Ingrooves Music Group has acquired independent South Africa-based music distributor, Electromode, marking Ingrooves’ entrance into the growing African music market.
Electromode Managing Director, Chris Ghelakis will continue to lead the team based in Johannesburg and will work closely with the Ingrooves global music network to “elevate engagement, identify new audiences, and build African artists and label brands around the world”.
Electromode’s roster includes more than 200 artists and associated labels including South African record producer DJ Maphorisa’s label, New Money Gang (Scorpion Kings, Mas Musiq, Tyler ICU, Daliwonga) and Piano Hub (Kabza Da Small, Kelvin Momo), influential independent labels, Ambitouz Entertainment (Blaq Diamond, Miss Pru, Malome Vector, Cici, La Sauce, Loyiso) and Spirit Music (Benjamin Dube, Omega, Woman in Praise).
Electromode has an overall catalog of more than 30,000 songs.
Electromode ended 2020 with 7 of the Top 10 spots on the domestic Apple Music chart, having performed well on streaming charts across 2019 and 2020, driven by the release of The Scorpion Kings and Kabsa De Small, who recently occupied the top 27 positions of the Top 100 on Apple Music.
Electromode releases also occupied the top five positions of the Top 10 of Apple Music’s South African Chart in November 2020.
These chart-toppers include uThando by Soa Mattrix, Soulful G & Shaun101 which has dominated multiple charts, as well as Jazzidisciples (Zlele) by Reece Madlisa & Zuma, the street anthem VSOP by Mr JazziQ, Busta 929 and finally, Ulazi by JazziQ.
Electromode also works with rapper Jub Jub, whose remix of his multi-platinum hit, Ndikhokhele features some of the biggest names in South African music. Ndikhokhele charted at No.1 across multiple platforms.
“Chris and his team have built one of the most vibrant independent music distributors in Africa and we are thrilled for him to be leading our expansion into the region.”
“Music consumption in Africa continues to increase year over year and has become one of the most exciting growing music markets in the world,” said Bob Roback, CEO of Ingrooves Music Group.
“Chris and his team have built one of the most vibrant independent music distributors in Africa and we are thrilled for him to be leading our expansion into the region.
“We look forward to growing artists in Africa and introducing African artists to new audiences around the world.”
“Ingrooves will help us open the door for many South African and African artists to be introduced to new global audiences, while growing and developing some of the great new and established independent artists creating music in Africa.”
Chris Ghelakis
Chris Ghelakis added: “Ingrooves has the same kind of independent spirit that we have fostered over the last two decades at Electromode.
“Their technology platform is second to none and their expertise around the globe make them a perfect fit for our artists and labels as we look to expand their audiences.
“Ingrooves will help us open the door for many South African and African artists to be introduced to new global audiences, while growing and developing some of the great new and established independent artists creating music in Africa.”Music Business Worldwide
