This strategic move underscores AWAL’s commitment to discovering and nurturing exceptional talent in West Africa and across the globe.
By Emmanuel Okoro
Global music distribution and services company, A World Artistes Love (AWAL), a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment, has officially commenced its operations in the West African music scene with the appointment of Excel Joab as its Senior Manager of A&R and Artiste Development for the region. This strategic move underscores AWAL’s commitment to discovering and nurturing exceptional talent in West Africa and across the globe.
A seasoned professional with a stellar track record in the entertainment sector, Joab’s experience positions him at the forefront of developing the next wave of superstars from the region. He expressed excitement about the development, stating, “I am thrilled to join the talented team at AWAL and contribute to the continued success of this innovative company. We are at a point where African music has begun to take centre stage in the global music scene, and AWAL is strategically placed to partner with the next generation of superstars to emerge from the region.”
Ben Akinbola, AWAL’s Head of Growth, echoed this enthusiasm for Joab’s appointment, saying, “I couldn’t be more excited for Excel to hit the ground running with AWAL’s entry into Africa. We are on a mission to partner with independent artists to tell stories that shape culture, and Africa’s impact on culture globally is undeniable. Excel’s experience and entrepreneurial mindset make him the perfect person to lead the charge for us.”
Before taking on this pivotal role at AWAL, Joab served as Content Executive with Boombuzz Nigeria, the media arm of Boomplay. His outstanding contributions led to a promotion to Boomplay Nigeria’s Content Acquisition Manager. Alongside seasoned music experts, Motolani Alake and Melody Hassan, Joab is also known for co-hosting the Zero Conditions podcast. He currently serves as co-founder of Energize Music and Arktik Kold.