Michael Ugwu (NG)

Michael Ugwu is the founder and CEO of Freeme Digital Ltd. FreeMe Digital is a Label Services & Distribution company in Nigeria offering A&R, production, marketing and distribution services. In 2017 he also founded the Freeme Space, the largest state of the art digital production studio and sound stage in Lagos, Nigeria.

Michael was previously the pioneer General Manager for Sony Music Entertainment West Africa, one of the largest record labels in the world. During his time there Michael represented a catalogue of over 5 million records from some of the world’s greatest local and international talents ranging from Afropop superstars such as Wizkid and Davido to global talents such as Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Travis Scott, Future and many more. As well as being involved in the signings of Wizkid and Davido, in April 2018 Michael brokered a first of its kind major label catalogue licensing deal with MTN, the largest telecommunications company in Africa.

In 2020 Michael became the first Nigerian to be appointed to the Merlin Network board. Merlin’s membership represents 15% of the global market share. Members consist of independent labels, distributors and other rightsholders from around the world including Amuse, Armada Music, AVL Group (including CD Baby and FUGA), AWAL, Beggars Group, Cinq Music Group, Curb Records, Dim Mak, DistroKid, Domino, Entertainment One, Epitaph Records, Ninja Tune and many more.