Nigerian music sensation, David Adeleke, known professionally as Davido, has teamed up with US distribution company UnitedMasters to unveil his latest venture, Nine+ Records. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Davido as he ventures into the realm of record labels with a vision to expand beyond Afrobeats and resonate with global audiences.
In an exclusive interview with Billboard, the acclaimed artist expressed his ambition to diversify Nine+ Records’ portfolio, embracing genres ranging from R&B to trap music. Davido’s passion for fostering emerging talent and addressing the challenges faced by young artists in the industry served as the driving force behind this partnership.
“Everything. R&B, trap, etc. Obviously, I am going to start in Africa, but I can see us going all the way,” Davido remarked, highlighting his commitment to nurturing new talent and providing invaluable guidance in navigating the intricacies of the music business.
United Masters also echoed their enthusiasm for the groundbreaking collaboration, describing it as transformative for the African music industry. The partnership aims to leverage Davido’s influence to elevate the careers of emerging artists, offering unprecedented opportunities for growth and exposure.
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While Nine+ Records is yet to unveil its roster of artists, Steve Stoute, CEO of UnitedMasters, revealed that the label’s inception stemmed from a profound connection forged between him and Davido during the 2023 UnitedMasters SelectCon. Stoute emphasized his dedication to empowering Davido and facilitating the label’s future endeavors.
“We are here to bring that structure and funding so he can do what he has to do,” Stoute affirmed, underscoring his commitment to facilitating collaborations and providing strategic support to propel Nine+ Records to success.
Davido’s foray into the record label business builds upon the foundation of DMW, his established music label founded in April 2016. Over the years, DMW has nurtured exceptional talents such as Mayorkun, Peruzzi, and Dremo. In a recent rebranding initiative, Davido unveiled DMW 2.0 and introduced two promising new artists, Morravey and Logos Olori, signaling a new chapter in his illustrious career.
With Nine+ Records poised to make waves in the music industry, Davido’s latest endeavor promises to redefine the landscape of African music and amplify the voices of emerging artists on a global scale.
