A&R Worldwide Newsletter Vol. 824

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Virgin Music Group (VMG), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), has announced the acquisition of Saban Music Latin. Under the terms of the transaction, Virgin Music Group will acquire Saban Music Latin’s catalog and Virgin Music Group will release future albums by selected Saban Music Latin artists.

Selected artists included in Saban Music Latin’s catalog include German Montero, Fuerza De Tijuana, Reykon, Jon Z, Almighty, Jesus Mendoza, Banda Cruz De Oro, Michael Stuart, and Abel Zazueta Y Los De Culiacan.

Saban Music Latin’s roster of leading artists includes Chesca, Loyal Lobos, and YoGambii. Chesca is a Puerto Rican singer-songwriter with two No.1 Latin Billboard singles, who has collaborated with the industry’s biggest stars, including Pitbull, Offset, Don Omar, and Grupo Firme. Loyal Lobos is a Colombian singer/songwriter – named by Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Spotify as an “artist to watch” this year. YoGambii, with his one-of-a-kind distinctive voice, is making inroads in the fast-growing trap Latin movement and has recently collaborated with Luar La L.

In recent years, Virgin Music Group has partnered with some of the most dynamic artists and labels in Latin music to achieve critical and commercial success, most notably in 2023 with Eslabon Armado (DEL Records), whose smash single “Ella Baila Sola” achieved chart-breaking success, becoming one of the biggest global music stories of this year, and kickstarting a phenomenal breakout year for música Mexicana.

The addition of Saban Music Latin’s roster complements Virgin Music Group’s artist roster, which already includes Latin stars such as Pepe Aguilar, Sech, Grupo Firme, Tainy, Dalex, Luis Alfonso Partida, El Yaki, ANAVITORIA, Dani Flow, Angela Aguilar and Grupo Recluta among others.

VMG currently operates divisions in eight Latin markets, including Mexico, the Andean region, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and the U.S.

Haim Saban, the founder of Saban Music Group, is an independent Non-Executive Director of UMG.

BMG has promoted Daniel Fernandes to General Manager, Brazil. Fernandes joined BMG in 2022 and most recently held the position of Senior Director A&R. He brings a wealth of experience from his time at the Brazilian record label Som Livre. During his time at BMG, he has successfully signed and developed artists and songwriters, including Élcio di Carvalho, Ariel Donato, and Raffa Torres. In his new role, Fernandes will lead the team based in São Paulo and collaborate closely with Julio Vieira, Vice President of Finance & Operations for Latin America (Latam).

Fernandes will succeed the current Managing Director and longtime BMG employee, Jasmina Zammit, who will be transitioning to international responsibilities in Berlin.

Jasmina Zammit stated, “I am proud of the basis we have built over the past five years, but now it’s time to have a local elevate the business to the next level. Daniel has a great passion for music, excellent leadership skills, and an extensive network, so I am delighted that he has accepted this position.”

Daniel Fernandes said, “I thank Jasmina for her trust and am looking forward to working with our amazing Brazilian roster and to further grow our local catalog. The opportunity to lead BMG Brazil’s team is both an honor and a privilege and I am thrilled and excited about the journey ahead.”

BMG’s operation in São Paulo was launched in 2016 and evolved from managing existing repertoire to developing its own local signing strategy, offering music publishing and recordings under one roof and off the same global cloud-based platform.

Over the past years, BMG expanded and developed an extensive catalog of local repertoire in Brazil. This includes representing the Sertanejo catalog from Workshow and signing accomplished writers and producers such as Zeeba, Johnny Hooker, Rincon Sapiência, Tropkillaz, Umberto Tavares, Jefferson Junior, and Mu540.

In recordings, BMG in Brazil inked significant deals with prominent artists such as Zeeba, Tuyo, Henrique e Diego, and Latin Grammy-nominated ÀTTØØXXÁ.

UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ACQUIRES CATALOG OF
SOUTH ASIAN LABEL ORIENTAL STAR AGENCIES

Universal Music Group (UMG) recently announced that it had entered into an agreement to purchase the catalog of iconic U.K.-based South Asian record label Oriental Star Agencies (OSA Ltd). The deal includes all the label’s recordings and the appropriately aligned publishing rights.

Highlighting over 50 years of South Asian culture and heritage, the catalog comprises approximately 18,000 songs, concerts, and video recordings, featuring legendary and genre-defining Pakistani and Indian artists. The acquisition is a part of UMG’s strategy to accelerate its growth in high-potential music markets around the world. The Asian music market grew by 15.4% in 2022 according to the IFPI, the record labels’ global trade body, with overall revenues from the region accounting for 22.9% of the global market.

OSA Ltd is a U.K.-based label with strong local and international ties and a unique history. Founded in 1966 by Muhammad Ayyub and his brothers, who moved from Pakistan to the West Midlands (Central England) in 1961, the label was borne out of Ayyub’s deep love for music and nostalgia for the music of his childhood. Initially approaching EMI to stock these titles, he went on to import records from Pakistan and India, as he sought to meet the demand of his local community who also craved the authentic sound of their homeland.

From these local community origins grew the most prominent South Asian record label in the United Kingdom. OSA Ltd is credited with not only introducing authentic South Asian music to a British audience but also playing a pivotal role in the establishment of the U.K. Bhangra genre and launching the careers of numerous significant British and South Asian artists.

Highlights in the catalog include Malkit Singh (who became the top-selling Bhangra artist worldwide with five million album sales), Bally Sagoo, Attaullah Khan, and legendary Grammy-nominated artist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who has recorded over 125 albums. In 2002, the music of OSA Ltd found a fresh audience when several label tracks were featured on the Bend It Like Beckham soundtrack. In recognition of this trailblazing contribution to the South Asian music landscape, in 2014, Ayyub was awarded an MBE honor for service to broadcasting, Asian music, and community services. In 2017 the OSA Ltd owners finalized a sale to Hi-Tech Music Ltd, another British record label with a strong history spanning 35 years.

The acquisition complements UMG’s current service offering and will help drive momentum for the South Asian music market, enabling local artists to reach the largest possible audience in the global community.

Each week, A&R Worldwide shares a snapshot of creatives and executives that we have collaborated or worked with in various music markets around the world, albeit in recent or previous times!

Jonathan Dickins has become one of the world’s top artist managers whose company September Management has shepherded the career of superstar artist Adele since she was 15 years old and also represents the likes of Rick Rubin, Glass Animals, Rex Orange County, Paul Epworth, and many others. Jonathan and A&R Worldwide Founder Sat Bisla first met back in 2001, thanks to an introduction from Jonathan’s dad Barry Dickins (co-Founder, ITB) who has also been a longtime friend and mentor to Bisla.

Jonathan Dickins first notable management client in the early 2000s was Tom Vek who was signed to Island Records, U.K., and his first No.1 U.K. charting A&R discovery was the American singer/songwriter Gary Jules. Jules’ album featuring the Tear For Fears cover song “Mad World,” and his manager (Kevin Held) were introduced to Barry Dickins by Sat Bisla who was an A&R consultant to ITB at the time. In turn, Barry introduced Gary Jules music to his son Jonathan who was an A&R scout, who brought Jules to the attention of British music executive Paul Conroy. The signing led to Gary Jules having the coveted No.1 U.K. Christmas single in 2003.

Bisla was also the first DJ in the world (outside of the U.K.) to play Adele’s music on his influential globally syndicated radio program Passport Approved, and also did Adele’s first ever radio interview worldwide (ex-U.K.) with Steve Schnur. Bisla also worked with Jonathan Dickins in shopping Adele to U.S. record label heads and A&R executives – all of whom passed initially; however, a year and a half later Jonathan signed Adele with Columbia Records in the United States.

Steve Schnur is one of the world’s most respected and influential executives in music and video gaming. His illustrious career has seen him work in influential and high-profile positions at MTV (during its peak), Elektra Records, Chrysalis Records, Capitol Records, as well as Arista Records. Steve is currently the Worldwide Executive & President of Music, Electronic Arts (EA) – the largest videogame producer in the world. Steve originally joined EA in 2001.

Steve Schnur and Bisla originally met in 2003 with the launch of A&R Worldwide, whereas Bisla and A&R Worldwide became music consultants to Steve and his music team at EA for over a decade. Bisla and A&R Worldwide’s team tipped off Steve and his team at EA Games to songs from artists such as Lily Allen, Klaxons, Robyn, Teddybears, LMFAO, All Mankind, Kasabian, Future Funk Squad, Nine Black Alps, Selasee, SoShy and many others, whom laned sync placements in EA’s videogames.

Steve Schnur also became a co-host with Bisla on his radio show Passport Approved on the legendary Indie 103.1FM Los Angeles for several years, where they would interview emerging global artists, A&R executives, music supervisors, and influencers from around the world. The two also did Adele’s very first radio interview in the world (ex-U.K.). Steve Schnur also created the concept for a TV show called “Opening Act.” When Steve presented the script to Bisla, he introduced Steve to a well-known TV producer whom he was friends with, which landed Steve’s idea on E! Network, which broadcast the show nationally across the United States. “Opening Act” starred Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, Nicki Minaj, Gym Class Heroes, LMFAO, and Jason Aldean.

 

TRIBE FRIDAY

 

Tribe Friday, a Swedish indie alt band, seamlessly blends the rugged rock of the early 2000s with a Gen Z post-pandemic party vibe. Their music, characterized by upbeat tones, explores themes of self-deprecation, identity, confusion, love, and death, all laced with sarcasm, wit, and charm. Their debut, bubblegum emo, released in June 2022, garnered critical acclaim and featured the chart-topping hit “Shut Me Up” with over 1.3 million streams to date. The band has received recognition from various outlets such as Upset, Earmilk, Alternative Press, American Songwriter, and more. Their music has been on rotation on Swedish National Radio P3, German Radio (Radio Eins, Flux FM, Star FM, etc.), and gained support from Radio X and worldwide on Passport Approved. Tribe Friday’s popularity extended internationally, with BBC Radio 1‘s Jack Saunders praising them and highlighting their single “Swimsuit” on his Future Artists show. Tribe Friday is back with their sophomore album, Hemma, released via Icons Creating Evil Art/Artist for Artist. This album delves deeper into their homegrown influences, according to lead singe Noah Deutschmann, who describes it as the band’s true emo record. Hemma explores the concept of coming to terms with what home means and how it has profoundly shaped individuals. Their single, “Andy,” is a glimpse into the new album and current sound as they start 2024 with upcoming tours in Europe supporting Mother Mother and a headlining run in Germany this Spring. For further information or inquiries about the band, contact Matthew Reich at matthew@artistforartist.com.

LANCE FREED AND ICHI ASATSUMA ACQUIRE WILL JENNINGS CATALOG: Songwriter Will Jennings, known for penning iconic hits, has entered into an agreement for his song catalog with Lance Freed‘s All Clear Music in collaboration with Fuji Music Group. This exclusive joint venture secures full ownership of both publishing rights and the writer’s share catalog. Jennings celebrated for timeless compositions performed by industry legends such as Celine Dion, Joe Cocker, and Steve Winwood, amassed a career spanning over five decades. Lance Freed, Jennings’ longtime friend and head of All Clear Music, emerges as the curator of this musical legacy and will explore creative avenues and introduce these classics to new generations. Jennings’ journey, from a Nashville schoolteacher to a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, is a testament to his talent. With an estimated 150 million records sold, six Grammy nominations, and collaborations with diverse artists, Jennings’ impact on the music landscape has been immeasurable.

BMG ACQUIRES CATALOG OF ALAIN CHAMFORT: BMG recently expanded its musical portfolio with the acquisition of the recorded catalog of French pop singer and composer Alain Chamfort. This deal, part of BMG’s global acquisition initiative, follows the recent addition of French DJ Martin Solveig‘s catalog. The deal encompasses thirteen albums, featuring hits like “Manureva” and “La Fièvre Dans Le Sang.” Maximilian Kolb, EVP Repertoire & Marketing Continental Europe, BMG said, “Alain Chamfort’s catalog is a valuable addition to BMG, representing a rich musical history. We look forward to reintroducing his iconic works to both existing and new audiences.” This month, Alain Chamfort and Sébastien Tellier will release a 4-track EP via BMG entitled, Chamfort produit par Sébastien Tellier. The EP will be followed by a new studio album called, L’Impermanence, to be released in March 2024. L’Impermanence caps a career spanning over fifty years for Chamfort and is the artist’s final album. BMG will then reissue the great albums of Chamfort’s career, from the “Gainsbourg years” to the “Belgian years.” Read more HERE.

CHRISTINA AGUILERA SIGNS WITH UTA: Christina Aguilera, known for her global hits like “Genie in a Bottle, “What a Girl Wants,” “Lady Marmalade,” “Beautiful,” and many others has inked a deal with United Talent Agency for global representation. Boasting over seventy-five million records sold worldwide and five No.1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, Aguilera is a multiple Grammy Award-winning artist whose vocal prowess has dominated three consecutive decades. Her recent accolades include the 2022 Latin Grammy for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album” and the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards‘ “Spirit of Hope Award.” Beyond her musical endeavors, Aguilera is a philanthropist, producer, and entrepreneur. Serving as a global spokesperson for Yum! Brands‘ World Hunger Relief Since 2009, she has raised over $150 million (USD) for hunger relief agencies and addressed critical societal issues. As the co-founder of Playground, a 2022-launched sexual wellness lifestyle brand, Aguilera’s multi-faceted career continues to evolve. Currently headlining at Voltaire in The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas, Aguilera remains a force in the music and entertainment industry. She will retain management representation with Roc Nation and imPRint.

TENCENT AND UMG EXTEND AGREEMENT: Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) and Universal Music Group (UMG) have announced the renewal of their multi-year strategic licensing agreement in China. This extension grants TME continued access to UMG’s extensive music catalog for platforms like QQ Music, Kugou Music, Kuwo Music, and WeSing. The collaboration also expands into cutting-edge features like music streaming in Dolby Atmos and high-definition formats. Cussion Pang, Executive Chairman, TME, said, “UMG has been an invaluable ecosystem partner to TME with deep mutual trust. Our diverse user demographics, large subscriber base, extensive industry insights, and advanced technologies have positioned us as a standout partner of choice.” Adam Granite, EVP, Market Development, UMG added, “We are pleased to extend our licensing agreement with TME for the Chinese market. With our renewed focus on signing and supporting the best talent from across Greater China, we look forward to working together with TME to help create compelling new experiences for fans across all TME platforms, and to expand on the opportunities available to UMG’s family of artists in China.”

KOBALT INKS PUBLISHING DEAL WITH TITUSS BURGESS: Kobalt has inked a worldwide publishing agreement with Emmy and SAG-nominated actor and composer Tituss Burgess, covering all of his artist works and the musical The Preacher’s Wife, for which he composed the score. Known for his versatility and dynamic performances in television, film, and theater, Burgess currently stars as Harold Zidler in Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The musical The Preacher’s Wife, featuring Burgess’s score, is set to debut at Atlanta’s Alliance Theater in Spring 2024. Sue Drew, Kobalt Music executive, describes Burgess as a “powerhouse artist” capable of creating enduring songs for the musical theater canon.

LIVE NATION AUSTRALIA ACQUIRES FACE TO FACE TOURING: Live Nation‘s recent strategic expansion in Australia has gained momentum with the acquisition of Face to Face Touring. The deal was announced last month, with the partnership positioning Live Nation to provide Face to Face with global resources and industry expertise, fostering a more diverse array of shows and music experiences. Financial details remain undisclosed, but the move underscores Live Nation’s commitment to providing artists with unique opportunities to engage Australian audiences. Based in Perth and with offices in Ballarat, regional Victoria, Face to Face Touring, an amalgamation of Zaccaria Concerts and Touring and Regional Touring Event Enterprises, stands as an addition to Live Nation’s portfolio. Boasting live music brands such as Red Hot Summer Tour, SummerSalt, and One Electric Day, Face to Face has collaborated with notable acts like Cold Chisel, Tame Impala, and John Farnham. The partnership signals a promising platform for growth, enhancing scale and relevance both domestically and internationally, according to John Zaccaria, founder of Zaccaria Concerts.

MARIA BECERRA SIGNS WITH WASSERMAN MUSIC: Wasserman Music has secured a worldwide representation deal with Argentine singer Maria Becerra, excluding Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. The agreement comes on the heels of a remarkable 2023 for the 23-year-old artist, marked by a global contract with Warner Music Latina, four Latin Grammy nominations, and a rapid ascent as one of Urbano’s leading figures. Becerra’s journey began with her 2019 debut EP, 222, captivating audiences in Argentina and catching the attention of 300 Entertainment, making her their inaugural Latin music signee to the Warner Music Group company. Her 2021 album, Animal, garnered a Latin Grammy nomination for “Best New Artist,” and collaborations with industry giants like Camila Cabello and J Balvin propelled her to global acclaim. The 2022 release, “La Nena De Argentina,” shattered records, dominating Billboard‘s Argentina Hot 100 and amassing over seven hundred million Spotify streams. Closing the year with a sold-out show at Buenos Aires’ Estadio River Plate, Becerra became the first Argentine woman to achieve this feat. With a Visionary Awardfrom Billboard‘s Latin Women in Music event and multiple Latin Grammy nominations, Maria Becerra is poised to shape the future of Latin music.

J.M3 & WARNER MUSIC COLLABORATE WITH MACAO TOURISM: Singaporean rapper J.M3, Warner Music Singapore, Tripadvisor, and the Macao Government Tourism Office have collaborated on a unique project called, “More Than Meets Macao,” combining music, travel expertise, and destination promotion. The campaign features engaging videos and interviews with J.M3 as she explores the vibrant city of Macao, uncovering must-visit attractions for travelers. The videos showcase intriguing museums, art venues, and cultural spots, complemented by J.M3’s latest release, “You Make Me Feel,” a pop track inspired by Macao’s allure. Leveraging Tripadvisor and the Macao Government Tourism Office’s platforms, the campaign aims to raise awareness and generate interest in Macao as a travel destination.

MUSEXPO PARTNERS WITH COMPOSERS SUMMIT PRAGUE: MUSEXPO has unveiled a strategic cooperation with one of Europe and Eastern Europe’s largest events focused on music in film, TV, gaming, advertising, trailers, and more – Composers Summit Prague, which takes place April 18 – 23, 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic. The event will partner with MUSEXPO and A&R Worldwide to deliver a unique opportunity for attendees to learn about the music processes and score across visual media, soundtracks and beyond, as well as interact with leading composers. Composers Summit is not just a gathering of Hollywood and global composers, it’s also a forum that provides education, innovation, artistic inspiration, and collaborations for all who crave to explore the world of music. The event will feature musical maestros including  John Debney, Jesper Kyd, Conrad Pope and others. A&R Worldwide and MUSEXPO will also bring some leading U.S. music supervisors and sync executives to the event in Prague. Accreditation to attend the event are filling up rapidly. For an opportunity to participate and attend you can register to attend, by logging on to www.composers-summit.com. Composers Summit Prague will also be attending this year’s MUSEXPO in Burbank, CA, taking place March 17 – 20, and will be attending with a large delegation of labels, publishers, and others as part of the Sound Czech organization.

MUTE NORTH AMERICA ANNOUNCE NEW APPOINTMENT: In a move towards enhancing its digital presence, Mute North America has announced Leo Treskunov as its newly appointed Digital Production & D2C Manager. A distinguished graduate from NYU Steinhardt‘s Music Business program, Leo brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role. Previously associated with Flocktory, a SaaS Omnichannel personalization and automation marketing platform, Leo spearheaded groundbreaking digital and merchandising strategies for Russia’s top e-commerce entities, catalyzing sales growth and enhancing customer loyalty. At Mute, Leo will oversee the e-commerce landscape, enhancing the shopping experience for fans in North America and beyond. Mute North America is home to a diverse roster including Grammy-nominated artists like M83, Fever Ray, Moby, and others.

NEED TO MAKE CONTACT, SEND NEWS AND NEW MUSIC RELEASES?: If you have any A&R, publishing, technology, agent/promoter, international radio, management, new media or film/TV music supervisor news you’d like to share with A&R Worldwide, or need to respond to information published in the weekly newsletter please E–mail it to the attention of Sat Bisla at sat@anrworldwide.com. Also, all demos and new music releases should be sent as STREAMING LINKS ONLY to info@anrworldwide.com.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Robin Jenssen, Craig Logan, Carianne Marshall, Taylor Jones, Ron Burman, Dino Paredes, Sarah Stennett, Evan Lamberg, Mark Wood, David “Beno” Benveniste, Tej Brar, Briony Turner, David Ventura, and Christian Raab.

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