Chocolate City Signs Partnership Deal Warner Music Group
Olayinka Koya /
Updated 9 Oct 2026
Nigerian independent label Chocolate City announced a partnership with major music company Warner Music Group (WMG). The arrangement was described as combining Chocolate City’s local artist-development work with support from Warner’s independent label services division, ADA, including distribution and artist services. Warner was also expected to invest in Chocolate City, although the announcement as reproduced here does not state the investment amount or provide the full financial and rights terms.
The Billboard report the announcement of an innovation partnership deal between Warner Music Group and Chocolate City, by saying Chocolate City artists will join Warner Music Group’s repertoire and receive the support of the company’s distribution and artist services via its independent label services division ADA.
Warner Music Group will also invest financially in Chocolate City to advance its quest to develop local talents, the new deal states.
Chocolate City Group CEO, Audu Maikori said in a statement:
At Chocolate City, we have always been passionate about discovering and developing the best talent across Africa and giving them a platform for global growth.
The partnership with Warner Music Group is unique in the sense that our clients get the best of both worlds – curated and bespoke services by a highly experienced team across Africa and a dedicated global team to further push their music and their brands.
Chocolate City Signs Partnership Deal Warner Music Group
Also speaking on the deal, WMG Executive VP Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Alfonso Perez Soto, said:
The music scene in Nigeria is so rich and diverse that it’s important that we develop bespoke entrepreneurial strategies. At the same time, we’ll keep in mind the lessons learned from other emerging markets, for instance Latin America where we successfully broke local artists globally.
We have great affinity with Chocolate City’s creative and ambitious approach and we’re excited about Warner’s role in bringing to life their vision of taking their music worldwide.
The new deal does not change Chocolate City Music’s leadership as co-founders Maikori and Paul Okeugo, along with executive VPS Jude (M.I.) Abaga and Aibee Abidoye, will continue to lead the company.
Olayinka Koya leads GYOnlineNG, an independent publication based in Ibadan, Nigeria. He covers Nigerian music, Nollywood, and the business decisions shaping the entertainment industry.
