Sony Music appoints Christel Kayibi as director of repertoire strategy for Africa

According to Music Week, Kayibi will be in charge of developing Sony Music’s rosters and network, identifying catalogue, label and other investment opportunities to support the company’s entry into new markets across the continent.

She will work alongside the major’s teams in South, East and West Africa, as well as French-speaking Africa, directly reporting to Daniel Lieberberg, president for Continental Europe and Africa, in close coordination with Sean Watson, managing director of Sony Music Africa. 

She has been tasked with the signing of artists in partnership with Sony Music labels worldwide.

Kayibi is a legal professional with more than 10 years of international business experience. In 2019, she joined Columbia Records UK where she served as senior legal and business affairs manager and A&R. She has also worked in finance, sales and marketing for labels including Columbia Records, 5K Records, Robots and Humans and Dream Life Records. 

In 2017, she became the global legal counsel to Nigerian artist Mr Eazi, and played a huge role in building his Banku Music label and emPawa music distribution company. The role also saw her negotiating various commercial, publishing and licensing deals with labels and distribution companies in Africa, the UK and the US for Mr Eazi. 

She has also represented and advised other artists such as YCee, R2Bees, Legendury Beatz and British-Congolese comedian Eddie Kadi. 

Kayibi worked as a corporate finance lawyer at Slaughter and May after qualifying as a solicitor in 2014. She then moved to White & Case and Hunton Andrews Kurth where she was seconded to Ghana to work at Kimathi and Partners. 

“Sound decision-making is a key strength coupled with the ability to lead teams and build strong relationships up to C-Suite,” Kayibi posted on LinkedIn. “This is achieved by communicating clearly, according to the needs of stakeholders and being able to see the long-term impact of decisions whilst not losing sight of the nuances and complexities in managing and delivering a quality service in the short term. Extensive music and finance law knowledge and excellent negotiation skills gained through various roles in private practice and in the music industry.”