MBW’s World Leaders is a regular series in which we focus our attention on some of the most influential figures in the industry overseeing key international markets. In this feature we talk to Wales davies, Music Publisher SonyHead of A&R Africa. World Leaders powered by PPL.
Wale Davies holds a wide variety of roles in the music business.
As one half of Nigerian rap duo Show Dem Camp, Davies, aka Tec, has over 400,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and millions of threads.
Show Dem Camp has partnered with some of the continent’s biggest rising stars, from Nigerian artist Oxlade (5.9 million monthly Spotify listeners) to Grammy AwardsTems Award-winning Nigerian singer and producer (14 million monthly listeners on Spotify).
Davies said of Show Dem Camp’s work: “We pioneered a lot of alternative sounds coming from this continent, mainly Nigeria.
“I am proud of our integral role in introducing so many new, present and future artists to the African music scene, through our music.”
In addition to his career as an artist, Davies also works as an artist manager, co-managing Tems with Muyiwa Awoniyi.
He is also a successful video and film director, (won the Sundance award for my short film Lizard) and is the founder of Lagos .-based media and production company country.
He says that making music has played a key role in his successful and varied career as an entertainment executive.
Davies explains: “Through composing music, I have acquired a unique perspective that allows me to direct and shape an artist’s career, primarily as an artist manager and then as an artist manager. are other executive roles in the music business.”
Adding to his long list of industry achievements, Davies is also a renowned publishing executive who served as Head of A&R for Africa at Sony Music Publishing.
SMPs have made inroads on the African continent in recent years. In August last year, SMP expanded its operations with a new office in Lagos, Nigeria, headed by Godwin Tom as CEO, who reports to SMP President, International Guy Henderson.
In 2021, Music Publisher Sony South Africa has signed a global agreement (excluding Africa) with Music publishing house GalloThe publishing arm of one of the oldest and largest independent major labels in Africa, Gallo Record Company (founded 1926).
And in January of this year, SMP held its inaugural songwriting camp in West Africa in Accra, Ghana, led by Daviess.
The camp brings together various musicians from all over the global roster including Tems, Ladipoe, Lojay, Guiltybeatz, Ozedikus, AV, Berwyn, Moon Willis, Johnny Coffer, Rymez, etc.
The week-long event features themed talks and workshops including a discussion around the intersection of 50lame pants Celebrating Hip Hop and Rap art, it features Show Dem Camp’s Davies (aka Tec) and Nigerian rap star Ladipoe.
Here, Wale Davies tells us about his music career, Sony Music Publishing’s strategy in Africa, and his predictions for hip-hop from his content…
What are some highlights of your career so far to become SMP’s Head of A&R for Africa?
There have been so many great highlights and moments in my career so far.
If I had to narrow it down, as a Show Dem Camp artist (pictured), it’s amazing to see the community we’ve grown and the amazing fans that have come out and helped us I sold out tickets to locations around the world.
“As the manager of Tems, watching her grow and build at such an extraordinary rate, and also be a part of that journey, is definitely a highlight.”
As the manager of Tems, watching her grow and build at such an extraordinary rate, while also being a part of that journey, was definitely a highlight. With so many incredible achievements achieved in a short period of time, Tems is an inspiration to all of us.
Since joining Sony Music Publishing, I have been fortunate to contract and work closely with some of the most important voices in the new generation of African music – from Guiltybeatz to Tems, Lojay, Ladipoe, AV and producer Lekaa Beats. Together with our existing lineup (Sarkodie, Naira Marley, Dj Maphorisa, London), SMP is building a strong footprint on the continent.
What are Sony Music Publishing’s ambitions in Africa?
We are focused on supporting and educating SMP musicians across the continent, while providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. By building a strong foundation for our local music-making community, we can provide them with a higher level of creative support. We are also focusing on global collaboration opportunities to help give African SMP musicians a place on the international table.
Which market in the broader African range are you seeing the most growth?
Aside from Nigeria and South Africa continuing to be innovation hubs, countries like Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania are showing a lot of growth – it’s incredible to hear and see what’s going on, and I believe these This market will continue to expand and develop.
You held the inaugural songwriting camp in West Africa in Ghana in January – how did it go and how important are events like this to Sony Music Publishing’s A&R strategy?
Our inaugural Ghana Composition Camp was an important experience for our team and musicians, and helped set the tone for future SMP events across the region.
As an A&R, my approach is to create space for talent to come together to create and build lasting connections. Seeing so many talents from across the continent work and form relationships throughout the week, while making great music together – it is a gratifying experience.
We want to be proactive in creating profiles and putting people in the right rooms. In a data-driven world, I truly believe that music comes first.
What genres or business trends are you seeing in the publishing industry that you can tell us about?
I think the influence of data as an important tool to identify new musicians has shaped the current conversation around musician discovery.
These tools have provided publishers with greater insight and visibility into different markets and regions that they may have previously overlooked due to lack of access. I think perfecting these tools will lead to even more insights and will enlighten musicians from emerging regions.
Can you tell us about the development trajectory of hip-hop specifically in Africa – what trends have you seen, etc.?
We are seeing genres fusion and hip-hop artists experimenting more with African influences. We are also seeing a revival of hip-hop across the continent.
Artists like Ladipoe (Nigeria), Blaqbonez (Nigeria) Blxckie (SA) and Black Sherif (Ghana) are creating new sounds and redefining the sound of hip-hop from the continent.
What is your prediction for the future of hip-hop in Africa and your prediction for the future of African-born hip-hop musicians and artists on the world stage?
I believe African hip-hop is making inroads and as more genres from the continent are in the spotlight, I know we’ll see generations of talented hip-hop musicians and artists join the conversation. .
Ladipoe, a rapper and an SMP songwriter, already has the most streamed song in Ghana and Nigeria on Spotify in 2021 and this is just the beginning for African hip-hop artists to break into Italy mainstream.
What are the biggest opportunities and biggest challenges facing international musicians in Africa today?
As an industry, we need to work together to help modernize and improve local societies and frameworks to better support musicians across the continent.
At SMP, we’re looking to expand our support for the music-making community in Africa and help address the many challenges they face, including a lack of publishing literacy and accessibility. studios and creative spaces.
“As an industry, we need to work together to help modernize and improve local societies and frameworks to better support musicians across the continent.”
We are providing educational opportunities through workshops and core classes, like the ones we held recently at our Camp Ghana. We are also creating spaces for musicians to work and collaborate through the launch of new music conferences/camps in Africa and around the world which we are continuing to expand this year.
I believe SMP has an important role to play in shaping the next generation of African musicians and building a sustainable ecosystem for the burgeoning music scene.
If there was one thing you could change about the music business, what would it be and why?
We can’t rely entirely on data, let’s get it back to the core. Start trusting your instincts.
