Publishing deal signed for Zimbabwean, Zambian artists

VAD is a Harare-based independent music publisher with agents in Japan. This deal will enable film, TV and corporate professionals from 100 countries to have access to music from Zimbabwe and neighboring countries. With more than 130 000 compositions and recordings of all genres, Sonoton Music licences the use of its music for TV, motion picture, advertising and Internet productions. This means Zimbabwean and Zambian artists could have their music featured at a global scale.

These artists include Zimbabwean musicians Clive ‘Mono’ Mukundu, Edith weUtonga, Queen Marshie, Ovation & Fab Fusion, Othnel Moyo Mangoma, Mannex Motsi, Dimitri, and the Scarecrow. The music giant will make their works available in six continents in libraries such as APM music (Los Angeles), Cavendish Music (UK) and Parigo Music (France).

Speaking to Music In Africa, VAD co-founder Martin Stewart said they had also engaged Zambian artists. “In Zambia we are working with Jah Luther and scouting other artists there. Basically our artists and repertoire department is scouting for the best music in the region to add, so we are signing, yet very selective,” he said.

Stewart said the deal was designed to create a business-to-business commercial transaction. “It’s not distribution to the public but for licensing to film ,TV, computer games and much more.”

“The main element is to let film and TV producers around the world to know that they can get music through us. Now we are basically a conduit for the best African music to be available and will feed in artists from across the region.”

The co-founder and owner of Sonoton Music, Gerhard Narholz, expressed his excitement about the project. “Martin Stewart and [VAD co-founder] Shephard Kamutikaoma are legends in the African music business, working with great composers and producers like Mono Mukundu to name just one,” Narholz said. “Sonoton Music is looking forward to a productive and energetic collaboration.”

Music In Africa also spoke to Mukundu who said the deal was the beginning of great things for local artists.

“It has the potential to open big-money deals to local musicians. It's the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and I hope all will go well as planned,” he said. “This is great news for the Zimbabwean music industry. With the loss of royalties to piracy over the past years this is a great consolation and it will move some artists from being poor and famous."

Brennan Wyngard from Ovation & Fab Fusion Band said: "We are excited that our music will be available internationally in the largest music library in the world."

Edith Weutonga echoed Wyngard’s sentiments. “This is a really great opportunity and hope now the world will get a taste of our southern African music,” she said.

Many songs under Sonoton have been used on major feature films such as My Bloody Valentine, Fantastic Four as well as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. TV credits include music for The Simpsons, Bloodline, CSI Miami, the Vampire Diaries and many more. Now through VAD, material from the southern African region will be easily available to those working on similar productions across the world.