WARNER MUSIC CANADA SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL
WITH MULTI-PLATINUM PRODUCER ELI BROWN
Accomplished Canadian producer Eli Brown, best known for his work as a producer for artists like Drake, Giveon, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Chris Brown has signed an exclusive deal with Warner Music Canada. The partnership will see Eli Brown developing and signing artists to Warner Music Canada through his label Loophole Records, to help elevate Canadian talent around the world.
Eli is a multi-Platinum producer hailing from Brampton, Ontario who has made a name for himself as one of Canada’s most sought-after producers. Brown produced the acclaimed Drake songs “Drew a Picasso” and “In the Bible” featuring Lil Durk & Giveon, and Chris Brown & Young Thug‘s “Big Slimes featuring Gunna & Lil Duke.” In addition to his collaborations with many successful artists, he has worked alongside other successful Canadian producers, including Wondagurl and Boi-1da.
Eli Brown commented, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Kristen [Burke] and Amisha [Sarkar] and the opportunity they have given me to contribute to the development of the next generation of stars. Our shared aspirations extend beyond reshaping Canadian music history to revolutionizing the entire music industry as a whole.”
Amisha Sarkar, A&R, Warner Music Canada said, “Canada is special. From the artists to the writers to the producers. Eli Brown is the epitome of Toronto culture and plays a key role in the city’s creative community. We are excited to support him in his parallel journey of highlighting and developing Canadian talent on a global scale.”
Kristen Burke, President, Warner Music Canada added, “Eli is an incredible creative force who not only has a deep connection to his culture but is also a constant driver of it. His ability to find and develop talented young artists and bring them to the world stage aligns perfectly with our mission at Warner Music Canada.
Eli Brown is represented by Matt Buser of Buser Legal.
KREATION MUSIC RIGHTS EUROPE
SIGN SWEDISH HITMAKERS MOONSHINE
KREATION Music Rights Europe (KMR) tells A&R Worldwide that Swedish production duo Moonshine, consisting of Jonatan Gusmark and Ludvig Evers have joined their burgeoning global roster. KREATION Music Rights is the publishing arm of South Korea’s music powerhouse SM Entertainment.
Moonshine has ascended to the top of the K-pop sector, crafting tracks for artists like aespa, SuperM, NCT 127, Red Velvet, TWICE, NCT Dream, NCT U, Baekhyun, TXT, WayV, The Boyz, among others. Their collaboration with TWICE on “Dance the Night Away” landed them at the summit of the U.S. Billboard World Chart and K-Pop Chart, amassing over three million physical sales and downloads, 215 million streams, and 375 million YouTube views.
Moonshine’s collaboration on SuperM’s “Super Car” secured six No. 1 Billboard placements, including the Billboard 200. In total, Moonshine has a tally of 26 No.1 Billboard placements, over 35 million physical sales, and around 3.5 billion streams.
In Sweden, they were honored with a nomination for “Breakthrough of The Year” at the Swedish Music Publishing Awards in 2021.
Robin Jenssen, CEO, KMR Europe, told A&R Worldwide, “Moonshine’s rapid ascent and unparalleled success in the K-pop market make them a remarkable addition to our roster. We are eager to support their continued growth and success as we explore new musical frontiers together.”
A&R WORLDWIDE SECURES GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL
FOR BURGEONING U.K. ARTIST MASI MASI
MASI MASI, the captivating British alt/indie-pop ensemble led by the charismatic Joe McGrath who was the first-ever unsigned artist to perform at the inaugural Seymour Stein “Global A&R Award” honoring Wendy Goldstein, President & Chief Creative Officer, Republic Records at this year’s MUSEXPO in Burbank, CA has signed a worldwide music publishing deal with Pangea International Music Publishing (P.I.M.P.) which has a joint venture with Sony Music Publishing worldwide.
MASI MASI’s signing was fueled by his performance at this year’s MUSEXPO, whereas MASI MASI garnered a number of signing offers after his showcase at the event. In addition, he has also had interest from a leading global artist management firm and several record labels.
MASI MASI has received tastemaker acclaim for their notable singles such as “Favourite Gold,” “We Don’t Care,” and “The Good Stuff,” along with the latest release, “Cigarette Smile.” These tracks have not only enjoyed global radio play but have also secured placements on prominent Spotify and Apple Music playlists. In addition, he has recorded five songs for sync placement with the major U.S. TV network Paramount (part of Viacom) and has also been on the recent sold-out Michael Aldag U.K. tour dates. He also recently played to a full house at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, England.
Joe McGrath stated, “Having P.I.M.P publishing on board is something we have worked hard towards for what seems like a long time. MASI MASI was originally just a solo project in my bedroom (Shabby Road Studios) with my laptop. I’ve worked with the A&R Worldwide team for a couple of years now, and it’d be impossible for me to put into words how hard-working, talented, and genuine they are as people and friends, and this deal would not have been possible without Sat Bisla, Monte Malone, and Joe Arnold‘s help and support.”
Monte Malone, Sr. VP A&R Worldwide commented, “I am thrilled to see MASI MASI’s growth under our creative mentorship this past year, refining his songwriting, production, and artistic vision. We found a perfect team with Reynold D’Silva, Adam Greenup, and their artist-centric vision. Joe McGrath’s authentic musical prowess permeates each composition, honed through his bohemian charisma and determination, resulting in his distinctive working-class esthetic. This milestone marks a well-deserved recognition for an artist poised for breakthrough global success.”
Adam Greenup, Executive, Pangaea International Music Publishing & Silva Screen Music Group added, “When we first met Joe we were bowled over by his charm and his infectious smile – he was beaming, despite the fact he had arrived 24 hours early in London having traveled down from Leeds on the wrong day! He played us some tunes in the office, and we knew immediately he had a special talent. Turns out his hugely likable personality is matched by incredible songwriting and a knockout voice. Signing him to his first publishing deal was a no-brainer and we look forward to working together.”
ARTIST PUBLISHING GROUP UNVEILS NEW ARTIST SIGNINGS
AMIDST CONTINUED COMPANY GROWTH
Artist Publishing Group (APG) tells A&R Worldwide that it has made a significant expansion of its publishing roster, welcoming a cadre of prominent new talents to its fold. Among the latest signings are Veeze, Ava Max, Rich Amiri, Alec Benjamin, and Lay Bankz. This move underscores APG’s strategic commitment to fostering emerging and established artists alike, solidifying its position in the music industry landscape.
Throughout the year, APG has enjoyed significant success with its artists achieving chart-topping milestones. Notably, APG clients have clinched an impressive five No.1 radio records across four distinct formats since the beginning of the year. Additionally, they have amassed approximately 23 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, showcasing the breadth and depth of their influence across various musical genres.
“We’ve had a remarkable start to the year, marked by key achievements and strategic signings,” state Olly Sheppard and Matt MacFarlane, Sr. Vice President’s, Publishing A&R, APG. “Our A&R team’s dedication to nurturing young talent and fostering creative collaborations has been pivotal to our success.”
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, APG remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation and artist development, as evidenced by the recent influx of new signings. With a portfolio that includes chart-topping hits such as Beyonce‘s “Texas Hold Em”, Artemas‘ “i like the way you kiss me,” Don Toliver‘s “Bandit,” Hardy‘s “Truck Bed,” Kygo & Ava Max‘s “Whatever,” Glorilla‘s “Yeah Glo,” and Marshmello x Kane Brown’s “Miles on It.”
UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING CHINA
SIGNS GLOBAL DEAL WITH CHEERFUL MUSIC
Universal Music Publishing China (UMP China) has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal (excluding mainland China) with Cheerful Music. Cheerful Music’s repertoire includes songs like “Yi Xiao Jiang Hu (Ke Mu San),” which has garnered over 50 billion views on Douyin (China’s TikTok equivalent), along with “Xiao Cheng Xia Tian,” “Ta Shan He,” and “Ban Sheng Xue” each claiming the top spots on China’s leading streaming services, that have dominated China’s top streaming platforms.
Established in 2019 with its origins rooted in Shenzhen, Cheerful Music has a lineup of Chinese songwriters and artists, featuring names like Snow J, Silk Ye, Cindy Dong, KeyKey, Huang Junze C-Jay, He Zhu, Yu Tang, and Reddi.
The company’s London branch has assisted in its global expansion strategy, creating collaborations with international talents such as Erik Frank, Grand Nights, Shell Tenedero, Chloe Rose, JOY, and Milan D’Agostini.
The single “Ta Shan He,” a track from 2020, clinched a spot among the Top 10 songs of the year at the third Tencent Music Entertainment Awards and has amassed over ten billion views on Douyin.
Snow J, Founder & CEO, Cheerful Music, said, “From the outset, our vision has been to create music that resonates worldwide. The launch of our London office in 2023 has been pivotal; it positions us to collaborate directly with international artists and songwriters and to connect with a diverse global audience. International expansion is intrinsic to our ethos, and I am profoundly confident that our partnership with UMP China – with their expansive network and proven success – will propel our journey of internationalization even further.”
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!
Enjoying musical company in Austin, TX a few years back are longtime friends from key sectors of the music business including live, touring, management, legal, publishing, A&R, radio, events, and more.
Sat Bisla, President & Founder, A&R Worldwide first met the talented German-born Jon Lieberberg in the early 2000s when he started at Live Nation and was making a name for himself as a talented booker and promoter. Renowned Los Angeles-based attorney Josh Binder first met Sat back in 2004 when he was starting out as a young budding music lawyer looking to build his own music practice and has certainly achieved that. Meanwhile, Björn Deparade first met Sat in January 2013 as he was keen to get A&R Worldwide support for his then internationally unsigned band Milky Chance who went on to have a No.1 charting song worldwide with the hit “Stolen Dance.” Björn has continued to build a successful global music publishing business.
LADYBYRD
London, England-based singer-songwriter Ladybyrd is poised to captivate audiences with her song “Way Back Home.” This single, a prelude to her debut album due at the end of 2024, beautifully captures a journey of self-discovery and rekindling connections. Opening with melancholic tones, the track evolves into haunting choruses filled with optimism, blending the allure of Lana Del Rey and the emotive power of Taylor Swift. Ladybyrd’s dynamic instrumentation and powerful vocals create a mesmerizing experience. Originally from Buckinghamshire, Ladybyrd moved to London to pursue her music career, leveraging her experiences as a model and a collaborator with a Hollywood composer. Her previous singles, including “Too Close to Call,” “Sub Zero,” and “Every Second,” have earned her recognition from BBC Introducing as a standout newcomer. Her debut album reflects her transformative journey over the past two years, exploring themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and personal growth. Discover “Way Back Home” HERE and contact Danni McCabe at danni@mavenmusic.co.uk, for all inquiries pertaining to Ladybyrd.
FIL BO RIVA
Italian singer-songwriter Fil Bo Riva, real name Filippo Bonamici, faced a personal crisis of anxiety and depression after announcing a new album and tour. He canceled everything to seek therapy, addressing past traumas and unhealthy habits. These experiences inspired his new single, “Lost in Life,” which blends a gently leading bass, a swelling synth melody, and his captivating voice to explore feelings of being lost and seeking escape. “Lost in Life” stands out with its driving guitars and an anthemic chorus, embodying both the darkness and light that Fil Bo Riva has navigated. His ability to translate such profound personal struggles into a relatable and inspiring musical journey makes him one of the most compelling artists today. Fil Bo Riva is already garnering airplay across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the U.S., Peru, India, Australia, and many other countries including being added to the influential Passport Approved globally syndicated radio show playlist which reaches millions of listeners weekly worldwide. Experience the Vladimir Beck-directed visual for “Lost in Life” HERE and the Roosevelt remix HERE, and contact Ana Vazquez at Ana.Vazquez@umusic.com for additional information and opportunities with Fil Bo Riva.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, June 3rd, 2024: The weekly import show. Heard on more than 50 radio stations on six continents weekly including: Flux FM Berlin, Germany; NINETYSIX Radio (Indonesia); JioSaavn (India); Radio Doble Nueve, Lima, Peru; WZRH–FM New Orleans, LA; KWSS “93.9FM”; Phoenix, AZ; KRML “102.1FM”; Carmel, CA; KFRR “New Rock 104.1FM”; Fresno, CA; Radio 1, Mumbai, India; WCNR Charlottesville, VA; KIWR “The River”; Council Bluffs, IA; 2XM Ireland (national radio); 96.2 ZFM The Netherlands; WAPS–FM “The Summit.FM”; Akron–Canton, OH; WKTL–FM Youngstown, OH; 105.5FM XFM Nairobi, Kenya; PUK–FM Johannesburg, South Africa; Rock 96.5FM Zambia; 897 FM Bratislava, Slovakia; WITH “90.1FM”; Ithaca, NY; UCFM 87.8FM Australian Capital Territory, Australia; WRUR 88.5FM Rochester, NY; WCRU–FM Hamilton, NY; KZND Anchorage, AK; KQCJ Quad Cities, IL; Allgauhit–FM Bavaria Germany; Indie Xfm Los Angeles and on The Independent FM (iHeartRadio) in the United States, as well as many others internationally.
Listen to this two hour show by clicking HERE:
SEA GIRLS – “Midnight Butterflies” (Alt Records/Believe, U.K.)
NEON DREAMS & MATTHEW MOLE – “The Art of Letting Go” (UMG, S. Africa)
CARAVAN PALACE – “Fool” (Wagram, France)
ALFIE TEMPLEMAN – “Eyes Wide Shut” (Chess Club/AWAL, U.K.)
KINGFISHR – “Shadow” (Doonane Records, Ireland)
GIANT ROOKS – “Under Your Wings” (Universal Music, Germany)
SOHODOLLS – “What Kinda Love” (Filthy Pretty/A&G, U.K.)
TEENAGE DADS – “Weaponz” (Chugg Music, Australia)
GOOD NEIGHBOURS – “Home” (Some Action/Neon Gold/Avenue A, U.K.)
KEYSIDE – “Nikita” (Modern Sky, U.K.)
MIDDLE KIDS – “The Blessings” (EMI, Australia)
THE DREAM MACHINE – “Frankenstein” (Unsigned, U.K.)
LAVA LA RUE – “Push N Shuv” (Dirty Hit, U.K.)
RHETT REPKO – “My Love Will Stay” (Unsigned, N. America)
JAMIE HANNAH – “What If” (Unsigned, U.K.)
GRIPPA – “Hell” (Unsigned, N. Amercia)
THE CAVS – “Man In The Suit” (Unsigned, U.K.)
HINDS – “Coffee” (Lucky Number, Spain)
RED RUM CLUB – “Hole In My Home” (Modern Sky, U.K.)
ANAÏS – “Stephen King” (Believe, Germany)
ACROBVT – “Neon” (Unsigned, U.K.)
HOLYOAK – “The Home I Wanted” (Unsigned, Australia)
TRIBE FRIDAY – “Andy” (ICEA, Sweden)
HOCKEY DAD – “Base Camp” (Farmer & The Owl/BMG, Australia)
JERUB – “Gonna Be Okay” (Elevate Music, U.K.)
MICHAEL ALDAG – “Sabotage” (3 Beat/Universal, U.K.)
GIRL IN RED – “You Need Me Now? (Feat. Sabrina Carpenter)” (Columbia, Norway)
LIME CORDIALE – “The Big Reveal Ou L’Hypocrite” (Chugg Music, Australia)
CORELLA – “Head Underwater” (Corella Music, U.K.)
TALISCO – “Forknox” (Roy Music, France)
TRISHA – “Unfinished” (Universal Music India, India)
MASI MASI – “Cigarette Smile” (Unsigned, U.K.)
BRICE KENDALL – “Finest Garments” (Unsigned, U.S.A.)
THE K’S – “Heart On My Sleeve” (LAB Records, U.K.)
SAM MERRIFIELD INKS GLOBAL DEAL WITH POSITION MUSIC: Tyler Bacon, President & CEO, Position Music announced that Sam Merrifield has signed a global publishing deal with the company. Originally from London, England, Merrifield is a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who has made a name for himself in the pop and EDM sectors. His roster of collaborators includes artists like Lewis Capaldi, Calum Scott, NOTD, Daya, Two Friends, and Ella Henderson, among others. Merrifield has worked on tracks such as “American Psycho” by Marshmello, Mae Muller, and Trippie Redd, “Crying on The Dancefloor” by Sam Feldt, Jonas Blue, Endless Summer, and Violet Days, in addition to “Good Without” by Mimi Webb. Beyond the pop and EDM realm, Merrifield has shown out in the singer-songwriter genre with tracks like “You & Me” by James TW, “closure” by Henry Moodie, and “We Were Young” by Petit Biscuit and JP Cooper. His recent collaborations with writers including JKASH, Gregory ‘Aldae’ Hein, Ross Golan, Jack & Coke, Plested, Freedo, PHD, and Neil Ormandy highlight his appeal across various genres. Merrifield has upcoming projects in the pipeline, with cuts slated for release by Marshmello, Cheat Codes, ILLENIUM, Gryffin, Zara Larsson, and more. Merrifield is represented by Luke Williams from the London, England-based management firm Closer Artists.
J BALVIN INKS DEAL WITH INTERSCOPE CAPITOL MIAMI: J Balvin has signed a new label deal with Interscope Capitol Miami, amidst his departure from Universal Music Latino, his label for the past decade. Under the wing of Interscope Capitol Miami division (following the merger of Interscope and Capitol), led by Nir Seroussi, Balvin’s upcoming album will see a collaboration with Tom March‘s team at Capitol Records. Balvin’s transition mirrors that of fellow Colombian artist Karol G, who also moved to Interscope within the last year. Interscope’s roster includes Latin talents like Kali Uchis, Xavi, and Iván Cornejo. Balvin’s last album, José, was released under the Suenos Globales imprint and distributed by Universal. His affiliation with Roc Nation as a management client commenced last year, following a split from Fabio Acosta and Scooter Braun‘s SB Projects in 2022. The forthcoming album marks Balvin’s first full-length project in over two years. Preceding its release, he is unveiled singles like “Amigos” and the DJ Khaled collaboration, “Dientes.” Collaborators on the album are said to include producers Mura Masa, Tainy, and Mambo Kingz, among others.
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING RENEWS GLOBAL DEAL WITH GORGON CITY: Sony Music Publishing U.K. (SMP U.K.) has announced the renewal of its exclusive global publishing agreement with renowned electronic/dance music duo Gorgon City. Additionally, Gorgon City has launched REALM Publishing in partnership with SMP U.K. and announced Realm’s first signing with breakthrough talent Riordan. Gorgon City, aka Kye Gibbon and Matt Robson Scott, are one of today’s most impactful acts in dance music, having amassed 1.7 billion global streams and achieved 13 BRIT-certified singles across their career, with hit songs including “Voodoo,” “You’ve Done Enough,” “Nobody” and more. Recently, Gorgon City announced the upcoming release of their highly anticipated fifth album Reverie on July 19, along with the album’s lead singles “Biggest Regret” featuring Bbyafricka and “All That You Need” featuring Caroline Byrne. The duo will also be performing shows all summer with their residency at LIV Las Vegas, as well as at The Brooklyn Mirage, Los Angeles Shrine, and Ushuaia Ibiza. Rising U.K. producer and DJ Riordan is quickly making a name for himself in the house music scene with his techno house smash hit “Needle on The Record,” which recently achieved No.1 overall status on Beatport. Adrienne Bookbinder, Sr. A&R Manager, Sony Music Publishing U.K. said,”We are thrilled to extend our long-standing relationship with Gorgon City, and the trust they have placed in us to partner as they launch their REALM publishing company. Gorgon City are skilled at spotting talent early, they are on the ground hearing things first and hands-on in developing artists and songwriters. We are excited to be a part of the REALM journey.”
KAVI SIGNS CO-PUBLISHING DEAL WITH S10 PUBLISHING & AVEX USA: S10 Publishing and Avex USA have announced a worldwide co-publishing deal with Kavi, the producer behind the popular song “Million Dollar Baby” by Tommy Richman. The track landed at the No.1 spot across Spotify and Apple Music charts globally, as well as securing top positions on Billboard‘s Streaming & Sales Gainer charts and the Hot 100. Kavi is producing Tommy Richman’s self-titled album while concurrently working with Playboi Carti, Lil Tecca, Swae Lee, Yeat, Destroy Lonely, and others. Avex USA Publishing, in tandem with Brandon Silverstein‘s S10 Publishing, has a roster of writers that include Grammy-nominated producer HARV (Justin Bieber “Peaches”) as well as Jasper Harris (Tate McRae “greedy”) and GENT! (Doja Cat “Agora Hills”). “Kavi is a creative force of nature, and I am so excited to be working with Benny, Alix, and the Avex team on this,” stated Brandon Silverstein, Founder & CEO, S10. “We are so humbled to partner with an amazing, generational talent such as Kavi alongside his team OneWonder.” Naoki Osada, CEO, Avex USA, added, “We believe this is going to be a very special energy that will bring fresh and colorful excitement to the world.”
SENTRIC SIGNS PRODUCTION AND DJ DUO BANX & RANX: Sentric has announced that is has inked an exclusive publishing administration deal with the production and DJ duo Banx & Ranx, as part of its collaborative effort with the London, England-based Tileyard Music Publishing. The deal encompasses all their future projects. Comprised of Zacharie ‘Soké’ Raymond and Yannick ‘KNY Factory’ Rastogi, Banx & Ranx has over two billion streams and surpassed one billion YouTube views. Originally from Montreal, Canada, the duo joins a roster that includes artists like Dua Lipa, Blackpink, DJ Snake, and Jungkook, amongst others. The duo has also created projects with Nicky Jam, Sia, Rêve, Preston Pablo, Sean Paul, and Ellie Goulding. They have also achieved Platinum status in the U.K. with songs like “Answerphone” featuring Ella Eyre and Yxng Bane. Sentric, now under the umbrella of Believe since its acquisition in 2023, represents a catalog of over 4.5 million works and more than 400,000 songwriters. Peter McCamley, Creative Director, Sentric, tells A&R Worldwide, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Tileyard, and to kick this off by signing Zacharie and Yannick is beyond exciting. The incredible songwriting talent of the duo is evident in their previous successes of which some I have been lucky to collaborate with them on. I am thrilled to start working with Steve Jervier and the team again and excited to see the creative expertise that the Tileyard team will also bring into this partnership.”
PATCH CULBERTSON NAMED EVP/GM, BIG LOUD RECORDS: Big Loud Records has announced the promotion of Patch Culbertson as Executive Vice President/General Manager, effective immediately. Culbertson will be reporting directly to the label’s partners – Seth England, Joey Moi, and Craig Wiseman. In his new position, Culbertson will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations, strategize across all commercial opportunities and help to expand the creative development of the Big Loud Records roster, which includes Ashley Cooke, Charles Wesley Godwin, Dallas Smith, Dylan Gossett, Ernest, Griffen Palmer, Hailey Whitters, Hardy, Hixtape, Jake Worthington, Larry Fleet, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Watkins, Lily Rose, MacKenzie Porter, Maggie Rose, Morgan Wallen, Shawn Austin, Stephen Wilson Jr., and Zandi Holup. Culbertson first joined Big Loud Records as Vice President, A&R in 2017 and was elevated to the role of Sr. Vice President & General Manager of the label in 2021. Before joining Big Loud, Patch spent eight years at Republic Records in New York City, rising to Director of A&R. Seth England stated, “Patch has been a critical part of Big Loud’s success for over seven years now. He is a brilliant strategist with an unmatched ability to process information and make sound decisions. Patch is a true leader who has continued to invest in this company with his time and expertise, and his impact cannot be underestimated. This promotion is well-earned.”
WARNER CHAPPELL U.K. NAMES NEW VP OF SYNC: Andrew Howell has been named the new Vice President, Sync at Warner Chappell Music U.K. (WCM U.K.). In his new role, Howell will continue to report to Rich Robinson, Executive VP & Global Head, Sync, WCM, and Shani Gonzales, Managing Director, WCM U.K. and Head of International A&R at WCM. Howell joined the WCM UK team in 2016, after a career at Universal Music Group and Sony/ATV, and has been instrumental in its Sync department, winning multiple awards. His team has built strong relationships with clients, which have helped deliver multiple placements with gaming giants including EA and Space Ape; land successful campaigns with brands such as Lexus, Persil, and Cruzacampo, and contribute many works in key film and TV projects, such as One Day, The Crown, Saltburn, Back To Black. Howell’s team also runs monthly sync writing sessions in Warner Chappell’s London studios, inviting writers and briefing them on what makes a good sync track, while maintaining the authenticity of great songwriting. Howell has placed songs from WCM U.K.’s vast catalog in opportunities that will help connect them with a new generation of fans. Recent syncs include working with WCM France to create a Dua Lipa cover of George Michael‘s “Freedom ’90” for Yves Saint Laurent; securing a cover version of “It’s A Hard Knock Life” from the musical Annie in Dove‘s 2024 Super Bowl spot; and working with David Bowie‘s estate to place multiple songs in global Paco Rabanne campaigns.
CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS GLOBAL DEAL WITH JIN JIN: Concord Music Publishing has announced the signing of U.K. songwriter Jin Jin, to a worldwide publishing deal that will cover all of her future works. Jin Jin, also known as Janée Bennett, has obtained BMI Awards, Grammy nominations, and Ivor Novello Awards nominations and her collaboration with Jess Glynne has resulted in tracks like “Hold My Hand” and “Not Letting Go” with Tinie Tempah, as well as two studio albums. Her extensive collaborations include artists such as David Guetta, Burna Boy, Greg Kurstin, Diplo, Bebe Rexha, Loreen, WizKid, J Lo, Maluma, Toby Gad, and Fraser T Smith, among many others. Jin Jin’s partnership with Raye has yielded hits like “Decline” with Mr Eazi, “Check” with Kojo Funds, “You Don’t Know Me” and “Tequila” with Jax Jones, and “Car Keys (Ayla)” by Alok and Ava Max. Kim Frankiewicz, Executive VP Worldwide A&R, Concord Music Publishing, tells A&R Worldwide, “There are few songwriters that have made as much of an impact as Jin Jin in the last decade. Her work ethic, creativity, and imagination are simply extraordinary. We are privileged to have her partner with us for the next chapter of her remarkable career.”
DISORDER RECORDS & CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP PARTNER WITH DISCLOSURE: Last December when David Dollimore (former President, RCA Records U.K.) launched Disorder Records in a joint venture with Capitol Records, both companies set out to create partnerships and sign an array of artists spanning DJs, producers, artists, brands, and labels. Their signing of Grammy-nominated electronic duo, Disclosure, led by brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence, will be the label’s inaugural artist signing. This announcement coincides with the drop of their latest single, “She’s Gone, Dance On.” The track has already earned the title of “Hottest Record” from Jack Saunders on BBC Radio 1 and garnered support from peers within the dance community, including Todd Edwards, Joy Anonymous, Salute, DJ Seinfeld, Peggy Gou, Sammy Virji, and Dom Dolla. Disclosure is set to perform at Primavera, Parklife, Glastonbury, and numerous other festivals this year.
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING NASHVILLE SIGNS KETCH SECOR: Sony Music Publishing Nashville has unveiled the signing of singer-songwriter and Old Crow Medicine Show frontman, Ketch Secor, to a worldwide publishing administration deal. During Secor’s career, he has received multiple Grammy awards and is best known for his contributions to hits like Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel.” This track, marking its 20th anniversary this year, was covered by Darius Rucker and stands as one of the Top 5 best-selling country songs of all time, with 8x RIAA multi-Platinum certifications and over 16 million U.S. sales. In addition to his work on “Wagon Wheel,” Secor co-wrote a major portion of tracks featured on Molly Tuttle‘s albums City of Gold and Crooked Tree. Also, Secor co-wrote the musical Hooten Holler, which premiered at the Barter Theatre‘s 2022 Appalachian Festival of Plays & Playwrights. Secor’s partnership with Sony Music Publishing Nashville coincides with the Old Crow Medicine Show’s 2024 Jubilee Tour. This tour commemorates both the band’s 25th anniversary and the success of their Grammy-nominated eighth studio album, Jubilee. Rusty Gaston, CEO, Sony Music Publishing Nashville, “Ketch Secor is more than a ‘fiddler in an old-time string band’, he’s a brilliant storyteller. He writes songs that tell the tales of the rural American spirit. A one-of-a-kind talent and a one-of-a-kind human, we could not be prouder to welcome Ketch to the SMP Nashville family.”
PROPER DISTRIBUTION SIGNS DEAL WITH FIREBIRD: Proper Distribution has announced an agreement with Firebird Music Holdings, headquartered in the United States. This partnership includes Proper servicing Firebird’s affiliate labels, artist management firms, and other creative entities. Proper’s role encompasses managing physical sales and distribution for both frontline and catalog releases across the U.K., Republic of Ireland, and Europe (via Proper’s partner Bertus). Proper will cater to select signed artists, and those acts self-released under Firebird’s umbrella. Under this arrangement, Firebird’s partners will benefit from access to Proper’s facilities, extensive resources, and specialized knowledge of the local record retail landscape. Additionally, they will leverage Proper’s marketing and sales teams in designated territories. The deal will also streamline the process for self-released artists associated with Firebird to release their music in physical formats. The inaugural release under this partnership is Slash‘s latest offering, “Orgy of the Damned,” which was released on May 17 via Gibson Records. The album made its debut by claiming the top spot on the U.K. Jazz & Blues Albums Chart and secured the eighth position on the U.K. Albums Chart. Other upcoming releases slated for distribution in 2024 include works from Chase Rice, The WAEVE, Moonchild Sanelly, Whiskey Myers, Danielle Bradbery, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
RAMON ROSELLY SIGNS WITH TELAMO: German singer Ramon Roselly has inked a deal with BMG‘s Schlager label Telamo for his new album, slated for release this August. Accompanying this announcement is the launch of the album’s first single, “Süchtig,” which shares its title with the forthcoming album. After clinching a victory in the RTL casting show Deutschland sucht den Superstar in 2020, Roselly has since established himself not only as a singer but also as a TV presenter. Since his win on Deutschland sucht den Superstar, Roselly has amassed a No.1 single with “Eine Nacht” and two albums including, the Gold-certified Herzenssache (2020) and Lieblingsmomente (2021). Roselly gained his first stage experience at an early age, coming from a family of entertainers who, until a few years ago, toured with various circuses as fairground exhibitors and artists.
MAHOGANY LAUNCHES DISTRIBUTION SERVICE AND SIGNS FIRST ARTIST: Mahogany has unveiled its latest venture: Mahogany Songs, a distribution service tailored for independent artists. Mahogany Songs is a personalized service and meticulous curation, offering digital distribution and bespoke artist support. Drawing from over 15 years of industry expertise spanning production, distribution, broadcast, sync, live events, and brand partnerships, the Mahogany team has a history of working with talent such as Billie Eilish, Hozier, Michael Kiwanuka, and Leon Bridges. Selected artists under the Mahogany Songs umbrella will benefit from guidance, insights, and access to a comprehensive suite of tools, funding opportunities, and promotional platforms across the Mahogany network. This encompasses DSP playlists, social media channels, and the Mahogany Sessions and Covers video channels, with a collective audience of over one million subscribers. Launching its maiden project, Mahogany Songs presents singer-songwriter Áine Deane as its inaugural artist. Áine’s rise has helped her gain almost ten million streams across DSPs, along with support slots alongside the likes of James Bay and Sam Smith. Her EP, tales of a twenty something, is slated for release under the Mahogany Songs banner later in 2024.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Beka Tischker, James Petronio, Jason Flom, Shane Tobin, Alex Hardee, Andrew Brightman, Mike Knobloch, Austin Rosen, Pete Giberga, Baker Grace, Rachel Kurstin, Sam Kling, Stuart Camp, Irving Azoff, and Dave Holmes.
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