EMPIRE Publishing

EMPIRE Publishing, the publishing arm of independent distribution and service company EMPIRE, has announced its new joint venture with Surf Club, a collective of young artists, producers and writers founded by superstar producer Hit-Boy. Along with the news of the partnership itself, EMPIRE and Surf Club have also announced their first three signees: Gary “G Dav” Davis, Jesse “Dr. Blum” Blum, and Randy “Bandz” Holmes.

G Dav is a contributor to a number of major rap records, including Nas‘s King Disease, which earned him a Grammy for best rap album; Dr. Blum is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, best known for his touring work with Twenty One Pilots and cuts with Big Sean and Rage Against the Machine; Bandz is a writing and production talent, bringing his West Coast-infused sound to YG, OhGheesy, Kamaiyah and more.

Though Hit-Boy himself is not working with EMPIRE for publishing administration and remains in his previous deal, the new partnership involves the EMPIRE Publishing team — run by industry vets Al McLean, Vinny Kumar and Brett Sweeney — providing publishing administrative services to the three new signees and helping Hit-Boy Surf Club identify and sign new talent in the future.

The Surf Club collective is led by Hit-Boy along with managing partner Nima Nasseri, president Jameel “Double” James, and head of a&r James Bentley.

EMPIRE’s directors of business affairs Benedict Paz and Sarah Beth Gerlecz negotiated and finalized the partnership.

“We want to build Surf Club up to be great, create outstanding pieces of work and music. I’ve been looking for a publishing situation for years, and Empire really made it happen,” says Hit-Boy, whose credits include “Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott, “Clique” by Ye, “Trophies” by Drake, and many more.

“Hit-Boy is a prolific record producer,” says Sweeney. “His resume precedes him and his team is composed of innovative entrepreneurs. We are excited to be in business with Hit and the Surf Club team and empower their writers.”

“EMPIRE has long been in the business of pushing the culture forward on a global scale, enabling recording artists to excel independently with its distribution and label services,” adds Paz. “This partnership with a talent like Hit-Boy and the passionate individuals of the Surf Club team mirror that same ethos at EMPIRE Publishing and we are excited for what this is set to accomplish in the music publishing space.”