Universal Music Africa, a subsidiary of the Universal Music Group (UMG), is proud to announce that it has signed the MTN Joyous Celebration, an iconic music group.
The world’s leading music entertainment company Universal Music Africa (UMA), a subsidiary of the Universal Music Group (UMG), is proud to announce that it has signed the MTN Joyous Celebration, an iconic music group.
- Joyce Celebration has signed a recording deal with Universal Music Africa.
- Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba formed the MTN Joyous Celebration in 1996.
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The signing comes as the award-winning group prepares to release their 25th album this Easter, backed by the US-based Motown Gospel, which publishes the band’s music in the US and Canada.
Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba formed the MTN Joyous Celebration in 1996.
The group has enjoyed multiplatinum sales of their CDs and DVDs. It has received numerous accolades at South Africa’s major music awards, including the Metro FM Music Awards and the Crown Gospel Music Awards and SA Music Awards (SAMA).
With over 460,000 subscribers, they have amassed millions of views on YouTube. The artist list of the Motown Gospel includes Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett, Brian Courtney Wilson, Kierra Sheard, The Clark Sisters and many more.
Sipho Dlamini, CEO of Universal Music Group of South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “Joyous Celebration has been celebrating unparalleled success for the past 25 years, evangelizing and inspiring South Africans, Africans and the world. ”
“This is a wonderful opportunity to engage in the next phase of their incredible journey as they continue to grow, inspire, spread culture and positivity, and reach new audiences around the world.”
He added: “We welcome Joyous Celebration to UMG and look forward to working together on a variety of platforms to help open up new opportunities.
“At UMG, we are involved in live event production, artist booking and touring, brand development and content creation in a variety of formats, including film, TV and online, so do what we can, do amazingly well with Joyce, truly a dream collaboration.”
Co-Managing Directors of Motown Gospel EJ Gaines and Monica Coates said: “Joyous Celebration has a 25-year reputation for music excellence. We are pleased to support our Universal Music Africa family because it introduces the Joyous Celebration brand to a global audience.”
Mkhize added: “After all the experience of the last 25 years, changes in the world and new dynamics in the industry, we are excited to move in this new direction with a whole new perspective.”
“We are revived and we have a new energy when we turn things around to go to the next extraordinary level.”
Jabu Hlongwane said: “As we celebrate 25 years, we are thrilled to be partnering with Universal Music on this journey. There were crazy ups and downs, but here we are.”
“This milestone album is special to us, not short of 25 years. We are particularly pleased that this partnership is an opening for us to new territories, new things, new vision, we need change. ”
“We want to tell people that the 25th instalment of the Joyous celebration is being cooked up and they should look forward to it soon. It will be ready before Easter.”
