Sho Mag Afro House Magazine
FlightMode Digital, the investment holding company owned by acclaimed international DJ Blackcoffee, has concluded a deal acquiring a significant stake in Gallo Music Investments (GMI), from Lebashe Investment Group for an undisclosed amount.
GMI, South Africa’s largest and oldest independent music label, was purchased by Lebashe from Tiso Blackstar for R75-million in March this year. GMI was incorporated into news and entertainment business Arena Holdings, which is 100% owned by Lebashe Investment Group.
While Lebashe Chairman Tshepo Mahloele believes the investment in GMI significantly enhances Arena’s entertainment offering to its consumers, the transaction with FlightMode will add tangible value and attract diversified audiences to its platform.
“We are delighted that South Africa’s most extensive musical archives reside within Arena Holdings, and it is our intention to explore and reintroduce these amazing classical archives to our mainstream market, locally and globally. The collaboration with internationally renowned Blackcoffee will usher in a new era for the South African music business on a global scale.” – Mahloele
“This is the first of many moves we are working on to change the landscape of both the South African and African music industry. The music in the Gallo catalogue is some of the most culturally rich that has ever been created in this country. The partnership with Lebashe to invest in the catalogue and masters, is more than just a business transaction – it’s about creating an environment in which artists and creatives have a truly equitable stake. It is also the beginning of an industry revolution where African artists are part of structures that are fair and encourage new ways to monetize content.” – Blackcoffee
Gallo Record Company has been in business for more than 90 years and is focused on the acquisition of music rights, representing artists, recording, manufacturing, digital and physical distribution, and the sale of pre-recorded music and video in SA and internationally. As an established and iconic music label, it boasts a stable that includes some of the biggest artists to come out of South Africa including Lucky Dube, Dorothy Masuka, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Stimela, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Mango Groove – all of which have achieved multi-platinum sales status in South Africa. The current music catalogue includes Bhekumuzi Luthuli, Harari, Soul Brothers, Mahotella Queens, Sakhile, Thandiswa Mazwai, Siphiwe Dana and Sipho Gumede.
I’m honoured to announce that my investment company @FlightModeSA has officially acquired a stake in Gallo Music Group, as a part of a newly signed equity deal, I am now one of the major shareholders of this incredible piece of South African Music culture and history.
— Black Coffee (@RealBlackCoffee) May 20, 2020
