The Orchard has acquired OniMusic, a Brazil-headquartered Christian music label, distributor, and “digital intelligence” company, home to more than 120 artists.
According to a press release from The Orchard, the transaction “marks a landmark expansion into the Latin American gospel market,” which it said is “one of the fastest-growing segments in the global music industry”.
OniMusic was founded in September 2004 by Nelson and Christie Tristão in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.
The company says it began as an independent distribution operation serving conference ministries before expanding into a “full-service” technology and music platform.
OniMusic’s roster spans worship, contemporary Christian, and gospel genres and includes Gabriela Rocha, Ana Paula Valadão & Diante do Trono, Nívea Soares, Rodolfo Abrantes, Isaías Saad, Morada, Cassiane, Gabriel Guedes, Central 3, Gabi Sampaio, Brave, Coletivo Candiero, and Jesus Copy Music, among others.
The company also administers more than 250,000 musical works through its publishing division, according to the press release.
Commenting on the deal, Sylvia Medeiros, SVP of The Orchard Brazil, said: “For years, I have followed OniMusic’s work with great admiration. Over the past two decades, Nelson has built a team, a body of expertise, and an impeccable reputation.
“His competence and vocation have merged to create a business with both purpose and incredible results. The Orchard will provide OniMusic with all the infrastructure it needs to grow even further.”
“For years, I have followed OniMusic’s work with great admiration. Over the past two decades, Nelson has built a team, a body of expertise, and an impeccable reputation.”
Sylvia Medeiros, The Orchard Brazil
Nelson Tristão added: “Everything we’ve built over more than two decades has always been centered on the artist, with relationships grounded in trust, friendship, and respect for everyone’s calling — values that have always been, and continue to be, the foundation of everything we do.
“This new partnership with The Orchard allows us to stay true to that identity while also taking an important step forward in our growth, opening new opportunities in Brazil and internationally that will directly benefit our roster.”
“This new partnership with The Orchard allows us to stay true to that identity while also taking an important step forward in our growth, opening new opportunities in Brazil and internationally that will directly benefit our roster.”
Nelson Tristão, OniMusic
The Orchard says the acquisition positions it at what it calls “the epicenter” of Brazil’s gospel music market, a genre that, the company noted, saw average annual listener growth of 44% on Spotify between 2015 and 2020 and “now accounts for roughly 20% of the country’s total music revenue.” (The 44% listener growth figure was originally published by Spotify in an April 2020 report on Brazilian gospel’s rise on the platform.)
Brazil is currently the world’s eighth-largest recorded music market, according to IFPI data published in March 2026.
The country’s recorded music trade revenues grew 14.1% YoY to USD $708 million in 2025, with streaming accounting for the vast majority of the region’s revenue.
That 20% figure cited by The Orchard would imply a Brazilian gospel market worth approximately $142 million at trade value based on IFPI’s $708 million total for Brazil in 2025.
The deal extends The Orchard’s existing presence in Brazil. Elsewhere in the market, parent company Sony Music completed its acquisition of Som Livre, then Brazil’s largest domestic record label, for approximately $255 million in 2022.
The Orchard, led by CEO Brad Navin, operates in more than 50 cities worldwide and services over 26,000 independent labels.
The OniMusic acquisition follows a period of expansion for The Orchard. In February 2026, the company struck a global distribution deal with Avex Music Group, the global music division of Japanese entertainment giant Avex.
Sony Music’s broader interest in the faith-based music sector was also underlined in November 2025, when Sony Music Publishing signed a global deal with Nashville-based Christian label By Design.Music Business Worldwide
The Orchard, a prominent music distribution company, has announced its acquisition of OniMusic, a Brazil-based Christian music label and distributor, marking a significant entry into the Latin American gospel music market. This segment is recognized as one of the fastest-growing areas in the global music industry. Founded in 2004 by Nelson and Christie Tristão in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, OniMusic began as an independent distribution service for conference ministries before evolving into a comprehensive technology and music platform.
OniMusic boasts a diverse roster of over 120 artists spanning various genres including worship, contemporary Christian, and gospel music. Notable artists under their label include Gabriela Rocha, Ana Paula Valadão & Diante do Trono, and Nívea Soares, among others. The company also administers over 250,000 musical works through its publishing division.
In a press release, Sylvia Medeiros, the Senior Vice President of The Orchard Brazil, expressed her admiration for OniMusic’s achievements, highlighting Nelson Tristão’s dedication and the strong team he has built over the past two decades. She emphasized that The Orchard aims to enhance OniMusic’s infrastructure to facilitate further growth.
Nelson Tristão shared his thoughts on the partnership, asserting that the foundation of OniMusic has always centered on artist relationships based on trust and mutual respect. He believes that this new collaboration with The Orchard will allow OniMusic to maintain its core values while expanding opportunities both domestically and internationally for its artists.
The Orchard’s acquisition places it at the heart of Brazil’s booming gospel music scene, which has seen significant growth. According to Spotify data, the genre experienced an average annual listener growth of 44% from 2015 to 2020, and it currently represents approximately 20% of Brazil’s total music revenue. Based on IFPI data, this suggests that the Brazilian gospel market is valued at around $142 million, given the country’s recorded music trade revenues of $708 million in 2025, with streaming being the primary revenue source.
This acquisition is part of The Orchard’s broader strategy to enhance its presence in Brazil. The company already has a foothold in the region, supported by its parent company, Sony Music, which acquired Som Livre, Brazil’s largest domestic record label, for about $255 million in 2022. Under the leadership of CEO Brad Navin, The Orchard operates in over 50 cities globally and supports more than 26,000 independent labels.
The acquisition of OniMusic follows a period of growth for The Orchard, including a recent global distribution deal with Avex Music Group, a significant player in the Japanese entertainment sector. Additionally, Sony Music’s interest in the faith-based music market was further highlighted by a global deal with Nashville-based Christian label By Design in late 2025.
In summary, The Orchard’s acquisition of OniMusic signifies a strategic expansion into the flourishing Latin American gospel market, leveraging OniMusic’s established reputation and artist relationships to foster growth and enhance opportunities for both companies in the evolving music landscape.
