Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced the acquisition of a controlling stake in Mavin Global, the powerhouse Nigerian label founded by producer and music executive Don Jazzy. The label, which has shaped the global Afrobeats wave with stars like Rema, Ayra Starr, Crayon, and Ladipoe, is set to officially join the UMG family once the deal clears regulatory approval, expected by the third quarter of this year.
While financial terms remain undisclosed, industry chatter from late last year placed Mavin’s valuation well above $125 million, with estimates suggesting the sale could fall between $150 million and $200 million. Don Jazzy and Chief Operating Officer Tega Oghenejobo will retain leadership roles, continuing to steer the label’s creative and strategic vision.
UMG Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge praised the move, calling Mavin’s roster and leadership “ideal partners” for the group’s global ambitions. “Mavin’s artists have been pivotal in turning Afrobeats into a worldwide phenomenon,” Grainge said. “We’re excited to grow together and take African music to even greater heights.”
The two companies are no strangers to collaboration. Rema’s record-breaking hit Calm Down — crowned the most successful Afrobeats track in history and peaking at No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 — was first distributed by Virgin Music, with a Selena Gomez remix licensed to Interscope. Ayra Starr also maintains a deal with UMG’s Republic Records. Calm Down has crossed the one-billion-stream mark in the U.S. alone, with global numbers soaring even higher.
Beyond the music, the investment will fuel Mavin’s long-term growth strategy, including expanding its Artist Academy, which develops talent in performance and artistry, and strengthening its executive training programs aimed at grooming the next wave of African music industry leaders.
Oghenejobo noted that the partnership aligns perfectly with Mavin’s ambitions. “UMG is home to some of the world’s most influential artists and music entrepreneurs,” he said. “Together, we will build a creative ecosystem that showcases African music on an unprecedented global scale.”
UMG’s entry into Mavin further embeds the company into the Afrobeats explosion — a vibrant soundscape blending Afropop, Afro-fusion, highlife, and more. In recent years, Nigerian and African stars such as Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tems, and Asake have pushed the genre to the forefront of global pop culture. The momentum is now so strong that the Grammys introduced a dedicated category for Best African Music Performance, with Tyla’s Water taking home the inaugural award earlier this month.
