GRAMMY® AWARD-NOMINATED GLOBAL SUPERSTAR DAVIDO INKS PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH UNITEDMASTERS FOR HIS NINE+ RECORDS VENTURE
Los Angeles, CA – April 18, 2024 Making yet another major power move, three-time GRAMMY®Award-nominated Nigerian global superstar and Afrobeats pioneer Davido has inked a deal with UnitedMasters for his recently launched label Nine+ Records. In this groundbreaking collaboration, Davido will spearhead artist development, A&R, and behind-the-scenes curation, nurturing a pioneering lineup of artists across the continent under Nine+ Records. United by a shared vision, the teams will work together to introduce and foster talent, amplifying Davido's influence and extending his reach even further. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of African and world music.
Together, the teams will collaborate closely not only introduce, but cultivate career talent. It only expands Davido’s influence and reach. In today’s announcement Davido said, “I couldn’t be more proud to partner with Steve and the team at United Masters, this announcement represents an exciting new chapter for developing and established artists around the world.”
Steve Stoute, Founder and CEO of UnitedMasters states, "Over the last two years, we’ve proven our commitment to Africa investing in artists, education, and technology. Today, we are doubling down. With this new venture with Davido & the launch of Nine+ Records, we reinforce our mission in becoming a bridge for artists on the continent. Together we’ll identify & develop new artists while supporting them with brand and synch opportunities."
Nine+ Records will be announcing more artists and partners in the future.
Davido just sold out one of the most iconic venues in the world, headlining Madison Square Garden in New York City. He ignited the stage with what will be remembered as a historic set, bringing Afrobeats to the Big Apple in the biggest way possible. In advance of the show, he extensively spoke to Billboard who praised how “Performing in New York has also become a special ritual” for him.
This news also arrives on the heels of various major company announcements for UnitedMasters. The company locked down a high-profile alliance with SymphonyOS and Groover. Plus, it hosted its annual “A Celebration of Independence” GRAMMY® Concert at the Palladium in Hollywood, CA. The show boasted an all-star lineup, including headliner Davido, Uncle Waffles, Tokischa, Donavan’s Yard, and NLE Choppa. Of the latter, The Source wrote, “This marked the first time UnitedMasters featured international acts, solidifying its impact and representation within the global independent artist movement.”
Stay tuned for a whole lot more soon.
ABOUT DAVIDO:
In 2024, Davido cemented his position as a global force in music. Often called “The King of Afrobeats,” the American-born, Nigerian-raised icon has amassed over 5 billion streams and over 1.2 billion video views across his 13-year career. As the most followed Afrobeat artist across social media, Davido has been a forerunner in connecting the world to Afrobeats. In 2023, Davido became the first African artist to top the iTunes Album Chart with the release of his critically acclaimed fourth studio album, "Timeless," which garnered three GRAMMY® nominations, including Global Music Album of the Year for “Timeless”, Global Music Performance for "Feel", and Best African Musical Performance for the hit smash “Unavailable". Davido’s 2023 hot streak also includes U.S and international sold-out tours, “Timeless’” record-breaking streaming numbers, and TikTok leadership with over 100 million videos featuring his “Unavailable” dance challenge.
A powerful touring artist, in addition to Davido’s upcoming April 2024 Madison Square Garden performance, 2023 saw sold-out tour dates across the globe, including multiple shows at London’s O2 and Atlanta's State Farm Arena. Career performance highlights also include headlining “AfroNation" around the globe and closing the 2022 World Cup with a performance seen by over 250 million viewers. Davido powerfully entered the global music scene, breaking records in 2019 with hit singles “If” and “Fall” from his 2019 release "A Good Time,” which amassed 1.2 billion streams. In 2020, he followed up with his third studio album, the platinum aptly titled "A Better Time,” which featured the hits “FEM,” "Holy Ground ft. Nicki Minaj," and "Shopping Spree” ft. Chris Brown.
Earning over 30 awards and nominations internationally, including nominations for the GRAMMY®, BET, EMA, and VMA Awards in 2023, Davido was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine in the same year. He is a global media powerhouse with countless television and media appearances, including The Tonight Show, Live with Jimmy Kimmel, The Daily Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Complex, Uproxx, The New York Times, and Apple's Zane Lowe, among others.