A&R Worldwide Newsletter Vol. 877

AMAZON MGM STUDIOS, APM MUSIC, ASE, BILLBOARD, CAA, EA GAMES, FOX ENTERTAINMENT, GRAMMYS, KOBALT, MOM+POP, MUSIC WEEK, NETFLIX, NBCUNIVERSAL, PARAMOUNT, POSITION MUSIC, PRIMARY WAVE, PULSE MUSIC GROUP, RED BULL RECORDS, REPUBLIC RECORDS, SOUNDON/TIKTOK, TIMES MUSIC GROUP (INDIA), WARNER MUSIC, WASSERMAN, VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP
& MANY MORE JOIN THE 25TH GLOBAL EDITION OF MUSEXPO –
YOUR LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND NOW!

 

MUSEXPO “The United Nations of Music” (www.musexpo.net), the pioneering global music business conference and showcase event is just a few days away, and takes place next week from March 16 – 19, 2025, in Burbank, California. Marking a quarter-century of influence as one of the longest-running independent music confabs, MUSEXPO 2025 will celebrate its storied history, spanning three continents, and highlight the future evolution of the music business landscape.

MUSEXPO returns with its esteemed “International Music Industry Awards” (which originally launched back in 2012) in association with A&R Worldwide and will recognize the contributions of some of the most influential executives and creatives across key sectors of the global music business in association with Visit Burbank and City of Burbank “The Media Capital of The World” during the VIP Gala Dinner presentations. There are a limited number of tickets available – further details are available once you sign up HERE.

In addition, the annual Seymour Stein “Global A&R Award,” will be bestowed upon legendary artist and repertoire executive Michael Goldstone, Founder & Co-Owner, Mom+Pop Music, and the “Lifetime Achievement Award” will be presented to one of the world’s most influential manager of producers and songwriters Mark Beaven, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Advanced Alternative Media, Inc. (AAM, Inc.) as announced in Billboard recently. The “International Music Person of the Year” recipient is Mandar Thakur, CEO, Times Music Group (India), the first person from South Asia to receive this prestigious accolade. MUSEXPO will also feature its popular Global Sync Summit, and A&R Summit, as a part of its overall 2025 event program.

The full event program for the various panels, keynotes, awards luncheons, showcases, networking receptions, and more for MUSEXPO 2025 can be found HERE.

Some of the companies participating at MUSEXPO include: 724 Management (Live Nation), AAM Inc., A&R Worldwide, AEG Presents, ASE, Amazon MGM Studios, Anomaly, APM Music, ASCAP, Atlantic Records, Billboard, Black & White Music, Budde Music (Germany), CAA, Chartmetric, Concord Music Group, Digital Music News, Disney Music Group, EA Games, Facet House, Fan Duel Sports, FENIX360, Format Entertainment, FOX Entertainment, Grammys, Groover, GYRO Group (Australia), The Hollywood Reporter, Kobalt, Malsons Media (India), Mom+Pop Music, Music Business Worldwide, Music Week (U.K.), Music Connection, Netflix, Paramount, Position Music Group, PULSE Music Group, Range Media Partners, Mushroom Music, Primary Wave, Red Bull Records, Reed Smith, Republic Records, Saatchi & Saatchi, Silva Screen Music Group, Sire Records, SO Recordings, Sound On (Tik Tok), Times Music Group (India), Tarsame Mittal (India), Universal Pictures Music, Virgin Music Group, Warner Music Group, Wasserman, and many more.

A&R Worldwide newsletter readers can receive a 10% discount by entering the discount code MUSE10 before Wednesday, March 12th, 2025. To register to attend MUSEXPO, sign up HERE.

Anyone with an interest in the global music business eco-system, building new relationships, and insights across all key spectrums of the music industry, as well as an appetite for discovering great new global talent can register to attend MUSEXPO, by registering HERE.

MUSEXPO has confirmed that almost 100 incredible speakers across the A&R, publishing, booking, management, synchronization (music in film, TV, videogames, trailers, promos, advertising, brands), distribution, AI, streaming, digital, radio, technology, marketing, legal, podcasting, booking agents, promoters, emerging markets, and so much more.

For a list of all the speakers participating at MUSEXPO 2025, click HERE.

A&R Worldwide newsletter readers are eligible for a discount of 10% off the current registration price. This discount expires on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025. Enter the discount code MUSE10 when prompted when you register for MUSEXPO HERE.

A&R Worldwide has put together one of its best lineups of panels, keynotes, networking receptions, artist showcases, and other unique events ever for the upcoming MUSEXPO, which is an essential annual global music business gathering and showcase event you don’t want to miss! For more information, log on to www.musexpo.net.

 

 

Mercury Records has named Tyler Arnold to the role of Chairman & CEO and Ben Adelson to President & COO. Both will report directly to REPUBLIC Collective‘s Founder, Chairman, and CEO Monte Lipman, and his brother, Founder, Vice-Chairman, and COO Avery Lipman. Arnold will be based at Mercury’s New York headquarters, while Adelson will continue working from the Los Angeles office.

Since relaunching Mercury Records in 2022 as President and General Manager, Arnold and Adelson have revitalized the label, which has now marked its 80th anniversary. This year alone Mercury secured five albums in the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 charts and has been instrumental in the success of artists such as Post Malone, Noah Kahan, and Morgan Wallen. Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200, with the artist also receiving eight Grammy nominations and a top spot for his song “I Had Some Help” as the Second Best-selling Song of 2024.

Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen’s partnership with Big Loud has made Dangerous: The Double Album the best-selling album of the 21st century so far, with his new single “I’m The Problem” also debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Country Songs chart.

Arnold is recognized for signing Post Malone, Metro Boomin, and Bo Burnham. His journey began as an intern at Republic Records, where he quickly rose to an A&R assistant role within five months. Adelson’s career at Republic Records also began as an intern in 2007, where he served as Avery Lipman’s assistant in 2008, before advancing through the ranks of A&R. He played a key role with signing Noah Kahan, James Bay, Stephen Sanchez, Conan Gray, and Lord Huron, among others. He also managed Young The Giant‘s career.

Monte and Avery Lipman said, “Tyler and Ben began their careers at Republic, and we’ve had a front-row seat to their incredible growth. It’s been nothing short of inspiring to watch. With Mercury, they are building a legacy that honors the label’s history by developing, breaking, and supporting the next generation of career-defining artists.”

Both Arnold and Adelson have been recognized by industry outlets, including being named to Billboard‘s 40 Under 40, Country Power Players, and 2025 Power 100 lists. Arnold was also honored by Forbes in its 30 Under 30 list in 2022.

 

The A&R Worldwide Podcast is a weekly series spotlighting pivotal figures shaping the international music business. Recorded during MUSEXPO in Burbank, CA, the premier conference is renowned for its influence on the global music industry – the podcast delivers insightful discussions with executives driving creative and business innovation. This week’s episode features a conversation between Markus Schwarzer, CEO of the Al Solutions company Cyanite, and Taylor Jones, Founder & CEO, The Hello Group (THG).

Markus Schwarzer leads the global music AI company Cyanite as CEO. Cyanite was co-founded by Markus and business partners who met at renowned university for music business, the Popakademie Baden Württemberg, while studying for their Masters in Music & Creative Industries.

Previously a label founder and PR strategist for acts like Lenny Kravitz and Bonobo, Markus is a published writer on music business innovation and lecturer at various music business universities.

The urge to co-found Cyanite came from Markus’ fascination with the power of music in our memory when a song perfectly fits mood and moment. Inspired by this concept of music moments, the three Cyanite co-founders launched their first venture together. Named Groovecat, it enabled users to capture, save, and share those special moments.

Soon, they realized the huge value in the data generated by the Groovecat app and started to build a business model around monetizing that data. They also discovered that a real problem exists in the process of choosing music for advertising, movies, games, etc. They found out that a solution to this problem could be found in the algorithms being developed on Groovecat’s data.

This formed the nucleus of Cyanite which was launched in 2019, led by Markus and his partners’ vision of developing a universal intelligence that understands indexes and recommends the world’s music.

Taylor Jones brings his dynamic expertise as a globally recognized entertainment executive, celebrated for his contributions to the rise of K-Pop and his pivotal role in placing over 50 Billboard No.1 hits. As CEO of THG, Jones manages a diverse roster of influencers, artists, and producers, while driving strategic marketing, A&R, and branding initiatives across the entertainment spectrum. A Grammy executive member and an influential voice in music and tech, Jones has earned accolades such as “CEO of the Year” at the Global CEO of Excellence Awards and has been instrumental in placing hit songs for Disney stars Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, and is currently expanding his creative and business impact across India and South Asia.

Together, Markus and Taylor discuss the intricacies of Cyanite and the evolution of AI in the world of music.

Click HERE to listen to the conversation.

 

PRINS is taking the global pop scene by storm with her electrifying new single “run!,” a high-energy anthem that solidifies her reputation as one of New Zealand’s most exciting rising stars. Following a breakout international tour across New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Spain, and the U.K., as well as collaborations with major artists like Caity Baser and K-pop sensation GIRIBOY, she continues to command attention on the world stage. In 2024, she delivered a show-stopping performance at Auckland’s Synthony Festival in front of 30,000 fans and took her sound to summer festivals across Germany, further expanding her international presence. With fresh music written in Los Angeles, Stockholm, and London, PRINS is gearing up for a massive 2025—proving that “run!” isn’t just a song, it’s a bold declaration of her unstoppable momentum. PRINS will be showcasing at MUSEXPO Los Angeles on Monday, March 17th at S.I.R. Hollywood. Listen to “run!” HERE, and contact Luke Cooper at luke@bigdawg.co.nz for all signing, licensing, publishing, booking, sync, and other inquiries on behalf of PRINS.

 

 

CREATE MUSIC GROUP ACQUIRES DEADMAU5 CATALOG AND LABEL: Create Music Group has secured the rights to the catalog of artist and producer Deadmau5, along with his label, mau5trap. The acquisition, valued at over $55 million (USD), includes more than 4,000 songs, covering both sound recordings and publishing rights. Also, the agreement establishes a joint venture between Deadmau5 and Create Music Group, aimed at releasing future projects from both the artist and his label. With a career that spans over 25 years, Deadmau5 (Joel Zimmerman) has become an iconic figure in the world of electronic music. In 2007, Zimmerman took a pioneering step by founding Mau5trap, which has since become a launchpad for artists like Skrillex, Rezz, Noisia, Feed Me, and i_o. A forward thinker, Zimmerman, has always embraced modern technologies, from streaming and social media to gaming. Through this partnership, CMG plans to implement a multi-platform strategy, including remastering and re-releasing key works, unveiling exclusive new content, and introducing Mau5trap’s legacy to younger audiences. The collaboration will also focus on expanding licensing opportunities, brand partnerships, and further exploring emerging media like gaming, virtual reality, and live streaming to create additional revenue streams from the catalog.

 

CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS GLASS BEAMS TO GLOBAL DEAL: Concord Music Publishing ANZ (Australia & New Zealand) has secured a global publishing agreement with the Melbourne, Australia-based artist Glass Beams. At the helm of the project is Rajan Silva, the mastermind behind the masked act, whose unique sound blends live instrumentation with electronic elements. Glass Beams released their debut EP Mahal in 2024, and their success followed with sold-out performances across their inaugural European and North American tours. The band is now set to perform at festivals, including Coachella and Primavera Sound, later this year. Concord Music Publishing ANZ is known for representing artists and songwriters such as Benny Blanco, Phil Collins, Imagine Dragons, Pink Floyd, Trent Reznor, Nikki Sixx, and many others. Jaime Gough, Managing Director, Concord ANZ, tells A&R Worldwide, “It truly is a privilege to welcome Rajan to the family. Rajan is a supremely gifted artist and songwriter, who through Glass Beams has created a unique brand of serpentine, psychedelic-tinged music, capturing a spirit that drifts between worlds; mystical, elusive, and endlessly mesmerizing. We are excited for the journey ahead.”

 

TWIN ATLANTIC BAND MEMBERS INK DEAL WITH 23RD PRECINCT & NOTTING HILL MUSIC: Sam McTrusty and Ross McNae of Twin Atlantic have entered into a publishing agreement with Glasgow-based music publisher 23rd Precinct. Also, the Scottish alternative rock band released their seventh studio album, Meltdown, through their Staple Diet label in October. The partnership came about after discussions led by their manager, Polsia Ryder of Village Artist Management in New York. These talks eventually brought the band to Billy Kiltie, the owner of 23rd Precinct, and publishing manager Rosie Watson. 23rd Precinct, which originally started as an indie record shop in Glasgow, has since expanded into a multi-faceted company with a label, a music publishing division, and a music conference. The company also maintains a longstanding partnership with Notting Hill Music. Twin Atlantic have been collaborating with other artists, including contributing to the latest single by Lala Hayden and Lucia & the Best Boys.

 

COLIN RICE NAMED DIRECTOR, CATALOG MARKETING AT CHRYSALIS RECORDS: Chrysalis Records has appointed Colin Rice as its new Director of Catalog Marketing. Operating from the company’s London headquarters, Colin will report to James Meadows, Sr. Vice President, Marketing. In this role, Colin will focus on crafting marketing strategies for Chrysalis’s catalog of artists both in the U.K. and internationally, collaborating closely with the U.S. marketing team led by Ali Schlueter. He will also be responsible for enhancing the Chrysalis brand, analyzing the catalog as a whole, and developing strategies that incorporate trending topics, cultural moments, and seasonal shifts. Colin joins Chrysalis from Sony Music‘s Commercial Music Group, where he served as Sr. International Marketing Manager. Over his eight-year tenure, he managed global marketing and development for Pink, Celine Dion, Jimi Hendrix, Primal Scream, and others. Some of his key achievements at Sony include securing international No.1 hits for Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” across various regions, driving Top 5 global chart success for posthumous albums by Prince and Leonard Cohen, and leading marketing campaigns for albums like The Clash‘s London Calling (2019 – 40th Anniversary), Pearl Jam‘s Vs (2023 – 30th Anniversary), and Primal Scream’s Screamadelica (2021 – 30th Anniversary). He was key in developing playlisting strategies and optimizing seasonal campaigns for numerous projects. Colin’s career began at Sanctuary Records as Catalogue Digital Manager, after which he was appointed Head of Music and Label Relations at we7 / Blinkbox Music, later acquired by Tesco in 2012. He also spent four years working in international business development for catalog marketing label Union Square Music.

 

SEVDALIZA SIGNS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH CREATE MUSIC GROUP: Sevdaliza has entered into a global partnership with Create Music Group. As part of this deal, Sevdaliza will release her upcoming music through Create’s indie label, broke, co-founded, and led by Andre Benz and Brandon De Oliveira. Benz is the Founder of The Nations‘ network of YouTube channels. Also, the partnership marks a new phase for Sevdaliza, who debuted her single “Maria Magdalena” on March 7th and was the first release under the new deal with Create Music Group. With 16 million monthly Spotify listeners and hits like “Alibi”—which she performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last year—and “Ride or Die,” Sevdaliza continues to grow her influence in the pop music world. Her 2024 single “Alibi” was named Shazam‘s No.1 “Song of the Summer” and TikTok‘s No.3 song globally. The track garnered over 800 million streams in just a few months, spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Global 200 chart, and marked her debut on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, Sevdaliza has collaborated with artists such as Pabllo Vittar, Grimes, Tokischa, Tiësto, Yseult, Anitta, and Karol G. The first release under her new partnership is “No Me Cansare,” a duet with Karol G. The track has already accumulated more than 70 million streams globally, with 39 million views on YouTube and seven million TikTok creations, resulting in 7.8 billion views.

 

BMG FORMS GLOBAL SYNC SERVICES TEAM: BMG is bringing together its sync and production music teams under a unified global sync services structure. The new, integrated approach will offer BMG clients a seamless experience, allowing them to select from a range of music, according to the company. To lead this newly formed global sync and licensing team, BMG has appointed Amberly Crouse-Knox and Scott Doran as Sr. Vice Presidents, Sync Services & Partnerships. Crouse-Knox will manage operations in North America and LATAM from Los Angeles, while Doran will oversee the U.K., CEU, and APAC regions from London. They will report to BMG’s Chief Strategy Officer, Johannes von Schwarzkopf, and join Allegra Willis Knerr, Executive VP of Global Sync Licensing, and Caspar Kedros, Sr. Vice President, Global Sync Operations. The enhanced service experience across both recorded music and music publishing sync, along with production music, is reinforced by BMG’s global administration services. This streamlined, unified team will cater to clients across various media sectors, including TV, film, advertising, trailers and promos, gaming, and technology. Crouse-Knox has been with BMG since 2014 after the company acquired production music house X-Ray Dog Music. She most recently served as VP of U.S. Creative Licensing at BMG Production Music. Doran joined BMG in 2016 following its acquisition of the UK music agency Altitude Music, where he was co-owner with Caspar Kedros. He had previously held the role of Sr. Vice President of Global Creative Licensing at BMG Production Music. 

 

KOBALT SIGNS GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL WITH SOUTH ARCADE: Kobalt has entered into a global publishing agreement with the U.K. band South Arcade. The Oxford-based group has gained momentum, racking up over 20 million streams from their debut EP (released in December) and 800,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone. South Arcade has earned a spot on BBC Radio 1‘s daytime playlist and has been featured on Jack Saunders‘ Future Artists show. On the live performance side, the band sold out London’s Koko venue. Over the past year, they’ve played several sold-out headline shows and supported artists such as Dead Pony, Røry, and Yours Truly. “We could not be happier to welcome South Arcade to the Kobalt Family,” said Kenny McGoff, Kobalt’s Head of Creative, U.K. & GSA. “The songs and talent match up to explode with energy and life. The global reach has fully started, and we can’t wait to be along for the ride! Big shout to Ben Karter for believing in us as much as we do in all things South Arcade.” 

 

UNIVERSAL ACQUIRES NETHERLANDS-BASED INDIE MUSIC COMPANY 8BALL: Universal Music Group (UMG) seems to have acquired the independent music company 8Ball Music, based in the Netherlands. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Hilversum, 8Ball is a “multidisciplinary record company” involved in artist management, live events, and sponsorships. The company represents artists such as Miss Montreal, DI-RECT, Davina Michelle, Dotan, and Maan. UMG, which is publicly listed on the Amsterdam Euronext, has witnessed significant growth in the Dutch music market. According to a report from industry group NVPI published on March 3, 2025, the Dutch music industry saw a 12% year-over-year increase in revenue in 2024, reaching €334 million Euro (about $361.5 million USD). Much of this growth has been driven by price hikes in digital streaming services. “This means that music is valued a [little] better and that more can be invested in new music. That is good for both the industry and consumers,” NVPI Managing Director Anne de Jong said.

 

RIMAS ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES STAKE IN DALE PLAY RECORDS: Rimas Entertainment, the label behind Bad Bunny, has secured a significant stake in Dale Play Records. Founded in 2018 by Federico Lauría, Argentina-based Dale Play has gained recognition for releasing music by celebrated producer and DJ Bizarrap, whose Bzrp Music Sessions with various Latin artists have become globally streamed. The deal, announced on March 6, was facilitated with the support of key figures such as Rob Stringer (Chairman, Sony Music Group), Afo Verde, and the entire Sony Music team, along with Brad Navin, Jason Pascal, and The Orchard. This partnership solidifies a collaboration between Rimas Entertainment, Dale Play Records, and Sony Music Entertainment, while Federico Lauría will continue to lead Dale Play Records as its CEO. In addition to Bad Bunny, Rimas Entertainment has a roster of Latin stars including Arcángel, Cris MJ, Eladio Carrión, Mora, and Quevedo. Dale Play Records is home to artists like Duki, Nicki Nicole, and Rels B. Noah Assad, CEO, Rimas Entertainment said, “From day one, our mission has been to support and develop artists with authenticity and respect for their identity. With Federico and DALE PLAY, we’ve built a relationship that is founded on trust and mutual admiration. This alliance will allow us to break new boundaries and create opportunities for our artists and teams.”

 

VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP NAMES ADRIAN POPE AS EVP DIGITAL BUSINESS & GLOBAL PARTNER RELATIONS: Virgin Music Group has appointed Adrian Pope, a PIAS executive, as its new Executive Vice President, Digital Business & Global Partner Relations. In this role, Pope will serve as a point of contact between Virgin Music Group, its global clientele, key digital partners, and the independent music sector. He will be based at Virgin Music Group’s London offices. This appointment comes on the heels of Virgin Music’s acquisition of PIAS/Integral. Before joining Virgin Music, Pope was Chief Digital Officer at PIAS and Managing Director of its label distribution and services arm, Integral. During his career at PIAS, Pope managed an array of independent labels such as ATO, Domino, Epitaph, Mute, and Warp, and collaborated with artists including Arlo Parks, Moby, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, and many more. Earlier in his career, Pope was a pioneer in digital music, having held roles at Music Week in the ’90s, specialist digital consultancy Understanding & Solutions, and as Head of Digital at Independiente, the label behind artists like Travis and Paul Weller. Pope will also play a key role in integrating the Integral business into Virgin Music Group’s global operations.

 

RESERVOIR AND POPARABIA ACQUIRE CATALOG OF OMAR KAMAL: Reservoir Media, in collaboration with MENA-based music company PopArabia, has acquired the catalog of Egyptian artist Omar Kamal. The deal encompasses both publishing and master rights to Kamal’s catalog. Last year, Reservoir and PopArabia also forged a music publishing agreement with In2Musica, the label, publisher, and production house of Lebanese pop star Nancy Ajram, securing her entire catalog and future works., Golnar Khosrowshahi, Founder & CEO, Reservoir has expressed her vision of making the company “the largest holder of Arabic music copyrights.” Over the past decade, Omar Kamal has become a standout figure in the MENA music scene. He is particularly credited with helping bring mahraganat—a genre-blending Egyptian rhythm, electronic music, and rap lyrics—to a broader international audience. Kamal gained recognition with his 2020 hit “Mahragan Bent El Geran” alongside Hassan Shakosh. Reservoir says that the song’s provocative lyrics resonated deeply with audiences across the Arab world, earning both Kamal and the track widespread international acclaim. The song was named one of Rolling Stone‘s 50 Best Arabic Pop Songs of the 21st Century and has amassed over 700 million views on YouTube. Kamal’s other popular tracks, including “Oud Al Batal” and “LGHBTITA,” have also seen success, with over 500 million and 300 million YouTube views, respectively. In 2021, Kamal expanded his career into acting with his debut role in the TV series Bayn El-Samaa Wa El-Ard. Wissam Khodur, Vice President, A&R and Acquisitions, Pop Arabia said, “Omar is one of the hottest Shaabi artists in Egypt and throughout MENA and was able to pivot into mahraganat with his own unique twist. We’re thrilled to bring his music to PopArabia and look forward to helping him reach new international heights with his catalog.”

 

HAZEL SAVAGE JOINS SYNTHO AS CEO: Hazel Savage, the music-tech entrepreneur and former CEO & Co-Founder of Musiio, has been named as the new CEO of Syntho, a U.K.-based music startup. Founded by DJ and producer Josh Baker in 2020, Syntho was created to provide top-quality production tutorials for aspiring music producers. The platform has over 360 hours of content and 560 tutorials in six languages, designed to help users master Ableton and produce tracks through a structured learning path. Syntho’s recent announcement highlights Josh Baker’s role in transforming the company into a successful bootstrapped business, with revenues hitting $700,000 in 2024. The company praised Hazel Savage for bringing experience in scaling music-tech businesses, positioning her as the ideal leader for the next phase of growth. Savage’s career in music technology began as an early employee at Shazam, followed by roles at Pandora, Universal Music, BandLab, and HMV. In 2018, she co-founded Musiio, an AI-driven music curation company, which was later acquired by SoundCloud in 2022 to enhance its discovery features. After the acquisition, Savage became SoundCloud’s VP of Music Intelligence, a position she held until December 2024. Josh Baker, who founded Syntho to transform electronic music education, remains an integral part of the company as its face. He is also the co-founder of Hide and Seek Festival, a boutique electronic music event in the U.K.

 

UNCHAINED MUSIC SIGNS BLOCKCHAIN AND AUTHENTICATION PARTNERSHIPS: Unchained Music has partnered with blockchain network Sei and wallet-based identity solutions provider Dynamic to enhance its on-chain administration and payment processes. With a history of distributing music for over 70,000 artists, Unchained Music provides a comprehensive suite of services that includes marketing, strategic planning, vinyl pressing, physical distribution, playlist pitching, royalty advances, and catalog monetization for both artists and labels. Headquartered in the U.K. with a presence in the U.S., Unchained Music positions itself as an independent and free music distribution platform. The company achieves this by utilizing blockchain technology to manage artists’ royalties, placing them in vetted stablecoin liquidity pools that generate sustainable interest. This system enables artists to retain 100% of their streaming royalties while supporting the company’s operations. Also, by leveraging Sei’s blockchain, Unchained ensures music metadata is securely stored at the point of creation, reducing the risk of streaming fraud and copyright disputes. The blockchain creates a transparent public record of distribution and allows users to report potentially infringing content for further review. Sei and Dynamic join a growing list of Unchained Music’s partners, which includes SongBits, RoyFi, Charged Particles, Misfit Ventures, and Another Block.

 

HANDCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT RAISES $1 MILLION TO PIONEER THE GLOBALIZATION OF J-POP: Handcraft Entertainment has successfully raised $1 million (USD) in funding to capitalize on pioneering the globalization of J-Pop. Founded by Michael Africk, a multi-Platinum producer and six-time Japan Gold Disc Award winner, Handcraft Entertainment is positioning itself to introduce J-Pop to an international audience. Handcraft has already made an impact with releases produced by Africk and 10x Diamond, along with Grammy-nominated producer Louis Bell, known for his work with artists like Post Malone, Taylor Swift, and Justin Bieber. The company’s legal affairs are managed by attorney Jason Boyarski of Boyarski Fritz, LLP. Handcraft’s artists have already made their mark in major cultural centers. Their music has been featured on billboards in Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, and performed at venues like Japan’s Saitama Super Arena and Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium. Handcraft’s artists have signed with Virgin Records and Japan’s B-Zone, with tracks charting at No.2 on Usen charts and entering the Top 50 on U.S. radio. The company has also secured partnerships with lifestyle brands and fashion houses. One of Handcraft’s most promising stars, Hana Kuro, is generating global excitement ahead of her debut single “Be Romantic,” which has already garnered millions of views across social media. Also, Handcraft artist Anna Aya is gaining international recognition, with her music career complemented by high-fashion features in ads for Dior, Chanel, Ferragamo, and Valentino.

 

BLACKX PARTNERS WITH JAPAN’S ASOBISYSTEM TO EXPAND J-POP GLOBALLY: Singapore-based blackx, a company focused on music investments across Asia, has joined forces with Japanese talent management firm ASOBISYSTEM to amplify the global presence of J-pop. This collaboration aims to develop intellectual property, create new revenue streams for artists, and boost international fan engagement for ASOBISYSTEM’s roster, which includes over 100 artists, models, and creators from Japan’s entertainment sector. According to the IFPI‘s 2024 Music Report, Japan ranks as the second-largest music market globally. The country’s domestic music consumption continues to rise, bolstered by the increasing popularity of international streaming services. Data from Luminate reveals that Japanese-language music’s market share in the world’s Top 10,000 streaming tracks grew from 1.3% in 2022 to 2.1% in 2023. Founded in 2007, ASOBISYSTEM manages several artists, including Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who debuted in 2011 and has completed five world tours; Atarashii Gakko!, who performed at Coachella and completed a 26-city world tour; Fruits Zipper, a seven-member group formed in 2022 under ASOBISYSTEM’s KAWAII LAB. label; and producer Yasutaka Nakata, known for creating Ado‘s hit “New Genesis” for the anime film One Piece Film: Red. For ASOBISYSTEM, this partnership offers financial backing and strategic support to help its artists reach wider international audiences. Beyond traditional music, the partnership will explore cross-industry collaborations to develop intellectual properties, though specific projects were not disclosed in the announcement. Founded in 2022 with $100 million (USD) in funding, blackx collaborates with creators to manage, develop, and monetize music assets through acquisitions and collaborations, taking an integrated approach to intellectual property management and distribution.

 

AUDIUS CONTINUES PROGRAM TO REWARD ARTISTS AND FANS: Audius is in the midst of a program designed to reward the artists and fans who have helped make the platform one of the most engaging ways to experience music today. Now in its fourth week, Audius has committed to distributing 30 million $AUDIO tokens—valued at $3 million (USD) based on current prices—over the coming months and years, focusing on the most active and resolute members of its community. So far, Audius has awarded artists in week one, fans in week two, and both groups in week three. The platform has a wide array of rewards planned for the upcoming weeks, with an increase today in the Weekly Trending Competition prize. Audius has ramped up the reward by ten times, with the top five Trending Tracks and top five Trending Underground Tracks each earning 1,000 $AUDIO every Friday. Full details of the reward program can be found on the Audius blog. Furthermore, Audius empowers artists to maintain control over their music by allowing them to set their own terms and pricing. Fans, in turn, can directly support their favorite artists through payments in USDC, which can be converted by artists and rights holders into any currency they prefer.

 

ANTHONY GIANNACCINI LAUNCHES THE SMALL PRINT: Anthony Giannaccini has launched The Small Print, a new independent press agency focused on delivering media services for the music and entertainment industries. Specializing in press campaigns across print, online, podcasts, and digital platforms, The Small Print also offers crisis management and media training for talent. With over 12 years of experience, Giannaccini has previously held senior positions at Wilful Publicity, DawBell, and most recently at MBC PR. During his six years at MBC, he worked alongside Barbara Charone and Moira Bellas. Giannaccini has led press campaigns for artists such as Hozier, Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, and The Snuts, in addition to managing campaigns for Foo Fighters, St. Vincent, Metallica, Peaches, Interpol, and Luke Combs. One of his achievements includes driving the press for Hozier’s first U.K. No. 1 album Unreal Unearth, which featured the double-platinum hit “Too Sweet.” He also jointly won the PR Campaign of the Year at the 2024 Music Week Awards for his work on Lewis Capaldi’s album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent. Additionally, Giannaccini assisted in breaking new artists like Sea Girls and The Snuts, helping them achieve Top 10 albums, while also revitalizing the careers of Natasha Bedingfield and The Hives. His recent work also includes guiding comedian and TV star Mo Gilligan through a successful world tour and his two years of hosting the BRIT Awards.

 

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