Ultra International Music Publishing has opened a new creative hub in Nigeria, marking the company’s expansion in West Africa.
Ultra has appointed its London-based A&R manager Harold Serero to oversee the development of its African operations.
The company says that the new initiative builds on the success that it has enjoyed in the Afrobeats genre, which has been overseen to date by Andreas Rizek, Head of North America A&R for the company.
The company’s signings include Tejiri Akpoghene who joined the roster under a global co-publishing deal with Revels Management and last week won a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance having co-produced Future’s Wait For U ft. Drake & Tems.
Ultra has also signed rising star Maesu via a co-publishing agreement with Los Angeles-based creative direction, live production design, and stagecraft company, Sturdy.
Also unveiled as a new addition to the company’s roster is Amexin who has been supporting Wizkid on tour and, according to Ultra is “tipped to become one of Nigeria’s breakout stars of 2023”.
To celebrate the launch of this new initiative, Ultra has hosted a writing camp in the country’s capital Lagos in partnership with Estlon Music, which was attended by over 20 producers, writers, artists and audio visual designers.
The camp featured experienced producers such as Burna Boy’s producers Chopstiix (Burna Boy Last Last) and Leriq, alongside up-and-coming writers and artists such as Bloody Civilian (Def Jam), Amexin (Ultra Publishing), Shorae Moore, and songwriters such as Naya Akanji (Aristokat) and guitarist Effeh Jazz among others.
The music written at the camp will contribute to a showcase mixtape under the title Sonic Rares.
“It is incredibly inspiring to get the chance to work with such uniquely talented, ambitious songwriters and artists that will shape the sound of Africa, and hopefully the world in 2023 and beyond.”
Harold Serero
Harold Serero said: “It is incredibly inspiring to get the chance to work with such uniquely talented, ambitious songwriters and artists that will shape the sound of Africa, and hopefully the world in 2023 and beyond. This is the future.”
“This new announcement of a creative hub in Lagos where we can help nurture the incredible talent coming out of West Africa will be a key focus for our creative team moving forward.”
Patrick Moxey, Ultra Music Publishing
Patrick Moxey, Founder and CEO of Ultra Music Publishing added: “We have been involved in the signing and development of African songwriters and producers for some time and this new announcement of a creative hub in Lagos where we can help nurture the incredible talent coming out of West Africa will be a key focus for our creative team moving forward.”
Last month, Ultra International Music Publishing struck a new deal with Atlanta-based songwriter and producer Zaytoven.
UIMP agreed a co-publishing agreement with Zaytoven to develop new work, which will see him continuing to collaborate with the company in Los Angeles, Atlanta and London.Music Business Worldwide
