Sony Music Publishing has signed a landmark publishing deal with Nigerian highlife legend Bright Chimezie, marking a significant step toward preserving and revitalizing his rich musical legacy. Known for creating the distinctive “Zigima Sound,” Chimezie has been a pivotal figure in the evolution of modern highlife and Afrobeat for over four decades.
Under the agreement, Sony Music Publishing will administer and consolidate Chimezie’s extensive catalog of classic recordings and compositions, aiming to introduce his timeless music to new global audiences while safeguarding and promoting his artistic heritage. The partnership reflects Sony’s commitment to investing in African music heritage and empowering legendary artists through innovative publishing and catalog strategies.
Bright Chimezie expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional and cultural heritage for future generations and his belief in music’s power to unite and inspire. Sony Music Publishing Nigeria’s Managing Director, Godwin Tom, hailed Chimezie’s music as a “timeless and borderless cultural treasure” and looks forward to amplifying his legacy worldwide.
This deal places Bright Chimezie among the elite artists represented by the world’s leading music publisher and signals a new chapter in the global recognition of his influential contributions to African music.
