Youssou N’Dour inks deal with Universal Music Africa

UMA is a division of global music-based entertainment Universal Music Group (UMG). Launched in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire in 2018, UMA is headed by Franck Kacou and currently represents more than 50 artists across 25 countries across Africa.

The partnership with the Grammy Award-winner will begin with the surprise release of his new album on 12 November.

“An emblematic figure of the Senegalese musical landscape, Youssou N’Dour’s distinguished global career has made him one of the most famous and recognizable voices in Africa and around the world,” UMA said.

N’Dour said: “From Africa to the World, let’s go Universal”.

Kacou said: “It is an honour and great pride for Universal Music Africa, to have gained the trust of such a monumental figure in African music culture. Youssou N’Dour has inspired multiple generations of music fans, each time with his impressive relevance, social resonance and most importantly with his timeless songwriting.”

“His incomparable voice is a strong symbol of the direction we have taken over the past couple of years with UMA, establishing the company as a true home for African artists and music, and a bridge to audiences around the world through our network of labels around the world. I am convinced that Youssou NDour’s future releases with UMA will add to his already long list of international successes at the service of the continent and continue to build on his powerful and lasting artistic legacy.”

The news comes on the heels of an announcement in March that the music company had entered into a deal with leading Africa-based streaming service Boomplay. The licensing agreement was expected to expand UMG’s African and international repertoire to music fans across Africa. Months later, UMA secured a distribution partnership with French rapper Booba and his Tallac Records label.