22nd January, 2016
Funsho Arogundade
On Thursday 21 January, Afro-pop star David Adeleke better known Davido signed a $1 million (N300 million) global deal with Sony Music Entertainment at their headquarters in New York, United States.
The pop sensation inked the mega deal making him first ever African music act to sign a record deal with the global music brand. The deal will also help him create, distribute and market his music at world class level.
According to popular music blog, notjustok.com, the record deal was executed by Nigerian raised, American Music Executive Efe Ogbeni (Grace, Red One) who is also partners with Nicki Minaj on Parker Ighile’s project, and it was facilitated by Davido’s manager Kamal Ajiboye.
Present at the signing were Davido; his brother Adewale Adeleke; Efe Ogbeni; Kamal Ajiboye, Joel Katz (Number-One-ranked entertainment attorney) and Adam Granite (VP of Sony Music International).
An elated Davido took to his social media account to share the news of the mouthwatering deal with his followers.
“Thank God! Just signed my deal with @sonymusicglobal. Thank you God!! I have worked hard all my life for this day! This is the day that the Lord has made!!” the pop star shared the tweets.
The HKN Records boss added: “To all those that doubted me! It’s a done deal! 1st African Artist to sign a global record deal! My story is just starting!! My mother is smiling in Heaven right now.”.
He also took to twitter to reveal that his sophomore album, ‘The B.A.D.E.S.T’ was delayed due to this announcement but now that the announcement has been made, the album will soon drop under the Sony Music imprint.
Davido had kept the deal away from many for months. But on Wednesday, he dropped a teaser on Snapchat and Twitter in anticipation of a big happening. “On the way to New York!! Big Announcement Tomorrow!!!! My Life Boutta Change!!,” Davido tweeted on Wednesday.
With the announcement major music channels including MTV and BET have been celebrating the young star.
“We are always happy when one of our own makes a major move like this. In recent times, our African artists have been doing the unexpected, crossing borders the right way.
“From D’Banj signing to Kanye West’s GOOD Music label to the bond between MC Galaxy , Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats as well as Drake and Skepta jumping on a Wizkid track and a few others. This time we have the O.B.O himself, Davido,” stated MTV.
The ever hardworking Davido arrived the scene when he featured in Sauce Kid’s hit song ‘Carolina’. He later rose to fame upon the release of his debut single ‘Back When’ featuring Naeto C. He became a phenomenon with the song ‘Dami Duro’ and followed by series of hits which make up his debut album ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ dropped in 2012.