Gamma, the company founded by Larry Jackson in March with significant financial backing, has recently taken steps to enhance its involvement in Africa and the Middle East. The firm has appointed two senior figures from the music industry to bolster its commitment to these regions.
Larry Gaaga, a renowned Nigerian songwriter and recording artist, has been appointed as the Vice President/General Manager of Africa. Simultaneously, Dany Neville, a respected artist and DJ from the Arab world, has assumed the role of Vice President of A&R for the Middle East. Gaaga will be stationed in Lagos, while Neville will be based in Dubai.
This development follows a revelation by MBW three months ago that Gamma intended to expand its operations into Africa and the Middle East. Overseeing this expansion is Sipho Dlamini, a seasoned professional in the music industry, who has joined Gamma as the President for Africa & Middle East.
Playing a significant role in Gamma’s expansion into Africa is Naomi Campbell, an internationally recognized supermodel and UN Commonwealth Ambassador. Campbell, already an influential advisor to Gamma, has been designated as the company’s Special Advisor for Africa & Middle East.
Larry Jackson, an A&R expert and former Global Creative Director at Apple, has assembled an impressive group of financial supporters for Gamma, including Eldridge Industries led by Todd Boehly, Apple itself, and A24.
Larry Gaaga, who formerly held the position of Vice President at Def Jam Africa overseeing the label’s A&R division, will now be responsible for Gamma’s operations across the entire African continent. His primary objectives are to provide strategic guidance for long-term success, drive revenue growth, and expand market reach throughout Africa. Gaaga’s role also involves spearheading initiatives to nurture local talent, ensuring their success on both domestic and global fronts through collaborations and partnerships within the broader organization.
Notably, the collaboration between Gaaga and Gamma owes much to Naomi Campbell’s efforts. She remarked on Gaaga’s appointment, highlighting its alignment with the platform’s artist-centric approach.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Larry Gaaga emphasized his eagerness to contribute to Africa’s entertainment industry growth, promoting local talents and showcasing the region’s artistic diversity to the world.
Meanwhile, Dany Neville, an artist and DJ with a remarkable track record, has taken on the role of Vice President of A&R for the Middle East at Gamma. His achievements, from launching the region’s first urban radio show to collaborating with international artists, have significantly contributed to the region’s music landscape.
Neville is excited about this unique opportunity to represent Middle Eastern talent and culture globally. He sees Gamma as the ideal platform to elevate the region’s music and entertainment to greater heights.
Sipho Dlamini, President for Africa & Middle East at Gamma, emphasized the importance of Larry and Dany’s experience and cultural understanding in establishing the connections and resources required for success in these regions.
Larry Jackson, Co-founder & CEO of Gamma, echoed this sentiment, welcoming Larry and Dany’s expertise and dedication to nurturing talent. He expressed confidence that their contributions would bolster Gamma’s presence and growth in Africa and the Middle East.
Gamma’s initial expansion efforts included acquiring Vydia, a distribution and services company founded by Roy LaManna, known for collaborating with artists such as Akon, Kanye West, Mr Eazi, and Anuel AA. Furthermore, Gamma secured a partnership with Snoop Dogg, leading to the return of Death Row Records’ catalog to all streaming platforms worldwide after an exclusive run on TikTok.
