BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– Universal Music Group (UMG) South Africa (SA) has opened up to artists in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The music entity is the world’s leading music company and currently operates in over 60 countries. Over two months ago, the Kingdom was graced with the company’s talent recruiter, Lindelani Lee Makeba, who was here to host a series of workshops with emerging artists in the country.
When reached for comment, Lee expressed that his trip was independent of the stable, but was open to any available talent willing to showcase their work to him.
He further explained that even though he was not sent to Eswatini by the stable, the company was open to new talent, and gave this publication a source within the stable to help with the know-how of artists in the kingdom and how they can reach the platform.
The music stable is one of the top music companies in the world, and actually controls around 80 percent of the American music market.
The company comes with a ton full load of perks from financials to health benefits that extend to the artist’s family.
Universal Music Africa develops and operates the entire UMG catalogue across the region, alongside a domestic catalogue of more than 100 artists, including some of the continent’s most popular and influential artists under several labels, including Def Jam Africa and Motown Gospel Africa.
In 2021 the company announced an exposition into finding stars in Africa; this is where the CEO, Sipho Dlamini stated that they would be rapidly expanding the artists’ music to a wider range of audiences.
Dlamini is responsible for thrusting new talent and stars into the spotlight. Artists signed under UMG are out and about attracting people on popular streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, proving that the streaming revolution came at the right time. The company has channels in which an artist can submit their music if they have not been recognized by the stable prior.
Demo submissions must be directed to UMG, but they are unable to accept unsolicited material. Typically, demos are recommended to one of the labels’ A and R departments by a manager, agent, producer, radio DJ, or other industry professional. Working at the stable is seen as more than just a job, it is the total package. From financial well-being, comprehensive health insurance, to an extensive assortment of employee assistance and self-care programmes.
