The Orchard Expands Into Brazil’s Booming Gospel Market With OniMusic Deal

The Orchard is deepening its global reach with the acquisition of OniMusic, a Belo Horizonte–based Christian label, distributor and tech platform. The move signals a strategic push into Brazil’s rapidly growing gospel sector, one of the most dynamic corners of the global music business.

Founded in 2004 by Nelson and Christie Tristão, OniMusic has evolved from a niche distributor serving ministry events into a full-service operation spanning recorded music, publishing and digital strategy. Today, it represents more than 120 artists across worship, gospel and contemporary Christian genres, while maintaining a catalog of over 250,000 works.

For The Orchard, the acquisition offers a step in a market that’s both culturally influential and commercially expanding. Gospel music now accounts for roughly one-fifth of Brazil’s recorded music revenue, a figure fueled by years of rapid audience growth on streaming platforms. With Brazil ranking among the world’s top 10 music markets, the deal positions The Orchard at the center of a high-growth segment with significant long-term upside.

The partnership also reflects a broader industry trend: increased investment in faith-based music. As streaming continues to globalize listening habits, genres once considered regional or niche are finding international audiences, and major distribution players are taking notice.

OniMusic’s leadership has emphasized that the deal will preserve its artist-first philosophy while unlocking new infrastructure and global opportunities. That balance, scale without losing identity, is increasingly central to how independent-focused companies are positioning themselves against the major label system.

For The Orchard, which operates in dozens of markets and supports thousands of independent labels, the acquisition adds both catalog depth and regional expertise. It also builds on parent company Sony Music Entertainment’s broader investment in Brazil, one of the most competitive and fast-evolving territories in the streaming era.