PARIS HILTON’S 11:11 MEDIA
INKS GLOBAL DEAL WITH ADA
ADA, the independent label and artist services arm of Warner Music Group, has inked a global distribution deal with 11:11 Media, the next-gen media and consumer lifestyle company, founded and led by entrepreneur, and recording artist Paris Hilton. Paris recently announced her long-awaited return to music, with her sophomore album, INFINITE ICON (executive produced by multi-platinum artist Sia) dropping on September 6. The album’s lead single, “I’m Free” featuring Rina Sawayama, is currently available.
INFINITE ICON is a self-reflective journey through Hilton’s life, exploring themes of fame, female empowerment, mental health, and motherhood. The 12-track collection marks Hilton’s first album in two decades and features collaborations with some of today’s most exciting names in music including Sia (“Fame Won’t Love You”) and Rina Sawayama (“I’m Free”). Musically, INFINITE ICON serves shimmering electronic arrangements, driving dancefloor beats, summertime poolside vibes, and emotional ballads in a glittery swirl of unapologetic pop glamor that can only have come from Paris Hilton.
“I’m thrilled to be working with my Warner Music family again,” said Paris Hilton, Founder & CEO of 11:11 Media. “ADA gives me the ability to share my music with the world while maintaining ownership of it – which is so important to me, as an artist and entrepreneur. I cannot wait for everyone to hear this album! I am so proud of this work and so grateful to my good friend and executive producer, Sia, Jesse Shatkin, Alex Frankel, the whole ADA team, and every single person who contributed to creating and distributing this album.”
Cat Kreidich, President, ADA, added, “Paris is a global icon whose influence on culture is undeniable. Tapping into our expertise and global resources, we are excited to support Paris’ creative vision and make her return to music unforgettable for the fans.”
Hilton’s last album, 2006’s Paris Hilton, landed in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 and featured the RIAA Gold-certified hit single, “Stars Are Blind.” Since then, Hilton has collaborated with the likes of Lil Wayne, Birdman, and Steve Aoki, among others. Over the past decade, Hilton has DJed at prominent festivals such as Tomorrowland and Summerfest.
SONY MUSIC INDIA PARTNERS WITH MADDOCK FILMS
Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films have forged a partnership aimed at propelling India’s entertainment landscape forward.
The collaboration is set to yield a diverse array of music projects, spanning from immersive film soundtracks to cutting-edge independent pop ventures showcasing talented Indian artists. Kicking off the partnership are several prestigious endeavors, notably the soundtrack for the eagerly anticipated Hindi film Chhava, starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna, featuring music crafted by none other than the legendary AR Rahman.
Among the lineup of projects under this banner are the dramatic narratives Diler, starring Ibrahim Ali Khan, and Ikkis, starring Agastya Nanda, both accompanied by soulful compositions from Sachin-Jigar. Furthermore, this alliance will oversee the creation of soundtracks for major motion pictures including Luka Chhupi 2, Sector 36 starring Vikrant Massey, Sarvagunn Sampan starring Vaani Kapoor, and Rumi Ki Sharafat featuring Radhika Madan.
Vinit Thakkar, Managing Director of Sony Music Entertainment India, affirmed, “This collaboration embodies our vision of creating innovative avenues for our artists to connect with audiences. Film and music are potent mediums of storytelling, and through the synergies of our musical acumen and Maddock Films’ cinematic vision, we are poised to deliver impactful and unforgettable experiences.”
Dinesh Vijan, Founder of Maddock Films, added, “Both Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films have a proven track record of creating chart-topping hits, making this our most significant music collaboration to date. Over the next two years, we are committed to building the industry’s most dynamic and successful music partnership.”
This partnership will aim to deliver exceptional entertainment content through a strategic mix of new soundtrack acquisitions and creative independent pop singles.
POSITION MUSIC SIGNS MAYA KURCHNER
TO A GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL
Tyler Bacon, President & CEO, Position Music has announced that Maya Kurchner has inked a global publishing deal with the company, in partnership with Chosen People. Kurchner, a songwriter and vocalist, signed with Chosen People (founded by RØMANS and Marc Fineman) in 2020 and has since worked with artists including Chappell Roan, Bebe Rexha, Tiësto, Alesso, Bazzi, and Tinashe.
Kurchner’s collaborative works include “Practice” by Anitta featuring ASAP Ferg and HARV, “I Am” and “Satellite” by Bebe Rexha featuring Snoop Dogg, and “Coffee” by Chappell Roan, with the album to the single recently reaching No.1 on iTunes and currently standing at No.12 on the Billboard 200. Kurchner co-wrote Saint Clara‘s “Progress (Crying Like a Bitch),” which peaked pop radio in Scandinavia for eight weeks.
Sam Sklar, Vice President, A&R, Position Music tells A&R Worldwide, “Between her creative abilities and her unrelenting drive, I have long known Maya to be such a force and it was only a matter of time before we found a way to work together. She not only brings fresh concepts and lyricism to the table but holds the unique ability to navigate a variety of different rooms with ease. With the help of our partners RØMANS and Marc Fineman, she has built an amazing foundation, and I am excited to join forces as we continue to build.”
Doug DeLuca, Manager, Lineage Music Group, commented, “Maya signed to Chosen People with RØMANS and Marc in the summer of 2020. With their support, we have been able to build an incredible foundation for Maya as a songwriter. I have had nothing but amazing experiences with Position, and it was the right time to join forces with Sam Sklar to build the next phase of Maya’s career. Since signing, Sam and the Position team have brought strategic and meaningful opportunities to the table, putting Maya in a position to continue to build relationships with other successful songwriters, producers, and artists. I look forward to working with both Position, Marc, and RØMANS for years to come.”
Maya Kurchner joins a growing Position Music label roster, already home to NoMBe, Elohim, Kyle Dion, Kid Bloom, Ryan Oakes, Layto, Welshly Arms, Blackway, Hunter Metts, Jordan Suaste, and Dead Posey.
WARNER MUSIC GROUP INVESTS IN CROATIA’S
DANCING BEAR MUSIC
Warner Music Group has acquired a minority stake in the Croatian independent music company Dancing Bear Music. This partnership will allow Dancing Bear’s artists to leverage ADA, Warner Music’s global distribution and label services arm, and potentially join Warner Music’s international roster. The deal renews the licensing agreement covering Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and North Macedonia.
Dancing Bear and Warner Music have a 30-year history, with Dancing Bear serving as Warner Music’s licensee in Croatia since 1996. Its affiliate, Dancing Bear Publishing, also represents Warner Chappell Music locally.
Established in 1990, Dancing Bear is one of Croatia’s most enduring and prominent record companies. It has released music from regional artists such as Dalmatino, Dino Dvornik, Daleka Obala, Darko Rundek, Hladno Pivo, Kojoti, and more. These releases include some of the most iconic records in Croatian and regional music history, influencing the local music industry over the past four decades.
Dancing Bear has also seen international success with artists like The Bambi Molesters and The Strange. Emerging artists such as Bruno Pietri and Pete Spruce are gaining traction across Europe and North America. Dalmatino, founded by Ivo Jagnjić and Zdravko Sunara in 1998, stands as the label’s biggest act. Supported by Dancing Bear, Dalmatino has garnered over 250 million streams and consistently outsells global artists in Croatia, both digitally and physically.
Silvije Varga, Co-Founder and Managing director, Dancing Bear, said, “This investment by Warner Music is a vote of confidence in the future of music from the West Balkans. We look forward to working together to take music from our existing roster to the wider world, and to uncover the next generation of local talent.”
Izabela Ciszek-Podziemska, General Manager, Warner Music Southeast Europe, added, “I am so pleased we are expanding our agreement with Dancing Bear, which has an incredible reputation in the region as a key industry player. We are already working on joint releases in the EDM space and plan to expand our collaboration in the months ahead.”
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!
Iconic U.K. alt-pop duo The Ting Tings became a global phenomenon in 2007 thanks in large part to the early support and help from A&R Worldwide and the influential globally syndicated radio program Passport Approved – which world-premiered their debut single “That’s Not My Name” outside of their first few plays on U.K. radio.
As a result of A&R Worldwide’s early support, the band garnered its first international exposure on audio and sync platforms before they had signed a record label or music publishing deal. A&R Worldwide’s support landed The Ting Tings their first-ever sync deal with EA Games, and then an introduction to an Apple Music executive Alex Luke who heard the band’s music on Passport Approved (hosted and curated by A&R Worldwide Founder Sat Bisla) led to their song “Shut Up And Let Me Go” appearing on an iPod + iTunes Apple commercial, which was a multi six-figure sync deal.
Thanks to A&R Worldwide and Passport Approved’s support and the syncs generated by both, the band ended up signing with Rob Stringer and Rick Rubin at Columbia Records in the United States and went on to have worldwide success.
DOLORES FOREVER
In 2023, indie-pop duo Dolores Forever, consisting of Hannah Wilson and Julia Fabrin, made significant strides in the music industry. Now, they are ready to unleash their highly anticipated debut album It’s Nothing, and have given fans a taste of the new music with the single “Go Fast Go Slow,” a powerful track addressing body image and female rage. The London-based duo, who met in 2018 and quickly became friends, infuse their music with unapologetic feminist energy. Their debut album is a punchy indie-pop record focusing on feminism, friendship, and navigating a complex world, drawing from their experiences as female songwriters in a male-dominated industry. Julia co-wrote the winning 2013 Eurovision entry for Denmark, while Hannah has co-written with artists such as Tove Lo and Stormzy. With performances at Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds Festivals and praise from numerous media outlets, Dolores Forever is poised for a major international breakthrough. Uncover the new single “Go Fast Go Slow” HERE and contact Richard Perry atrich@oystermanagement.co.uk available for all global opportunities.
SEA GIRLS
Sea Girls‘ new album, Midnight Butterflies, marks their debut on the band’s label Alt Records. The London-based quartet showcased their latest work at Radio 1‘s Big Weekend in Luton, performing new singles like “Midnight Butterflies” and “Come Back to Me,” along with fan favorites such as “All I Want to Hear You Say” and “I Want You to Know Me.” The album opens with the title track, “Midnight Butterflies,” a grand piece of guitar-driven pop co-written, produced, and mixed by Matt Schwartz of Yungblud and Dylan fame. The album represents a confident and creatively refreshed Sea Girls, delivering smart, positive pop music with a genuine and positive message throughout. Sea Girls collaborated with notable producers on this album. “Young Strangers” was co-written with Kid Harpoon, known for his work with Harry Styles. Benjy Gibson, who contributed to Fred again…‘s Actual Life 3, co-wrote and produced the standout track “Scream and Shout.” The album also features collaborations with Rich Cooper, The Nocturns, and Dan Bryer. Sea Girls have announced the Midnight Butterflies Tour across Europe in September, with stops in France, Netherlands, Germany, Munich, and Belgium. Discover the video for “Come Back To Me” HERE, and for more information and opportunities related to Sea Girls, contact Jon Chapman at jon@radiatemanagement.com,and Rachel Chapman at rachel@radiatemanagement.com.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, June 23rd, 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:
GOOD NEIGHBOURS – “Keep It Up” (Some Action/Virgin, U.K.)
SELFISH SONS – “Backseat Drive” (Unsigned, Australia)
NEON DREAMS & MATTHEW MOLE – “The Art of Letting Go” (UMG, S. Africa)
ROYAL REPUBLIC – “Ain’t Got Time” (Universal Music, Sweden)
MONOTRONIC – “Sun Song” (Unsigned, N. America)
MIDDLE KIDS – “The Blessings” (EMI, Australia)
SEA GIRLS – “Come Back To Me” (Alt Records/Believe, U.K.)
KINGFISHR – “Shadow” (Doonane Records, Ireland)
ACROBVT – “Neon” (Unsigned, U.K.)
BRICE KENDALL – “Finest Garments” (Unsigned, N. America)
BETTER JOY – “Talking Around” (Unsigned, Ireland)
DOTAN – “Louder” (7 Layers Music, Holland)
GIRL IN RED – “New Love” (Columbia, Norway)
CHAPEL OF ROSES – “Cast Out To Sea” (Unsigned, N. America)
GRIPPA – “Hell” (Unsigned, N. America)
RHETT REPKO – “Born For Love” (Unsigned, N. America)
HOLYOAK – “The Home I Wanted” (Unsigned, Australia)
SOHODOLLS – “What Kinda Love” (Filthy Pretty/A&G, U.K.)
ALFIE TEMPLEMAN – “Hello Lonely” (Chess Club/AWAL, U.K.)
FIL BO RIVA – “Lost In Life” (Vertigo / Universal Music, Germany)
RED RUM CLUB – “Afternoon” (Modern Sky Records, U.K.)
GIANT ROOKS – “Under Your Wings” (Universal Music, Germany)
THE DREAM MACHINE – “Frankenstein” (Unsigned, U.K.)
PICTURE THIS – “On Your Side” (RCA, Ireland)
THE SILVER SPOONS – “It’s Alright” (Unsigned, Czech Republic)
CARAVAN PALACE – “Fool” (Wagram, France)
KEYSIDE – “Nikita” (Modern Sky, U.K.)
LIME CORDIALE – “The Big Reveal Ou L’Hypocrite” (Chugg Music, Australia)
BABY SAID – “Mouth Shut” (PAL Records, Italy)
DYLAN KEARNS – “All I Ever Wanted Was Your Love” (Unsigned, Ireland)
ROGER GOMEZ – “Playing For Keeps” (Unsigned, Australia)
IAMJJ – “Extra Spicy Noodles” (Mermaid, Denmark)
MASI MASI – “She’s Coming Through My Window” (P.I.M.P/Sony Music Publishing, U.K.)
GLASS CITIES – “Kennedy” (Unsigned, N. America)
BOSWORTH MUSIC SIGNS INDIE BAND HOPE: Wise Music Group‘s Bosworth Music has signed a publishing deal with the Berlin-based band Hope. Formed in 2009, Hope consists of Christine Börsch-Supan, Phillip Staffa, Martin Knorz, and Fabian Hönes. In the summer of 2023, they had the opportunity to join Depeche Mode on the European leg of their Memento Mori Tour. Currently, Hope is preparing for a commissioned project for Pop-Kultur Berlin, collaborating with British filmmaker and video artist Emma Critchley. The band first attracted listeners with their self-titled debut album in 2017, performing at festivals such as Eurosonic Noorderslaag, Reeperbahn Festival, Liverpool Soundcity, and SXSW. They have toured extensively across Europe and have opened for acts like Bauhaus, Idles, and Algiers. In October 2023, Hope released their second album, Navel. Their music has appeared in various films and TV series, including Shame, the title track for the series “The Allegation,” as well as the film Je Suis Karl, the Netflixseries Control Z, and the snowboard film Cake.
CONSORTIUM BUYING BELIEVE NOW OWNS 85% OF ITS SHARES: The EQT-led consortium, Upbeat BidCo, reports smooth progress in their efforts to take Believe private. This group, which includes Believe Founder & CEO Denis Ladegaillerie, has provided an update on its €15-per-share tender offer. As of late May, Upbeat BidCo holds 85.04% of Believe’s share capital and 73.27% of voting rights. With less than 15% of the shares remaining in free float, the consortium expects these shares to be delisted from certain stock market indexes soon. The official results of the offer are expected to be published by June 25th. Upbeat BidCo has indicated that it does not plan to implement a mandatory squeeze-out for the remaining shares. The upcoming weeks will clarify the fate of the remaining shareholders, with Believe’s stock price holding steady at €15. Believe, which owns TuneCore and Sentric, went public on Euronext Paris just over three years ago. The consortium’s plans include investing in artist services in the top-10 music markets, expanding Sentric’s publishing operations, and growing its presence in Japan and the United States.
NEW SONGS ADMINISTRATION ACQUIRES SHARE IN WORKS BY GARY GRAINGER: Independent music publishing company New Songs Administration (NSA) has acquired a 50% share in the copyrights of numerous compositions by Gary Grainger, who previously served as the guitarist for various bands including The Rod Stewart Band. Among the compositions co-written by Grainger that NSA has now partially acquired are “I Was Only Joking” and “Passion,” both of which achieved chart success in the U.K. and the U.S. for Rod Stewart. The acquisition also includes a share of “Don’t Go Where the Road Don’t Go,” a track recorded by Ringo Starr of The Beatles for his 1992 solo album, Time Takes Time. John Fogarty, New Songs Administration managing director, said, “It is a privilege to have these works alongside songs that we already have by Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, and The Beatles. Long live rock & roll!”
TIKTOK IS MOVING INTO THE MUSIC M&A MARKET: TikTok is planning to acquire and invest in music rights, by establishing an in-house Music Content Investment Team based in Los Angeles, New York, and San Jose. This team will focus on global partnership or acquisition opportunities in the music content sector, effectively positioning TikTok in the competitive music M&A market. Interestingly, TikTok is targeting executives from investment banking and private equity to lead this initiative. The roles include a Music Content Investment Manager in Los Angeles, New York, and San Jose. The responsibility includes developing and implementing strategies for acquiring and managing music content and evaluating TikTok’s music content acquisition strategy through industry research, monitoring the music investment landscape, and presenting analyses and actionable recommendations to senior management. The company is also seeking a Music Content Investment Lead, in Los Angeles and San Jose. The role includes formulating and implementing investment strategies aligned with TikTok’s music content objectives, which include preparing financial valuation models for target companies in the music ecosystem, assessing market size and growth, projecting financials, and evaluating synergies. According to the job descriptions, TikTok’s new team will collaborate with its music content strategy and operations teams. Their tasks will involve evaluating market opportunities, executing partnerships or acquisitions, performing detailed financial analyses, and valuing music content and related assets, thereby shaping the future of TikTok’s music business.
UMG STRIKES AI VOICE MODEL DEAL: Universal Music Group has revealed a collaboration with SoundLabs, an AI technology firm dedicated to developing ethically trained tools for musicians. This partnership aims to provide UMG’s artists and producers with advanced AI technology through SoundLabs’ MicDrop, an AI vocal plug-in. Scheduled for a summer release, MicDrop is a real-time vocal plug-in enabling artists to craft high-quality vocal models using their own voice recordings. In contrast to some AI tools, MicDrop ensures that artists maintain full ownership and creative control over their vocal models. The plug-in is compatible with all major digital audio workstations and supports AU, VST3, and AAX formats. It allows for a range of vocal transformations, including voice-to-voice, voice-to-instrument, speech-to-singing, and language transposition. SoundLabs was established by BT, a Grammy-nominated producer, composer, software developer, and electronic artist. BT has collaborated with artists such as David Bowie, Madonna, Sting, Death Cab for Cutie, Peter Gabriel, and Seal, and scored major films like Monster and The Fast and the Furious. As a software developer, BT has created music tools that have generated over $70 million in sales. He has also developed and patented audio plugins like Stutter Edit, BreakTweaker (iZotope), Polaris, and Phobos (Spitfire Audio). The SoundLabs team includes software developers Joshua Dickinson and Dr. Michael Hetrick from Unfiltered Audio.
VERZUZ CO-FOUNDERS SECURE DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH X: X, formerly known as Twitter, announced last Wednesday a new distribution deal with music producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz to bring content from their entertainment platform, Verzuz, to X. This exclusive media deal will make Verzuz’s show-based content available for free on the social media platform. Verzuz, launched at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, features creative battles between music producers, singers, and rappers. Under the terms of the deal, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Daoud Dean) will retain full creative control and ownership of Verzuz, according to Billboard. This partnership follows a series of similar agreements by X, now owned by Elon Musk, including deals with WWE and Range Media Partners, both centered around sports content. Financial details of the Verzuz deal have not been disclosed. Since its inception in 2020, Verzuz has featured artists like Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Alicia Keys, and Snoop Dogg. The platform was sold to Triller, a short-form video company, in 2021, but after legal disputes, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz reacquired Verzuz.
WARNER RECORDS APPOINTS TERESE JOSEPH AS SR. VP A&R ADMIN: Terese Joseph has been appointed Sr. Vice President of A&R Administration at Warner Records. Previously, Joseph held the position of Head of Label Operations at Se LaVi/Rebel Music. Operating from Los Angeles, Joseph will report to Karen Kwak, the Executive Vice President, and Head of A&R, and collaborate closely with Julian Petty, the Executive Vice President, and Head of Business & Legal Affairs. Joseph’s career began as an intern at Island Def Jam Music Group, where she advanced through various roles, eventually becoming Vice President of A&R Operations at UMG’s Victor Victor Worldwide. Throughout her career, Joseph has collaborated with artists including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, Nas, Justin Bieber, and the late Pop Smoke. She also held the position of Vice President of A&R Operations at Capitol Records before her tenure at Se LaVi/Rebel Music. Besides her executive roles, Joseph has contributed to the production, direction, and marketing efforts for artists such as Rob 49 and Sexyy Red. Karen Kwak, stated, “I have known Terese for many years, starting back in our Island Def Jam days in New York. She is a well-respected and knowledgeable player in the field, playing an integral role in the delivery of massively successful projects for music legends to newcomers alike. I’ve no doubt she will be an invaluable support to our A&R team and creative community, and I look forward to welcoming her fresh perspective and energy.”
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS GLOBAL DEAL WITH CLINT BLACK: Sony Music Publishing Nashville has announced it has signed a global agreement with legendary singer, songwriter, artist, and multi-instrumentalist Clint Black. The deal will see the company administering songs across the country superstar’s catalog of compositions including hits “A Good Run of Bad Luck,” “Like the Rain,” “Summer’s Comin’,” “Nothin’ but The Taillights,” and more. Selling over twenty million records, achieving over twenty-two No.1 singles, and amassing over thirty Top 10 hits throughout his career, legendary artist Clint Black is one of the most influential songwriters in country music history. Black has received numerous honors for his creative achievements such as a Grammy award; multiple CMA, AMA, and ACM Awards, including the 2023 ACM Honors Poet’s Award; two Billboard “Song of the Year” rankings; nearly two dozen U.S. and Canada Gold and Platinum awards; a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and an induction into the Grand Ole Opry. Black’s debut 1989 album Killin’ Time first propelled him into stardom, cementing the Texas-raised songwriter as one of the greatest talents of this generation. Since then, he has gone on to earn widespread critical acclaim and achieve multiple Platinum-certified albums throughout his career, with his classic songs becoming permanently ingrained in the cultural fabric of country music. This year, Clint Black embarked on his 2024 Killin’ Time – The 35th Anniversary World Tour, performing his triple-Platinum album live from start to finish for the first time ever in concert.
FUGA PARTNERS WITH FRENCH INDIE LABEL RECORD MAKERS: Fuga has entered into a partnership with French-based indie label Record Makers. In addition, the Downtown-owned distributor has formed a collaboration with Potion Records, the label established by DJ and producer The Magician. Record Makers, featuring artists such as Sébastien Tellier, Kavinsky, and Dita Von Teese, will leverage Fuga’s global distribution and marketing services. This partnership includes support in marketing strategy, digital account management, and synchronization. Founded in Paris in 2000, Record Makers initially aimed to release Air‘s soundtrack for Sofia Coppola‘s 1999 film The Virgin Suicides. A decade later, Kavinsky’s “Nightcall” became a global sensation after being featured in the film Drive. The label’s roster also includes artists like Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (Daft Punk), John Carpenter, Arthur Verocai, MGMT, The Weeknd, and MF Doom. Fuga has also announced a global distribution and marketing partnership with Potion Records. Managed by Paris-based Unity Group, Potion Records will utilize Fuga’s marketing strategy, digital accounts services, and synchronization and licensing support. The label’s catalog includes The Magician‘s hit “Sunlight” featuring Years & Years. Stephen Fasano, known as The Magician, gained recognition with his 2011 remix of Lykke Li‘s “I Follow Rivers,” which has over 500 million streams on Spotify. Established in 2014 to release his own music, Fasano’s Potion Records also features artists such as The Aston Shuffle, Soda State, and Aevion.
MATTHIAS PINTSCHER SIGNS WITH BOOSEY & HAWKES: Boosey & Hawkes has announced the addition of Matthias Pintscher to its roster of composers. While Pintscher has previously collaborated with the company as a conductor of numerous contemporary works, this new partnership will primarily focus on his original compositions. Pintscher’s works are regularly featured by major international symphony orchestras and are renowned for their delicate sonority that appeals to both emotions and senses while maintaining intellectual depth. His signature style and unique approach have garnered him a global audience and numerous commissions from leading performers. Born in 1971 in Marl, Westphalia, Pintscher studied composition under Giselher Klebe and Manfred Trojahn, with influences from Hans Werner Henze, Helmut Lachenmann, Pierre Boulez, and Peter Eötvös, who also taught him conducting. Pintscher has received numerous awards and scholarships for his compositions from an early age. He has served as an artist and composer in residence at various institutions, including the Suntory Hall Summer Festival, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, and the Salzburg and Lucerne Festivals. He is currently working on his third full-length music theater piece, set to premiere in 2026.
TIKTOK PARENT TO SPEND $2 BILLION ON AI IN MALAYSIA: According to music industry sources, ByteDance is set to invest over $2 billion (USD) in AI, positioning Malaysia as a significant player in the global AI market. This initiative is supported by Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company in AI chips, which inked a $4.3 billion AI infrastructure deal in Malaysia in December. The Malaysian government also plans to publish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Code of Ethics by the end of this month. In addition, ByteDance plans to invest $1.5 billion (RM) to expand its data center in Johor. The surge in AI services globally has driven demand for large data centers, crucial for training and deploying AI models. According to CNBC, the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru has become the fastest-growing data center market in Southeast Asia, as highlighted in DC Byte‘s 2024 Global Data Centre Index. ByteDance prioritizes AI, with 252 machine learning-related job openings globally as of June 19. The company operates the Doubao AI chatbot in China and offers various AI-driven products, including the AI video-making app Capcut and TikTok. TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, which powers its “For You” feed is a core feature and so valuable that ByteDance might shut down TikTok in the U.S. rather than sell it if its legal challenge against the country’s ‘divest or ban’ law fails.
DEAG GERMANY LAUNCHES DISTRICT LIVE: DEAG Deutsche Entertainment has launched a new company named District Live, specializing in hip-hop. Originally functioning as a hip-hop and urban music booking division since November 2022, District Live now operates as an independent entity under the leadership of Managing Director Alexander Handwerker. The company will serve as a booking agency and tour promoter, focusing on emerging and rising hip-hop talents. In its inaugural year, the company has already sold 70,000 tickets. The company’s artist roster includes Tream, who has sold over 100,000 tickets for his 2024 tour, and Bausa, who will perform 17 shows across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in February 2025. The agency also represents newcomer Avaion, who had a sold-out European tour in May this year. Partnering with Madnesstic Booking, they have secured festival appearances for newcomer Tream at events such as Sputnik Spring Break, Kessel Festival, Parookaville, Super Bloom, Heroes Festival, Deichbrand, and Frequency Festival.
JEN LAUNCHES ETHICALLY TRAINED AI MUSIC PLATFORM: Jen has officially launched its ethically trained generative AI music platform. Jen has set a new benchmark for copyright compliance in text-to-music generation, utilizing over 40 fully licensed catalogs in its training set. The platform follows a strict training protocol that prioritizes transparency, compensation, and copyright identification. Its prompt-based workflow is poised to simplify the creative process while ensuring that all outputs respect artists and industry copyright standards. Developed by leading AI company Futureverse, Jen’s technology has been recognized by AI labs such as Meta‘s AI Lab, Meta FAIR, Sony AI, and ByteDance AI. In addition, Jen will empower creators of all levels, from novices to professional producers, to bring their musical visions to life and explore new creative possibilities. Utilizing proprietary, high-fidelity, waveform-based diffusion models and a unique neural network architecture, Jen will provide advanced music generation capabilities in high-quality stereo audio. It is the first generative music platform to complete waveform-based latent diffusion for multiple tasks, including generation, continuation, and inpainting, with several patents pending. What sets Jen apart is its rigorous compliance process. Every track generated is automatically vetted for audio recognition and copyright identification using a database of 150 million tracks. This includes both the compositions in the training set and every newly generated track on the platform. Also, Jen generates a cryptographic hash for each track, which is then recorded on The Root Network blockchain. Users own the tracks they create on Jen. The platform also introduces R3CORD™, allowing users to “record” tracks and make them sellable, adding a marketplace layer to personal creations. Furthermore, Jen’s Co-Founder Shara Senderoff has been recognized by Rolling Stone‘s “Future 25,” Billboard‘s “40 Under 40,” and Forbes‘ “30 Under 30.” Shara co-founded AI and metaverse technology company Futureverse and previously co-founded the blockchain venture fund Raised in Space with Scooter Braun. Last year, Jen welcomed Mike Caren, Founder & CEO of Artist Partner Group, as a founding partner, in which he has also collaborated with global artists such as Beyoncé, Kanye West, and Bruno Mars.
GERMANY’S APRIL22 MUSIC UNVEILS KEY MILESTONES: APRIL22 MUSIC, the Berlin, Germany-based boutique music company founded in May 2023 by Tjark Hartwig, marks its first anniversary with notable achievements including a Gold certification and a chart-topping radio hit. Specializing in artist partnerships across management, music publishing, and label services, APRIL22 MUSIC has quickly emerged as a burgeoning independent player in the German music industry, operating across diverse genres. “I am proud of what we have accomplished in such a short time,” Tjark Hartwig, Founder & CEO, APRIL22 MUSIC tells A&R Worldwide, “Our vision is to provide a platform where artists, songwriters, and producers can thrive creatively, and I am thrilled to see this vision coming to life so quickly.” APRIL22 caters to both major entities and smaller partners with tailored strategies that uphold artistic integrity. The company has had success with producer and songwriter Simon Klose‘s recent achievements, including a No.1 airplay hit and multiple top-three placements in Germany. The company’s roster highlights include the Gold-certified track “Ewigkeit” by erobéand lyfrix, and contributions to hits such as “Prada” by cassö, Raye, and D-Block Europe. Additional milestones include placements on Spotify‘s Top 10 and top airplay charts in France. Before founding APRIL22 MUSIC, Tjark Hartwig built a robust career with roles at Sony Music’s Columbia Records and Four Music, further bolstered by experience at Warner/Chappell Music and German indie label Humming Records.
KKR BUYS SUPERSTRUCT IN $1.6 BILLION DEAL: KKR has acquired Superstruct Entertainment, a European festival operator, from Providence Equity Partners. Under the terms of the deal, Providence retains the option to reinvest €250 million euros (approximately $267 million) into Superstruct. KKR is channeling this investment through its European Fund VI, an $8 billion fund dedicated to fostering the growth of leading businesses. Initially, reports indicated the deal was valued at £1.3 billion GBP ($1.64 billion at current exchange rates), as per the Financial Times. However, this figure has since been corrected to €1.3 billion euros, equating to $1.39 billion USD. Superstruct, established in 2017 with seed funding from Providence and led by former Live Nation executive James Barton, has expanded through strategic acquisitions in Europe and Australia. Superstruct now oversees 80 major festivals and 200 smaller events, including the Wacken Open Air Rock Festival, Boardmasters, and Sónar. According to the Financial Times, these events draw seven million attendees annually. KKR’s investment in Superstruct will leverage its experience with independent music businesses, such as BMG. KKR and BMG formed an alliance in March 2021 to acquire and manage music copyrights. Goldman Sachs serves as the financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis as the legal advisor to KKR. Providence is advised by HSBC and LionTree as joint financial advisors, with White & Case providing legal counsel.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Shridhar Subramaniam, Caterina Nasr, Josh Javor, David “Beno” Benveniste, Imran Majid, Michael Parker, Gary Spivack, Bruce Flohr, Jamie Nelson, Kenny Ong, Greg Hammer, Ken Ogihara, and Zane Lowe.
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