Sipho Dlamini to steer gamma’s Africa expansion

The Africa operation will be based in Lagos, Nigeria, with the Middle East division operating from Dubai, UAE. South African music executive Sipho Dlamini will serve as president of the new divisions, while international supermodel Naomi Campbell has been named as a special advisor.

“Africa and the Middle East are vital to gamma’s long-term vision and success,” gamma co-founder and CEO Larry Jackson said. “These regions have historically been underappreciated wellsprings of rich musical talent spanning multiple genres, cultures, and styles just waiting to be introduced to the rest of the world. Gamma is an unconventional company and we pride ourselves in taking an unconventional approach to unlocking value for all artists, worldwide.”

Dlamini’s last job was as CEO of Universal Music South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Before working for Universal in various capacities, he was the CEO of the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), the largest collective management organisation in Africa, but left the society shortly after overseeing an 2015 investment in the UAE where SAMRO lost millions of dollars. Before SAMRO, Dlamini was vice-president of operations at event company CSM Entertainment in Dubai.

“I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have leading our artist empowerment effort in Africa and the Middle East than Sipho,” Jackson said. “He is the No 1 market leader in the No 1 rising market in the world. His proven track record blending street-level connection to culture with board-level business savvy is exactly what both gamma and the region at large needs to realise our full potential.”

Dlamini said: “Gamma is precisely the right vision at the right time for Africa and the Middle East. It’s important to understand and differentiate between the many markets that make up this region, which Larry and the team at gamma understand intimately,” said Dlamini.

“I’ve dedicated my life to making talent more available and accessible in all formats, from TV to live events, to digital platforms. Working with gamma to blend these formats into a true artist-first experience is a dream opportunity that I’m looking forward to making a reality.”

On her part, Campbell is the founder of the Fashion for Relief NPO, which helps develop alternative industries such as fashion, tech, business, entertainment and arts in emerging markets like Africa, India and the Middle East. She also launched the Emerge Initiative to support artists across Africa and the diaspora through mentoring and training opportunities.

“Naomi sits at the distinct intersection of fashion, philanthropy, music and more,” Jackson said. “Her existing relationships with world leaders coupled with her intimate knowledge of entertainment’s cultural and economic impact is a win-win opportunity for both gamma and the region at large.”

“Elevating the cultural and artistic richness of artists in Africa and the Middle East has been a passion of mine over my entire career,” Campbell said . “Gamma is a special company with a unique mission that I’m proud to support and help advance throughout the region.”

Gamma’s regional debut saw the company exclusively distribute and market last Friday’s launch of Nigerian singer Rema’s Rave & Roses (Ultra) album within African territories.

Gamma is Jackson’s billion-dollar backed company whose first acquisition was distribution and services company Vydia, which has previously worked with artists like Akon, Mr Eazi and Kanye West. Jackson, the former global creative director at Apple Music, and Gamma have also established key partnerships with regional record labels such as emPawa Africa, Mavin Records and DC Talents.