.

“This is an exciting time for African musicians, producers and companies such as ours," Aristokrat Group founder and CEO Piriye Isokrari said. "Over the last decade we’ve been at the forefront of cultivating the sound and building sustainable structures locally and we are happy to be able to bring our music and culture to the global market through this partnership with Universal Music Group.”

Last year, UMG rival Warner Music also made a move in the West African region by partnering with popular Nigerian record label Chocolate City to “grow the reach of African artists around the world”.