Sony Music Publishing Signs Nigerian Highlife Legend Bright Chimezie
Wafricnews - June 12, 2025
In a powerful move that bridges generations and continents, Nigerian highlife maestro Bright Chimezie has signed a landmark deal with Sony Music Publishing — a partnership set to preserve, amplify, and reintroduce his signature Zigima Sound to a global audience.
Chimezie, a household name across West Africa since the 1980s, is known for his electrifying fusion of traditional Igbo rhythms, socio-political commentary, and infectious stage energy. His creation, Zigima Sound — a hybrid of highlife, Afrobeat, and indigenous storytelling — has inspired artists and thinkers alike for decades.
Now, in a major recognition of African musical heritage, Sony Music Publishing has officially brought Chimezie’s rich catalog under its wing, pledging to manage, protect, and promote his life’s work to the world.
“Bright Chimezie’s music has transcended time and continues to resonate across borders,” said Mr. Godwin Tom, Managing Director of Sony Music Publishing Nigeria. “We are honored to welcome him into our family and look forward to building platforms that reflect the true impact of his contributions to African music.”
For Chimezie, this isn’t just business — it’s legacy.
“This is a necessary step to help preserve our traditional and cultural heritage for generations unborn,” he said in a statement. “I’ve always believed in the power of my music to unite and inspire, and I’m thrilled to work with a global partner like Sony Music Publishing to take Zigima to the world.”
Cultural Legacy Meets Global Vision
This groundbreaking partnership represents more than just music publishing — it signals a growing industry shift toward acknowledging Africa’s cultural giants not only as influencers but as architects of global soundscapes.
For many, Chimezie’s songs — from Ube Nwanne to Respect Africa — are soundtracks of a conscious era. His lyrics, steeped in wit and wisdom, delivered powerful messages on identity, unity, and dignity, long before it was fashionable.
With this deal, Sony Music Publishing renews its pledge to champion African music beyond the mainstream — investing not just in new voices, but in the legends who laid the foundation.
Zigima Reimagined
The deal is expected to spark new interest in Chimezie’s work — from streaming catalog revitalization to potential collaborations and remixes that marry old school with new soundscapes.
It is also a sign of Bright Chimezie’s enduring relevance in a fast-changing music industry — an elder who remains rooted in culture, yet willing to evolve with the times.
An African Original, Still Marching Strong
Bright Chimezie is not just a musician — he is a storyteller, a cultural ambassador, and a symbol of creative resilience. His agreement with Sony Music Publishing is more than a personal milestone; it is a powerful affirmation that African music — in its purest, most traditional forms — deserves preservation, global respect, and equitable partnership.
At Wafricnews, we celebrate this moment — not just for what it means for one man, but for what it signals to every young African artist with roots deep in culture and eyes set on the world stage.
Wafricnews — telling Africa’s story, one beat at a time.
By Wafricnews Desk.
By Wafricnews Desk.
Comment
To post a comment, you have to login first
LoginNo Comments Yet...