Mavin Records, one of Africa’s leading music labels, is looking for a major investment or a possible sale of its stake, according to Billboard. The Nigerian label, founded by music mogul Don Jazzy in 2012, has been home to some of the continent’s most popular artists, such as Rema, Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, and Johnny Drille.

The label is reportedly valued at over $125 million and could fetch up to $200 million in a deal. Shot Tower Capital, an independent investment bank, is facilitating the negotiations with potential buyers, including Universal Music Group (UMG) and HYBE, the South Korean company behind BTS and other K-pop acts.

The deal aims to raise funds to fuel Mavin’s growth and expansion, especially as African music is expected to gain global prominence in the coming years. Mavin has already significantly impacted the international music scene, with its artists racking up billions of streams and collaborating with stars like Selena Gomez, Beyoncé, and Drake.

Mavin’s management team, led by Don Jazzy, is expected to remain in charge and retain some control over the label’s future direction, regardless of the deal’s outcome. Sources say that HYBE is the frontrunner among the strategic investors, followed by UMG, which already has distribution deals with some of Mavin’s artists in the US.

Mavin Records has not officially confirmed or commented on the deal yet. However, if it goes through, it would be one of the biggest transactions in African music history and a testament to the talent and potential of the continent’s artists.

Source: Business Insider