Sony Music West Africa unveils new artist R.O.Z

The arrangement also includes a partnership deal with the musician’s label Entertainment Money Business (EMB Inc), marking the first partnership deal between SMWA and an independent North American record company.

The unveiling ceremony, which was held in Accra, Ghana, sees R.O.Z join fellow Ghanaian act Gyakie, who signed with the label last year.

“This was a really easy decision, to be honest,” R.O.Z told Music In Africa about the deal. “Record labels don’t work for everybody, but in our case, because we are doing it in a structure where it’s not just about the artistry, but a whole label. It’s more than music, as far as building infrastructure, studios and so on. It was a perfect marriage.

“Nigeria is one of the main exporters of music. Why can’t that happen here, when our music is amazing. At the end of the day, they trust us to go find talent. It’s a trustworthy relationship. I’ve been in the game for a long time, so I’ve learned a lot. I’m not going to take just any deal. It has to be mutually beneficial.”

On the new single, and his decision to collaborate with Quamina MP, R.O.Z said: “He [Quamine MP] is one of my favourite artists in general. There’s a lot of stuff going on and I definitely want to have MP a part of it.”

“We knew of R.O.Z, but we were trying to figure out how a Canadian-Ghanaian would come and sit in Ghana to be an artist, and it took us quite a while to be able to figure it out," SMWA president Oluwaseun “Banko” Lloyd said ahead of the unveiling.

“Knowing the potential is one thing, but seeing it come to life is another. The partnership with EMB Inc has already made an impact in Ghana, so now it’s about expansion.

“We knew that nobody knew him in Ghana, but we are a major label that can make him popular,” Oluwaseun told Music In Africa on Friday. “When he brought the song with Quamina MP, we liked what we heard, we liked the visuals and concluded that this is good enough for us to start working with.”

Known for singles like ‘Jealous’ and ‘Free’, as well as the Z International album, R.O.Z has been based in Canada but reportedly has plans of moving to Ghana to continue his music career

News of R.O.Z’s deal with SMWA coincides with the release of his single ‘Talking To Me’ featuring rapper Quamina MP. An attendant music video for the song will be released this week.