What is Record Label?
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it.
Do you need the contact of South African record labels accepting demos?
Do you want to kick-start your music career and become a successful musician via reputable record labels?
If you answered YES to these questions, then this article is only what you need to read today.
With so many artists on the rise, the South Africa music industry is prospering and positively affecting the entire continent.
As an upcoming artist, it doesn’t really matter how talented you’re if there’s no platform to stand and let the world see you shine.
Record labels play a vital position within the music business of any clime.
There are over 15 record labels in South Africa.
On average, a newly signed artiste in South Africa is paid between R150,000 to R1,000,000 as signing fee by the record label.
A good record label helps with the promotion, advertising and protection of an artist’s work.
If you’re a new South African act or primarily based in the country, and you’re looking for a good music label as a platform to kick-start your career, then ensure to read this post to the end.
Today in this article, you’ll learn actionable tips, guidelines and answers on:
- Biggest and richest record labels in South Africa looking for artists, new talent, directors, producers, rappers and songwriters to sign
- Gospel and Top hip hop record labels looking for artists to sign
- Universal Music South Africa demo submission
- Music sponsors contacts details and email addresses
- Sony music South Africa demo submission
Getting started…
8 Record Labels in South Africa Looking for Artistes to Sign
Here are the highest paying record labels in South Africa looking for talented new artists to sign.
1. Gallo Records
Gallo Record Company is the first South Africa record label on the list looking for new artists.
Gallo Record Company has been in operation since 1926, and incorporates both Sheer Music and Bula Music into its stable.
Gallo Record Company signs, and assists artists to promote their music across Africa and internationally.
Local talent such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela are among the leading talent that fall under the Gallo Record Company banner, as well as Jeremy Loops, Idols SA winners Luyolo, Yanga and Paxton and many more are signed to the label.
Gallo Records is one of the record labels that accepts demo submissions from artistes and won’t charge you any fee for listening.
So, if you think you’ve got musical talents and have recorded something worth hearing, submit a demo to the company and wait for feedbacks.
Demos are to be submitted in the following formats only:
- MP3
- Dropbox link
Demo Submissions MUST include:
- Your Name and Surname
- Your Biography
- Your Contact Information
Please email all your information and demo to demo@gallo.co.za
Address: Arena Holdings, Hill on Empire, 16 Empire Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Enquiries: info@gallo.co.za
2. Ambitiouz Entertainment
The summer of 2015 saw the birth of Ambitiouz Entertainment, one of the biggest independent record labels that prides itself on being a youthful and forward-thinking artist management that molds and guides their artists into reaching their full potential and being global multi-award-winning powerhouses.
Ambitiouz Entertainment is now home to young and fresh South African talents such as:
- PA Fakaloice
- Miss Pru DJ
- Malome Vector
- Snymaan
- La Sauce
- Kid Tini
- Blaq Diamond
- Kraizie
- Cici
- S’Villa
- Sibu Nzuza
With 15 Magazine covers and 2 entries onto the Billboard charts peaking at number 1, Ambitiouz Entertainment has marked its name in golden words by garnering 3 international BET Award nominations and making history by being the first in the South African Afro-Pop culture to bring home a BET Award.
Ambitiouz Entertainment produces singles and albums that dominate radio, television and digital platforms as it is heavy on edutainment, with music videos aimed at addressing and solving socio-economic issues.
For Online Demo submission: demo.ambitiouz.net
General Enquiries: info@ambitiouz.co.za
Submit Demos: demos@ambitiouz.co.za
3. Kalawa Jazmee Records
Kalawa Jazmee Records has been a pioneering independent record label in South Africa for over 25 years of its existence and continues to instigate prime new dance music trends and contributed to the evolution of kwaito, afro-pop and house music.
Since its establishment, Kalawa Jazmee Records has created and launched unknown artists into headline acts that tops music charts with record-breaking sales one after the other.
Kalawa Jazmee Records has been a home to generations of prolific artists and legendary groups like Trompies, Boomshaka, Mafikizolo, B.O.P, Bongomuffin, Profesor, DJ Maphorisa, Zonke, Dj Zinhle, Black Motion, BigNuz, Busiswa and Vigro Deep among others.
Kalawa Jazmee Records empowered artists like Black Coffee and DJ Tira to kick off their careers in the music business by establishing their record labels Soulistic Records and Afrotainment respectively through licensing their music when they were unknown.
Address: 8, Jukskei Avenue Gallo Manor Sandton
Email: reception@kalawa.co.za
Demo submission: kalawa.co.za/demo-submission/
4. Afrotainment
Afrotainment is a multi-award-winning record label established in 2007 by Mthokozi Khathi, better known as “Dj Tira” whom solely placed Durban on the global map, and by so doing, helping the city live up to its “Durban is South Africa’s Playground” tagline.
Some of the associated music acts in this label include BIG NUZ, DJ FISHERMAN, NAAK MUSIQ, DISTRUCTION BOYZ, DUNCAN, DLADLA MSHUNQISI, TIPCEE, PRINCE BULO, DJGUKWA, and dance crew, AMADADA.
Afrotainment has since diversified its catalogue; signing a variety of fresh talent, whom are leaders in their respective genres, such as Gqom, Durban Kwaito, R & B and Hip Hop.
Afrotainment has leveled the playing field for Durban entertainment, the music industry in particular; by merely doing away with the notion that one has to move to Johannesburg to breakthrough into the mainstream music industry, thus a new generation of artists continues to align their brand/s with the record label.
Email: info@afrotainment.co.za
5. Super Black Tapes
Super Black Tapes known for Deep house is the home and heart of African music with a vision to maintain and share a high standard of musical creativity that inspires.
Super Black has been around for over 5 years and was originally called “Roots Go Deep Music” before transforming to Super Black Tapes in 2016.
Email: info@superblacktapes.co.za
6. Sony Music Africa
Sony Music Entertainment, headquartered in New York City is one of the big-name record labels with office in South Africa.
The label has been around for over two decades and has some of the most notable artistes around the world signed to it.
Sony Music and its employees do not accept, or consider, unsolicited sound recordings, musical compositions or any other creative materials.
For one of Sony Music’s labels or creative centers to review your demo, it must come recommended through an established music industry professional, such as a manager, lawyer, agent, producer, artist, programmer, or tastemaker.
I suggest you consult with one or more of these professionals for more information.
Address: 1st Floor, 6 Parks Boulevard Oxford Parks, Dunkeld, 2196, South Africa.
7. Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the world’s leading music company that exists to shape culture through the power of artistry.
Universal Music Group owns and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in over 60 countries including South Africa.
UMG identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.
To submit a demo to Universal Music Group, demo submissions should be directed to UMG’s record labels, but kindly note that they cannot accept unsolicited material.
Typically, demos are recommended to one of their labels’ A & R departments by a manager, agent, producer, radio DJ or other industry professional.
Another option for unsigned artists is UMG’s site, Spinnup, which offers both digital distribution and has a network of scouts who have a relationship with many of Universal Music’s labels.
8. Vth Season
Founded nine years ago by Raphael Benza, Vth Season is known as the most impactful Creative Entertainment Agency with an enviable roster of Africa’s most well-known music talent.
The label is home to artistes like BigStar Johnson, Ami Faku, Lungisa Xhamela, and AKA.
The entity is best known for developing unknown raw music talent to celebrated household name status in Africa, with recognition from multiple award committees such as the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), Metro FM Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA’s) as well as international nods from the likes of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards and MTV Europe Music.
Top South African Musicians in 2022
- Master KG
- Nasty C
- Kabza De Small
- DJ Maphorisa
- Prince Kaybee
- DJ Black Coffee
- Cassper Nyovest
- Elaine
- Amu Faku
- Kwesta
- AKA
- Blaq Diamond
- DJ Tira
- Focalistic
- Vigro Deep
- Semi Tee
- Nomcebo Zikode
- Mafikizolo
- Snotkop
- Sun-El