Kenyan Artistes To be Signed Onto Universal Music?

The World’s largest music content company, the Universal Music Group, is in the country on a mission to explore and discover the talent that Kenya has to offer the globally estimated Kshs 5.9 trillion music industry.

Representatives of the US Recording giant met with some leading names in the Kenyan music industry yesterday at the Sankara Hotel, in a forum organized by Buddha Blaze’s entertainment company, Spark Africa Limited.

Among the artistes present included the likes of Anto Neo Soul, Suzanna Owiyo, Sauti Sol and Elani. It seems that the ‘big four’ music recording labels are seeking to solidify their global positions by forraying into the growing entertainment industry in East Africa. This follows news of Tanzania’s Rose Muhando being signed onto the Sony BMG Music label earlier this year.

Read more on Rose Muhando’s record deal here >>

The ‘big four’ recording labels in the world are, in order of market share and revenue:

Universal Music Group (United States)

Sony Music Group (United States)

Warner Music Group (United States)

EMI Group (United Kingdom) 

As revenues from global music recordings on CDs, vinyl, cassettes and digital downloads continue to drop, in comparison to the 90s, it is important that these record labels diversify their revenue bases and venture into previously ignored markets in the world.

It is a great step for local artists to receive such international attention and we do hope the recording giant picks quite a number of homegrown and talented musicians.