Since its inception in 1996, Sheer Publishing has sought out to become the first world-class publishing company in Africa. With a home base in Johannesburg, South Africa, the independent publishing house is the largest on the continent and is continuously growing its market share across Africa. Their aim is to provide music copyright services to a diverse range of songwriters, local and international. Working on the ground in West Africa is, Seidu Iddrisu, Senior Copyright Administrator and Client Liaison for West and Central Africa. Seidu has worked extensively with artists across the globe to ensure musicians are compensated for their works.
Aware of the struggles faced by West African artists when it comes to industry structures, Seidu regularly travels between West African countries providing well-needed music copyright education. This educational program, dubbed “Africa Agenda” teaches songwriters, composers and authors how to make money from their works. During a recent trip, Seidu acquired six new signings to Sheer Publishing; three Nigerian and three Ghanaian, largely expanding its client base in Africa. These signings include Tunde (Nigeria), Eedris Abdullareem (Nigeria), Ado Gwanja (Nigeria), Wendy Shay (Ghana), Kaywa (Chanan) and lastly Bullet (Ghana).
Tunde
Tunde Tdot, born Akintunde Akinsanmi, grew up singing in the church choir. He went on to study at the Federal University of Technology, where he founded the group Styl-Plus. The group churned out a large number of hits, before Tunde’s departure from the band. Sounds of Lugica is his most recent works and covers a wide range of musical styles that influenced the artist throughout his career. Tunde is currently working on new collaborations with top artists on writing and musical production.
Eedris Abdulkareem
Eedris Turayo Abdulkareem Ajenifuja is a Nigerian hip-hop artist, songwriter, and singer best known as Eedris Abdulkareem. He spent the early years of his career performing with the hip-hop band The Remedies. He went on to build a formidable solo career with several highly successful albums to his name. Abdulkareem also established his own record label, LaKreem Entertainment in 2005. Known as a social crusader and rights activist, Abdulkareem uses music as a medium to have his voice heard loud and clear. In 2020, he released his 6th studio album, ‘Nothing but the Truth’, which took a swipe at the ever-recurring bad governance and social ills in his society.
Ado Gwanja
Ado Isah Gwanja is a Nigerian musician, songwriter and actor. He is best known for starring in Kannywood movies. He is also a comedian and has featured in a series of comedy movies and short skits. When it comes to music Ado is one of the most influential musicians in the Northern part of Nigeria. He has a bevy of albums to his name.
Wendy Shay
Multi-Award winning artist, Wendy Shay is an Afropop and Afrobeats artist signed to Rufftown Records in Ghana. Wendy is a trained nurse by profession. She practised nursing until she decided to pursue a now successful career in music. She was introduced into the music scene by Bullet. She released her maiden single ‘Uber Driver’ in 2018, which topped charts in Ghana. She started what is now an annual event, called ‘Shay Concert’, which brings quality entertainment to the people of Ghana. Shay also founded the Shay Foundation, a humanitarian agency that seeks the alleviation of poverty.
Kaywa
David Kojo Kyei, better known as Kaywa, is a Ghanaian music producer and sound engineer from Tema. His signature tune ‘I no know what I go talk oo…Ka sɛ Kaywa’ brought him mass popularity. He has since produced hit songs for some of Ghana’s finest musicians. Kaywa won Best Producer of the Year two consecutive times at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) in 2012 and 2013. Kaywa is an ordained man of God and has a Doctor of Divinity certificate from the United Apostolic Theology Seminary.
Bullet
Bullet, real name Ricky Nana Agyemang is a Ghanaian musician and songwriter. He is a former member of the music group Ruff n Smooth with Ahkan. The group topped the charts with hits like ‘Swagger’ and ‘Sex Machine’. Prior to this alliance, Bullet was formerly known as Etuo Aboba (meaning Bullet). Bullet is currently focused on his record label RuffTown Records which manages Wendy Shay and more.
