The trio collected prestigious awards at the event in London on Wednesday (June 4).
The MC says he's "stepping into this new chapter with the spirit of my ancestors" in a statement about the new deal.
The San Francisco-based label will release a collaborative project from N3ON and his network of creatives.
The company, which already has big presences in West Africa and North Africa, is expanding into the Southern part of the continent.
"I think my uniting with Empire was divine timing," the R&B singer tells Billboard.
Also this week: Audacy loses its vp of Top 40 programming, Merlin promotes five, Sue Marcus joins The Syndicate and AEG opens in Oslo.
On Saturday, Feb. 15, Billboard and EMPIRE came together at EMPIRE’s San Francisco studios to celebrate Billboard’s second annual Sports and Music issue.
Released in partnership with Golden State Entertainment, For the Soil, powered by a starry group of local MCs, is one of the projects EMPIRE is spearheading in advance of NBA All-Star Week.
Fifteen years in, his fiercely independent company is one of the most powerful in music — and he’s a connector like none other, both within his home city and far beyond it.
"We’re excited to amplify his brand and bring cultural crossover to global audiences,” says Suhel Nafar, EMPIRE'S head of West Asia and North Africa.
