Empire Africa

Empire Africa (stylized as EMPIRE Africa) is the African division of the international recording and distribution company Empire.[1] Founded in 2022, and operates within West Asia, North Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, and its headquarter in Lagos, Nigeria.[2]

EMPIRE Africa
TypePrivate
IndustryMusic
GenreVarious
Founded2022 (2022)
Headquarters
Lagos
,
Nigeria
Area served
Africa
Key people
  • Ghazi Shami
  • Suhel Nafar
  • Ezegozie Eze Jr.
  • Kareem Mobalaji
  • Titilope Adesanya
ParentEmpire Distribution

On 18 February 2022, EMPIRE hired Suhel Nafar as Vice President of Strategy & Market Development.[3] On 21 February 2022, EMPIRE hired the formal General Manager of Universal Music Group Nigeria, Ezegozie Eze Jr., as Vice President of Market Development, Kareem Mobalaji as Regional Head of West Africa, and Titilope Adesanya as Project Manager.[4]

On 16 March 2022, EMPIRE showcase "The New Africa" at SXSW, in Austin, Texas, a month after launching in Africa. At the show, BNXN (formally known as Buju), Cheque, Fireboy DML, June Freedom, L.A.X, Wande Coal, and Bad Boy Timz performed at the event, as Basketmouth hosted the event.[5] A number of albums and singles distributed by EMPIRE Africa have charted on Billboard, and TurnTable including "Loading" by Olamide, "Infinity" by Olamide, "Peru" by Fireboy DML, "Rock" by Olamide, About 30 by Adekunle Gold, Walk with Me by Rotimi, Carpe Diem by Olamide, APOLLO by Fireboy DML, UY Scuti by Olamide, and Barnabas by Kizz Daniel.

On 14 August 2020, Burna Boy, Grammy Award-winning album Twice As Tall, was distributed in Africa by EMPIRE Distribution.[6]

Artists

Notable African artists who have released music on EMPIRE:[6]

Selected discography

Albums & EPs
Incomplete list of album and ep releases for EMPIRE Distribution in Africa
Year Title Artist(s) Details Certifications
2018About 30Adekunle GoldMay 25, 2018#9 on Billboard World Albums
Lazy GeniusAyo JaySeptember 14, 2018
2019WinnerPatorankingMay 24, 2019
Walk with MeRotimiMay 24, 2019#41 on the US Independent Albums
#10 on the US Heatseekers Albums
Don't Wake MeThutmoseNovember 5, 2019
Afrowave 3Afro BOctober 11, 2019
The Beauty of BecomingRotimiDecember 13, 2019
2020APOLLOFireboy DMLAugust 19, 2020#14 on Billboard World Albums
Carpe DiemOlamideOctober 8, 2020
King of LoveKizz DanielJune 25, 2020
ZaZa VibesL.A.XNovember 25, 2020
Twice as TallBurna BoyAugust 14, 2020#69 on Austrian Albums
#22 on Belgian Ultratop Flanders Albums
#22 on Belgian Ultratop Wallonia Albums
#19 on Billboard on Canadian Albums
#10 on Dutch Top 100 Album
#29 on French Albums
#31 on Irish Albums
#34 on Norwegian Albums
#47 on Swedish Albums
#12 on Swiss Albums
#54 on Billboard Top current albums
#11 on UK Albums
#64 on UK Albums sales
#12 on UK Album Downloads
#5 on UK Album Streaming
#2 on UK Top Hip-hop/R&B Albums
#54 on the US Billboard 200
#90 on the US Top Album Sales
#1 on the US Billboard World Albums
RealmsWande CoalSeptember 11, 2020
ThreePatorankingAugust 28, 2020
2021UY ScutiOlamideJune 18, 2021#12 on Billboard World Albums
#11 on the US Heatseekers Albums
All or NothingRotimiAugust 27, 2021
Hear Me OutPheelzFebruary 19, 2021
BarnabasKizz DanielNovember 18, 2021#23 on the US Heatseekers Albums
BravoChequeSeptember 23, 2021
2022Sorry I'm LateBNXN (fks. Buju)October 28, 2021
HoroscopesBasketmouthFebruary 10, 2022

See also

References
  1. Steward, Riley Van. "EMPIRE Is Investing Early In African Music And Culture". Forbes. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  2. "EMPIRE launches Africa division in Lagos". Music In Africa. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  3. "EMPIRE opens West Asia and North Africa division, hires Suhel Nafar as VP, Strategy and Market Development". Music Business Worldwide. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  4. "EMPIRE launches 'EMPIRE Africa', with three executive hires in Nigeria". Music Business Worldwide. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  5. Grant, Shawn (19 March 2022). "EMPIRE Hosts "The New Africa" SXSW Showcase with Pandora". The Source. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  6. "EMPIRE LAUNCHES IN AFRICA". HITS Daily Double. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
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