SHEER MUSIC INKS IYANYA

Sheer Music Publishing, Africa’s largest indie pubco, has inked Nigerian artist Iyanya to a global deal.

The R&B and Afro-pop singer is best known for his singles “Applaudise” f/D’banji, “Baby Daddy” f/Banky W, “Again” f/Seyi Shay and “Awade'' f/Dammy Krane.

“With this partnership, I aim to streamline the complexities the music industry is known for, harness my creativity and administer the collection of my royalties effectively,” said Iyanya.

Since winning Project Fame West Africa in 2008, Iyanya has released three studio albums, his 2011 debut, My Story, 2013’s Desire—which yielded the Dtunes-produced “Kukere” and “Ur Waist” with Emma Nyra—and 2015’s Applaudise, as well as hits like “Biko” and “Up 2 Sumting.”

“All of us at Sheer are excited to represent a songwriter of Iyanya’s stature and versatility,” said David Alexander, Managing Director of Sheer. “My belief is that in the long term, the rest of African music will become interwoven with global popular culture.”

The deal comes after Sheer Music’s acquisition by Downtown Music Holdings in 2020 and follows a string of expansions into Africa this year, including UMG’s pact with Boomplay and Ingrooves’ snapping-up of independent music distributor Electromode.

Iyanya joins a roster that spans Anatii and Salatiel, who appeared on Beyoncé’s The Lion King, and Jeremy Loops, who’s working on multiple projects with Jake Gosling. Sheer artists have landed syncs in Netflix’s Blood & Water and South African shows and films like The Girl From St. Agnes, Trackers, Still Breathing and Dam.