Def Jam signs exclusive worldwide JV with Nigeria and UK’s NATIVE Records

By Huynh Nguyen - September 20, 2022

Def Jam Recordings have entered into an exclusive worldwide joint venture partnership with Lagos, Nigeria and British company NATIVE Records.

The deal was announced Tuesday (September 20) by Tunji Balogun, chairman and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, and Seni “Chubbz” Saraki and Teni “Teezee” Zaccheaus, co-presidents and co-founders of NATIVE Networks.

NATIVE Records is the music division of NATIVE Networks, the black-owned, multi-platform, multi-disciplinary media and content company dedicated to the discovery and development of young African artists and youth culture.

NATIVE Networks was founded in 2016 by Seni Saraki, Teni Zaccheaus, Shola Fagbemi, Addy Edgal and Suleiman Shittu.

Def Jam says that “NATIVE has built a track record of breaking boundaries and popularizing new sounds through the discovery and development of native artists from the community, with a particular focus on the burgeoning Afrobeats movement.”

Def Jam also says that Zaccheaus and Fagbemi – in collaboration with Balogun – will “use their time-tested A&R sensibilities and extensive expertise and contacts in the creative community to engage and develop talent in the African musical diaspora.”

With NATIVE, NATIVE Networks’ magazine and digital platform, Def Jams says the company has “gained a credibility for being early and seeing what’s to come today and tomorrow.”

THE NATIVE has given prominent artists such as Burna Boy, Tems, Naira Marley, Mowalola, Odunsi The Engine, Santi and others their very first covers.

Meanwhile, the company’s festival, NATIVELAND, has invited artists such as J Hus, Dave, NSG and others for their first live performances in Nigeria.

“Seni, Teni and the Native crew have their fingers on the pulse of what’s really happening on the scene, as an engine for discovery and as a hub for creators and artists.”

Tunji Balogun

Tunji Balogun said, “As we build a culture here at Def Jam that connects the best in the global black music diaspora – from hip-hop and R&B to reggae, afrobeats and more – clearly some of the best, most vibrant, most interesting and cutting edge New artists and sounds in today’s music come from the continent.

“Seni, Teni and the Native crew have their fingers on the pulse of what’s really happening on the scene, as an engine for discovery and a hub for creators and artists.

“I’m a fan of their platform and have been associated with the guys for a while. Our partnership feels authentic and natural, and I believe we will discover and develop some amazing talent together.”

“We’ve known Tunji for a while now and his ear and track record of introducing black artists from around the world to a global audience is second to none.”

Seni ‘Chubbz’ Saraki and Teni ‘Teezee’ Zacchaeus

Seni ‘Chubbz’ Saraki and Teni ‘Teezee’ Zaccheaus said: “We’ve known Tunji for quite a while now and his ear and track record of introducing black artists from around the world to a global audience is second to none.

“We are honored to be invited to its new home and to be the first joint venture partnership with an African company in Def Jam’s legendary history. We firmly believe that the continent is the most exciting place on earth for music right now.

“We want NATIVE Records to be about artistic freedom and as a company we’ve always been passionate about discovering and collaborating with artists who don’t quite sit within the boundaries and helping them express themselves and build a community.

“Africa is not a monophonic continent and we believe this partnership will prove just that.” music business worldwide

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