A&R Worldwide Newsletter Vol. 849

WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC TEAM-UP WITH SALAAM REMI’S
ANALOG METAVERSE IN GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL

 

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has inked a groundbreaking partnership with Analog Metaverse, the innovative rights management and publishing company founded by Grammy-winning producer Salaam Remi. This alliance will see WCM co-administer the lion’s share of Analog Metaverse’s rich music catalog, which features contributions from Remi and iconic artists such as Dennis Brown, Don Blackman, Bobby “Digital” Dixon, and Terri Walker.

Analog Metaverse, established in 2022, aims to evolve the traditional rights management landscape with a focus on fair compensation and long-term value creation for artists and estates. The company, spearheaded by Remi alongside Kwame Kandekore (Head of Legal & Business Affairs) and Josephine Westphal (Vice President, Royalties & Administration), provides a comprehensive range of services including licensing, film and TV placements, artist management, royalty collection, and business affairs.

The catalog, curated by Remi and his team over the past two years, boasts over 2,000 tracks across multiple genres and decades. Highlights incline Alicia Keys‘ “Girl on Fire,” Dennis Brown’s “Money In My Pocket,” Miguel and J. Cole‘s “All I Want Is You,” The Fugees‘ “Fu-Gee-La,” and Ini Kamoze‘s “Here Comes the Hotstepper,” which recently dominated the US iTunes Reggae Songs Chart. The collection also features Amy Winehouse‘s Ivor Novello Award-winning “Stronger Than Me,” including eight other co-writes between Winehouse and Remi.

Remi, a 10-time Grammy nominee and award winner, brings extensive expertise as a producer and music executive to this collaboration. Remi stated, “Understanding the artist’s perspective is crucial. Partnering with Warner Chappell ensures we honor and propel the legacy of these iconic works into the future.”

Guy Moot, Co-Chair & CEO, Warner Chappell who has known Remi for over three decades, said, “It is a privilege to be entrusted with not only Salaam’s impressive catalog but also the works of legends like Dennis Brown. Carianne Marshall and I are committed to nurturing these catalogs, ensuring they thrive both now and in the years ahead.”

This partnership follows WCM’s recent signing of a deal with 300 Publishing, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group’s 300 Entertainment, aimed at developing both emerging and established songwriters. Additionally, WCM has become the exclusive global admin partner for Tom Petty‘s iconic catalog, which includes classics such as “Wildflowers,” “Free Fallin’,” and “I Won’t Back Down.”

PULSE Music Group (PMG) has elevated Steven Gringer to Sr. Vice President of A&R, effective immediately. Previously serving as Vice President, Gringer will continue to spearhead the signing and development of PMG’s roster of songwriters and producers, with added responsibilities in international creative affairs for the publishing division. He will maintain his base at PULSE’s Los Angeles headquarters.

The promotion was announced a few days ago by PULSE co-CEOs Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, alongside President Ashley Calhoun.

Gringer, who joined PULSE in 2014 as an A&R Coordinator before quickly rising to Creative Director, has been integral to the company’s success. His trajectory saw him advancing to Sr. Creative Director in 2018 and then to Vice President of A&R in 2022. Prior to PULSE, Gringer honed his A&R skills at Shapiro Bernstein Music Publishing, where he collaborated with artists such as David Guetta and Joywave.

In a joint statement, Cutler, Abraham, and Calhoun lauded Gringer for his versatility across genres, noting, “What makes Steven exceptional as an A&R executive is his adeptness in bridging pop, Latin, hip-hop, and international opportunities for our roster. His contributions over the past decade have been crucial to our success. We’re thrilled to honor his work with this well-deserved promotion as he continues to advance his career at PULSE Music Group.”

Gringer’s achievements include forging significant partnerships with industry heavyweights. He has worked with Gabe Simon, whose collaborations have driven hits like Noah Kahan‘s RIAA 2x Platinum album Stick Season, which notched a No.2 debut on the Billboard Top 200 and secured several No.1 positions across Billboard’s album charts. Gringer also collaborated with Angel Lopez, executive producer of Jack Harlow‘s Come Home The Kids Miss You, including the chart-topping single “First Class,” which spent three weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In addition, Gringer’s work with Grammy-winning producer Manuel Lara resulted in Kali Uchis‘ global hit “telepatía,” which dominated the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart for eight weeks. His direct roster features high-profile songwriters and producers such as DVLP (Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne) and Xay (YG, Tyga), who have recently co-written and produced tracks for Eladio Carrión.

Gringer also collaborates with notable figures like Delacruz (Bad Bunny, J Balvin) and Finesse (Bad Bunny, Nicki Minaj), contributing to tracks like “Adivino” by Mike Towers and Bad Bunny, which has recently climbed Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart.

Moreover, Gringer is expanding PULSE’s influence into the K-pop sphere, recently hosting a songwriting camp at PULSE with creators who have written for top K-pop acts including NMIXX and Aespa.

 

Deezer has announced the appointment of Alexis Lanternier as its new CEO, effective September 2, 2024. Lanternier steps into the role following Stu Bergen, who has served as interim CEO since March after the departure of former CEO Jeronimo Folgueira. Bergen will continue to contribute to the company as a member of Deezer’s Board of Directors.

Lanternier, who will be based at Deezer’s Paris headquarters, brings a wealth of experience to the role, including a robust background in digital consumer goods and e-commerce. Most recently, he co-founded Branded, a consumer goods firm, and previously served as Executive VP of Walmart Canada eCommerce, where he played a pivotal role in building a multi-billion dollar online grocery business. Lanternier’s earlier experience includes leadership roles at Alibaba Group‘s Lazada, where he spearheaded the company’s growth and strategic acquisitions, such as the purchase of online grocery startup Redmart and the launch of the LiveUp loyalty subscription.

Iris Knobloch, Chair of the Board, Deezer, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Alexis Lanternier as the new CEO of Deezer. Alexis has an impressive background in leading dynamic organizations internationally as well as in France and driving transformative growth. His vision for Deezer is compelling, and we are confident that his leadership will propel the company to new levels of success. As we continue to innovate and expand our offerings, Alexis’s expertise will be invaluable in navigating the evolving streaming landscape and delivering experiences to our users. On behalf of the board of directors, I also want to thank Stu Bergen for having succeeded in making his interim mission a period of consolidation and development for the company.”

Lanternier’s vision for Deezer includes leveraging the company’s commitment to fair artist compensation, immersive music experiences, and advanced technology to capitalize on future growth opportunities. Lanternier said, “I’m thrilled to join Deezer at such a crucial juncture. Deezer’s role as a French tech pioneer uniquely positions it to navigate the evolving global music landscape and deliver unparalleled experiences to its users.”

Under interim CEO Bergen, Deezer reported a 14.2% increase in consolidated revenues for Q1 2024, reaching €132.5 million (approximately $144 million USD). The company’s subscriber base also grew to 10.5 million, up 12.8% from the previous year.

 

Mushroom Group, fresh off its 50th-anniversary celebrations, is setting up its launch of a consolidated powerhouse that unites its recording, publishing, and neighboring rights operations under one banner.

This new entity, Mushroom Music, has a lineup of artists and writers, including Vance Joy, Kylie Minogue, The Teskey Brothers, Jimmy Barnes, Childish Gambino, Kehlani, Julia Jacklin, and more. The restructured recording division now brings together Liberation Records, Ivy League Records, Bloodlines, Liberator Music, Soothsayer, and 100s + 1000s under the Mushroom Music umbrella. Despite these changes, I OH YOU and Valve Sounds will continue to operate as standalone label partners with Mushroom Music.

Leading this revamped operation are newly appointed co-CEOs Chris Maund (formerly COO Mushroom Labels & Publishing) and Linda Bosidis (formerly managing director Mushroom Music Publishing), both reporting to Matt Gudinski, CEO, Mushroom Group. Meanwhile, Susan Cotchin will remain at the helm of the neighboring rights division as Managing Director of Good Neighbour, a joint venture with Mushroom Group since 2019. Bosidis will focus on the publishing sector, while Maund will oversee recordings, neighboring rights, and new opportunities.

The restructured executive team for Mushroom Music also includes Damian Slevison (Managing Director, A&R & Commercial), Dan Baker (Managing Director, Strategy & Audience), Julia Hill (Director, Media & Artist Relations), Dean McLachlan (Senior Director, Iconic Artists & Catalog), Korda Marshall (Managing Director, world ex-Australia & New Zealand), Erol Yurdagul (Senior Director, A&R and Creative), Layne Buckley (Manager, A&R), Johann Ponniah (Founder, I OH YOU Group), Nick Dunshea (Senior Director, International & Operations), and Madeleine O’Gorman (General Manager, U.K. & Europe).

Matt Gudinski stated, “It is very exciting and it’s a big part of the next era of Mushroom. We are committed to investing in Australian talent for the long-term and a big part of that is ensuring we have more Australian artists having global success in the future. The new structure, years in the making, he says, will create a ‘united, stronger business that can stand up globally.’ Mushroom Music brings our strengths together by aligning everyone’s priorities and creating greater pathways for people and a greater set-up to attract the best people to be part of Mushroom’s infrastructure.”

 

Carissa Summer Rose is quickly establishing herself as a unique and empowering singer-songwriter. At just twenty-two, her talent and determination have propelled her career in an upward trajectory. Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Carissa’s musical promise was evident early on, as she sang along to Shania Twain, The Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, and Frank Sinatra. Her passion for music became her refuge, especially during challenging academic times. At 17, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her music career, studying at the Los Angeles College of Music, performing gigs, and networking within the industry. Despite facing sexism and inequality, Carissa’s resolve and feminist ideals only strengthened. A career highlight was organizing a fundraiser music festival for UNICEF of Ukraine, where she experienced the surreal moment of strangers singing her lyrics back to her. Carissa’s music blends pop, rock, R&B, punk, and other genres, with lyrics promoting self-love, female empowerment, equality, and inner strength. Her brand-new single, “Living In the Moment,” was co-written and produced by Dan Richards (guitarist for One Direction), mixed by Grammy-nominated Mark Needham (Imagine Dragons, The Killers, P!nk), and mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Howie Weinberg (Twenty One Pilots, Daft Punk, Madonna). Listen to “Living In The Moment” HERE, and contact Bruce Edwin of Starpower Management at starpowermanagementllc@gmail.com for signing, licensing, booking, sync, and publishing opportunities related to Carissa.

 

 

 

ONERPM SIGNS ROCK/ALT TRIO SICK PUPPIES: ONErpm has announced that it has added the Australian-bred rock and alternative trio Sick Puppies to its roster. Their latest single, “There Goes the Neighborhood,” was released on July 26th and serves as a preview of their forthcoming sixth album, Wave the Bull, set to drop early next year. Since their debut in the early 2000s, Sick Puppies have sold over one million albums, earning a Gold-certification for their album Tri-Polar, and scored five Rock Radio hits, including the track “You’re Going Down.” Their music has culminated over 310 million global streams and was featured on shows such as NCIS and WWE. In addition, Sick Puppies have played over 1,000 shows in the U.S., sharing stages with bands like Muse, The Killers, Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, and Tool. Their festival appearances include Rock on the Range, Carolina Rebellion, Welcome to Rockville, Louder Than Life, Download (U.K.), and Aftershock. Aleksey Ziabko, Senior Director, A&R, ONErpm, tells A&R Worldwide, “Sick Puppies are a staple in the rock community, and we could not be more excited to partner with the band on their highly anticipated upcoming album.

 

LONDON GRAMMAR SIGN WITH PPL FOR NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS ROYALTIES: London Grammar has inked a deal with PPL for the collection of their international neighboring rights royalties. The trio now joins a roster that includes Lewis Capaldi, Ice Spice, FLO, Kenya Grace, and many others. London Grammar’s second and third albums, Truth Is a Beautiful Thing and Californian Soil, both debuted at No.1 on the Official U.K. Charts. Their upcoming album, The Greatest Love, is set for release on September 13th. Since their debut single with “Hey Now” in 2012, London Grammar has amassed over 100,000 plays across radio and TV, with “Strong” being their most-played track, followed by “Hey Now,” “Nightcall,” “Wasting My Young Years,” and “Big Picture.” Kate Reilly, Chief Membership & People Officer, said, “London Grammar stands as one of the most illustrious British bands of our time and to have them select PPL for the international collection of their neighbouring rights income is a privilege. We are dedicated to ensuring the neighbouring rights royalties they receive reflect the extensive global reach of their music.”

 

BOB BRUDERMAN ELEVATED TO CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER AT KOBALT: Kobalt has promoted Bob Bruderman to the role of Chief Digital Officer in which he will lead Kobalt’s global digital strategy, with a focus on forging and maintaining commercial partnerships with Amazon, Apple, Meta, Pandora, Snap, SoundCloud, Spotify, TikTok, and YouTube, among others. In addition, he will assist in exploring new monetization avenues through collaborations with emerging digital partners. Bruderman, who joined Kobalt in 2013, previously held the title of Executive Vice President, Global Digital Business. His contributions include overseeing digital business development and licensing for AWAL, Kobalt’s recorded music services company that Sony Music Entertainment acquired in 2021. Before his tenure at Kobalt, Bruderman worked at Sony Music Entertainment starting in 2002, where he held multiple positions. He currently serves on the board of directors for ASCAP, the Mechanical Licensing Collective, and the Digital Data Exchange. Reporting directly to company CEO Laurent Hubert, Bruderman will continue his work from Kobalt’s New York City offices.

 

POSITION MUSIC SIGNS ERIK RON TO GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL: Tyler Bacon, President & CEO, Position Music tells A&R Worldwide that it has signed Erik Ron to a worldwide publishing agreement with the company. Ron, a Los Angeles-based songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, has penned numerous tracks to the top of the modern rock radio charts, earning Gold and Platinum certifications and culminating in over a billion streams globally. With a catalog of over 500 cuts, Ron has achieved nine No.1 hits and fifteen Top 10 singles at rock radio. Currently, he has several songs climbing the charts, including Staind‘s “Better Days” at No. 9, Fame on Fire‘s “Nightmare (The Devil)” at No.17, and Black Veil Brides‘ “Bleeders” at No.19. His collaborations span artists such as jxdn, Bad Omens, Huddy, Ellise, Charlotte Sands, Maggie Lindemann, Loveless, Jack Harris, MOD SUN, Emei,Sueco, Neoni, grandson, nothing,nowhere., and Papa Roach. Erik Ron’s management team includes Daniel Rubin and Lily Catrone of Element1 Music. Sam Sklar, VP, A&R, Position Music, told A&R Worldwide, “I’ve always known Erik to be a unique talent in the sense that he finds such beauty and gratification in breaking down genre boundaries. He has had such incredible success in the rock and alternative niches, and yet his discography does not even begin to exemplify the diversity and range of his skill sets – it amazes me how much more there still is to show the world all the while already having achieved so much. That, in part with his keen attention to detail, consistent hunger, and genuine personality, will continue to make for a longstanding and growing career as we partner in this next chapter.”

 

OLIVE KLUG SIGNS TO WASSERMAN MUSIC AGENCY: Christiana Sudano has announced that Olive Klughas secured exclusive worldwide representation with Tommy Alexander and Paige Maloney at Wasserman Music. Klug is an independent singer-songwriter who has drawn inspiration from artists like Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile. In 2022, Klug released a series of singles, culminating in their debut LP, “Don’t You Dare Make Me Jaded,” on August 11, 2023. The album chronicles their journey to adulthood in a world often marked by disillusionment, focusing on themes of hope, joy, childlike wonder, and embracing life’s complexities. Throughout 2023, Klug toured with Kevin Atwater, Odie Leigh, and Daisy the Great, and will continue performing live into 2024. Tommy Alexander at Wasserman Music tells A&R Worldwide, “We are thrilled to work with Olive. The artistry, work ethic, and palpable spirit that emanates from Olive’s work is truly inspiring and exactly the kind of company we aim to keep here at Wasserman.”

 

PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC PARTNERS WITH STEVE PORCARO: Primary Wave Music has announced a partnership with Steve Porcaro, keyboardist, songwriter, composer, and co-Founder of the rock band Toto. The agreement encompasses Porcaro’s music publishing catalog, artist royalties, and neighboring rights, as well as royalties for many of Toto’s hits, such as “Rosanna,” “Hold the Line,” and “Africa.” The agreement also covers all of Porcaro’s compositions for film and television, including his contributions to the FX series Justified. Toto’s track “Hold the Line,” was their debut single that reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved two-times Platinum status. “Rosanna,” peaked at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982 and won the Grammy Award for “Record of the Year” in 1983. The band’s most known track, “Africa,” was released in 1982, and topped the Billboard Hot 100 becoming an international sensation, reaching No.1 in Canada and the Top 10 in several other countries. Furthermore, the deal includes rights to selected compositions co-owned with the Estate of Michael Jackson, notably “Human Nature,” a song Porcaro co-wrote for Jackson. Released as the fifth single from Jackson’s Thriller album in July 1983, “Human Nature” quickly ascended to the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No.2 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

 

INFLUENCE MEDIA LAUNCHES FRONTLINE LABEL SLANG: Influence Media has announced the launch of its new independent frontline label, Slang. The label is led by Rene McLean, who is also a partner and founding advisor at Influence Media Partners. Slang’s roster already includes Grammy and Oscar-winning Will Smith, along with artists like Camper, 30 Roc, Leaf, Underachievers, and Isaia Huron. In his capacity at Influence Media Partners, McLean has overseen catalog acquisition deals involving Future, Tyler Johnson, and Tainy. Before joining Influence Media, McLean had worked with artists like Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Pharrell Williams, and Timbaland. He also founded RPM GRP, a music management and artist marketing creative agency, which managed clients including Kelis, LMFAO, and Cam’ron. Rene stated, “I am proud to lead Slang’s efforts to partner with quality artists and invest in their growth, regardless of genre or where they are in their respective careers. In a quickly changing music industry, Slang artists will be surrounded by a team of like-minded strategists who will stop at nothing to further their trajectory and help them meet their goals. Our commitment to culture comes first, and we consider our Slang roster family.”

 

TIM & DANNY MUSIC AND WARNER CHAPPELL SIGN ELMIENE: Tim & Danny Music, in partnership with Warner Chappell Music U.K., (WCM) has inked a publishing deal with British R&B and soul artist Elmiene. Elmiene’s portfolio includes a variety of releases and collaborations with Stormzy, Timbaland, and Justin Timberlake. Recently, Elmiene was spotlighted as one of BBC Radio 1‘s Sound of 2024 and earned a nomination for the “Rising Star Award” at the 2024 Ivor Novello Awards. Elmiene is also featured on Lil Silva‘s “Yesterday Is Heavy” project and Stormzy’s album This Is What I Mean. Under the Polydor label, Elmiene’s latest works include the Marking My Time EP. He has teamed up with artists such as Sampha, Jim-E Stack, BadBadNotGood, Syd, DJ Dahi, James Vincent McMorrow, Courage, and Jamie Woon. Amber Davis, Sr. VP, Head of A&R, U.K., WCM, and Xavier Champagne, Senior Director, Urban A&R, WCM, stated, “It’s rare to find a voice as powerful as Elmiene’s. His music travels from R&B, soul, and spoken word so effortlessly, and his authentic nature and good heart genuinely come to life in his songs. With only a handful of releases into his career, he is gaining incredible momentum and on track to have a lasting impact on R&B/soul and the music industry at large.”

 

CAMPBELL CONNELLY SIGNS GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL WITH THE STAVES: Campbell Connelly, under the Wise Music Group umbrella, has secured an exclusive worldwide songwriter deal with The Staves. The Staves, a U.K.-based indie folk duo composed of sisters Jessica and Camilla Staveley-Taylor, released their album All Now in March 2024 via the Communion label. Prior to this, their third studio album, Good Woman, produced by John Congleton and released through Atlantic Records U.K. and Nonesuch Records, peaked at No.13 on the U.K. charts. With Wise Music’s collaboration, The Staves aim to expand their sync business, having already achieved placements in Amazon‘s Your Christmas Or Mine?, Robin Wright’s 2021 film Land, and Netflix’s Dash & Lily. Currently wrapping up a U.S. and European tour, The Staves recently performed at Glastonbury and Black Deer Festival. They are set to play additional U.K. festivals next month, including the final edition of Towersey Festival.

 

BMG ANNOUNCES MAXIMILIAN KOLB’S DEPARTURE: After more than a decade at BMG, Maximilian Kolb is stepping down from his role as Executive VP of Repertoire & Marketing Continental Europe. Alistair Norbury, the President of Repertoire & Marketing for the U.K. & APAC, will take over Kolb’s duties on an interim basis until the year’s end. Kolb’s journey with BMG began in 2012 when he joined as an A&R manager. He steadily climbed the ranks, becoming Managing Director GSA in 2019 and later Executive VP of Repertoire & Marketing Continental Europe in 2021. Under his leadership, BMG experienced substantial growth in both its recording and publishing sectors. He assisted in the careers of artists and publishing clients such as Max Giesinger, Kontra K, Cypress Hill, Marteria, Adel Tawil, Lina, Solomun, Scorpions, Robin Schulz, and Silbermond. Kolb also led significant acquisitions, including the German Schlager label Telamo and rights packages from artists like Tina Turner, Jean-Michel Jarre, Martin Solveig, Nena, Cro, Snap!, Haddaway, and Dr. Alban. Kolb said, “The music industry is undergoing one of its most revolutionary periods, and after 12 years at BMG, it’s time for a new chapter and to continue to ensure that artists and songwriters can make the most of the changes we’re experiencing. I owe the company a lot, and I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey. We have accomplished a great deal together and I am particularly proud of the European team and where it is today.” Thomas Coesfeld, CEO, BMG, added, “I would like to thank Maximilian for his extraordinary dedication and contributions to BMG over the years. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in the growth and success of our GSA and Continental Europe operations. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

 

PIPE BUENO INKS DEAL WITH WARNER MUSIC LATINA: Pipe Bueno has signed an exclusive deal with Warner Music Latina as he is set to release an album that blends Colombian and Mexican regional music. Bueno will feature collaborations with leading artists from the new wave of Mexican music on his forthcoming album. The deal was brokered with the help of management firms Ocesa Seitrack, represented by Alex Mizrahi and Octavio Padilla, and Business Manager JB’s Juan Guillermo Ballesteros. This announcement is also timed with the release of Pipe Bueno’s new single, “Una Pregunta,” featuring Gerardo Coronel “El Jerry.” Roberto Andrade Dirak, Managing Director, Warner Music Latina, said “We are delighted to welcome Pipe Bueno to the Warner Music family. His dedication and passion for Colombian popular music are inspiring, and we are proud to be part of this new stage in his career.” Rubén Abraham, General Manager, Mexican Music, Warner Music Latina, added, “Pipe Bueno is an artist who respects and deeply understands the essence of Mexican regional music. His upcoming album is a great opportunity to continue boosting Pipe’s career in Mexico and the United States; it features high-level collaborations that reinforce Pipe’s credibility and respect in Mexican music.”

 

ALISON GOLDFRAPP HAS LAUNCHED HER OWN RECORD LABEL: Alison Goldfrapp has unveiled her very own record label, A.G Records, and has kicked things off with the release of a brand-new single, “I Wanna Be Loved (Just A Little Better).” The track, co-written and co-produced with Richard X, is the inaugural release for her label and follows the success of her debut solo album, The Love Invention, which came out in 2023. In addition to launching her label and new music, Goldfrapp recently graced the stage at the Mighty Hoopla festival and has a lineup of performances scheduled at various summer festivals. Goldfrapp says of the new single, “After the amazing reaction to my first solo record ‘The Love Invention’ I was not quite ready to leave the dance floor. ‘I Wanna Be Loved (Just A Little Better)’ is another collaboration with the brilliant Richard X. It’s fun, fizzy, a little bit melancholic and a little bit retro.”

 

DOWNTOWN NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS SIGN GLOBAL DEAL WITH LADY BLACKBIRD: Downtown Neighbouring Rights (DNR) has secured a global representation deal with American Psychedelic Soul singer-songwriter Lady Blackbird. Under this international neighbouring rights agreement, DNR will oversee Lady Blackbird’s catalog, which includes tracks like “Woman,” “Feel It Coming,” and her collaboration with Moby, “Dark Days.” Lady Blackbird’s 2021 album, Black Acid Soul, produced by Grammy-nominated Chris Seefried, reached No.6 on the U.K. Album Chart and topped the Official Jazz Chart. Also, her track “Five Feet Tall” has garnered over four million streams on Spotify. In 2022, Lady Blackbird was honored as the “International Jazz Act of the Year” at the Jazz FM Awards. She has also worked with Trevor Horn, Nitin Sawhney, and Billy Porter, and supported Gregory Porter on his 2022 U.K. tour. DNR will also represent her second studio album, Slang Spirituals, set to release in September 2024, once again produced by Chris Seefried. The album’s lead single, “Reborn,” dropped in June 2024. Diane van Beekum-de Mooij, Director of Downtown Neighbouring Rights, tells A&R Worldwide, ‘It has been an exceptional year so far for Downtown Neighbouring Rights as we continue to represent and collect for groundbreaking global artists. Lady Blackbird is one such example, a highly-talented artist, singer, and songwriter, we are proud to represent her lauded catalog and look forward to providing her and her team with our expertise and offering.”

 

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