Nigeria’s DJ Cuppy signs with Platoon

The deal follows her recent announcement as the host of Apple Music's Africa Now Radio show.

In a video in which the agreement was made public on 7 July, DJ Cuppy disclosed that the deal represents "one of the proudest moments" of her professional practice.

"Platoon being my partner for music has now literally made me feel like I've cemented a position as an artist, and also made me responsible to create. I feel very special and honoured," she said, adding that her debut album Original Cuppy will be released on the Apple-owned platform.

"We welcome you to team, family Platoon. Congratulations on the work that you put into making it happen," a team member at Platoon is heard lauding DJ Cuppy in a video conference to finalise the deal.

Platoon was launched in 2016 by industry expert Denzyl Feigelson and LoveFilm co-founder Saul Klein with the goal of supporting the independent distribution of music. Over the years, it has partnered with leading musicians like Mr Eazi, Billie Eilish, Jacob Banks, and award-winning UK stars Stefflon Don and Jorja Smith.

“I really do think a global artist will break through Platoon and it will change perceptions … when you know how to interpret data, you can be so smart about where you spend your money,” Feigelson told Music Business Worldwide in January.

Born Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, DJ Cuppy was recently named in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list. She is the author of House of Cuppy (2014), a well-received mixtape that fuses electro-house and Afropop, as well as its 2015 follow-up, House of Cuppy II.