A New Music Business Venture.
Ugandan-born singer and songwriter Jon Muq has launched Shake It Africa, a new record label and live entertainment company designed to connect African artists with audiences around the world.
The company was established with music executive Kevin Wommack and is based across Austin, Texas, and Kampala, Uganda. Its activities will cover recorded music, live entertainment, artist development and cultural exchange.
Building International Opportunities.
Shake It Africa comes at a time when African music is gaining significant international attention, but many artists still face challenges when attempting to build sustainable careers outside their home markets.
The company aims to address part of that gap by providing artists with international exposure, mentorship, creative opportunities and connections across Africa, Europe and North America.
Jon Muq Draws From Personal Experience.
For Muq, the company is closely connected to his own journey from Kampala to international stages.
His experience navigating the global music industry convinced him that more structured pathways are needed for African artists who want to reach international audiences without losing their cultural identity.
A New Single Opens the Chapter.
Shake It Africa launched alongside Muq’s new single, “Shake Shake Dance For Me,” released on August 27.
The song is a new Afrobeat interpretation of a track Muq originally released in 2024 and was produced by Grammy-winning producer Derek Dixie, whose credits include work with Beyoncé and The Carters.
A Pan African Roster.
The company is also looking beyond Uganda. Its first major compilation project, Bantu Muntu, is scheduled for February 2027 and will bring together artists from Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.
The project is expected to feature both established and emerging artists, reinforcing Shake It Africa’s focus on cross-border collaboration rather than concentrating on one national market.
Live Entertainment Becomes Part of the Strategy.
Shake It Africa is also entering the live entertainment business. Its first monthly residency is scheduled to begin on September 20 at Pershing Hall in Austin, Texas.
The residency will showcase African artists, DJs and cultural programming, giving African performers another platform to connect directly with audiences in the United States.
Expanding Into Europe.
The company has already announced plans to take its live programme beyond the United States.
Its first European showcase is scheduled for March 27, 2027, in Utrecht, Netherlands, creating another connection between African performers and international audiences.
More Than a Record Label.
Shake It Africa’s broader strategy reflects a growing shift in the African music business. As streaming gives African music greater global visibility, companies are increasingly looking at the infrastructure needed to support artists beyond individual releases.
By combining music releases, live events, artist development and international partnerships, Shake It Africa is positioning itself as an ecosystem rather than simply another record label.
A New Route for African Talent.
The launch adds another player to the growing network of companies attempting to build stronger international pathways for African artists.
For Jon Muq and Kevin Wommack, the ambition is to create opportunities that allow African musicians to participate more fully in the global music economy while maintaining the identity and cultural experiences that make their music distinctive.
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