Publishing Briefs
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Reservoir Media has signed a go-forward publishing deal with platinum-selling songwriter Steph Jones. The genre-fluid Angeleno has co-written songs for a who’s-who of hitmakers, including Selena Gomez (“People You Know”), P!nk (“Happy”), Keith Urban (“Polaroid”), Panic! At the Disco (“Roaring 20s”), Celine Dion (“Look At Us Now”), Latto (“Lottery”) and Kelsea Ballerini (“Hole in the Bottle”). The biggest feather in her cap, at least recently, has been the success of her collaboration with pop singer Sabrina Carpenter for her 2022 album Emails I Can’t Send. The pair co-wrote several songs on the album, which rose to No. 23 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, including “Bet U Wanna,” “Bad for Business,” the bonus track “Things I Wish You Said” and “Nonsense,” which cracked the top 40 on the Pop Airplay chart. (Fun Fact: Carpenter nearly left it off the album.)
“Among the industry’s circles, ‘Steph Jones’ is the name on everybody’s lips,” said Reservoir executive vp and global creative director Donna Caseine. “Having success across multiple genres, her star burns brighter every day, and her writing continues to impress artists, listeners, and industry experts, alike. We are so happy to be supporting her career and helping her leverage opportunities to create more incredible songs.”
Reservoir has also acquired the publishing rights to the catalog of multi-Platinum-selling country songwriter, producer, and singer Kerry Kurt Phillips. A longtime collaborator of Tim McGraw, Phillips co-wrote a number of the star’s greatest hits including “Down on the Farm” and “Live Like You Were Dying.” One of the songwriters that defined the sound of country in the 1990s and 2000s, he also wrote with country legends George Jones, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tracy Crd, Craig Morgan and more.
Warner Chappell Music and Warner Chappell Music Colombia have extended their publishing deal with Latin producer CASTA, in partnership with Edgar Barrera’s BorderKid Publishing. Last year, the Colombian producer (born Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño) co-produced Becky G and Karol G’s “MAMIII,” as well as Manuel Turizo’s “La Bachata” — both top five entries on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.
AMR Songs has acquired the songwriting catalog of Fitz and the Tantrums keyboardist Jeremy Ruzumna, which includes his rights to the band’s biggest hits like “Hand Clap” “Out Of My League” and “The Walker.” His catalog of hits also includes a piece of Macy Gray’s timeless song “I Try.”
Kobalt has signed Jake Torrey to a worldwide publishing administration deal, including global synch and creative services. Recently, Torrey co-wrote Calvin Harris and Sam Smith’s “Desire,” YUNGBLUD’s “Hated” and “Low Life,” and Lauren Spencer Smith’s “That Part.” In addition, he is a longtime collaborator to Charlie Puth (“Light Switch,” “I Don’t Think That I Like Her,” and more) and Justin Bieber (“Off My Face” and “Lifetime”).
Pulse Music Group has joined forces with Wide Eyed Entertainment to extend its global publishing deal with Sarah “Solly” Solovay. The hitmaker is best known for tracks like “Heart Wants What It Wants” by Bebe Rexha, “Summer Of Love” by Shawn Mendes, and “Take You Dancing” by Jason Derulo.
UMP Germany and Electric Feel Europe have joined together to sign Berlin-based producer and songwriter SUENA to a global publishing deal. Best known for co-producing “Roller” — which received Diamond status in Germany — and remains one of the biggest local songs of the decade so far.
Warner Chappell has signed Cole Miracle to a global publishing deal. With credits on songs by Wyatt Flores, LECADE, Shaylen, Graham Barham, Eddie And The Getaway, David J, and Evan Honer, Miracle’s writing spans country, pop and rock.
Reel Muzik Werks — an independent publishing and rights management company — signed a global administration deal with independent production music company Level 77 Music.
Warner Chappell has signed Kaliii to a worldwide administration deal. The writer and rapper behind “Area Codes,” the rising star hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Emerging artists chart in June and is nominated for Best New Artist at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
Reservoir Media and PopArabia have jointly acquired the catalog of Cairo-based content production and distribution company RE Media, including the Company’s over 6,000 recordings and compositions, and the master and publishing rights for the catalog of Egyptian rap duo, El Sawareekh.
Concord Music Publishing has extended its deal with hitmaking producer and songwriter Tomas Costanza, the multi-faceted worldwide agreement extends his existing relationship with the top indie publisher and includes the acquisition of his catalog as well as representation of his future works.
Warner Chappell has partnered with BTS hitmakers Jenna Andrews (Jennasis Music) and Stephen Kirk (Sixteen Sound) to form a new publishing joint venture. To start the new union, the trio has signed Nashville-based Morgan Johnston and Tyler Jordan as its first signees.
SILO: Music has signed Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and vocalist Trey Campbell to a new management contract. Credited on songs by Kim Petras, Giveon, HER, Ariana Grande, John Legend, Ella Mai, and more, the hitmaker was brought to the company by director of a&r management/publishing, Jessica Thomas.
Warner Chappell has signed VALE, a Columbian alternative-pop duo, to a global publishing deal. Nominated for Best New Artist at the 2022 Latin GRAMMY Awards, the duo is comprised of sisters Valeria and Valentina.
Warner Chappell has signed Charles Wesley Godwin to a global publishing deal. Currently on tour as the opener for Zach Bryan’s tour, Godwin is gearing up for the release of his third album (and his first under his new agreement with Big Loud Records) Family Ties on Sept. 22.
Anthem Music Publishing has signed Joey Hyde to a worldwide publishing deal. A writer for talents like Jake Owen, Walker Montgomery, Luke Dick, Sam Grow, Lindsay Ell, and Ryan Hurd, he is a fast-rising talent in the Nashville scene.
Sony Music Publishing has signed Naika to a global publishing agreement in conjunction with Michael Brun, a Haitan DJ and record producer.
BMG has partnered with pioneering UK electronic duo The Chemical Brothers and will now administer and represent the band’s entire song catalog, building upon their previous arrangement to represent all of the duo’s works from 2015 onwards. The news comes just weeks before the duo will release their tenth studio album For That Beautiful Feeling.
Primary Wave Music has purchased the publishing rights of Styx member Dennis DeYoung, encompassing the majority of his compositions and master recordings. This includes Styx hits “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” “Mr. Roboto,” “Lady,” “The Best of Times,” and more.
Concord has purchased a portion of the song catalog of Plain White T’s frontman Tom Higgenson, including his share of “Hey There Delilah.”
BMG has acquired the writer’s share of royalties for Michael Münzing of SNAP!, building on the company’s pre-existing partnership with the 90s Eurodance troupe. The two parties’ relationship began in 2018 when BMG acquired SNAP!’s recorded music catalog.
Simon Cowell and Syco Entertainment have launched Syco Publishing in partnership with UMPG.
Warner Chappell Music and the Warren Brothers have joined together to sign Jet Harvey to a worldwide publishing deal. Most recently, Harvey co-wrote Bailey Zimmerman’s “Rock And A Hard Place,” which ranked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for six weeks.
peermusic Australia has signed Ziggy Ramo to a worldwide publishing agreement. This is Ramo’s first-ever publishing deal, encompassing his back catalog and future works.
Sony Music Publishing hosted its first-ever SMP x BeatStars Hitmaker Week in Stockholm, Sweden at the House of Creatives. Bringing together 27 BeatStars Publishing hitmakers from 10 different countries, the camp marked the three-year mark in SMP’s partnership with the beat marketplace.
Position Music has signed producer, writer and instrumentalist Keith Varon (Machine Gun Kelly, Joji, Kenny Hoopla, Travis Barker) to a publishing deal. News of the deal arrives soonafter the talent scored RIAA Gold for “Angels and Demons” by jxdn and Platinum for “Banyan Tree” by Machine Gun Kelly.
Reel Muzik Werks has signed songwriter Jennifer Adan to a publishing administrative deal. This includes the administration of her previously existing catalog, including “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” by Blake Shelton.
CTM Outlander has acquired Dutch music label and publishing house Strengholt Music Group. Founded in 1928, Stengholt was originally part of European entertainment powerhouse Strengholt B.V. and was considered an early pioneer in the Dutch music business. The catalog contains over 100 Dutch No. 1 hits, including works composed by Boudewijn de Groot, Lennaert Nijgh, Ramses Shaffy, Pierre Kartner, Hans van Hemert, Ferry Corsten, Radboud Miedema, John Ewbank, Eric van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma, and including “Engelbewaarder” by Marco Schuitmaker. (The management and rights activities of Purple Eye Publishing and Purple Eye ENtertainment are excluded from this transaction.)
Grammy Songwriter of the Year nominee Nija Charles and Legion founder Christian McCurdy have launched Anomaly, a new publishing company. Already, the pair has signed Jack Rochon, Serg Dior and Tre-Von Waters to the new publishing house. To date, the company is not partnered with another publisher but is in the process of finalizing a deal now.
Sol Was has signed a worldwide publishing administrative agreement with Warner Chappell Music‘s Wallace Joseph and Gabz Landman. With recent credits on Beyoncé’s Renaissance, this marks the up-and-coming songwriter and producer’s first-ever publishing deal. He is managed by David Silberstein, Jeremy Levin, Haley Evans and Laura Higbee of Mega House Music.
Spirit Music Nashville has signed Tyler Reeve to a worldwide co-publishing agreement. A writer for Luke Combs, Eric Church, Chris Young, Scotty McCreery and Brett Young, his accomplishments include winning BMI’s Country Song of the Year and multiple multi-platinum certifications.
peermusic Nashville has signed songwriter and engineer Nick Brophy to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. A songwriter to stars like Jason Aldean, Hootie & the Blowfish, Rascal Flatts and engineers to Avril Lavigne, The Rolling Stones and Everclear — Brophy has the “ability to write across genres with impact in Nashville and into global markets,” says Michael Knox, president of peermusic Nashville.
Downtown Music Publishing has signed Raja Kumari, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and rapper, to a global administration agreement. As part of the deal, Downtown will administer Kumari’s debut album The Bridge along with her collaboration with John Legend for Johnny Walker India. The deal also includes administration for all future writing credits during the deal term.
Angry Mob Music Group presented a five-day writing camp from June 26-30 in Downtown LA, drawing over 30 writers, artists and producers from various cultural backgrounds. Called The New Normal Writing Camp, it was founded by Ralph Torrefranca, senior director of a&r at Angry Mob, and was created to bring together underrepresented songwriters and to encourage new ways of thinking. Of the attendees, 50% were women producers and 70% were women artists and writers.
Distiller Music Group has announced a new co-publishing agreement with songwriter/producer Gil Lewis (Leah Kate, Nina Nesbitt, Icona Pop, Cheat Codes). The deal is an agreement with Stellar Songs and part of a wider partnership that Distiller Music Group is developing with Tim Blacksmith and Danny D’s publishing company. It will be administered by Warner Chappell Music.
Criminal Records, a London-based indie label, has launched a new publishing arm and North American partnership with Purley Sounds. With diverse signees, ranging from ska-punk to punk, Criminal Records hopes the new move will “further empower independent artists.”
Universal Music Publishing China has signed Tia Ray to a global publishing deal. Ray is a superstar in her home country and made history in 2018 with her song “Be Apart,” which sold enough worldwide to earn the No. 7 spot of IFPI’s Top 10 Global Singles Chart that year. She was the only Chinese artist to crack the top ten that year.
Reservoir has acquired the rights to rock talent Greg Kilhn. This includes publishing, recording, and distribution rights to Kihn’s Beserkley Records-era catalog. Songs from this time period include “Jeopardy” and “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em),” both of which charted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in the early 1980s.
Cutting Edge Media Music has acquired a majority interest in White Stork, a publishing company founded by film/tv composer Tom Howe (Ted Lasso, Daisy Jones and The Six, The Great British Bakeoff). As part of the deal, CEMM has invested in growing the publisher as a joint venture. Tamsin Dove, Chief Commercial Officer, has been selected to expand the business and drive global sync strategy.
Raedio has signed three new acts: Patrick Paige II, Ego Ella May, and Flwr Chyld. Each act will work with Raedio’s record label, music supervision and podcast ecosystem as part of their new agreements with the Issa Rae-founded firm.
Position Music has signed artist and songwriter KANNER to a worldwide publishing deal. Though she has earned credits on songs released by Katy Perry, Royal & the Serpent, Krewella, Siiickbrain, Rebecca Black and more, KANNER is also an artist in her own right. Her next single “MEGAPHONE MOUTH” will be released Friday, July 21.
Concord Music Publishing signs country artist and songwriter Tyler Halverson to his first-ever publishing deal. The worldwide agreement includes all of his future works.
Daytripper Music Publishing, the creative division of CCS Rights Management, has signed Ron Gallo to a worldwide co-publishing deal. On the label side, the Philadelphia-based singer songwriter is signed to Kill Rock Stars.
MNRK Music Group has partnered with Steel Sessions and its producers Francis “Buda Da Future” Ubiera, Dan “Grandz Muzik” Garcia, and Michael “Mike Kuz” Kuzoian. As part of the new partnership, the producers — along with the rising talent from Steel Sessions — will develop artists in the studio, sign them to MNRK, and provide production services for MNRK Urban’s releases.
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Kobalt has signed Grammy nominated producer and songwriter OZ to a global administrative publishing deal. Ozan Yildirim, a.k.a. OZ, is known for his work on Drake’s “Toosie Slide,” Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” and “Highest in the Room,” and Future’s “Life Is Good.”
Electric Feel Entertainment has signed Projexx to a publishing deal. The Jamaica-born, Miami-based singer, songwriter, and producer has already helped write a number of songs for global stars, including Wizkid and Konshens and emerging talents like Jesse Royal, Ruger, Juls, Bakersteez, and more.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed Seth Mosley to a global publishing deal. Most recently, the country and Christian hitmaker co-wrote Gabby Barrett’s “Glory Days.” Other cuts of Mosley’s include Colton Dixon’s “Build a Boat,” King and Country’s “Fix My Eyes” and “Joy.”
Warner Music Spain and Warner Chappell Music Spain have jointly hosted a summer songwriting camp at The Music Station in Madrid, starting June 15. The camp was created to bring together some of Spain and Latin America’s most promising artists and songwriters to write together and perform at The Music Station’s live venue.
Position Music and Poems (a partnership between The Monsters & Strangerz and Mega House Music) have announced their signing of songwriter, producer and artist Jack LaFrantz to a global publishing deal. To date, LaFrantz has written songs like “Hero” by JVKE and Martin Garrix, “Love Like That” by Suriel Hess, “Castle in the Sky” by eaJ and “Sugar Sweet” and “Before You” by Benson Boone.
Superior Music Company has signed New York based songwriter Amy Douglas to a worldwide publishing administration deal. Known best for her work in dance music, Douglas has written songs with artists like Horse Meat Disco, Juan MacLean, Luke Solomon, Soul Clap, Low Steppa, Roison Murphy, and more. Douglas also has her own artist project which boasts the house music hit “Never Saw It Coming.”
Bucks Music Group and Mushroom Music have signed Joshua Epithet to a global publishing deal under their joint venture. A singer/songwriter, Epithet also releases his recorded music under Mushroom Labels worldwide.
Concord Music Publishing has signed Lindsay Ell to a worldwide publishing administration deal, which includes a selection of Ell’s future works. The Calgary-born country-pop artist is no stranger to the Billboard charts. Her album The Project (2017) reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, and her song “What Happens in a Small Town” with Brantley Gilbert peaked at No. 53 on the Hot 100.
Jamie Hartman — the songwriter/producer behind hits by Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris, Rag’n’Bone Man as well as a number of songs for film and tv — has sold “the majority of [his] back catalog royalties” to hundreds of his songs, published by Reservoir Media, to Cutting Edge Media Music (CEMM). A UK-based acquirer of film/tv music rights, CEMM’s deal with Hartman marks a foray into the pop music catalog market.
Big Machine Music, a subsidiary of HYBE America, has extended its deals with Laura Veltz, Jessie Jo Dillon and Maddie & Tae. Each of the acts have had a longstanding relationship with BMM, spanning over a decade or more.
Panela Rec Portugal — a global music and entertainment company with offices in Portugal, Brazil and the US — has partnered with BMG Spain to administer and co-publish its catalog. Through its new arrangement, Panela Rec hopes to create new economic opportunities for Portuguese-speaking musicians and to join it more with the Spanish and Latin American markets as well.
Willis Wonderland Foundation has announced its inaugural Next Level Songwriters Workshop. Created in partnership with Primary Wave Music, the camp begins in early June and will focus on providing an inclusive environment for next generation songwriters, particularly women and those from underrepresented groups, to create side by side. The event caries on the legacy of songwriter Allee Willis, who penned songs like “September” “Boogie Wonderland” the Friends theme song, and other hits over a decades-long career. The program will be coordinated by songwriter Autumn Rowe with additional mentorship from Lindy Robbins, Stephen Bray, Shari Short, Shane Stevens, and Elev3n.
Wise Music Group has forged an agreement for the printed music of UK-based classical publisher Faber Music. The move is part of a larger push for Wise to be a world leader in classical music and it follows news in April that the company had purchased a controlling stake in Edition Peters Group as well.
Peermusic has signed British artist and songwriter Karl Michael to an exclusive co-publishing agreement. He is best known for penning songs like “Can We Dance” by The Vamps, “Beautiful Me” by Dappy, and for his appearance on The Voice UK.
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.
Universal Music Publishing Group has signed Yahritza to a global publishing deal. As part of Yahritza Y Su Esencia, a sibling trio which has helped ushed Regional Mexican into the mainstream, she is one of Mexico’s most sought after stars.
Blackx, a new Asia-focused music fund, has acquired a catalog 230 songs from Frances Wang, a notable Taiwanese songwriter. Songs included in the deal span 30 years of work, including hits performed by Faye Wong, A-Mei, Jeff Zhang Xin Zhe, Oaeen, Eason Chan, Wan Fang and Tiger Huang Xiao Hu. This is one of Blackx’s first purchases in Asia. The fund launched in September 2022 with an initial $100 million in financing.
UMPG Germany has signed Berlin-based artist and songwriter Chris James to a worldwide publishing deal. As co-writer on “Komet” (Apache 207 and Udo Lindenberg), his work holds the honor of being the longest running #1 German-language song in 16 years, according to a press release. Most recently, he was listed as a co-writer on Jimin’s recent K-pop smash “Like Crazy” which debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100.
Universal Music Publishing UK has signed LF System, a chart-topping producer duo, to a global publishing deal. Comprised of Conor Larkman and Sean Finnigan, the duo is a top name in international dance music. Their song “Afraid to Feel” recently topped the UK Singles Chart for eight consecutive weeks.
Sony Music Publishing has signed 1da Banton, a Nigerian songwriter, artist and guitarist, to a global publishing agreement. He recently gained international acclaim with his song “Miss You” with Tungevaag, and his next EP is set to release next month, featuring 255, Rugged and Pimp.
Warner Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Spanish singer-songwriter Ana Mena. With nearly six million monthly listeners on Spotify, Mena’s “Música Ligera” won song of the year at Los40 Music Awards 2022. Most recently, she released her second studio LP Bellodrama, which follows her 2018 debut album Index.
Warner Chappell Music has signed Nia Archives to a worldwide publishing agreement. A DJ, producer and singer-songwriter, she won Best Electric/Dance Act at the MOBOs, Best Producer at the NME Awards, named Introducing Artist of the Year by BBC, and was shortlisted for the Rising Star Award at the BRITs 2023.
Universal Music Publishing Classics and Screen has signed Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Puts and rising Puerto Rican composer Angélica Negrón to exclusive worldwide publishing deals. As part of the agreements, Universal’s Classics & Screen division also acquired Puts’ compositional catalog.
Angry Mob Music Group has signed UK-based Richard Walters to a worldwide co-publishing agreement. Currently signed to Nettwek Music Group on the label side, Walters next single is out May 26th. As a songwriter, he has worked alongside Joe Henry, Alison Moyet, Solomun, 3LAU, Sony Fodera, Sultan + Shepard, and more.
Warner Chappell Music has joined with Matchless Publishing and Artist Development to sign a global publishing deal with Nashville-based singer, songwriter and producer Dan Pellarin. Pellarin has co-written with acts like Filmore, Atlus, and Savage Hands.
Warner Chappell Music and Cornman Music have teamed up to jointly sign Graham Barham to a global publishing deal. A Nashville-based newcomer, he first gained attention with his popular track “Preachers Need People.”
Creative Nation, an independent music company, has signed Nashville-based songwriter and producer Oscar Charles to a publishing deal. He has written songs with Chase Rice, Elvie Shane, Boy Named Banjo, Madeline Edwards, Hannah Dasher and more. He has released songs with Carly Pearce, Charlie Worsham and Jacob Powell, among others.