African execs make Billboard Women in Music 2023 list

The American publication says the list celebrates music’s rising artists, creators, producers and executives for their contributions to the music industry and community.

Adeniji serves as the managing director and senior vice-president of sub-Saharan Africa and special projects at Warner Music South Africa, and is credited with helping the label‘s expansion efforts across the continent.

Ijeoma, who is senior vice-president of digital marketing and content development at Capitol Music Group, was cited for her efforts in developing innovative digital marketing strategies for the label’s artists.

Adesanya is the director of operations at EMPIRE Africa. Billboard says EMPIRE’s global reach remains top-tier with the success of its African artists including Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel and Black Sherif. After a great showing at South by Southwest in 2022, EMPIRE flew out its flagship African artists to record at its San Francisco studio for the compilation Where We Come From, Vol. 1.

Meanwhile, Morocco-born Karima Damir, who is the director of A&R and marketing at Sony Music Entertainment Middle East, made the list for her work in expanding Sony’s Dubai office and signing Arabic and Khaleeji artists.

“I’m looking forward to disrupting the scene and discovering even more emerging Arab musicians in the new year from a diverse range of genres in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Levant and North Africa,” Damir said.

American singer SZA has been selected as the 2023 Billboard Woman of the Year alongside other notable honourees including Becky G, Ivy Queen, Kim Petras, Latto, Lainey Wilson, Lana Del Rey, Rosalía, TWICE, and Epic Records chairperson Sylvia Rhone.