MaxNote Media acquires Eden Groove Sounds to boost African electronic music

20 Jan 2026 - 12:46

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

South African independent music company MaxNote Media has acquired Eden Groove Sounds as part of a strategy to increase its release output and strengthen pathways for African electronic music into international markets.

MaxNote Media founder Mzwakhe Nhlabathi.

The acquisition is intended to expand MaxNote Media’s release pipeline while positioning Eden Groove Sounds as a dedicated imprint focused on long-term artist development and catalogue growth. Eden Groove Sounds will continue to operate as an independent brand, supported by MaxNote Media’s infrastructure and operational resources.

Founded in 2015, MaxNote Media operates as both a record label and media company. Its catalogue spans genres including Deep House, Soulful House, Afro House, Afro Tech and 3 Step. The company also provides services such as international radio promotion, digital distribution, audio production and visual content development.

Under the new structure, Eden Groove Sounds will have access to MaxNote Media’s A&R oversight, release planning, marketing strategy, content production, and international radio and digital platforms. MaxNote Media said this approach is designed to ensure consistency in output and to support sustained catalogue development.

MaxNote Media founder Mzwakhe Nhlabathi, who records under the name M-Power RSA, said the move reflects a shift away from isolated releases towards scalable systems. “Our intention is to increase our output in a controlled way, while building an ecosystem that allows African electronic music to travel,” he said. “Eden Groove Sounds gives us a platform to develop artists properly, grow a new catalogue we fully control, and position that music for international audiences.”

The company said future releases on the Eden Groove Sounds imprint will follow a structured artist development model, with an emphasis on quality, consistency and long-term catalogue value. It added that the acquisition forms part of a broader plan to strengthen independent African electronic music infrastructure and establish sustainable export routes into specialist markets in the UK, Europe and the United States.

New releases and artist announcements under the Eden Groove Sounds imprint are expected in the coming months.

MaxNote Media