Sony Music Entertainment Africa and Tinny Entertainment announced the exclusive deal for Festac Very own Oludemilade Martin Alejo, popularly known by his stage name YCEE, Nigerian rapper and songwriter currently signed to Tinny Entertainment.
The 23 years old took to Instagram to announce this fantastic news as the deal was signed, Friday, October 21, 2016 in South Africa. He shared his excitement with the caption:
“Great things happening, alongside Tinny Entertainment, I’m so proud to become part of the Sony Music family!!”
According to Sony Music, the deal will see the rapper’s first EP, “ The First Wave” released under the label.
Michael Ugwu, General Manager, Sony Music West Africa and Yceeplay
Michael Ugwu, General Manager, Sony Music West Africa said: “I’m extremely proud to welcome Tinny Entertainment and the amazing talent that is Ycee to the Sony Music Entertainment West Africa family.”
He said he had monitored Ycee’s growth over the year and he was the future of hip-hop in Africa.
“I’ve watched this team grow over the past few years and I am amazed at how they have navigated the industry to reach this stage. “Ycee is the future of hip-hop in Africa and we will be front and centre of SME West Africa’s strategy as we take Africa to the world,” Ugwu said.
This new arrangement sees the ‘Omo Alhaji’ rapper joining the likes of Davido and Wizkid as part of the Sony Music.
Meanwhile Arokodare ‘Tinny’ Timilehin, CEO Tinny Entertainment, a Nigerian label the rapper is currently signed to said in a statement it was a stamp of approval of all the work they had done over the years.
“We are very excited about the future for both Ycee and Tinny Entertainment”, Tinny said.
The rapper made a huge mark in the Nigerian music scene in 2015 and caused quite a stir with his singles including ‘Condo’, ‘Jagaban’ and ‘Omo Alhaji’.
The start of 2016 saw him receiving the award for Rookie of The Year at the 2015 Headies.
Nigerian rapper, Ycee is now the third Nigerian musician to get a music deal with SONY Music in 2016.
The new deal is part of Sony Music Entertainment’s expansion across Africa as it announced an exclusive deal with Ycee today in South Africa.
The deal will see Ycee’s first E.P, The First Wave released under the Sony umbrella.
With this move, Ycee joins the likes of Nigerian superstars Davido and Wizkid as part of the Sony Music family.