Strictly Confidential Announces Raft of New Signings

10 June 2020 - Press release

Global Agreements Reached with Ghostpoet, Nyege Nyege Tapes & Hakuna Kulala


Independent music publisher Strictly Confidential has announced a number of new agreements that will see two leading Ugandan record labels launching new publishing divisions and critically lauded artist Ghostpoet joining their roster.

Founded by Burundi born Derek Debru and the Greek-Armenian ethnomusicologist Arlen Dilsizian, the Ugandan label Nyege Nyege Tapes and its sister imprint Hakuna Kulala specializes in progressive electronic music from East Africa and has been home to a wide range of artists, including the highly acclaimed MC Yallah and DJ Diaki among others.

Ghostpoet, aka Obaro Ejimiwe, has received two Mercury Prize nominations and released his fifth album 'I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep' to widespread acclaim earlier this year. He has agreed a long-term, global publishing deal with Strictly Confidential.

Established in 1987 by [PIAS] co-founders Michel Lambot and Kenny Gates with Pierre Mossiat, Strictly Confidential has affiliated companies and operations in Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom and is a full-service music publishing company, overseeing both rights management and creative development for the songwriters and composers it represents.

Derek Debru, co-founder of Nyege Nyege Tapes and Hakuna Kulala said, “We have always believed in building partnerships that add value to the work we do. The team at Strictly Confidential are passionate and have shown genuine interest and understanding of the music we release through Nyege Nyege Tapes and Hakuna Kulala. This new agreement will allow us to maximise the commercial opportunities available to our songwriters while expanding the global reach of the music we represent.”

Pierre Mossiat, Managing Director of Strictly Confidential said, “The signing of an agreement with Derek and Arlen to create a music publishing arm for their hugely successful labels is a game changer for Strictly Confidential and allows us to work with the amazing African artists, songwriters and composers they discover and nurture. We are also delighted to be working with Ghostpoet who is an incredible talent.”