label signings

Ludacris signed with UTA for representation in all areas, including music, film/TV and other ventures. The rapper is still repped by Cara Lewis Group for concert bookings in the U.S. He’s managed by Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon of Ebony Son Entertainment and attorney Darrell Miller of Fox Rothschild.
Longstanding electronic music producer Seven Lions signed with Los Angeles-based artist management company MLennial, with the partnership focused on all of the artist’s future endeavors, including global touring. Launched a year ago, MLennial is run by founder Mike Lisanti, formerly the COO of Prodigy Artists, and focuses on multi-genre DJs and producers in dance and bass music. “Jeff (Seven Lions) has been one of my favorite artists since the start of my journey in the music industry,” says Lisanti. “His win in the Above & Beyond ‘You Got To Go’ remix contest on Beatport inspired me to enter similar competitions for exposure back in 2012. At the time, I was part of Charity Strike, and my duo partner and I went on to win two Beatport contests shortly after Jeff’s iconic entry. That moment kickstarted my entire career in the industry. Now, managing Seven Lions at the company I’ve built from the ground up feels not only full circle but truly surreal. We’re thrilled to unveil this new chapter for Seven Lions and are committed to serving both longtime and new fans through a fresh, innovative lens.” – Katie Bain

Grammy- and Oscar-winning rapper, actor, author and activist Common signed with CAA and Anonymous Content. He continues to be represented by Ceremony Music Group, The Lede Company, SMAC Entertainment, and Myman Greenspan Fox Rosenberg Mobasser Younger & Light.

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McFly signed to Absolute Label Services for the release of the U.K. pop group’s “21st birthday album,” 21 LIVE. The release follows the ITV music special McFLY: The 21st Birthday Party, which was recorded at The O2. This will be the band’s fourth album released through Absolute.

Hawaiian country artist Maoli signed with ONErpm and Huff Co., which formed a joint venture last year. He’s set to release the album Last Sip of Summer on June 27 and recently embarked on a tour that will hit New Zealand, Australia, the U.S. and Canada.

Bluegrass band The Steeldrivers signed with Sun Records, which will release the group’s new self-produced album, Outrun, on May 23.

Universal Music Group Greater China signed an exclusive, multi-year global agreement with Chinese pop star Liu Han, who has been making music in the country for four decades. The deal marks the first time that his “majority body of work,” both recording and publishing rights, will be under a single umbrella, according to a press release. “Liu Huan is a towering figure in contemporary Chinese music history, and we are proud to support his journey in sharing his extraordinary music with the world,” Adam Granite, Universal Music Group executive vp of market development, said in a statement on the deal.

DJ and producer Netsky signed with One World Artists, the official artist agency of Tomorrowland, for global management representation. The drum and bass pioneer recently released the new single “California.”

HSquared Management signed Juno Award-winning artist Jordan St. Cyr. The signing of the “Rescue” hitmaker marks the company’s second joint signing since industry executives Kelli Haywood and Leigh Holt launched the company last year. – Jessica Nicholson

Pitbull’s Mr. 305 Records signed Cuban singer-songwriter and producer WhiteStar, who is regarded as one founders of the Bajo Mundo movement alongside Farruko and IAmChino. Under the deal, WhiteStar seeks to “expand this movement while exploring new musical horizons,” according to a press release. His contributions to the Bajo Mundo genre, a style that blends reggaetón, guaracha, dembow and EDM, include projects like Farruko’s mega hit “Pepas” and “Helicóptero” by El Alfa. “Joining Mr. 305 Records is a blessing, and a dream come true,” WhiteStar said in a statement. “I’ve always known I had the potential to be a star, and this is the right time to focus on my solo career. I’m excited to work with a label I’ve always admired, one that has played a key role in my development as a songwriter.” – Griselda Flores

The Ophelias signed with Get Better Records, which is set to release the band’s Julien Baker-produced album Spring Grove on April 4. Baker sings harmonies and plays instruments throughout the album, according to a press release. The Ophelias is composed of Spencer Peppet (guitar & vocals, she/her), Mic Adams (drums, he/him), Andrea Gutmann Fuentes (violin, she/her), and Jo Shaffer (bass, they/she).

Sophia Talamas, a content creator with more than 30 million followers on social media who last year participated in the influencers’ panel at Billboard Latin Music Week, signed a record deal with Sony Music Latino and will release her first single on Feb. 21. “This song is called ‘Funeral’ and is based on ‘real events’,” Talamas tells Billboard, adding that she has been working with Sony for over a year. “It’s not that easy to release a 1st song. I have learned to have a lot of patience, especially when you also have to complement or go from influencer to artist,” she adds. “When the 2nd one comes, it should be easier and faster.” – Isabela Raygoza

Mom+Pop Music signed alt-country supergroup Chaparelle, which released a new song, “Devil’s Music,” on Jan. 31. The group — composed of Zella Day, Jesse Woods and Beau Bedford — will be releasing new music throughout the year and is slated to kick off a 2025 tour on April 3. Chaparelle is managed by Jack Gallagher and Fiona Dolan at OPEN Management.

Britpop icons Pulp signed with Rough Trade Records. “Rough Trade have managed Pulp for over 30 years so it feels great to be finally on the label. We did it!” the band said in a statement. Pulp’s last release was the 2001 album We Love Life, released by Island Records, though the band has toured together in the intervening years. Pulp has released a total of seven studio albums, including 1995’s Different Class, which was certified four-times platinum by the BPI.
Maggie Rose, a 2025 Grammy nominee for best Americana album, signed with One Riot/Virgin. Her first release under the deal is a “stripped version” of “Under the Sun” with Charlotte Sands. Rose is managed by Austin Marshall and Narvel Blackstock at Starstruck and booked by Jonathan Levine and Matt Runner at Wasserman.

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Folk-country artist Evan Honer signed with Wasserman Music for booking representation ahead of his recently announced spring 2025 tour. Honer will play 36 dates across the U.S., starting on Feb. 23 in Little Rock, Ark.

Singer-songwriter Sam Ryder signed with mtheory for management. He will be represented by Lewis Allen and Derek Gridley. Ryder is gearing up to release his second album and will embark on a tour this year.

Grammy-nominated gospel artist William Murphy signed a distribution deal with Motown Gospel, which released his new single, “Double,” on Friday (Jan. 10).

Centricity Music signed singer-songwriter Rachel Purcell to an exclusive global recording and publishing deal. Under her maiden name, Wammack, Rachel previously pursued a country music career, with songs including “Damage”; her new deals with Centricity mark her foray into Contemporary Christian music. – Jessica Nicholson

Sony Music Nashville signed singer-songwriter and Georgia native Zach John King. King just released a new song, “Slow Down,” which he wrote with Thomas Archer, Kyle Fishman and Michael Tyler. Sony Music Nashville’s roster also features artists including Brooks & Dunn, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Megan Moroney. – Jessica Nicholson

Guitarist/producer RJ Pasin launched his own record label, Isekai Records, and signed Baltimore-based artist Lindsay Chia to the imprint. The label, which was founded by Pasin alongside his managers Ewan McGregor and Jack Mangan, released Chia’s track “Ghost” on Jan. 1. On launch, Isekai released the track “Embrace It (Remix)” by Ndotz, Sexyy Red and Flo Milli, featuring Pasin on guitar.

Luke Dean, an emerging artist in the U.K. underground dance scene, signed with Enzo Siragusa‘s LOCUS imprint, which released his new EP Ready Set Go on Dec. 13.

Jeff Roberts Agency partnered with contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Claire Leslie for booking. Leslie is managed by Hyphen Media Group and signed with Capitol CMG. She released her debut single “Original” this summer and followed with songs including “Ceiling Fan” and “Passenger Seat.” – Jessica Nicholson

Nashville-based label Quartz Hill Records, led by Brown Sellers Brown partner Benny Brown, signed country-pop duo 2 Lane Summer to its roster. The duo, composed of Illinois native Joe Hanson and Mississippi-born Chris Ray, recently joined country trio Chapel Hart on their Hartfelt Family Christmas Tour. They’ve also released a new version of their song “Eyes That Ain’t Yours.” – Jessica Nicholson

Pollinate Music, a newly-launched label under Bell Partners Worldwide, signed rapper, singer-songwriter and producer Rakeem Miles, who is also known for the clothing brand Action Figure Miles.

Singer-songwriter McCoy Moore signed an exclusive booking and artist development deal with The Neal Agency, home to fellow artists including HARDY, Nate Smith, Morgan Wallen, Anne Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman. Moore is also signed with SMACK and Worktape Music for publishing and with the newly-launched TRACK mgmt’s Tracker Johnson for management. – Jessica Nicholson

Downtown Artist & Label Services struck an exclusive distribution deal with Josa Records in support of its emerging Música Mexicana artist Netón Vega. The agreement covers the global distribution of Vega’s catalog and his upcoming debut album set for release early next year, which will include collaborations with Peso Pluma, Luis R Conriquez, Tito Double P and others. Hits for Vega include “La Patrulla,” “LINDA,” “Presidente” and “Si No Quieres No,” his collaboration with fellow Downtown client Conriquez.
Nigerian artist Flavour signed a joint deal with Warner Music Africa and Africori, which will team up to distribute his future releases. The singer is known for fusing African rhythm, highlife and contemporary jazz and has garnered more than 1.1 billion views on YouTube and sold more than 5 million albums globally, according to a press release.

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Actor, rapper and DJ IDRIS (a.k.a. Idris Elba) signed with Dirtybird Records, which released his latest single, “No Long Talk,” on Friday (Dec. 6) along with an official remix by GAWP.

Gospel singer-songwriter Jonathan McReynolds signed to Motown Gospel/Christian Music Group for the release of his first Christmas-themed EP, Red & Green. He also signed with CAA ahead of his six-city Red & Green concert tour, which launched Dec. 1 in Chicago and is slated to wrap up Dec. 21 in Atlanta.

Metal band Shadows Fall signed with MNRK Heavy and released its first new music in more than a decade with the single “In the Grey.” The group is managed by Scott Lee at SL Managemeent.

Girlpuppy, the musical project from Atlanta’s Becca Harvey, signed with Captured Tracks and released her new single “Champ” on the label.

Eighteen-year-old blues artist Muireann Bradley signed to Decca Records and its U.S. partner label Verve Forecast. The labels will release the Irish singer’s forthcoming debut album, I Kept These Old Blues, on Feb. 28.

Country-folk artist Sam Stoane signed to Wasserman Music in Nashville on the heels of her opening dates for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dylan Gossett and other acts. She’s slated to release her debut album next year.

Scarlet Rae of the indie folk band Rose Dorn signed with Bayonet Records and released the single “Bleu.”

Nashville-based The Band Light signed with Red Van Records and is set to release new music on the label early next year. The group, which is managed by Rachel Inglesino at Jonas Group Entertainment, also just signed a deal with Jonas Group Publishing.