Artist First and AWAL forge Italian market partnership

A cross-border hookup just gave Italian artists a pipeline to the world, while AWAL quietly tightened its grip on yet another market.

Artist First links with AWAL

• Italy-based Artist First just locked in a tie-up with AWAL.
• Claudio Ferrante built the Milan company back in 2009.
• Ferrante’s outfit remains independent while teaming up with Sony Music Entertainment-owned AWAL.
• Through A1 Concerti, its concert arm, the company handles shows and merch.

What Artist First brings to the table

• Artist First racks up digital and physical distribution plus management gigs.
• Salmo and Gemitaiz are part of its past client lineup.
• Gazzelle, Fulminacci, and Alfa helped stack serious chart wins.
• More than 50 No. 1s and piles of Gold and Platinum plaques sit there.

How the deal works in Italy

• AWAL artists get on the ground marketing help inside Italy.
• Ferrante says the move positions his roster to reach new global audiences.
• His team plans to plug AWAL acts into A1’s all-in-one setup.
• Both sides keep talking about artist freedom and creative control.

AWAL keeps stretching worldwide

• AWAL has been on a steady international land grab.
• September brought a link-up with Sony Music Middle East and a Dubai base.
• India entered the picture in 2023 after grabbing OKListen in Mumbai.
• West Africa came online in 2024 with Excel Joab steering A and R.

Italy’s market is heating up

• Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana reported 9.7 percent growth in H1 2025.
• Revenue hit EUR 208 million during that half-year stretch.
• Digital listening climbed 9.9 percent year over year.
• Premium streaming alone pulled in 113 million euros.