Sony Music Publishing South Africa has signed Gallo Music Publishers to a worldwide agreement, excluding Africa.
Gallo Music Publishers is the publishing arm of one of Africa’s largest and oldest independent major labels, Gallo Record Company, which also celebrates its 95th Anniversary this year.
The creative partnership will see SMP “create new opportunities for Gallo’s compositions on an international scale,” the company says.
Gallo Music Publishers’ catalog includes works by multi Grammy-award winning isicathamiya group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Manhattan Brothers, mbaqanga supergroup Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, Caiphus Semenya, African Jazz singer Dorothy Masuka, and Sipho Hotstix Mabuse.
In addition, Gallo is also home to Chicco Twala, who produced the majority of Brenda Fassie’s platinum selling albums; and Mbongeni Ngema, who wrote the screenplay Sarafina, as well as songs from reggae star Lucky Dube and afro-pop band Mango Groove, to name a few.
Gallo published songwriters will now have the opportunity to collaborate with SMP’s roster of songwriters, and have their songs promoted overseas, says the company.
SMP also says that it will also provide its administration services to collect, distribute, and expedite royalty payments across the world, in addition to providing sync services, creating placement opportunities for GMP’s songs as well as licensing its music for film, television and commercials.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Gallo Music Publishers to the Sony Music Publishing family. With its tremendous roster of writers, the history of Gallo is the history of South African music.”
Guy Henderson, Sony Music Publishing
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Gallo Music Publishers to the Sony Music Publishing family. With its tremendous roster of writers, the history of Gallo is the history of South African music,” said Guy Henderson, President, International, Sony Music Publishing.
“Having started my career at Gallo many years ago, I’m thrilled to be reunited with celebrated works from the likes of Lucky Dube, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Stimela, Sipho Mabuse, Caiphus Semenya and so many others. Together, with Sony Music Publishing’s great roster of writers, we look forward to taking the best of African music to the rest of the world.”
“Gallo Music Publishers’ catalog is synonymous to South Africa’s musical heritage, and we are proud to have this invaluable catalogue added to our roster.”
Rowlin Naicker, Sony Music Publishing South Africa
Rowlin Naicker, Managing Director of Sony Music Publishing South Africa, added: “Gallo Music Publishers’ catalog is synonymous to South Africa’s musical heritage, and we are proud to have this invaluable catalogue added to our roster.
“There are still many stories to tell – together with our global network, we are confident we will find great opportunities for GMP’s musical gems,.”
“We feel our vast catalog and administration of this rich African heritage of songs outside of Africa’s borders is in good hands with Sony Music Publishing.”
Rob Cowling, Gallo Music Group
Rob Cowling, General Manager of Gallo Music Group said: “We are very excited to announce this partnership which has been a long time in the making.
“We feel our vast catalog and administration of this rich African heritage of songs outside of Africa’s borders is in good hands with Sony Music Publishing.
“Their extensive network of professionals and systems as well as a UK team, with some African roots and a knowledge of the content, will be a valuable asset in managing GMP’s works and driving revenues for our composers, and their beneficiaries.”Music Business Worldwide
