Sony Music Publishing (SMP) has promoted ZaZa Kazadi to Senior Director, A&R, UK & Europe.
Kazadi will proceed to be based mostly out of the corporate’s London workplace, together with his expanded remit masking songwriters throughout the UK and Europe.
The promotion, introduced on Wednesday (Could 20), will see Kazadi deal with Hip Hop, Rap, R&B and Afro genres.
“I’m extremely honoured to step into this new function,” mentioned Kazadi. “It’s a privilege to be a part of such a forward-thinking and supportive staff.”
“I’m deeply grateful to David Ventura, Tim Main, Sarah Gabrielli and Jon Platt for his or her perception in me and for trusting my imaginative and prescient. I’m excited for what’s forward and might’t wait to assist create one thing really particular.”
Kazadi first joined Sony Music Publishing in early 2024 as Senior A&R Supervisor. He most lately held the place of Director, A&R, UK.
Since arriving at SMP, Kazadi has signed songwriting and manufacturing expertise together with Dave, who received Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act on the BRIT Awards 2026 earlier this 12 months.
Dave’s third studio album, The Boy Who Performed the Harp, debuted at No. 1 on the UK Official Albums Chart in October 2025. Among the many album’s producers was fellow Kazadi signing Jo Caleb.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of such a forward-thinking and supportive staff.”
ZaZa Kazadi, SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING
Kazadi’s different songwriter signings embrace EsDeeKid, Kidwild, Shallipopi and Fimiguerrero. He has additionally signed producers AOD, whose credit embrace work with Tems and FKA Twigs.
In response to SMP, Kazadi additionally works carefully with Wizkid, Producer X and Jester Beats.
Commenting on Kazadi’s promotion, Sarah Gabrielli, Head of A&R at Sony Music Publishing UK, mentioned: “ZaZa is likely one of the sharpest A&Rs I’ve labored with – his judgement, readability of imaginative and prescient, and dedication persistently set him aside. He combines actual artistic intuition with a relentless drive to ship, making him an distinctive A&R and a key a part of our staff’s successes.”
Gabrielli was herself promoted to Head of A&R at SMP UK in April 2025, having first joined the corporate as an A&R Assistant in 2016.
“ZaZa is likely one of the sharpest A&Rs I’ve labored with – his judgement, readability of imaginative and prescient, and dedication persistently set him aside.”
Sarah Gabrielli, Sony Music Publishing UK
David Ventura, President & Co-Managing Director, UK & SVP Worldwide at Sony Music Publishing, added: “ZaZa’s successes since becoming a member of SMP converse for themselves.”
“He has an unrivalled dedication and keenness for songwriters, in addition to for his SMP colleagues, which has led naturally into this new European remit. ZaZa’s development has been very natural, and I’m excited to see him excel on this newly expanded function,” Ventura mentioned.
Ventura runs Sony Music Publishing UK alongside Co-Managing Director Tim Main. Globally, Sony Music Publishing – led by Chairman & CEO Jon Platt – was named Writer of the Yr on the 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards in August.
The information comes in the future after SMP UK signed songwriter and producer MNEK to a worldwide deal on Tuesday (Could 19).
Kazadi obtained MBW’s Award for A&R of the Yr: Up to date Black Music on the Music Enterprise UK Awards in November 2025. He has additionally been featured in Music Week‘s Rising Star column.
“He [ZAZA] has an unrivalled dedication and keenness for songwriters, in addition to for his SMP colleagues, which has led naturally into this new European remit.”
David Ventura, Sony Music Publishing
Earlier than becoming a member of SMP, Kazadi managed artists and producers together with ZieZie and Sonzi at By no means Dies Administration.
He beforehand spent two years as A&R Supervisor at BMG Music Publishing, the place he labored with Okay-Entice, Zel and others.Music Enterprise Worldwide
