MIAMI, FL – In a significant development poised to reshape the trajectory of Latin urban music, Sony Music Central America and the Caribbean (CAC) has formalized a long-term strategic alliance with Alofoke Music, the influential label spearheaded by Dominican media mogul Santiago “Alofoke” Matías. Announced in July 2025, this landmark partnership designates Sony Music CAC as the exclusive distributor for all forthcoming releases from Alofoke Music, alongside the acquisition of a substantial portion of the label’s extensive catalog. The collaboration is strategically designed to nurture the next generation of Latin urban talent and propel their music onto the international stage.
The Core of the Alliance
This comprehensive agreement will see Sony Music CAC assume exclusive distribution responsibilities for all new musical ventures from Alofoke Music. Complementing this, Sony Music has secured the majority of Alofoke Music’s vast catalog, which comprises over 700 tracks amassed over more than a decade of operation. The alliance also opens avenues for strategic collaborations on select tracks, with the potential for worldwide distribution under a shared rights framework. Early indications suggest immediate momentum, with the initial two joint releases already in development and slated for future announcement.
Visionaries Driving Global Music
Spearheading this collaboration are two influential figures: Melissa Exposito, President of Sony Music CAC, and Santiago “Alofoke” Matías, founder of Alofoke Music and a dominant force in Dominican media and the urban music scene. Exposito conveyed considerable excitement regarding the partnership, highlighting Matías’s profound impact and the synergistic alignment of his vision with Sony Music’s objectives. “What he represents in terms of community, culture, and championing talent aligns perfectly with our vision,” Exposito remarked. “This partnership is about elevating regional voices in key international markets and building bridges for emerging artists to thrive globally.”
Santiago Matías, widely recognized as Alofoke, echoed this sentiment, viewing the alliance as a significant endorsement of his entrepreneurial journey in cultivating talent. “This alliance is the result of a shared vision rooted in innovation and legacy, with our eyes firmly set on the future of music,” Matías stated. “Partnering with Sony Music not only validates the years of work we’ve poured into building a platform for talent—it also opens the door for new generations to break barriers and take their sound to global audiences.”
Nurturing Latin Urban Talent and Expanding Horizons
The partnership’s core mission is to empower emerging artists within the dynamic Latin urban music genre. Alofoke Music, founded in 2006 by Matías, has evolved from its origins as a digital platform spotlighting local Dominican artists into a formidable entity in music production, A&R, and cross-platform content creation. Its influence extends beyond the Dominican Republic, reaching major diaspora hubs like New York, Miami, and Madrid, establishing it as a significant player in the global urban music circuit.
Sony Music CAC’s involvement is expected to provide these artists with unprecedented access to global distribution networks, advanced marketing strategies, and Sony’s extensive industry resources. This support is crucial for artists aiming to navigate and succeed in competitive international markets, particularly for genres like dembow, reggaeton, and bachata, which are increasingly capturing global attention. The alliance explicitly aims to amplify these regional voices, ensuring they have the infrastructure to thrive on a worldwide scale.
Alofoke Music’s Impact and Industry Context
Alofoke Music, an integral part of the larger Alofoke Media Group, has been instrumental in shaping the Dominican music landscape. Through its popular radio shows, including Alofoke Radio 99.3 FM and the rebranded Alofoke FM, and its highly successful YouTube channels, the group commands a massive digital footprint. To date, Alofoke Music has amassed an impressive tally of over 762 million global audio and video streams across various platforms. Among its notable successes are viral hits such as “Que Linda” by Lomieel, Donaty, and Papera, which garnered over 35 million streams, as well as collaborations like “Baje Con Trenza” by El Cherry Scom and Ozuna.
This strategic alignment occurs within a burgeoning global music market where Latin music continues to experience exponential growth. Reports indicate substantial revenue increases driven primarily by streaming services, with Latin America consistently outpacing global growth rates. The Dominican Republic, and the wider Caribbean region, are recognized as vital contributors to this vibrant ecosystem. Sony Music’s strategic investments in high-growth markets worldwide, as highlighted by Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer, underscore the significance of this partnership in expanding its footprint and capitalizing on the region’s immense talent pool.
A Reshaping of the Music Landscape
The alliance between Sony Music Central America and the Caribbean and Alofoke Music signifies more than just a business deal; it represents a cultural and commercial synergy aimed at amplifying regional music and talent. By combining Alofoke Music’s deep connection to local culture and its established platform with Sony Music’s global reach and industry expertise, the partnership is poised to create new pathways for artists. This move is anticipated to not only strengthen Sony Music’s presence in a key growth region but also to solidify the growing global influence of Latin urban music, ensuring that diverse sounds from the Caribbean and beyond find a wider, more appreciative audience worldwide. The future promises exciting new music and expanded opportunities for artists emerging from this powerful collaboration.