A new spin on record labels for musicians

DJ Black Coffee’s stake in Gallo Music Investments marks a seismic change in the local music industry, promising to revolutionise the relationship between artists and business.

So says Lyndon Barends, head of strategy for the Lebashe Investment Group, which this week signed a partnership deal with the DJ’s company, FlightMode Digital.

Barends said talks with the internationally renowned star began six months ago, even before Lebashe finalised its R75m acquisition of Gallo from Tiso Blackstar in March.

“When we acquired Gallo, we knew we had a great-quality archive and current music contracts; we wanted to find a way to take the company into the future,” he said.

“We have had a number of suitors who wanted to partner with us, but a young music icon who is internationally known like Black Coffee, who wants to invest in the future, made a really good partner.”

Gallo has been in business for more than 96 years and is considered the oldest and largest independent label in SA.

It has boosted musical talent for decades, having signed such legends as Lucky Dube, Dorothy Masuka, Bhekumuzi Luthuli, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Stimela, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse and Mango Groove.

Others on the Gallo label include Harari, Soul Brothers, Mahotella Queens, Sakhile, Thandiswa Mazwai, Simphiwe Dana and Sipho Gumede.

Barends said the partnership with DJ Black Coffee would help the industry evolve for the benefit of musicians.

“There have always been adversarial relationships between the two parties,” he said, but this was due to change.

“There is nothing that says you can’t have a viable business while dealing with some of the social issues faced by artists.

“[DJ Black Coffee] is our strategic partner who will guide us into the future with a direct input on what we need to change when we deal with artists.”