Yoel Kenan, the owner of African digital music distribution, music rights management and artist development company Africori, has signed a global sub-publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music France.
The deal follows April’s news that Warner Music Group has invested an undisclosed sum into Africori.
With offices in Johannesburg, London and Lagos, Africori publishes and produces a wide range of African artists, including Master KG, who had a 2020 global smash hit with Jerusalema (feat. Nomcebo).
The song, which was distributed and promoted worldwide by Warner Music/Elektra France, peaked at No.1 on Shazam’s global chart, was a Top 5 airplay hit in Europe and is currently sitting at No.6 in the global Shazam chart.
The new deal will see Africori and Warner Chappell Music offer new opportunities for African artists to collaborate with creative songwriting talent from around the world.
“This new partnership provides a great opportunity to connect our African songwriters and producers with the global talent signed to Warner Chappell.”
Yoel Kenan
Yoel Kenan says: “African music is inspiring creatives from around the world.
“This new partnership provides a great opportunity to connect our African songwriters and producers with the global talent signed to Warner Chappell.
“We are very excited about the future and we see this as a key alliance to support, help and develop incredible African talent globally.”
“Yoel is an experienced A&R man with a great sensibility for, and huge expertise on, the African underground scene.”
Matthieu Tessier, Warner Chappell Music France
Matthieu Tessier, incoming Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music France, added: “Yoel is an experienced A&R man with a great sensibility for, and huge expertise on, the African underground scene.
“This new collaboration offers us a great opportunity to promote new African songwriters and contribute to the renown of their music worldwide.
“Master KG’s success is a great example of how we can develop talent and help amazing songs to cross borders.”Music Business Worldwide