{"id":244996,"date":"2025-11-14T19:16:40","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T19:16:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.musicbusinessworldwide.com\/?p=244996"},"modified":"2025-11-14T19:24:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T19:24:02","slug":"i-see-an-explosion-of-hybrid-sounds-coming-from-africa-the-next-big-global-hits-will-come-from-these-cultural-crossovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.musicbusinessworldwide.com\/i-see-an-explosion-of-hybrid-sounds-coming-from-africa-the-next-big-global-hits-will-come-from-these-cultural-crossovers\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I see an explosion of hybrid sounds coming from Africa. The next big global hits will come from these cultural crossovers.’"},"content":{"rendered":"

MBW\u2019s World Leaders is a regular series in which we turn the spotlight toward some of the most influential industry figures overseeing key international markets. In this feature, we speak to Nuno Rocha, Head of Business Development for MENA, Lusophone, and Francophone markets at ONErpm. World Leaders is supported by\u00a0SoundExchange<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

ONErpm<\/strong> is making serious moves across some of the music industry’s highest-potential emerging markets.<\/p>\n

The Nashville-headquartered music distribution and label services company has recently appointed<\/a> Nuno Rocha<\/strong> as Head of Business Development for Portugal, the Lusophone and Francophone African territories, and the MENA region \u2013 a promotion from his previous role as General Manager of Portugal.<\/p>\n

Under Rocha’s leadership, ONErpm is opening a new office this fall in Luanda, Angola’s<\/strong> capital, while strengthening its operations in Morocco<\/strong> and Tunisia<\/strong> and accelerating growth in Egypt<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The company’s Portuguese office, working in collaboration with ONErpm’s marketing team in Brazil, is actively supporting all Lusophone territories across Africa.<\/p>\n

“We are committed to creating regional hubs that work in an integrated manner, but with sufficient autonomy to adapt strategies,” says Rocha, commenting on the company’s expansion strategy. “In addition, we are very focused on consumer data and insights, which help us understand emerging trends and act quickly.”<\/p>\n

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div> <\/div> \n

Prior to joining ONErpm, Rocha was the owner of DJ Selektion<\/strong>, a label under Vidisco<\/strong>, where he collaborated with artists including Fat Joe, Fatman Scoop, Vitor Kley, Mc Fioti, DubVision, Daniel Santacruz, Pedro Cazanova, and Boy Teddy.<\/p>\n

He also played a key role in organizing some of Portugal’s most prominent music festivals, including RFM<\/strong> Beach<\/strong> Power<\/strong>, in partnership with the country’s largest radio station.<\/p>\n

Since joining ONErpm<\/strong>, Rocha has been instrumental in signing top talent to the company, including MAGIC, Yuri de Cunha, Firebeatz, and Badoxa.<\/p>\n

Under his leadership, H\u00e9lio Batalha earned three major awards at the 2025 Cabo Verde Music Awards, while Portugal’s Badoxa surpassed 90 million<\/strong> YouTube views and 60 million streams.<\/p>\n

Portuguese band VIZINHOS, meanwhile,\u00a0 formed in 2025, has quickly become one of the country’s biggest breakout acts, amassing over 90 million streams across platforms.<\/p>\n

They also held the No.1 spot on Spotify in Portugal for more than 100<\/strong> days with their hit single P\u00f4r do Sol.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n