Nigeria: Tiwa Savage inks Universal Music Group deal

2 May 2019 - 12:36

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Nigerian artist Tiwa Savage has signed a recording deal with Universal Music Group (UMG) in Santa Monica, California. The partnership was announced by UMG South Africa today.

Tiwa Savage sits next to Universal CEO Sir Lucian Grainge during the signing of her contract with the multinational music label.

Under the agreement, Tiwa’s future music will be released internationally through UMG’s operations in more than 60 countries worldwide. Her projects will be executively produced by Efe Ogbeni of Regime Music Societe and Vannessa Amadi-Ogbonna.

"My biggest goal is to make Africa proud,” Tiwa Savage said. “I’m so excited for this moment and I’m thankful to Sir Lucian Grainge and my new UMG family for their belief in my dreams. I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my career and I’m readier than I have ever been."

UMG executive vice-president for market development Adam Granite said: “We are looking forward to partnering with Tiwa and her team to help her music reach new audiences around the world. As one of Africa’s most successful, influential and dynamic singer-songwriters, Tiwa has truly global ambitions and UMG is committed to help her in achieving them.”

In a joint statement, Efe Ogbeni and Vannessa Amadi-Ogbonna said: "We're very proud to be a part of this ground-breaking partnership between Tiwa Savage and UMG.

“Tiwa is undoubtedly the most hardworking and talented female artist crossing over from Africa to the rest of the world, and UMG has demonstrated its commitment to the continent by placing its formidable machinery behind her amazing career. Partnerships like these symbolise the hopes and dreams of so many talented artists back home in Africa and it is an honour to be the executive producers of her project.”