As the Nigerian music industry is evolving to meet international standards and requirements, One of Africa’s leading indigenous music labels, Chocolate City Music and Entertainment, is also expanding its reach across the globe, as it has signed a digital distribution deal with Africori Music Group, AMG, a Pan-African music company.

This will enable the music label to further gather international recognition, as well as appropriate compensation for artists signed onto the label.

Jude Abaga, CEO Chocolate City, while explaining the reason for the milestone said: “African music is blowing up, and in order to fairly compensate our artistes in terms of royalty payments, etc. It is necessary to put appropriate structures in place; Africori’s proven track record is that structure”.

AMG, is the leading pan-African digital music service provider based in London and Johannesburg, with representation in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda.

Founded in 2009, by Yoel Kenan, AMG provides digital music solutions and services to artists, producers, publishers and record labels in Africa. Their key activities are digital distribution of African music, licensing of African catalogue music, to advertising agencies, film and TV production companies, and worldwide revenue collection.

Africori, represents a range of prestigious African artists including: Sauti Sol (Kenya), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania) (Becca (Ghana) and Sean Tizzle (Nigeria), and a number of key record labels in the shape of Essiebons (Ghana), African Cream Music and Family Tree (South Africa).

As a digital music service provider, they offer synchronized licensing opportunities, digital distribution, as well as, brand development and strategy through their partner agency.

Kenan, while commenting on the importance of the partnership, recognised Chocolate City as the most outstanding music label on the continent, as he stressed that: “Chocolate City is undeniably one of the most influential labels in Africa. We jointly aspire and share common visions and goals.

“The digital music business in Africa is evolving rapidly. Therefore, it is only a natural progression that key industry players join forces to improve and better leverage the best opportunities for the artists.

“We look forward to working with Jude ‘M.I.’ Abaga and his dynamic team, in promoting and distributing the best music from Africa, around the world”, Kenan gushed.

Since Chocolate City was established in 2005, the label has steadily progressed over the years. For it to be regarded as the biggest and most successful brand on the continent, is no small feat.

The record label not only pioneered Nigerian hip hop in the West Africa and around the globe, but it is one of the most diverse that any African label has to offer.

The label has released music from acclaimed recording artists including: M.I., Femi Kuti, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, DJ Lambo, DJ Calse, Victoria Kimani, Dice Alles, Koker, Pryse, among others.