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A&R Worldwide Newsletter Vol. 847

UNIVERSAL MUSIC U.K. RESTRUCTURES LABELS
TO MERGE ISLAND AND EMI RECORDS

 

Universal Music Group is set to merge its historic Island and EMI label divisions as part of a major restructuring of its U.K. operations. The move was announced by David Joseph, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music U.K. & Ireland, and includes the launch of a new Audience and Media Division to support artists and labels.

David Joseph

In an internal memo viewed by Billboard, Joseph outlined the creation of two new major frontline label groups: the Island EMI Label Group, led by Louis Bloom, and the Polydor Label Group, headed by Ben Mortimer.

“As a company, we must continue to be forward-looking, innovative, and bold. Developing artists now requires more creativity and patience than ever before,” said Joseph in his internal memo. We are committed to being the number one place for artists, fans, and talent,” surmised the U.K. CEO. “I have an incredible appreciation for our team given what we have achieved in the past and what I know we will achieve in the future.” Joseph added, “the restructure will strengthen our labels capabilities to deepen artist and fan connections.”

Effective October 1, the restructuring will also see changes in the executive team. Jo Charrington, co-President of EMI Records, will become President of a revamped U.K. arm of Capitol, which will be part of the Polydor Label Group alongside 0207 Def Jam, led by Alec Boateng. Rebecca Allen, the other co-President of EMI Records, will become president of the newly established Audience and Media Division, which will serve artists and labels with a global reach. Also, joining Allen in the new division will be Suzy Walby (media), Kate Wyn Jones (Audience and Digital Strategy), and The Square Insight team led by Jack Fryer. Joseph emphasized that this “industry-first” team will transform how Universal delivers for its artists and will become the company’s largest division in the U.K.

Meanwhile, Laura Monks and Tom Lewis will continue as co-Presidents of Decca, which remains a stand-alone label, and Hannah Neaves will stay on as President of Universal Music Recordings.

 


GLASSNOTE RECORDS (U.S.) PARTNER WITH HOW GOOD
FOR AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

 

Glassnote Records has partnered with Gerry Bull and Nick Yates of How Good to represent their artists in Australia and New Zealand. Glassnote Records roster includes Grammy winners like Phoenix, Mumford & Sons, Childish Gambino, and Silvana Estrada, as well as AURORA, CHVRCHES, GROUPLOVE, Tors, bby, Jade Bird, Patrick Martin, Talia Rae, GRACEY, Two Door Cinema Club, The Temper Trap, The Strumbellas, and more.

Gerry Bull & Nick Yates

How Good, is led by Gerry Bull and Nick Yates, who specialize in artist development, project management, publicity, partnerships, sponsorship, and event planning through targeted and creative campaigns in music, culture, brands, and the arts.

Yates, in his 15 years in the industry, has experience as a Senior Artist Manager and Head of Artist Management at UNIFIED Music Group, where he managed artists such as Illy, Amy Shark, Violent Soho, Nina Las Vegas, and The Kite String Tangle.

Bull, in her 13 years as a publicist at triple j, led publicity campaigns for radio, TV, and music brands in Australia, including Double J, triple j Unearthed, rage, ABC TV, Hottest 100, J Awards, Ausmusic Month, and the One Night Stand and Beat the Drum concerts. She also oversaw over a thousand partnerships with festivals like Splendour in the Grass, Laneway Festival, Spilt Milk, Listen Out, BIGSOUND, and numerous local and international tours.

Daniel Glass, President & Founder, Glassnote Records, tells A&R Worldwide, “I have always had a love and affinity for Australia and New Zealand. From the moment I started working at Chrysalis Records with Icehouse and The Divinyls to when I first witnessed the greatness of The Temper Trap, Flight Facilities, and The Teskey Brothers on my many journeys to Australia, I’ve had a great respect for the culture, talent, and storytelling of Australian artists, as well as the country’s commitment to outstanding festivals, radio, and conferences. Australia is a key part of Glassnote’s global outlook, and we are thrilled to utilize Gerry and Nick’s extensive expertise to achieve those goals in Australia.”

Gerry Bull and Nick Yates added, “We are rapt to join forces with one of the most renowned and forward-thinking record labels in the world. The caliber of their artists, from top-tier acts like AURORA, Phoenix, and GROUPLOVE to exciting new artists like Tors and bby, speaks to the label’s ethos and flair for finding and developing extraordinary artists. We are thrilled to partner with Glassnote to represent those artists in Australia, to build on that success, and expand their reach in this territory.”

 


RESERVOIR SIGNS NEW PUBLISHING DEAL
WITH AARON ZUCKERMAN

 

Reservoir Media has announced a new publishing deal with Platinum-selling producer and songwriter Aaron Zuckerman. This agreement includes Zuckerman’s recent co-write “White Claw'” by Yung Gravy and Shania Twain, as well as the majority of Yung Gravy’s upcoming album and future projects.

Pictured (L-R) are John Ozier (Executive VP, Creative, Reservoir), Donna Caseine (Executive VP, Global Creative Director, Reservoir), Beth St. Jean (Coordinator, Creative, Reservoir), Golnar Khosrowshahi (Founder & CEO, Reservoir), Aaron Zuckerman, Greg Gallo (VP, Creative, Reservoir), Scott Yarmovsky (SongsYouLike Management), Tristan Georgio (SongsYouLike Management), Ari Berger (SongYouLike Management), Jonathan Rubio (SongsYouLike Management).

Starting his career in Los Angeles, Zuckerman has become a highly sought-after writer and producer across various genres. He recently received a Gold-record certification for “Devil Doesn’t Bargain” by Alec Benjamin. In addition, his body of work features tracks such as Lil Wayne‘s “Dreams” from the album Funeral, Bebe Rexha‘s “2 Souls on Fire” featuring Quavo from her album Expectations, and Bryce Vine‘s “Glamorama.” Zuckerman has also collaborated with artists like Liam Payne, LANY, MGK, Hunter Hayes, Travis Barker, BBNO$, DNCE, Walk the Moon, Quinn XCII, Leah Kate, Wiz Khalifa, Willie Jones, Rico Nasty, Cheat Codes, Blackbear, and many others.

John Ozier, Executive Vice President, Creative, said, “Aaron is an incredibly talented creator and equally diligent worker. He continues to display his dexterity in working across genres and attracting collaborators, both established and fresh on the scene, alike. We are thrilled to be Aaron’s publishing home and look forward to providing him with high-touch creative support to help him rise even higher.”

Donna Caseine, Executive Vice President, Global Creative Director, added, “We are delighted to welcome Aaron to Reservoir. His versatility is a testament to his talent. We are eager to collaborate closely, across offices and genres, fostering even more opportunities and connections for him with creators all over the world.”

Zuckerman’s worked in the country genre as well, with his work on “Write One” by Karley Scott Collins featuring Keith Urban, released under Sony Nashville. He has upcoming projects with BRELAND, Shaboozy, Koe Wetzel, Brantley Gilbert, Josh Ross, Lecade, Lovelytheband, and more. Zuckerman also made his debut at Stagecoach this year alongside Ben Burgess, who has enlisted Zuckerman to executive produce his forthcoming album.

 


VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP FORMS DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP
WITH JAPAN’S FRONTIER WORKS FOR ANIME MUSIC EXPANSION

 

Virgin Music Group (VMG), a global division of Universal Music Group (UMG), recently announced a strategic relationship with Frontier Works, a leading Japanese animation-related content production company, to release Anime music projects. In response to the growing global demand for Japanese culture and content, including animation and gaming, this new agreement will strengthen Frontier Works presence worldwide.

VMG will support Frontier Works, and its catalog of music related to its popular games, which includes popular titles like “Ensemble Stars!!,” with access to VMG’s expansive music distribution and marketing platform, powered by patented AI technology, and an interconnected global team of music experts to support their releases around the world.

The Japanese domestic animation industry reached a market size of $20.57 billion USD/2,927 billion yen (106.8% of the previous year), according to the “Anime Industry Report 2023” published by the Association of Japanese Animations, and has continued to grow dynamically since the spread of COVID-19. Anime revenue from outside Japan also achieved record-high growth in 2022, Up 111.1% year on year). The two companies believe that anime music has enormous potential to attract fans around the world and will work closely together to create projects that will captivate and engage fans of the genre.

VMG operates globally, with a network of music staff that will provide support to maximize Frontier Works’ music content and future releases. Utilizing VMG’s digital distribution system, including its powerful “Trends Now” AI-driven music marketing technology that filters streaming data on artists and songs to create dynamic and actionable insights and “Smart Audience,” VMG’s proprietary advertising platform which utilizes ethical AI to increase fan engagement and help drive streaming consumption, as well as a dedicated global team with the capability and experience of making hits both domestically in Japan and oversees, VMG will provide support to Frontier Works, as a strategic global partner as they further expand their business around the world.

Masahide Tsuji, President, Frontier Works Inc., said, “Frontier Works’ mission is to enrich the hearts and minds of people around the world through our works and services and to bring people closer together. We are encouraged that VMG’s innovative technologies and the power of its expertise in the music business will help us develop highly satisfying content that will be enjoyed by an even greater number of customers.”

Nat Pastor, Co-CEO, Virgin Music Group, added “Frontier Works has an incredible roster of anime-related entertainment that is full of great music that, now more than ever, can resonate with new audiences all over the world. It is our honor and pleasure to partner with Frontier Works, a premier player in anime-related content. Together, we hope to celebrate the music of anime content by expanding their global reach and introducing this powerful genre of music to fans in new markets outside of Japan.”

 

A&R Worldwide Exposed

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!

MUSIC SUPERVISORS CONNECT IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Pictured (L-R) are Alex Smutný (Founder, Composers Summit), Peymon Maskan (Founder, Radish Music Supervision), Matthew Hearon-Smith (Music Supervisor, Paramount Global / ViacomCBS), Mason Cooper (Founder, Songrunner Entertainment), Duncan Smith (Head of Music, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe), and Sat Bisla (President & Founder, A&R Worldwide / MUSEXPO).

A&R Worldwide recently teamed up with Composers Summit in Prague, Czech Republic, and invited several leading music supervisors to share their insights and vision around their respective expertise with music integration within film, television, trailers, promos, videogames, and advertising.

The music supervisors shared their various experiences, creative processes, and thoughts on the various touch points of sync and how it is continuing to evolve and impact pop culture. In addition, the music supervisors joined some of Hollywood, the U.K., and Europe’s leading music composers to give the audience insights into the creative and commercial realms of musical scores and soundtracks in film and television.

The Composer Summit concluded its multi-day event with the informative sync panel that was curated by A&R Worldwide and its founder Sat Bisla who has been integrally involved in sync and music supervision since 1996, when he managed Rob Dougan (aka Clubbed To Death) who became one of the most sync’d and licensed artists in the world across film, television, movie trailers, and commercials.

Bisla is also music supervising the upcoming independent film produced by Sunil Perkash (SALT, Enchanted, Premonition, Divorce Party, Last Survivors, and more).

 

A&R Worldwide Artist Of The Week

HIGH TROPICS

 

High Tropics, the creation of Queensland, Australia-based singer/songwriter Josh Stewart, has transitioned from a side project into a formidable indie-rock act. Garnering over seven million streams and accolades from Rolling Stone Australia, triple j, and Red Bull Music, as well as global support on the influential syndicated Passport Approved show (which reaches millions of listeners worldwide), High Tropics has cemented its place in the local music industry. Their latest single, “What Will Be Will Be,” highlights the band’s artistic growth, blending cinematic appeal with universal themes. Stewart describes the track as “a celebration of life’s wonders and the miracle of existence.” This single provides a tantalizing glimpse into High Tropics’ forthcoming debut album, promising to deliver more of their distinctive sound. The new single has already received positive reviews, with The Point Music News noting its rock ballad style, triple j’s Claire Mooney highlighting its timeless quality, and Pilerats praising its blend of 2000s indie-rock and garage elements. Discover the single “What Will Be Will Be” HERE, and as the project continues to gain traction, Stewart is currently available for management, publishing, and sync opportunities worldwide. Contact Josh at joshua.mark.stewart@gmail.com for additional information, and available opportunities.

 

MATTHEW MOLE

 

Several months after releasing his critically acclaimed fourth album, Wake Up, It’s Morning (2023), Capetonian pop singer-songwriter Matthew Mole has collaborated with Joburg alternative pop artist CHXRL to rework the fan-favorite track “Okay.” Matthew noticed CHXRL’s talent when the young singer posted an acoustic cover of one of Matthew’s songs on Instagram. Impressed by CHXRL’s creativity, Matthew invited him to officially rework “Okay.” While the album version has an almost pop-punk vibe, the latest version strips it back, highlighting the song’s core essence. Matthew believes a good song should stand strong even when performed with just a single instrument. This collaboration, marked by their mutual dedication to music creation, resulted in one of the best reworkings of his songs to date. Matthew recently concluded his “Okay Let’s” national tour in South Africa. Experience the energetic visual for the new version of “Okay” HERE, and reach out to Damon Forbes at damon@breakout.co.za for available opportunities with Matthew Mole.

 

Passport Approved | Global Music Pre-Discovery

“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, July 14th, 2024: The weekly import show. Heard on more than 50 radio stations on six continents weekly including: Flux FM Berlin, GermanyNINETYSIX Radio (Indonesia); JioSaavn (India); Radio Doble Nueve, Lima, PeruWZRH–FM New Orleans, LAKWSS “93.9FM”; Phoenix, AZKRML “102.1FM”; Carmel, CAKFRR “New Rock 104.1FM”; Fresno, CARadio 1, Mumbai, IndiaWCNR Charlottesville, VAKIWR “The River”; Council Bluffs, IA2XM Ireland (national radio); 96.2 ZFM The NetherlandsWAPS–FM “The Summit.FM”; Akron–Canton, OHWKTL–FM Youngstown, OH105.5FM XFM Nairobi, KenyaPUK–FM Johannesburg, South AfricaRock 96.5FM Zambia897 FM Bratislava, SlovakiaWITH “90.1FM”; Ithaca, NYUCFM 87.8FM Australian Capital Territory, AustraliaWRUR 88.5FM Rochester, NYWCRU–FM Hamilton, NYKZND Anchorage, AKKQCJ Quad Cities, ILAllgauhit–FM Bavaria GermanyIndie 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:

HINDS – “Boom Boom Back” Featuring Beck (Lucky Number, Spain)
LEONIDEN – “Never, Never” (Universal Music, Germany)
GOOD NEIGHBOURS – “Keep It Up” (Some Action/Virgin, U.K.)
STONE – “My Thoughts Go” (Polydor, U.K.)
SELFISH SONS – “Backseat Drive” (Unsigned, Australia)
MIDDLE KIDS – “Your Side, Forever” (EMI, Australia)
MONOTRONIC – “Sun Song” (Unsigned, N. America)
NOTHING BUT THIEVES – “Time :: Fate :: Karma :: God” (RCA Records, U.K.)
BRICE KENDALL – “Birdhouse” (Unsigned, N. America)
ROYAL REPUBLIC – “Ain’t Got Time” (Universal Music, Sweden)
DOTAN – “Louder” (7 Layers Music, Holland)
CORELLA – “I Didn’t Know Your Name” (Corella Music, U.K.)
NEON DREAMS & MATTHEW MOLE – “The Art of Letting Go” (UMG, S. Africa)
CARISSA SUMMER ROSE – “Living In The Moment” (Unsigned, N. America)
RHETT REPKO – “Born For Love” (Unsigned, N. America)
CHAPEL OF ROSES – “Cast Out To Sea” (Unsigned, N. America)
BRIMHEIM – “Dancing in the Rubble” (TAMBOURHINOCEROS, Denmark)
ACROBVT – “Neon” (Unsigned, U.K.)
KINGFISHR – “Shadow” (Doonane Records, Ireland)
FIL BO RIVA – “Lost In Life” (Vertigo/Universal Music, Germany)
SOHODOLLS – “What Kinda Love” (Filthy Pretty/A&G, U.K.)
PICTURE THIS – “On Your Side” (RCA, Ireland)
BETTER JOY – “Talking Around” (Fader Amp, U.K.)
GIANT ROOKS – “Under Your Wings” (Universal Music, Germany)
GLASS CITIES – “Kennedy” (Unsigned, N. America)
ALFIE TEMPLEMAN – “Hello Lonely” (Chess Club/AWAL, U.K.)
BABY SAID – “Mouth Shut” (PAL Records, Italy)
CARAVAN PALACE – “Raccoons” (Wagram, France)
THE SILVER SPOONS – “It’s Alright” (Unsigned, Czech Republic)
PORCHES – “Joker” (Domino Records, N. America)
ROGER GOMEZ – “Playing For Keeps” (Unsigned, Australia)
GRIPPA – “Hell” (Unsigned, N. America)
MASI MASI – “She’s Coming Through My Window” (P.I.M.P/Sony Music Publishing, U.K.)
IAMJJ – “Extra Spicy Noodles” (Mermaid, Denmark)

 

 

BRITISH HIP-HOP ARTIST GARNERS STRONG A&R INTEREST: South London’s burgeoning hip-hop sensation LeoStayTrill, a 17-year-old Media A-level student, has stormed onto the U.K. music scene with his breakout hit “Pink Lemonade.” Co-written and co-produced from his bedroom at his parents’ home, the track exploded onto TikTok’s SoundOn platform, garnering over 700,000 creations and catapulting Leo into the spotlight. Debuting at No. 56 on the U.K. singles charts, “Pink Lemonade” has also made  waves globally, landing in the Top 50 of the Shazam charts and claiming a spot among Spotify’s Top 10 viral tracks worldwide. Leo’s rapid ascent can be credited in part to the strategic guidance of Ade Shonubi, Founder, FlyStr8 and now a key partner at Chosen Music. Shonubi, who began nurturing Leo’s talent just a year ago, has played a pivotal role in his rapid rise. Chosen Music, a London-based independent label established in late 2023, has quickly positioned itself as a powerhouse in the industry. Home to Grammy winners like Clean Bandit and Emeli Sande, as well as rising stars such as Caity Baser, Chosen Music is helmed by industry stalwarts Alistair Goldsmith and Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE who was awarded this year’s esteemed “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the highly regarded global music business and showcase event MUSEXPO in Burbank, California. Jonathan was also the manager of three-times Platinum-selling U.K. artist N-Dubz, and underscores his and his team’s ability for identifying and nurturing exceptional talent.

 

WARNER MUSIC BALKANS LAUNCHES: Warner Music South East Europe (WM SEE) has unveiled its launch of WM Balkans. The joint venture unites WM SEE with Croatian label Dancing Bear, Serbian label Mascom, and Slovenian label NIKA. WM Balkans aims to sign talent primarily from Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia, but will also extend its reach to artists from other Western Balkan nations, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Izabela Ciszek-Podziemska, General Manager of WM SEE, will manage the new label alongside her existing duties in the broader region. The establishment of WM Balkans allows WM SEE to consolidate its Western Balkan operations under one umbrella, while continuing its activities in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, and Romania. Current releases from WM Balkans include “Rio Rio” by Sergej Pajić and Edita Aradinović. Sergej Pajić has over 1.1 million followers on TikTok and 500,000 on Instagram. The track has already achieved considerable success in Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia, supported by Dancing Bear and the other WM Balkans partners. Edita has a strong market presence and a following of over 200k on TikTok and 600k on Instagram. Their collaboration on “Rio Rio” has garnered more than a million views on YouTube within its first week of release. Izabela Ciszek-Podziemska stated, “Warner Music Balkans is the culmination of the team’s relentless pursuit of collaborating with the best partners in the region over the last couple of years. Bringing our JVs and investments under one label will benefit everyone involved and enable our artists to get the best from Warner Music’s global network.”

 

BELIEVE BUYS 25% STAKE IN LEADING EASTERN EUROPEAN INDIE: Believe has finalized a strategic partnership with Global Records, the largest independent music company in Central and Eastern Europe, headquartered in Bucharest, Romania. Under the terms of the agreement, Believe has acquired a 25% stake in Global Records, which maintains offices in Romania, Germany, and the United States. The deal aims to align with Believe’s strategic blueprint, focusing on digital-centric music genres that drive artist development and consumer engagement. The partnership builds upon an existing collaboration between Believe and Global Records since 2016, facilitating Global Records’ expansion into new territories and the growth of its music catalog. Believe’s investment in Global Records follows the recent acquisition of 94.99% of its share capital by a consortium comprising EQT X, TCV, and Believe’s Founder & CEO, Denis Ladegaillerie. Believe disclosed plans to allocate €200 to €300 million (Euros) annually towards acquisitions aimed at expanding its global footprint. Global Records reported impressive streaming figures, exceeding six billion streams across platforms in 2023 and totaling over 20 billion streams for its catalog to date. Key artists under Global Records include INNA, Minelli, Carla’s Dreams, Antonia, and DJ Project, among others. The company recently launched Honua Music Group, its Los Angeles-based subsidiary, and expanded into Germany, bolstering its presence in the world’s fourth-largest recorded music market with new offices and studios in Berlin. Ștefan Lucian, Founder of Global Records, stated that his ambitions for the company are to achieve revenues surpassing €50 million in 2024, following a successful 2023 where annual revenues exceeded €33 million.

 

UNIVERSAL MUSIC AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES NOT-FOR-PROFIT RECORD LABEL IRRUK BIRRUK: Universal Music Australia (UMA), in collaboration with Australian/Yorta Yorta artist Briggs and Linc YowYeh has launched a new label called Irruk Birruk. This label is dedicated to distributing music from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, both within Australia and globally. Irruk Birruk operates as a not-for-profit organization, with artists being nominated for the service by Briggs and Linc. The initiative receives legal support from Media Arts Lawyers, publishing representation from Universal Music Publishing, and global digital distribution through Universal-owned Virgin/Ingrooves. Since its inception, Irruk Birruk has already released over 150 recordings, featuring artists such as Coloured Stone and Dave Arden. Universal Music Group has expressed its goal for the label to extend its services to many more Indigenous artists, especially those from the past who have not yet had the opportunity to share their music with the world in the digital streaming era. Sean Warner, President & CEO, UMA, stated, “We acknowledge and respect the importance and lasting impact First Nations peoples have had in shaping culture, community, expression, and connections through music for many years. Our intent is to help them tell their stories, share their identities, and amplify their voices, for the enrichment of all Australians across recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audio-visual content. This is reflected in our recently launched Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, where we have committed to creating opportunities, programs, and support networks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples so that we can continue to implement meaningful change within our workforce, communities, and the broader music industry.”

 

BENZTOWN LAUNCHES FILM & TV PRODUCTION MUSIC DIVISION: Glendale, CA-based radio imaging company Benztown has announced the launch of Benztown Production Music, a new division aiming to provide high-quality production music for the film and television industries, in an already very competitive market that is also facing competition from ai generated content. Benztown Production Music is spearheaded by German audio experts Andreas Sannemann, Co-Founder & CEO, and Oliver Klenk, Co-Founder & Head of Production & Composition. The company, based in Stuttgart and Los Angeles, has collaborated with National Geographic, BBC, iHeartMedia, Cumulus Media, and Westwood One, along with numerous radio stations globally. All compositions and content from Benztown Production Music are produced in-house and are accessible through a digital platform that enables film and television producers to source the audio they need. In addition, Benztown Production Music will offer album playlists tailored for film and television, including genres like Summer Pop, Positive Country, Fun Sports, EDM Dance Party, Positive Pop, and Dreamy R&B. With over 90 albums available and more being added, the library is designed to make it easy to search for music for various projects.

 

Pictured (L-R back row) are Rich Christina (WCM), Will Foster (Cash Cobain Management), Cash Cobain, Makeda Tewodros (Cash Cobain Management), Wallace Joseph (WCM), and kneeling up front is Glyn Brown (Cash Cobain Management).

PRODUCER & RAPPER CASH COBAIN SIGNS GLOBAL DEAL: Warner Chapell Music (WCM) has signed a global publishing deal with Cash Cobain, the hit artist and producer. He has quickly become a rising figure in rap music, widely known for pioneering the “sexy drill” sound that has a more global appeal. Cobain’s 2024 breakout hit, “Fisherrr,” is already on its way to becoming the song of the summer – spending two weeks at No.1 on Apple Music, moving up the chart on Spotify‘s Viral 50, and garnering a strong presence on Shazam across the United States. This deal arrives during a successful run for the rapper and producer, who recently linked up with Ice Spice for the long-awaited video remix of “Fisherrr” featuring Bay Swag, which has over 26 million streams. He also enlisted rap star J. Cole on “Grippy,” collaborated with Charlie Wilson on Don Toliver‘s new single “ATTITUDE,” appeared on A Boogie Wit da Hoodie‘s track “Body,” and produced Lancey Foux‘s “Daylight” featuring Teezo Touchdown. Wallace Joseph, Sr. Vice President, A&R, WCM, and Rich Christina, Sr. Vice President, A&R, Venture Partners, WCM, stated, “Cash Cobain is a pioneering culture-mover as an artist and producer with his ‘Slizzy’ movement. He reshaped the sound of New York and beyond. His production talent is unique and undeniable. Combined with his artistry, he is unstoppable.” Ryan Press, President, North America, WCM added, “Cash is one of the best up-and-comers out there. As the original creator behind this entirely new drill style, he introduced a sound using some of music’s most classic hits, and his delivery is spot on every single time.”

 

Pictured (L-R) are Natasha Baldwin (Executive VP, UMPG Classics & Screen), Jerskin Fendrix, and Jody Gerson (Chairman & CEO, UMPG).

UMP CLASSICS & SCREEN SIGN COMPOSER JERSKIN FENDRIX: Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), has announced that award-winning composer and musician Jerskin Fendrix has been signed to an exclusive, global publishing agreement through the company’s Classics & Screen division. Following director Yorgos Lanthimos‘ discovery of Fendrix’s debut solo album Winterreise, Lanthimos commissioned Fendrix to compose his first-ever film score for Lanthimos’ hugely successful film Poor Things. Fendrix’s critically acclaimed score earned him a multitude of awards, including “Best Film Score” at the 2024 Ivor Novello Awards and “Best Original Score” nominations at the BAFTAs and the 96th Academy Awards, making him the youngest composer to ever be nominated. He also signed on to score Lanthimos’ next two films, including Kinds of Kindness, which is currently out in theaters. Read more HERE.

 


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 info@anrworldwide.com. Also, all demos and new music releases should be sent as STREAMING LINKS ONLY to info@anrworldwide.com.


IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eric Greenspan, Amy Dunning, Mark Ngui, Taylor Jones, Saurabh Abbi, Benjamin Budde, Kathy Spanberger, Ian Montone, John Silva, Briony Turner, Naoshi Fujikura, Golnar Khosrowshahi, Jeremy Erlich, and Ben Maddahi.

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