Ultra International Music Publishing announces West African expansion

13 February 2023 - Press release

Nigeria Announced as New Hub for Afrobeat Division

Ultra International Music Publishing (‘Ultra’), the leading independent publishers of Hip-Hop, Pop, Electronic Dance Music, Jazz and Reggae has announced an expansion of its growing Afrobeat operations and a new creative hub in Nigeria. 

To celebrate the launch of this new initiative Ultra has hosted a writing camp in the country’s capital Lagos in partnership with Estlon Music. The camp saw over 20 young producers, writers, artists and audio visual designers coming together to collaborate over a period of three days. 

The camp featured experienced producers such as Burna Boy's producers Chopstiix  (Burna Boy “Last Last”) and Leriq, alongside up-and-coming writers and artists such as Bloody Civilian (Def Jam),  Amexin  (Ultra Publishing), Shorae Moore, and songwriters such as  Naya Akanji (Aristokat) and guitarist Effeh Jazz among others. The music written at the camp will contribute to a showcase mixtape under the title ‘Sonic Rares’. 

This new initiative builds on the success that Ultra have already enjoyed in the Afrobeat genre, which has been overseen to date by Andreas Rizek, Head of North America A&R for the company. The company’s signings include Tejiri Akpoghene who joined the roster under a global co-publishing deal with Revels Management and last week won a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance having co-produced Future's "Wait For U ft. Drake & Tems." Ultra has also signed rising star Maesu via a co-publishing agreement with acclaimed Los Angeles based company Sturdy, the industry leaders in creative direction, live production design, and stagecraft. 

Also unveiled as a new addition to the company’s roster is Amexin who has been supporting Wizkid on tour and is tipped to become one of Nigeria's breakout stars of 2023.

Patrick Moxey, Founder and CEO of Ultra Music Publishing said, “We have been involved in the signing and development of African songwriters and producers for some time and this new announcement of a creative hub in Lagos where we can help nurture the incredible talent coming out of West Africa will be a key focus for our creative team moving forward.”

Ultra has appointed its London based A&R manager Harold Serero to oversee the development of its African operations who said, “It is incredibly inspiring to get the chance to work with such uniquely talented, ambitious songwriters and artists that will shape the sound of Africa, and hopefully the world in 2023 and beyond. This is the future.”