Billboard names African music execs on 2022 International Power Players list

Presented by the well-known American music and entertainment magazine, the list spotlights industry players from more than 100 companies that enable the global music industry. Like previous editions, the 2022 list comprises label executives, music publishers, independent entrepreneurs, artist managers and concert promoters. Finalists on the list are nominated by their companies and industry peers, and are selected by Billboard’s editors.

Franck Kacou, formerly a rapper trading under the stage name Black Kent, replaced Moussa Soumbounou to become the managing director of Universal Music Africa in 2020. He was named on Billboard’s 2022 list alongside Universal Music France/Universal Music Africa CEO Olivier Nusse, and the label’s South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa CEO Sipho Dlamini. Kacou and Dlamini are on the list again after an appearance last year alongside Afro-fusion star Burna Boy’s mother and manager, Bose Ogulu, 0207 Def Jam co-presidents Alec and Alex Boateng, and Sheer Publishing Africa founder and managing director David Alexander, among others. 

Audiomack Africa’s Charlotte Bwana, who is in charge of media and brand partnerships, and the company’s marketing and brand strategy vice-president, Jason Johnson, were also named on this year’s list. Reacting to her inclusion, Bwana, who joined Grammy Awards oversight body the Recording Academy in 2021, said: “I’m fortunate I get to work with a great team to move African music forward.” 

Also named on the list are EMPIRE Africa’s vice-president of market development, Ezegozie Eze Jr, West Africa regional head Kareem Mobolaji and project manager Titilope Adesanya. The trio handle talent partnerships and promotion on the continent, following the company’s announcement of an Africa division in February.

“While EMPIRE continues to boast wins on the hip hop side with acts such as Tyga and Key Glock, the company’s most significant feat now lies in its expansion into Africa, especially after the success of Fireboy DML and his Hot 100 hit ‘Peru’,” Billboard said. 

Mobolaji said: “Over the past 12 to 18 months, the rapid development of our EMPIRE team on the ground in Lagos and globally has already reaped tangible rewards with the success of our artists – not only in West Africa but around the world.”

Other African music executives on the list include Osita Ugeh whose Duke Concept has produced tours for top African acts in venues across North America, including 92 shows in the past year alone, and Gallo Music Group boss Rob Cowling, who is behind Africa’s oldest independent label.

This year, Billboard’s 2022 International Power Players list arrives on the heels of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s annual music report, which found that Africa saw a healthy increase in recorded music revenues.