Warner Music Aims to Elevate French-Speaking African Artists

Warner Music Group announced the launch of Warner Music Africa Francophone (WMAFR) on Thursday (Oct. 24). 

The new venture will “spotlight incredible talent from Francophone Africa,” co-director Yoann Chapalain said in a statement. “It aims to connect diverse sounds and regions, elevate releases for maximum success, and expand the music’s reach globally.” 

The launch comes at a time when demand for French-language music is growing. “Since 2019, French-language music streams have surged by 94%” on Spotify, the streaming service noted in a blog post in September.

“All regions of the world are embracing the richness and diversity of the French-language music scene,” according to Jeremy Erlich, head of music content at Spotify. “There’s been a sharp rise in the number of French-language music listeners on Spotify.”

Warner Music Africa Francophone will be a collaboration between Warner Music Africa, Warner Music France, and Africori, a distribution company. WMG previously announced that it acquired a majority stake in Africori in 2022.

The company was working with around 7,000 artists at the time. “African music is booming all around the world and some of our artists are right at the heart of the explosion,” Yoel Kenan, CEO of Africori, said in 2022. “Through our partnership, Warner Music has proven that it is the perfect home for Africori and our artists going forward. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them as we break more artists on a global scale.”

WMAFR will be led by Chapalain along with Marc-André Niang. Chapalain also serves as A&R Manager at Africori, and Niang continues on as A&R director, French-speaking African repertoire at WM France.

“It’s important for us to be able to create new synergies for the development and structure of the Francophone market in Africa,” Niang said in a statement. “While the region is steeped in both culture and talent, the ecosystem faces challenges.  Our team will connect creatives and help shape the environment to drive cross-cultural success.”

Simon Robson, WMG’s president of recorded music for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, likened WMAFR to 91 North, a joint venture between Warner Music Canada and Warner Music India that launched in 2023. 

“There’s a strong cultural trade route between France and West Africa,” Robson added. “WM Africa Francophone will help us support the artists in that space.”