Last year, Steve Stoute met Davido at his UnitedMasters SelectCon event. He immediately saw the potential to collaborate with the Afrobeats sensation. Following their initial meeting, Stoute visited Davido’s hometown of Lagos, Nigeria, encouraging the “Fall” singer to dream bigger. Stoute envisioned Davido leading a global takeover, not just as an artist but also as a savvy businessman.
Beginning on April 17th, the three-time Grammy nominee is embarking on a new venture as a full-fledged executive, signing a deal with UnitedMasters to establish a new label, Nine+ Records. Stoute and Davido are determined to explore genres beyond Afrobeats, including hip-hop, R&B, Latin, and country, while actively seeking new talent.
Stoute admired Davido’s unique sound and entrepreneurial spirit, likening him to iconic figures in the music industry. He believes Davido has the potential to build a label with global impact, akin to Bad Boy, Death Row, or Cash Money.
In a conversation with Billboard, Davido and Stoute discussed their partnership and the significance of mentorship and teamwork. Davido emphasised his passion for nurturing new talent and expressed his need for mentorship and guidance in the music business. Drawing from his extensive experience, Stoute highlighted the importance of balancing creativity with business acumen, aiming to instil in Davido the skills necessary to build a lasting legacy.
He emphasised the importance of structure and chemistry within a team, noting that talent alone is insufficient for industry success. He aims to provide the necessary support and resources to thrive for Davido and his team.
With Nine+ Records, Davido envisions a diverse roster of artists and a global reach beyond Afrobeats. Stoute echoed this sentiment, stressing their commitment to creating great music, regardless of genre, with the ultimate goal of international success.
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