Sony Music Middle East has signed an exclusive recording, licensing and distribution agreement with renowned Egyptian popstar, producer and TV personality Hamaki.
The deal marks the first time the artist has ever signed to an international record label and will see the release of multiple singles and an album in 2021.
Sony Music also announced a multi-year, multi-artist production agreement with Arabic music producer Hamdy Badr and his Cairo based production company, Craft Media.
The partnership with Badr, who is also Hamaki’s music producer, will help grow and scale Egyptian Pop music through multiple projects with hit recording artists and developing talent over the coming years.
Hamaki has amassed over a billion audio and video streams worldwide through a career of hits including Rasmak fi khayali, Kol youm men da, Ya Sattar, Oddam El Nas, Mel Bedaya and Wahda Wahda.
Hamaki is also a producer and TV celebrity. In 2010, he won Best Arabic Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
In 2016, he was awarded Best Arabic Singer for the Murex D’or and Best Middle Eastern Artist at the Big Apple Music Awards. Hamaki received widespread praise in 2019 as a coach in the fifth season of The Voice Arabia and The Voice Kids.
Founded by Egyptian producer and artist manager Hamdy Badr, Craft Media is behind Egyptian stars like Hamaki, Maya Diab, Pousi and Mahmoud Al Lethy. The company has also helped deliver numerous TV programs in the Middle East, including The Voice, Carpool and The Masked Singer shows.
“Hamaki and Hamdy are superstars and trailblazers whose music resonates across the world.”
Shridhar Subramaniam, Sony Music
“We are delighted to welcome Hamaki and Craft Media to the Sony Music family,” said Shridhar Subramaniam, President, Strategy and Market Development Asia and Middle East, Sony Music.
“Hamaki and Hamdy are superstars and trailblazers whose music resonates across the world.
“The Middle East is one of the fastest growing music markets in the world and our new partnership signals our continued commitment to Arabic music and the artists across the region.”
“So we are extremely proud to announce this partnership and look forward to making great music and bringing success to the many fantastic artists in Egypt and the Arab world.”
Hamdy Badr, Craft Media
Hamdy Badr, founder of Craft Media and Manager of Hamaki, added: “Both Hamaki and I are delighted to be working with Sony Music and their fantastic people in Dubai and across the world.
“Sony Music has a strong reputation in the Middle East for its creativity, drive and always putting the artist first in everything it does.
“So we are extremely proud to announce this partnership and look forward to making great music and bringing success to the many fantastic artists in Egypt and the Arab world.”Music Business Worldwide