Peermusic
Florentino Primera, of the iconic Venezuelan brother duo Servando y Florentino, has signed a global publishing and neighboring rights deal with peermusic Publishing and peermusic Neighboring Rights, Billboard has learned.
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The agreement comes on the heels of Primera — who started his career alongside his brother in the 90s kids salsa group Salserín — appearing onstage at the Monumental Simón Bolívar de La Rinconada Stadium with Karol G on March 22. The Colombian star brought out the siblings as surprise guests during her stadium show in Caracas, Venezuela where they performed “De Sol a Sol.” Primera is also working on his upcoming new album.
“Writing songs has become one of the most fulfilling things in my life,” Primera said in a statement. “To be able to do it in company of some of the biggest names in salsa music, with some of the greatest to ever do it, is a dream come true. I’m honored to officially become a part of their family.”
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After branching out from Salserín, the brothers formed the duo that achieved six entries on Hot Latin Songs, including their No. 1 hit “Una Fan Enamorada” in 1998, part of their debut album Los Primera.
After a successful run in the 90s, the duo had a comeback in 2021 with two streaming concerts that marked their return to music. That year, they also released “Los Cachos” with Guaynaa. Meanwhile, Florentino also has songwriting credits in Marc Anthony’s “El Que Te Amaba,” part of his Grammy-winning album Pa’lla Voy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Florentino to the peermusic family and to represent his works as part of the iconic duo Servando y Florentino including the new music that is to come, as well as a performer on part of the peermusic Neighboring Rights family,” said Julio Bagué, vice president Latin division east coast and Puerto Rico at peermusic. “We are so impressed with his trajectory as both a songwriter and performer, and his commitment to the Latin music genre. Everyone at peermusic is beyond honored that he has chosen us to represent him.”
According to a press release, the deal was negotiated by Matthew Limones, founder of Prediction Enterprises, a rights management and business development firm, and and Nicolas Gonzalez, the company’s chief operations officer.
“This is exactly what I envisioned for a star client of ours. To find a home that we know understands his trajectory and can help guide him into the next chapter of his iconic career,” Limones noted. Gonzalez added, “We are so happy for Florentino and his future success at Peer. We know he will continue to make an impact in the genre with a great team.”
Primary Wave Music has acquired Skillet‘s music publishing interests as well as their recorded music royalties across five of their critically acclaimed albums, released from 2003-2016, in a multi-million dollar deal. Some of their biggest hits include “Whispers in the Dark,” “Awake and Alive,” “Feel Invincible,” “Monster,” “Hero,” and “The Resistance.”
Big Yellow Dog Music has signed BSAMZ (Brandon Sammons) to its publishing roster. With more than a decade of experience as a co-writer with artists like Lady Gaga, Kygo, Bryce Vine, Adam Lambert, Culture Club, Sam Feldt and many more, BSAMZ is still continuing to write hits, most recently with K-Pop group Girls’ Generation’s “You Think” off of their No. 1 album Lion Heart.
Reservoir has signed singer, rapper, and songwriter Armani White to his first-ever global publishing deal. The agreement entails both the artists’ back catalog and future works, including his viral hit “BILLIE EILISH” which reached No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Peermusic has signed singer-songwriter Alejo to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. The deal encompasses all of the Puerto Rican artist’s catalog, including his new album El Favorito de las Nenas, released on May 4. The deal also includes his hit songs “Pantysito” with Feid and Robi; “Un Viaje” alongside Karol G, Jotaerre and Moffa; “Volar” by Wisin, Chris Andrew ft. Los Legendarios; and “Estrella” with boy band CNCO.
Warner Chappell Music has signed a global publishing deal with Canada-based country act Josh Ross. Named a Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch for 2023, Ross has been building his profile with key opening slots, supporting talent like Bailey Zimmerman Nickelback, Lee Brice, Chase Rice, Brantley Gilbert.
Wise Music Group has signed a deal with DJ and producer Ron Trent. With almost 30 years of experience in the dance/electronic space, Trent first became acclaimed as a DJ with the release of Altered States at age 15. Under his new project WARM, Trent is still continuing to release enduring electronic works.
Peermusic has signed production and songwriting team, The Stereotypes (Jonathan Yip and Jeremy Reeves), to a worldwide publishing administration deal. The Stereotypes have made their mark on the music industry by penning hits like “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars, “Please Me” by Cardi B and Bruno Mars, “Somebody to Love” by Justin Bieber ft. Usher, “Better” by Lil Yachty, and “After Last Nite” by Silk Sonic (with Thundercat and Bootsy Collins), and Yip says of their new peermusic partnership that he “immediately realized [peermusic] was aligned with our vision.”
The indie publisher has also signed singer, songwriter and producer Alex Anwandter to an exclusive, worldwide co-publishing deal. The deal with peermusic marks the first music publishing deal for the Latin pop artist and encompasses his entire catalog as well as future works, according to the company. The Chilean multi hyphenate is set to release his new album, El Diablo En El Cuerpo, on May 26. It will feature singles such as “Qué Piensas Hacer Sin Mi Amor?” and “Maricoteca.”
Sony Music Publishing Nashville has renewed is publishing agreement with Lindsay Rimes, a songwriter and producer who co-created “Whiskey on You” by Nate Smith and “Heaven” by Kane Brown. Rimes has also worked with Troye Sivan, Kylie Minogue, Kelsea Ballerini, Thomas Rhett, Phillip Phillips, Dylan Scott, LoCash, The Cadillac Three, Tyler Rich, Canaan Smith and The Shires. “I couldn’t be more excited about continuing my journey with the Sony family,” says Rimes of the renewed deal.
Warner Chappell has partnered with Song Sleuth, a startup designed to find “undiscovered” royalties from user-generated content and derivative works, specifically using their tool UGSeeker. Song Sleuth describes this as “the first of a number of major deals that are currently in the pipeline.”
Connection Music Publishing has signed a new agreement with indie pop singer-songwriter Hayes Warner, fresh off the release of his songs “Shut Up” and “Airport.” The rising talent will perform at SXSW and as an opener for Lewis Capaldi. Connection Music Publishing is an indie publishing house, founded in early 2021 by Daniel Glass, founder and president of Glassnote Records, and Chris Scully, general manager and CFO of Glassnote Records.
Michael Knox has been promoted to president of peermusic Nashville. Knox, who joined the company in 2010, previously served as senior vp of peermusic Nashville.
Under Knox’s guidance, peermusic Nashville published the 2016 SESAC country song of the year, Dierks Bentley‘s “Somewhere on a Beach,” co-written by Michael Tyler and Jaron Boyer, as well as the 2013 ASCAP country music song of the year, Randy Houser‘s “How Country Feels” (co-written by Neil Thrasher and Vicky McGehee). Other peermusic Nashville publishing highlights include Jason Aldean‘s “Rearview Town,” Jon Pardi‘s “Ain’t Always The Cowboy,” Cole Swindell‘s “Love You Too Late,” Riley Green‘s “There Was This Girl” and Dustin Lynch‘s “Hell of a Night.”
“In the 12 years that he has been with peermusic, Michael Knox has distinctively guided our Nashville office song by song, hit by hit, resulting in major impact for our roster of songwriters,” said Kathy Spanberger, president/COO peermusic, via a statement. “Knox is one of the most prolific publishers and music producers in Nashville with an extraordinary amount of production credits to his name, but it’s his thoughtful approach, quick humor, and devotion to our music creators that really draws people to want to build their careers with peermusic Nashville. Knox is delivering career-making opportunities for our writers.”
“For over 94 years, the Peers have been widely considered the first family of country music publishing with a history of delivering ‘firsts’ in the industry,” Knox added. “I jumped at the invitation to be a part of this publishing team 12 years ago and to work alongside some of the best and most trusted music publishers in the business. The important legacy that we’re building upon here in Nashville, our commitment to continue delivering ‘firsts’ for songwriters, and the genuine connections we have with our peermusic writers is something that I’m flat-out proud to be a part of. I’m thankful to Kathy, Mary Megan Peer, Ralph Peer II, and our peermusic team for this opportunity.”
In addition to his work leading peermusic Nashville, Knox is an accomplished producer known for his longtime work with Aldean and others. Knox topped Billboard’s Top Country Producers chart for the first time last year (notching his 13th year earning Top 10 Country Producers honors) after the release of the Aldean/Carrie Underwood collaboration “If I Didn’t Love You,” which Knox solely produced. The song stayed atop the Billboard Country Airplay chart for three weeks, and earned single of the year honors at the 57th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The song is nominated for music event of the year at the upcoming 56th annual Country Music Association awards.
Knox’s production credits have contributed to over 55 million singles and 30 million albums sold, including songs recorded by Thomas Rhett (“It Goes Like This”), Trace Adkins (“Just Fishin’”), Kelly Clarkson and Aldean (“Don’t You Wanna Stay”), Aldean, Luke Bryan and Eric Church (“The Only Way I Know”), Montgomery Gentry (“Where I Come From”) and more. He also co-produced “The Wrong Song,” featuring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere with T Bone Burnett for the television show Nashville.
Prior to joining peermusic, Knox opened the song plugging company Hit Pluggers in 1991. From 1992 until 2002, Knox served as a vice president at Warner Chappell, responsible for writer and artist development and song placements. He signed and oversaw writers and catalogs including Aldean, John Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Emily West, Jeff Stevens, Steve Bogard, Marv Green, Terry McBride, Wendell Mobley, and Dave Loggins. Knox has previously served on the ACM Board of Directors and the CMA Board of Directors.
Additionally, Knox is a label exec with the Music Knox Records imprint with BBR Music Group/BMG. He signed Tim Montana to the label in 2020. He also launched the nationally syndicated radio show Knox Country 360, which he serves as host and producer on. Earlier this year, Knox became a first-time ACM national weekly on-air personality of the year, alongside co-host Shalacy Griffin.
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