A proud sponsor of the Ghana Music Awards UK, Sheer Publishing Senior Copyright Administrator and Client Liaison for West and Central Africa, Seidu Iddrisu, recently visited the country for the nominee ceremony. Much like the awards itself, Sheer is constantly seeking opportunities for cultural exchange, creating recognition for African artists across the globe.
With the aim to not only uplift and educate musicians on the continent, Seidu together with Sheer Publishing endeavors to ensure musicians are being compensated for their works by signing talent to their publishing house. With an already vast library of music, rich in local and international content, Sheer currently represent a high caliber of artists and are constantly growing their market share.
On a mission to scout African artists, the publishing correspondent has been travelling throughout West Africa signing numerous performers and creating opportunities for marketing, sales and collaboration. The company’s most recent signings include the likes of Shatta Wale, Magasco and Evi Edna.
Shatta Wale (Ghana)
Formerly known as Bandana, Shatta Wale (real name Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr.) is best known for his track ‘Dancehall King’. The breakthrough hit won him several accolades, including Best New Entertainer at the International Reggae & World Music Awards.
In 2014, he reached number 38 on E.tv’s Top 100 Most Influential Ghanaian Award charts, followed by Artiste of the Year at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
Crowned The King of African Dancehall, a collaboration with Beyoncé introduced him to a global audience. Shatta performed ‘Already’ from the 2019 Grammy-nominated The Lion King: The Gift. He went on to appear in the acclaimed film Black Is King, which accompanied the album.
Magasco (Cameroon)
In 2013, he released ‘Kumba Market’ and went on to sign a deal with rapper Pit Baccardi’s Empire Company. Here, he released hits like ‘Fine Boy’ and ‘Sokoto’. In 2019, Magasco founded his record label Bamenda Boy Records.
Under Bamenda Boy Records, Magasco released the first ever 30-track album in the nation called ‘Heart’ where hits like ‘Kongossa’ and ‘Nyang Nyang’ ft Lady Ponce can be found.
He was nominated for several awards like AFRIMA, African Talent Awards, Greenlight Awards and many more. He was awarded for Grand Prix d’Or in Cameroon for being a role model in his community and was awarded a Knight Of Honor medal by the President of The Republic of Cameroon.
Evi Edna (Nigeria)
Known as the Queen of Africa’s Reggae, Evi Edna Ogholi is best known for her song ‘Happy Birthday’. She recorded her first album in 1989 and established herself all over West Africa. Other hits include ‘Oghene Me’ and ‘Look Before You Cross’. In 1990, the songstress was named ambassador for Pepsi and featured in a commercial for the brand.
That same year, Evi left the music industry and relocated to Paris to volunteer for Unicef. After a long vacation, she announced her plans to return to the music industry during an interview with BBC Pidgin. Shortly after, she released an EP titled ‘Peace and Love’.
If you are a music artist and want to ensure that you are accurately being compensated for your works, do not hesitate to contact Seidu on [email protected] for more information.
More info about Sheer Publishing
Sheer Publishing’s mission is to provide a comprehensive range of copyright services to their clients, both domestic, Continental, and international.
Sheer Publishing is a full-service, mid-sized, independent publishing company that is quickly growing its market share. They have grown our top line earnings 25% in a very difficult year for the local music industry, and are proud of the fact that some of our clients have been with us since we started in 1996.
Sheer Publishing has well over eighteen years experience of in the administration of intellectual property rights nationally and globally. Sheer Publishing has close links with the collecting societies based all over the world. Sheer Publishing is also a direct member of SAMRO, MCSK, and COSON, the copyright collection societies in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria respectively.
With a vast catalogue rich with South African, African, and International Chart music ideal for syncing purposes, Sheer Publishing offers the ultimate one-stop solution for all deals. They have music placements on movies such as District 9 and the Oscar-winning Tsotsi and the Academy Award-nominated Searching for Sugarman.
Sheer Publishing has placed music on television shows such as Private Practice, Jacob’s Cross, and Big Brother Africa and have also been instrumental in successful commercials such as Castle Lite, Vodacom, MTN, Makro, Cadbury’s PS, Wimpy, Engen and Ackermans (just to name a few).
Watch this space for updates in the Music category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
