Obi Asika steps back from UTA

Afro Nation co-founder Obi Asika is stepping back from his role at UTA to focus on his passion for Africa through his entertainment business, The Malachite Group, IQ can reveal.

Asika, who joined UTA after the company acquired his Echo Location Talent Agency back in 2021 and was promoted to partner last year, will remain part of UTA client teams for a handful of key artists.

“I have enjoyed every minute of my time as co-head London music at UTA over the last four years and have decided the time is now right for me to step away from that role, to devote more time to my global business, The Malachite Group – alongside our partners Helios Sports and Entertainment Group – on our mission to champion Africa and global diasporas,” says Asika.

Since launching in 2019, Afro Nation has become the world’s biggest Afrobeats festival, spawning editions in Accra (Ghana), Miami (US), Detroit (US), Portimão (Portugal) and Balneario De Carolina (Puerto Rico).

“I am inspired by the challenge of creating meaningful opportunities and building on the global success of events such as Afro Nation and Piano People,” adds Asika, “expanding an existing sports portfolio which includes the NBA Africa, Basketball Africa League and the Professional Fighters League, working alongside QA Venue Solutions and creating transformative opportunities at grassroots level and upwards that will open doors for young people and help unlock the continent’s vast potential.”

“We wish Obi every success as he focuses on his lifelong passion and advocacy for the music and culture of Africa”

UTA’s co-head of global music Sam Kirby Yoh will continue to lead the UK music team alongside Neil Warnock.

“We wish Obi every success as he focuses on his lifelong passion and advocacy for the music and culture of Africa,” says Kirby Yoh. “We continue to experience a period of rapid growth for UTA London as we’ve expanded our team of world class agents, supporting some of the most impactful artists of our times.”

UTA has emerged as an international leader in Afrobeats, heading the charge in its global explosion with artists such as Burna Boy, Tyla, Wizkid, Ayra Starr represented by its agents led out of London.

The agency’s roster also includes the likes of Karol G, Bad Bunny, Take That, Bring Me The Horizon, Chase & Status, Sleep Token, Jacob Collier, Zayn, Christine and the Queens, Dolly Parton, Rosalía, Underworld, Trivium, Kenya Grace, Sammy Virji and Nia Archives.

Additionally, UTA expanded its sports portfolio with the acquisition of Representatives Of Outstanding Footballers (ROOF) in 2024, and acquired the UK’s Curtis Brown Group in 2022.

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