Warner Music Group announces a new partnership with Small World Records, the label and publisher founded by Afrobeats icon and streetwear connoisseur, SmallGod.
Warner Music Group (WMG) has announced a partnership with Small World Records, the publisher and label founded by Afrobeats icon and streetwear connoisseur, SmallGod.
The new deal sees Small World Records collaborating worldwide with teams from Warner Music, ADA, and Warner Chappell Music, to help propel its roster of talented artist and writers to a global audience. The partnership also enables both companies to discover, nurture, and amplify a new generation of African musical talent.
SmallGod will continue to lead Small World’s operations while using his unparalleled connections in the African music scene, his expertise in marketing, promotion, and A&R to help drive the label forward, with added support from WMG.
As a musician, SmallGod’s two collaboration albums — Building Bridges in 2021 and Connecting the Dots in 2022 — have showcased his ability to fuse traditional African music with a modern sound to connect African music to people worldwide. Through these projects, he has worked with artists like 2Baba, Black Sherif, Busiswa, Darkoo, DJ Tunez, Djz, Headie One, KiDi, Major League, NSG, Oxlade, Tiwa Savage, Vic Mensa, and more. Under the new partnership, SmallGod’s first release will be “Fallen Angel,” with Black Sherif.
“Our mission at Small World Records is to amplify the voices of Africa and its diaspora. This resounding partnership with Warner Music Group will help deliver this mission by empowering emerging African artist, breaking boundaries, and resonating across continents,” said SmallGod.
“Together, we aim to compose a symphony of boundless diversity, innovation, and passion, uniting cultures through the universal language of music, with the core being from Africa.”
“At Warner Music, we want to be at the forefront of culture and partner with the industry’s brightest and most innovative minds,” added Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music at Warner Music Group.
“SmallGod is a brilliant tastemaker, marketeer, and visionary, and working with him will allow us to champion the incredible African talent he discovers. We will work with his artist to give them the support and services they need to break onto the world stage.”
SmallGod’s first venture into the music industry was through the Ghanaian nightclub Basement, which he ran beginning in 2003. Through that club, he built relationships with many artists, including reggae act Black Prophet and rapper J-Town, who became his first two managed artists. He later managed Wavy the Creator and Eugy Official.
He launched the independent record label and publishing company, Nasecworld, before the launch of Small World Records. Most recently, he announced the opening of his first studio facilities, SmallWorld Studios, in Accra, Ghana.
“Over the last few years, Warner Chappell Music UK has become a real hub for amazing African music and artists,” said Shani Gonzales, Managing Director at Warner Chappell Music UK. “This new deal with Small World will give us even more access to the phenomenal talent coming through. Working alongside SmallGod, we can put these up-and-coming writers and artists in rooms with some of the world’s biggest stars.”
“At ADA, we pride ourselves on giving a world-class service to dynamic independent labels. Working with SmallGod and his team on the Small World roster, we will be able to connect their artists with a global audience and help them further grow their sound and international presence,” concluded Trenton Harrison-Lewis, SVP Artist and Label Development at ADA. “I’m excited to develop our partnership as we make and promote amazing music.”
