Tanzania's Ali Kiba inks deal with Sony

The popular artist closed the deal at Sony's office in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday 19 May.

Speaking at the exclusive event, Ali Kiba said: "I’m really excited about the future of music from the African continent - it’s now the time for the amazing music and sounds from Africa to take over the world!

"My partnership with Sony Music, in addition to my already very successful partnership with my management team at Rockstar4000, now completes the team and solidifies the most powerful proposition and team to take my music to even greater heights, to new audiences and fans across borders and across the world!"

Sony Music Entertainment have in recent times made strategic moves into Africa, setting up an office in Lagos, Nigeria earlier this year and signing top West African artists such as Nigerian star Davido in January as well as producer Leriq in mid-2015.

Their latest signing shows the major label's intention to also work in East Africa. Speaking at the signing, Sony Music Entertainment Africa's managing director Sean Watson said: "We mentioned that we’d be making similar inroads in East Africa. Well, here we are, at the dawn of our East African journey - and who better to start it with than an artist of the stature of Ali Kiba. We’re very proud of being able to partner with such a talented individual and can’t wait to get started on sharing his music with his fans all over the world!"

Ali Kiba - whose full name is Ali Saleh Kiba - made a comeback in 2014 after a three-year hiatus. His releases since then, particularly 'Mwana' and 'Chekecha Cheketua', have become firm favourites with his many fans. In June 2015 Ali Kiba won five Kilimanjaro Awards, edging out his arch rival Diamond Platinumz to be named Tanzania's Best Male Entertainer. In July he was in Kenya as a mentor on the third season of the Coke Studio Africa contest and returned to Nairobi in November to headline the Koroga Festival.

The Tanzanian singer's eagerly awaited new EP will now be released through Sony Music Entertainment Africa. Earlier this month he released a new single 'AJE', which features Nigerian rapper M.I. Abaga. The song's video has so far been watched 170 000 times within just a day of its release, affirming his status as one of the continent's brightest stars.