AWAL launches in India and South Asia

AWAL will work closely with Sony Music India to establish presence in the India and South Asia Region for the first time, following the acquisition of Indian music distribution company OKListen

Based in Mumbai, AWAL will be led by OKListen Founder, Vijay Basrur

Mumbai, 28^th June 2023 – AWAL announced today the launch of AWAL in India and South Asia, following the acquisition of OKListen, a digital music platform for independent artists and record labels.

“The independent music community across the region is full of potential,” said Lonny Olinick, CEO of AWAL. “Together with Vijay, I look forward to AWAL becoming a true creative hub for India and South Asia’s independent artists, with resources dedicated to developing careers that are committed to creator integrity and global success.”

Based in Mumbai and supported by Sony Music India, AWAL will offer independent-minded artists in the region a range of services including global marketing, creative, synch and brand partnerships, radio promotion and distribution as well as access to real-time comprehensive music analytics.

“AWAL alongside Sony Music, provides an exciting and comprehensive offering for artists at any stage of their career, putting the artist first and in control of their own future, and enabling more opportunities to showcase their music to fans around the world,” said Vinit Thakkar, Managing Director, Sony Music India.

OKListen founder and CEO Vijay Basrur has been appointed Head of India & South Asia, AWAL, reporting to Lonny Olinick, CEO of AWAL and Vinit Thakkar, Managing Director, Sony Music India.

“It’s a privilege to join AWAL and spearhead the next chapter for the company and its global roster in the region,” added Vijay Basrur, Head of India & South Asia, AWAL. “AWAL is already well known in the region for helping artists at any stage of their career. I look forward to bringing AWAL’s expertise and global reach to our creators and developing the next phase in their careers.”

Basrur brings more than 23 years of music, technology and business experience to the company. He founded OKListen in 2012 as India’s first homegrown digital distribution service. To date, OKListen works with more than 4,000 musicians across India, including leading independent artists such as The Local Train, When Chai Met Toast, Bipul Chettri, Sanam and more.

Prior to founding OKListen, Basrur worked with several digital startups and corporations in a wide range of product, technology and digital transformation leadership roles. Basrur is also on the Board of Trustees for the Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) which focuses on biodiversity conservation.

About AWAL

AWAL offers a modern approach to the traditional recording business, providing artists all the resources and expertise of a global label, while allowing them to retain ownership and control of their music. With local offices around the world, AWAL’s services include global marketing and distribution, funding, A&R, playlist promotion, radio, publicity, creative services, synch and brand partnerships, and access to real-time comprehensive music data and insights.

With a mission to partner with independent artists to tell stories that shape culture, AWAL’s diverse roster ranges from rising artists to globally renowned acts, including Little Simz, JVKE, Tom Misch, deadmau5/kx5, Disclosure, JPEGMAFIA, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Young the Giant, SBTRKT, Jungle, Lizzy McAlpine and more. AWAL also helped launch the careers of an impressive roster of alumni including Steve Lacy, Rex Orange County, FINNEAS, Lauv, girl in red, Kim Petras, and Lil Peep, among others. For further information on AWAL, please visit www.awal.com or connect on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.