(l to r) SMP UK A&R director ZaZa Kazadi, Daecolm, senior A&R manager Megan Fitzsimons, president and co-managing director David Ventura, and Daecolm manager Chris K. Photo Credit: Sony Music Publishing
Self-described “eclectic Afropolitan artist” Daecolm has extended his decade-running exclusive partnership with Sony Music Publishing (SMP).
SMP unveiled its worldwide publishing pact with Daecolm today, after initially signing the Zimbabwe native in 2016. Per the publisher, the renewed tie-up covers the professional’s “existing catalogue and future recordings.”
This body of work includes the 2024 Hugel collaboration “I Adore You” (which is closing in on half a billion Spotify streams) as well as the more recent “Think of Me” (also released with Hugel, besides David Guetta and Kehlani), “99,” and “Barry Wonder.”
Furthermore, while the across-the-board shift away from albums isn’t a secret, singles are particularly prevalent in Daecolm’s catalog. His first (and to date only) full-length studio album, FIGUR£$, dropped via Empire back in 2020; a three-track EP entitled Lessons followed in 2023, the appropriate Spotify page shows.
In the bigger picture, evidence points to a strong strategic upside in SMP’s renewing with Daecolm from the perspective of Africa’s quick-expanding music markets. Chief among those markets is Nigeria, where Sony Music Publishing opened an office in 2022.
According to his Spotify profile – and bearing in mind the stiff competition between that DSP, Apple Music, homegrown players like Mdundo and Boomplay, and others yet – Daecolm boasts almost one million monthly listeners across three cities in Nigeria.
And to point out the obvious, that the local presence exists alongside a bit of international reach certainly doesn’t hurt. Addressing today’s “new chapter,” Daecolm touted the SMP agreement as “a shared commitment to artistic growth.”
“This new chapter with SMP represents more than just a deal,” he added, “it’s a shared commitment to artistic growth and breaking new ground. I’m proud to keep building with a team that truly understands and supports my vision.”
“It’s been amazing to see Daecolm’s success rising over recent months,” weighed in SMP UK president and co-managing director David Ventura, “it’s truly the fruit of his hard work and the world is really recognising the power of his incredible voice and songwriting. ‘Adore You’ with Hugel was the summer hit of 2024 but has carried on through to summer 2025.”
Last month, Kacey Musgraves renewed her global publishing deal with Warner Chappell, which proceeded to sign Jungle Giants frontman Sam Hales earlier in October. Also during the current month, Daniel Lopatin (aka Oneohtrix Point Never) finalized an agreement of his own with Universal Music Publishing Group.
