Grammy-nominated artist, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has embarked on a new venture by partnering with UnitedMasters, a US-based distribution company, to establish Nine+ Records.
In an exclusive interview with Billboard, the DMW label boss revealed his ambition to broaden the label’s scope beyond Afrobeats and cater to global audiences.
Expressing his passion for nurturing emerging talent and addressing the challenges faced by young artists in the music industry, Davido highlighted his motivation for the collaboration.
“I aim to explore various genres like R&B, trap, etc. Starting in Africa is a given, but I envision a global reach,” he stated. “Nurturing new talent has always been my passion… Sometimes, artists lack guidance on navigating the industry and securing favorable deals. I believe Steve Stoute embodies that support, guiding artists to make informed decisions.”
The announcement of the partnership was also shared by UnitedMasters on their official Instagram page, describing it as a “groundbreaking collaboration with Davido.”
UnitedMasters hailed the partnership as transformative for the African music industry, with Davido poised to elevate the careers of emerging artists to unprecedented heights.
While Nine+ Records has yet to unveil any artists, Steve Stoute, CEO of UnitedMasters, revealed that the label’s inception stemmed from a connection forged during the 2023 UnitedMasters SelectCon.
Stoute emphasized his commitment to empowering Davido and the label’s future endeavors, stating, “We’re here to provide structure and funding, enabling Davido to execute his vision… My role is to facilitate collaborations with producers and artists, ensuring seamless execution.“