By Style Reporter
Rising Zimbabwean hip-hop artiste King 98 has made another major breakthrough after he signed a three-year contract with an international music recording company Cinq Music.
The 22-year-old was recently signed to the New York-based company alongside Nigerians Ice Prince and 2Baba.
According to the parties involved in the deal, the contract is worth several thousands of dollars with additional incentives and benefits, including music distribution and marketing as well as rights management.
“It’s a deal worth trying, hence the decision to sign with this company, one of the biggest music hubs in the world,” said King 98.
“These guys wanted hip-hop musicians with an African background and so they approached me, Ice Prince and 2Baba, both from Nigeria.”
The newly-signed trio on Friday gave a scintillating performance when they featured in a virtual concert that was hosted by V-103 International, which was partnering the United States Census 2020.
King 98 did not disappoint his new paymasters with a polished 20-minute act to the delight of more than 14,6 million people who viewed the show, which was meant to support the fight against racial injustice and spreading the message of the importance of the American 2020 Census.
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“It was a great show that was viewed by millions of people across the globe. I am happy with the new contract and I hope to use the opportunity to make more music and improve the King 98 brand,” he said.
Although King 98 did not disclose how much he was paid by Cinq Music to perform at the concert on Friday, impeccable sources said the former Watershed College student made thousands of dollars for his 20-minute stint on stage.
Diana Schweinbeck, a representative of Cinq Music, confirmed having taken the three African hip-hop artistes on board.
“Excited for our new clients over at @CinqMusic, @Ye_Ali, @Quincy, @notoriousgonzo, @Official_King 98, @mrnajiboy, @H_E_N_A_O, #welcome,” said Schweinbeck via her Twitter handle @schweinbeck.
According to Cinq Music websites, the music company offers services from “rights management to brand management, we increase value and maximise collections. “We are a music and entertainment company built for the future.”
King 98 marked his entry into the music scene with his first album Francesca, which was released last year in May at a launch that was graced by some of the continent’s biggest names in music including South African hip-hop sensation Nasty C, Mozambican Laylizzy, Nigerian Davido and South African diva Nadia Nakai.
He has done collaborations with Nasty C and LayLizzy on the song Wacko, Shoko (with Ex-Q) and Nigerians Davido on No Bad Vibes and Zlatani Ibile on Pull Up.
King 98’s father Thompson Dondo said he was impressed by the youthful rapper’s contract.
“I am hoping this deal will work in his favour. He is an ambitious young man and I do hope his dream of conquering the world will be fulfilled,” Dondo said.
