Award-winning Kenyan band Sauti Sol has signed an exclusive recording contract with Universal Music Africa (UMA) today, January 30.
UMA is a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), a heavyweight in music-based entertainment engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in over 60 countries.
This new agreement will provide an opportunity for the 4-piece collective to reach a more global audience and continue to excite their fans across the continent with bold and creative campaigns.
Comprised of vocalists Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano, Savara Mudigi and guitarist, Polycarp Otieno, Sauti Sol has dominated the continent for a while now, scooping BET, MTV EMA and MTV Africa awards over the years.
Sipho Dlamini, MD of UMG South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa says, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Sauti Sol, one of the most innovative and creative groups to have broken through from Africa in recent years.
“Universal Music Africa is dedicated to helping the best
African music talent reach new audiences around the world and we are excited to welcome them to our global UMG family.
“We look forward to working together with them to ensure they are able to authentically celebrate Africa through music and to help introduce their unique blend Afro-pop to new
listeners everywhere.”
Sauti Sol also confirmed the signing on their Instagram page.
“It’s official! Our first major recording deal, @universalmusicgroup. Thank you guys for being patient. We really hope y’all are ready for the new album. 🔥 #MIDNIGHTRAIN 🌎🚀 @umgsa @africacreativeagency,” they shared alongside a photo of the signing.
The band released their well-received debut studio album, “Mwanzo” in 2008, followed by, “Sol Filosofia” in 2011, which amassed multiple accolades in the form of awards and nominations.
“Live and Die in Afrika”, their 2015 third studio album was released for free download for 48 hours, recording over 400,000 downloads in that period alone.