Warner Music Group (WMG) has struck up a new partnership with Small World Records, the label and publisher founded by Ghanaian music entrepreneur and artist SmallGod.
The new deal will see Small World Records collaborate worldwide with teams from Warner Music, ADA and Warner Chappell Music, “to help propel” Small World’s roster of artists and writers to a global audience.
According to WMG, the partnership will also see both companies “discover, nurture, and amplify a new generation of African musical talent”.
SmallGod will continue to lead Small World’s operations with added support from WMG.
Commenting on the partnership, Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music, Warner Music Group, said: “At Warner Music, we want to be at the forefront of culture and partner with the industry’s brightest and most innovative minds.”
“SmallGod is a brilliant tastemaker, marketeer and visionary, and working with him will allow us to champion the incredible African talent he discovers.”
Max Lousada, Warner Music Group
He added: “SmallGod is a brilliant tastemaker, marketeer and visionary, and working with him will allow us to champion the incredible African talent he discovers.
“We will work with his artists to give them the support and services they need to break onto the world stage.”
The first release under the new partnership will be SmallGod and Black Sherif’s Fallen Angel.
SmallGod’s first venture in the music industry was the Ghanaian nightclub Basement, which he ran from 2003.
Through the club, he built relationships with artists and started managing Ghanaian Reggae act Black Prophet before signing Ghanaian rapper J-Town. He later managed Wavy The Creator and Eugy Official.
He then launched and ran his own independent record label and publishing company, Nasecworld, before the launch of Small World Records.
SmallGod is also described as “a fashion enthusiast’ and has collaborated with local and diaspora fashion brands like FREE THE YOUTH, Daily Paper, FILLING PIECES, STEELO, area boys, BIKERZ SUNDAYS, THE NEW ORIGINALS and Xpltcstudio.
SmallGod recently opened his first studio facility, SmallWorld Studios, in Accra, Ghana.
“Our mission at Small World Records is to amplify the voices of Africa and its diaspora.”
SmallGod
SmallGod said: “Our mission at Small World Records is to amplify the voices of Africa and its diaspora.
“This resounding partnership with Warner Music Group will help deliver this mission by empowering emerging African artists, breaking boundaries, and resonating across continents.
“Together, we aim to compose a symphony of boundless diversity, innovation, and passion, uniting cultures through the universal language of music with the core being from Africa.”
“Over the last few years, Warner Chappell Music UK has become a real hub for amazing African music and artists.”
Shani Gonzales, Warner Chappell Music UK
Shani Gonzales, Managing Director, Warner Chappell Music UK, said: “Over the last few years, Warner Chappell Music UK has become a real hub for amazing African music and artists.
“This new deal with Small World will give us even more access to the phenomenal talent coming through. Working alongside SmallGod, we can put these up-and-coming writers and artists in rooms with some of the world’s biggest stars.”
Credit: Christopher Cargill
“Working with SmallGod, and his team on the Small World roster, we will be able to connect their artists with a global audience and help them further grow their sound and international presence.”
Trenton Harrison-Lewis, SVP Artist and Label Development, ADA and Warner Music UK, said: “At ADA, we pride ourselves on giving a world-class service to dynamic independent labels.
“Working with SmallGod, and his team on the Small World roster, we will be able to connect their artists with a global audience and help them further grow their sound and international presence.
“I’m excited to develop our partnership as we make and promote amazing music.”
According to WMG, SmallGod’s two collaboration albums, Building Bridges (2021) and Connecting The Dots (2022), “showcased his innate ability to fuse traditional African music with a new modern-day sound and connect African music with the diaspora worldwide”.
Through these projects, he has worked with artists such as 2Baba, Black Sherif, Busiswa, Darkoo, DJ Tunez, Djz, Headie One, KiDi, Major League, NSG, Oxlade, Tiwa Savage, Vic Mensa, and more.Music Business Worldwide
