Warner Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed a worldwide deal with UK artist, songwriter, DJ and producer Afro B.

Afro B has been a prominent figure in the rise of the afrowave scene, drawing on afrobeats, hip-hop, bashment, RnB and more, he has been instrumental in creating an addictive new genre that has taken over clubs and radio alike, worldwide.

His single ‘Drogba (Joanna)’ has accumulated millions of streams and views globally, spending three months on BBC 1Xtra’s A-list and achieving international success while spawning Japanese, Colombian, Australian, Swedish versions and more. The track has also had an official reworking from African megastar Wizkid, and, most recently, an official remix featuring superstar French Montana.

Afro B says: “Afrowave is becoming popular all over the world and working with Warner Chappell Music I know we can spread this infectious sound even further. Guy, Amber and their team see and believe in my vision and will be able to help take African music to the next level.” 

Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO, Warner Chappell Music, says: “Afro B is a special talent who is right at the forefront of a fresh and vibrant music scene. He’s in very high demand and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to get him on board at Warner Chappell Music.”

Amber Davis, Head of A&R, Warner Chappell Music UK adds: “Afro B has the potential to be a global success as a writer and an artist. We’re already seeing his sound gain traction on both sides of the Atlantic with Brandra from our US office having a plethora of incredible writers lining up to work with him.”

Born in Greenwich, South London to parents from the Ivory Coast, Afro B (whose real name is Ross Bayeto) first made his name as a DJ. In 2013, Afro B made his first foray as a recording artist with his debut release ‘Oh My’, featuring Tribal Man and Omo Frenchie. ‘Oh My’ was followed by ‘Sweet Coco’, ‘Decalè’ and 'Baba God', his first breakout hit.

In 2017, he released the hit collaboration ‘Stay Winning’ featuring US rapper Wale and then the massive UK smash ‘Juice & Power’ a collaboration with Yxng Bane, before he recorded his own classic take on the afrowave genre with ‘Drogba (Joanna)’. 

A Team Salut produced track, ‘Drogba (Joanna)’ kicked off a viral dance phenomenon that rapidly took over the world. First surfacing as a lyric video (now viewed over 40 million times), the track’s infectious afrobeats groove and uplifting lyrics spread across social media. The song has picked up support from supermodels to sporting legends, including the track’s namesake, Ivory Coast football icon Didier Drogba. 

Afro B also hosts a weekly UK radio show on Capital XTRA every Saturday night from 11pm-1am, which has now become the biggest afrobeats show in the UK and has made him an ambassador for African music and a tastemaker in the radio world.