ADVERTISEMENT
TechEconomy
Monday, June 2, 2025
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Tech
    • DisruptiveTECH
    • ConsumerTech
      • Accessories
      • Phones
      • Laptop
      • Gadgets and Appliances
      • Apps
    • How To
    • TechTAINMENT
  • Business
    • Telecoms
      • Broadband
    • Mobility
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • Commerce
    • StartUPs
    • TE Insights
    • Security
  • Partners
  • Economy
    • Finance
    • Fintech
    • Digital Assets
    • Personal Finance
    • Insurance
  • Features
    • IndustryINFLUENCERS
    • Guest Writer
    • Appointment
    • EventDIARY
    • Editorial
  • Apply
  • TecheconomyTV
  • Techeconomy Events
  • BusinesSENSE For SMEs
  • TBS
  • News
  • Tech
    • DisruptiveTECH
    • ConsumerTech
      • Accessories
      • Phones
      • Laptop
      • Gadgets and Appliances
      • Apps
    • How To
    • TechTAINMENT
  • Business
    • Telecoms
      • Broadband
    • Mobility
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • Commerce
    • StartUPs
    • TE Insights
    • Security
  • Partners
  • Economy
    • Finance
    • Fintech
    • Digital Assets
    • Personal Finance
    • Insurance
  • Features
    • IndustryINFLUENCERS
    • Guest Writer
    • Appointment
    • EventDIARY
    • Editorial
  • Apply
  • TecheconomyTV
  • Techeconomy Events
  • BusinesSENSE For SMEs
  • TBS
No Result
View All Result
Tech | Business | Economy
No Result
View All Result
Podcast

Home » Universal Music Group Acquires Chabaka Music

Universal Music Group Acquires Chabaka Music

Techeconomy by Techeconomy
August 31, 2023
in TechTAINMENT
0
Universal Music Group Acquires Chabaka Music
Photo taken at UMG’s London office – L-r: Patrick Boulos, CEO, MENA Region (UMG), Adam Granite, EVP, Market Development (UMG), JT Myers, Co-CEO (Virgin Music Group), Tarek Makki, Co-Founder (Chabaka), Ala’a Makki, Co-Founder and CEO (Chabaka).

Photo taken at UMG’s London office – L-r: Patrick Boulos, CEO, MENA Region (UMG), Adam Granite, EVP, Market Development (UMG), JT Myers, Co-CEO (Virgin Music Group), Tarek Makki, Co-Founder (Chabaka), Ala’a Makki, Co-Founder and CEO (Chabaka).

RelatedPosts

‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Fifth Year

‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Fifth Year

May 22, 2025

Apple Puts Maliyo Games in the Spotlight with Stunning Africa Day Feature

May 22, 2025

…Chabaka Music is MENA’s Leading UAE-Based Digitally-Focused Independent Music Marketing and Distribution Agency 

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leader in music-based entertainment, has entered into an agreement to acquire Chabaka, MENA’s leading digitally-focused music distribution business that empowers independent artists and labels.

Chabaka provides digital distribution, marketing, publishing, and label and artist services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Founded by brothers Ala’a and Tarek Makki in 2013, Chabaka quickly became the go-to partner for independent music creators looking to work with a team of skilled executives that can help them achieve creative and commercial success in MENA’s dynamic and rapidly evolving music scene.  

Universal Music Group Acquires Chabaka Music
Advertisements
MTN ADS
Photo (from left to right) taken at UMG’s London office: Adam Granite, EVP, Market Development (UMG), Tarek Makki, Co-Founder (Chabaka), JT Myers, Co-CEO (Virgin Music Group), Ala’a Makki, Co-Founder and CEO (Chabaka), Patrick Boulos, CEO, MENA Region (UMG).

Today, Chabaka has agreements with more than 150 independent artists and regional labels across MENA.

The company’s rich regional catalogue of songs and recordings has grown through a  culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and thanks to its on-the-ground presence across multiple countries covering the entire MENA region.

Ala’a Makki, Co-Founder and CEO of Chabaka, says: “These are inspiring times for the Arab region, which is one of the fastest growing music markets in the world. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with UMG at this junction of our journey. Joining forces with the largest music label in the world coincides with Chabaka’s 10th anniversary and marks an important milestone and a new phase for the company, its artists, and labels.

This transaction will bring together UMG’s global presence and expertise with Chabaka’s strong relationships and deep local repertoire. Together with UMG, we will drive the transformation of the regional music industry and take it to new places, while creating new possibilities for local artists.”

Ala’a Makki believes that the Gulf region, Levant, Egypt, and North Africa are some of the most exciting places to be in terms of alternative, indie, and underground music. MENA recorded the world’s fastest revenue growth in 2021 at 34%, and ranked third in 2022 at 23.8%, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the recording industry worldwide.

Global industry figures also show how popular streaming is in the region. For example, people living in the UAE listen to an average of 22.5 hours of music a week, 22 percent higher than the global average. More than 480 million Arabic speakers live in the Arab countries, and with a huge global Arab diaspora maintaining its connection to its roots, this market has significant room for growth, particularly as the MENA region only accounts for 0.4% of global music revenues currently.

Tarek Makki, Co-Founder, Chabaka, adds:

“The region is at an inflection point, and this acquisition was the natural next step for us, our employees, and artists. A top priority for Chabaka was to select a partner that takes us to new heights while safeguarding our artists’ interests and bringing them new upstreaming opportunities at a global level, and who better to help us achieve that than the world leader in the music entertainment business and a company that deeply values innovation and entrepreneurship. Our shared vision is to continue fostering the incredible talents of this region and expanding their reach to a global audience. With UMG’s global platform, expertise, technology, and network, and Chabaka’s deep-rooted local experience, presence, and innovative strategies for artists’ management and revenue growth, we’re all set to bring an extraordinary and unique offering to the market.”

The acquisition of Chabaka complements UMG’s current service offering and footprint in this fast-growing and dynamic MENA market. It will allow UMG to expand its services and reach within the independent label and artist community. The transaction is another demonstration of UMG’s strategy to increase its presence and accelerate its growth in high potential music markets around the world.

Following the acquisition, Chabaka will become part of UMG’s Virgin Music Group, working closely with the local Virgin and UMG teams in MENA. Through the combination of Virgin Music Group’s pioneering solutions, creative network, and global footprint and Chabaka’s unparalleled services and regional expertise, the group will be uniquely positioned to build and reach the largest possible audience for talent from the region.

As part of the agreement, CEO Ala’a Makki will continue to lead the company and be instrumental in further growing Chabaka’s presence across geographies and business lines, supported by key members of the Chabaka team. Tarek Makki will remain as an advisor while also continuing to lead Concast and Boomerang Studios, the other two companies within CHBK Group, which will rebrand following the acquisition. The world-class Chabaka team comes with a wealth of local Artist and Repertoire (A&R) expertise and will continue to build on the company’s unmatched success.

Patrick Boulos, CEO, MENA Region, UMG, said:

“The MENA region is one of the fastest growing music markets in the world, representing untapped potential and opportunity. Chabaka is a unique collection of visionary leaders, artists, and labels and gives us both scale and  opportunity, especially when combined with UMG’s world leading global platform. I am particularly pleased that Ala’a Makki and his team will join us and drive the next chapter of Chabaka’s success as part of the UMG family. The team is completely tuned-in with the independent and indie music scene of the Arab region, from North Africa to the Gulf.”

Chabaka has been working with its clients to help them through their creative and commercial journeys and grow their fan base and revenues.

“As we continue to expand our footprint in emerging territories all over the world, Chabaka represents an important creative hub in one of the world’s most promising music markets,” said JT Myers, Co-CEO of Virgin Music Group. “Ala’a Makki and his team bring a level of expertise and knowledge that will enable them to create opportunities for our artists and labels in the expanding MENA region, and in turn, we will be able to grow the global audience for Chabaka’s amazing roster of artists and labels.”

10 total views , 1 views today

Author

  • Techeconomy
    Techeconomy

    View all posts
0Shares
Tags: ChabakaUniversal Music Group
Previous Post

Inside the United State’s Plan to Deepen Commercial Engagements with Nigeria

Next Post

Countries Urged to Harmonize Regulatory Frameworks on Biotechnology

Techeconomy

Techeconomy

Related Posts

‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Fifth Year
TechTAINMENT

‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Fifth Year

by Joan Aimuengheuwa
May 22, 2025
0

Through powerful storytelling, the campaign unites diverse art forms of film, animation, dance, music and photography, into a single narrative...

Read more
Apple Puts Maliyo Games in the Spotlight

Apple Puts Maliyo Games in the Spotlight with Stunning Africa Day Feature

May 22, 2025
Microsoft Blames Apple’s Restrictions for Delayed Xbox Mobile Web Store Launch

Microsoft Blames Apple’s Restrictions for Delayed Xbox Mobile Web Store Launch

May 21, 2025
AI Sports betting predictions | fraud and integrity

Experts Alarmed as Searches for ‘AI Sports Betting Predictions’ Skyrockets by 4,000%

May 21, 2025
Apple Reportedly Blocks Fortnite Again, Leaving Players Worldwide in Limbo

Apple Reportedly Blocks Fortnite Again, Leaving Players Worldwide in Limbo

May 16, 2025
Spotify AI DJ Now Takes Voice Requests from Premium Users

Spotify AI DJ Now Takes Voice Requests from Premium Users

May 13, 2025
Next Post
Session on Biotechnology

Countries Urged to Harmonize Regulatory Frameworks on Biotechnology

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Techeconomy Podcast

Techeconomy Podcast
Techeconomy Podcast

Infowave is brought to you by TechEconomy. Every week we will bring new stories from startups and influencers who are shaping and changing the world we live in. We’ll also bring you reports on topics you should know.

Follow us @techeconomyng for more.

Audio Player
TECH TALK EPISODE 2
Techeconomy Podcast
TECH TALK EPISODE 2
PRODUCTIVITY AND WORK-Life Balance[...]
  • 0.8
  • 1
  • 1.2
  • 1.5
  • 2
Download
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Copy episode link Copied
  • Download
Captions
00:00
00:00
TECH TALK EPISODE 2
byTecheconomy

PRODUCTIVITY AND WORK-Life Balance

TECH TALK EPISODE 2
May 22, 2025
Techeconomy
CYBERSECURITY ESSENTIALS
April 24, 2025
Techeconomy
Digital Marketing Trends and strategies for 2025 and beyond
February 27, 2025
Techeconomy
Major Lesson for Techies in 2024 and Projections for 2025
December 6, 2024
Techeconomy
Major Lessons for Techies in an AI-Driven World | Techeconomy Business Series Highlights
November 26, 2024
Techeconomy
Maximizing Profitability Through Seasonal Sales: Strategies For Success
November 8, 2024
Techeconomy
Techeconomy Business Series
October 15, 2024
Techeconomy
PRIVACY IN THE ERA OF AI: GETTING YOUR BUSINESS READY
May 30, 2024
Techeconomy
Unravel the Secrets of Marketing Everywhere All At Once with Isaac Akanni from Infobip | Infowave Podcast Episode 1
February 9, 2024
Techeconomy
The Role of Ed-tech in Life Long Learning and Continuous Education
October 19, 2023
Techeconomy
Search Results placeholder

WHAT IS TRENDING

Video Player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_MCUwS2woc&list=PL6bbK-xx1KbIgX-IzYdqISXq1pUsuA4dz
00:00
00:00
00:31
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.

Follow Us

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy

© 2025 Techeconomy - Designed by Opimedia.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Tech
    • DisruptiveTECH
    • ConsumerTech
      • Accessories
      • Phones
      • Laptop
      • Gadgets and Appliances
      • Apps
    • How To
    • TechTAINMENT
  • Business
    • Telecoms
      • Broadband
    • Mobility
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • Commerce
    • StartUPs
    • TE Insights
    • Security
  • Partners
  • Economy
    • Finance
    • Fintech
    • Digital Assets
    • Personal Finance
    • Insurance
  • Features
    • IndustryINFLUENCERS
    • Guest Writer
    • Appointment
    • EventDIARY
    • Editorial
  • Apply
  • TecheconomyTV
  • Techeconomy Events
  • BusinesSENSE For SMEs
  • TBS

© 2025 Techeconomy - Designed by Opimedia.

Translate »
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.