A battle to sign the biggest independent artists in South Africa seems to have ensued between Universal Music Group and Sony Music. Sony has recently signed award-winning songstress Amanda Black (previously signed to Ambitiouz Ent) and is not stopping there. Award-winning Hip-Hop Artist Deko Barbara-Jessica Wedi, professionally known as Rouge has officially signed to major record label Sony Music. This comes as no surprise as more and more independent artist sign with majors.
“I’ve been independent for the longest time and now officially with a major. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me with my new family”, she posted on Instagram along with a photo of her signing the contract at Sony.
Rouge’s first introduction into the industry was as a musician at the age of 18-years-old.Though Rouge has never been to Congo, the rapper who grew up in South Africa is Congolese and can speak French. Becoming a rapper has not always been Rouge’s dream. “I didn’t wanna do music, I did not wanna rap, that was never my plan, I studied musical theatre, that was my goal…I wanted to be in Broadway…I’m still gonna do it, it’s just that right now, Gods like: ‘No, this is where you need to be”, she stated.
Last year we saw a few other Independent musicians sign to major record labels such as L-tido who signed with Universal. In his own words L-tido said that being an independent artist is probably the hardest thing anyone can ever do and signing with a major takes a lot of stress and pressure off. Even Cassper Nyovest himself, King Mofasa who has been doing incredibly well over the past few years finally partnered with Universal music.
Major labels can effortlessly take you to the next level as they have the necessary resources and personnel to push a rapper’s career to greater heights.
