State Champ Radio signings
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Artist, producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist SG Lewis signed with multi-dimensional artist development company Godmode, founded by former Capitol Records A&R Talya Elitzer and songwriter-producer Nick Sylvester. Lewis joins a roster that also includes Channel Tres and JPEGMAFIA.
“I am thrilled to formally welcome Sam to Godmode. Sam is an incredible talent and already a part of the Godmode family, I can’t wait to see what we are going to build together,” said Elitzer in a statement.
Lewis, who performed at this year’s Coachella music festival, previously released two studio albums: 2021’s Times and this year’s AudioLust & HigherLove, both via Virgin EMI/PMR Records. As a songwriter and producer, he’s collaborated with artists including Dua Lipa, Elton John, Robyn and Tove Lo.
Scott Schreiber at UTA represents Lewis for booking.
Singer-songwriter Goth Babe (aka Griff Washburn) signed with Mom+ Pop, which recently released his debut single on the label, “Alone in the Mountains.” He’s represented by manager Sean Sheahan and booking agents Jackie Nalpant and Kiely Mosiman at Wasserman Music.
Doe Boy (“100 Shooters”) signed with Salxco for management. The rising rapper is also signed to Epic Records, which released his latest single, “Roll the Dice” featuring DeJ Loaf, on April 14.
Singer-songwriter Sarah Kinsley (“The King”) signed to Verve Forecast and Decca Records UK. Kinsley is managed by Beth Warren at Everybody’s Management.
Christian singer-songwriter Chris Davenport signed with Capitol CMG, which recently released his single, “Plead the Blood.” His debut album, Time, is slated to drop on June 30. He’s managed by the Breit Group.
Deer Tick signed with ATO Records for the release of their forthcoming album, Emotional Contracts, which is due out on June 16. The band is represented by managers Ryan Matteson and Kevin O’Halloran at Ten Atoms and agent Will Scott at CAA.
Swedish pop artist Sarah Klang signed with Nettwerk Music Group, which released her latest single, “Mercedes,” earlier this month. Klang is managed by Petter Seander at Birds Will Sing For You and Johan Calissendorff at Pangur Music; her booking agent for the United Kingdom and European Union is Bas Flesseman at Belmont Bookings.
Also signing to Nettwerk is Atlanta-based dream pop artist Bathe Alone (born Bailey Crone). The label released their latest track, “Awfully Quiet,” earlier this month. Bathe Alone released an album, Last Looks, in 2022 and an EP, Fall With The Lights Down (Louise), last year.
Chicago band Deeper signed to Sub Pop and released their debut single on the label, “Sub,” earlier this month. They’re revving up for the release of their debut album on Sub Pop later this year.
Country singer-songwriter Lauren Watkins signed with Big Loud Records/Songs & Daughters. She released her debut EP, Introducing Lauren Watkins, on April 21. Watkins is represented by managers Seth England at Big Loud Management along with Nicole Galyon and Meanie Mulrain at Songs & Daughters. Her booking agent is Austin Neal at The Neal Agency.
Australian hardcore band Geld signed to Relapse Records, which will release the group’s third album, Currency//Castration, on June 9. The LP is preceded by the single “Fog of War.”
This is Signed, a new biweekly column that rounds up artist signings at labels, agencies, management companies and more.
Paris Hilton signed with management company YMU, where she will be represented under the recently formed FM Group banner — a new division of YMU Music led by FM president Alex Frankel and FM COO Chris Maher. The company will work with Hilton on her music business globally, including a new album that will mark her first since 2006’s Paris.
Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi, best known for his decades-long collaboration with legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki, signed with Deutsche Grammophon. The deal encompasses the full scope of Hisaishi’s career as composer, conductor and pianist. His first album on the label — A Symphonic Celebration, slated for release on June 30 — contains symphonic arrangements of his original soundtracks for Studio Ghibli films including Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro. All tracks on the album were recorded in London by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hisaishi.
Stockholm-based artist Waterbaby signed to Sub Pop Records globally. On March 29, she released her new single, “Airforce blue,” on the label. She is represented by managers Phil Jones and MNRK in the United Kingdom and Johan Calissendorff in Sweden as well as agent Tom Windish at Wasserman.
Nashville indie-pop singer-songwriter MORGXN signed to Nettwerk, which will release his new single, “Beacon,” on Friday. He is managed by Ron Shapiro.
MNJR, a new full-service artist and label management group launched in Nashville by Mike Reynolds and Norman Jacob, signed country band The Mavericks as well as the group’s frontman, Raul Malo, for his solo projects. Also signing with the company are alt-country group 49 Winchester and emerging artist McKinley James. The Mavericks and Malo release music through their own imprint, Mono Mundo Recordings, in partnership with Thirty Tigers; they’re booked by Clint Wiley at CAA in the United States, Nick Meinema at AEC in Canada and Nigel Hassler at CAA in other territories. 49 Winchester are on New West Records and represented by Jacob Lapidus and Will Scott at CAA for the United States and Lizzie Ford at CAA internationally. James is represented by Clint Wiley at CAA in the United States, Tom Brandt at Brando Bookings for the United Kingdom and Europe and Juan Diego at El Mico Entertainment for Spain.
Appalachian country-folk singer-songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin signed with Big Loud Records. Godwin is managed by Arthur Penhallow Jr. and Reed Turner at True Grit Management.
Producer-artist Michaël Brun (J Balvin, Ed Sheeran) signed to Astralwerks, which recently released his song “Clueless” featuring Oxlade; more music is on the way in 2023. Brun is represented by manager Ardie Farhadieh at LoyalT Management and agent Scott Schreiber at UTA.
Brazilian singer-songwriter Any Gabrielly signed to Republic Records. Formerly a member of the Simon Fuller-assembled pop group Now United, Gabrielly is managed by Fuller at XIX Entertainment.
Moroccan-American singer-songwriter Dounia signed a global distribution deal with ADA Worldwide and will soon begin releasing new singles. She is managed by Matt Geffen, Jamil Davis and Matt Bauerschmidt at The Revels Group, Carron Mitchell at Nixon Peadoby and Julie Greenberg at CAA.
“Zamrock” legends WITCH signed with Desert Daze Sound, a new record label launched by Southern California music festival Desert Daze in partnership with Partisan Records. The label will release Zango, the group’s first album in nearly 40 years, on June 2. WITCH is represented by manager Gio Arlotta and agents Joey Massa at Space Agency in the United States and Polly Miles at FMLY Agency in the United Kingdom and Europe.
TAG Music, a new record label founded by artist-turned-executive Gabe Saporta (Cobra Starship, Midtown), signed Los Angeles-based singer Sophie Powers and emo alt-rock artist Jules Is Dead under a joint venture deal with Atlantic Records. The label released Powers’ new single “Nosebleed” on March 31 and will release Jules Is Dead’s single “Red is My Favorite Color” later this month.
ONErpm Nashville announced a pair of signings: country singer-songwriter William Michael Morgan (“I Met a Girl”), who will release his Keith Stegall-produced EP on the label later this year; and singer-songwriter (and former The Voice contestant) Jesslee, whose debut single, “Unmet You,” is out now. Morgan is managed by Joe Carter and Mike Taliaferro at Carter and Company while his booking is handled by The Kinkead Entertainment Agency; Jesslee is represented by Black Label Nash Entertainment Group for both management and booking.
Hannah Georgas signed to Lucy Rose‘s Real Kind Records, which released her latest single, “This Too Shall Pass.” Georgas is managed by Jen Long, while her booking is handled by Todd Walker at Outer/Most in the United States, Julien Paquin at Paquin Agency in Canada and Colin Keenan at ATC Live in the rest of Europe.
Husband-and-wife country duo The Dryes — comprised of Katelyn and Derek Drye — signed with Wasserman Music for global representation. Formerly contestants on The Voice, the duo is managed by Carrie Lelwica.
Country singer Georgette Jones — daughter of country legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette — signed an artist management deal with Dr. Gerald Murray at Gerald Murray Music; Murray previously managed her father. Jones also signed with PLA Media for public relations.
African producer Dr. Wang signed with independent label KSR Group, which will release his new single, “Love Takes Me Higher” with Josh X, on April 21. Hailing from the Ivory Coast, Wang has produced for artists including Yannick Noah and Aya Nakamura.
American singer/songwriter and Youtuber Poppy has returned to Sumerian Records and released the new single and music video “Church Outfit.”
Sumerian Records founder Ash Avildsen says he was thrilled to bring Poppy — known for representing “a future where high art and high fashion equal subversion of the highest order,” according to her bio — back to Sumerian after a brief stint at Lava Records, which released her EP Stagger last year.
“The only thing more exciting than signing an iconic artist for the first time is signing them again when they choose to return home,” Avildsen says. “Poppy is a pioneer and lover of music, film, pro-wrestling, the unorthodox and the avant-garde. That is why I believe Sumerian is still the best label in the world for her. We are thrilled to have her back.”
During her initial time as a Sumerian Records artist, Poppy released two albums — 2020’s I Disagree and 2021’s Flux — and the 2021 EP Eat (NXT Soundtrack). During that period, she also became the first-ever solo female artist to be nominated for best metal performance at the Grammys for her 2019 single “Bloodmoney.”
Beyond tallying 100 million-plus streams, according to a press release, Poppy has been featured on the covers of NME, Revolver, Upset, Kerrang! and Tush and performed at the 2021 Grammy Awards and the 2022 Glastonbury festival. She’s toured with The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction.
“It’s an artist’s responsibility to always change,” Poppy explained in a press release announcing her return to Sumerian. “I don’t think I’d want to be in my body if I was repeating the same thing over and over again. I’m only competing with myself. I will continue to write the story until I get tired of the book. Then, I’ll write another one.”
This is Signed, a new biweekly column that rounds up artist signings at labels, agencies, management companies and more.
Melanie Chisholm, better known as Melanie C aka “Sporty Spice” of the Spice Girls, joined the roster of management company Various Artists for global representation; her U.S. agent at the firm is Matt Luxon. According to a press release, Melanie C has co-written a total of 11 No. 1 singles in the U.K. Her booking agent in the U.S. is Marty Diamond of Wasserman Music, while her booking agent in the U.K. is Alex Hardee, also of Wasserman Music.
Boston rapper Rich Amiri (“Walk In,” “Poppin” featuring Lil Tecca) signed with 10K Projects imprint Internet Money Records, which released his new album, EVOLUTION, on March 17. Amiri is represented by manager Nissim Hershkowits at After Life Presents and MAC Agency for booking.
The Frontmen — a country band comprised of Lonestar‘s Richie McDonald, Little Texas’ Tim Rushlow and Restless Heart‘s Larry Stewart — signed with BMG/BBR Music Group, which will release new music from the band this year in addition to re-recorded versions of the members’ greatest hits outside the group. The trio also signed with Marc Oswald and Charlie Pennachio at Oswald Entertainment Group for management, Kaleb Tooker and Greg Janese at UTA for booking, Don Murry Grubbs at Absolute Publicity and business manager Clyde Bright.
Singer-songwriter Greylan James signed with BMLG Records, which released his brand new track, “Undermine,” on Friday (March 24). He’s also represented by Brandon Morlock, Will Hitchcock and Clinlt Highem at Morrish Highamm Management and Kevin Meads at WME in Nashville.
Lo-fi/R&B/electronica producer/drummer Ian Ewing signed with Nettwerk Music Group, which released his debut EP, Second Summer, on Friday (March 24). Another EP is slated to roll out in April. He’s managed by Paul George at Podwall Entertainment.
Country singer/songwriter Coby Hibbard (“Dying Breed”) signed a development deal with Droptine Recordings, which released his latest song, “Looking Back Now,” in February.
Electronic pop artist Daniel Allan‘s recently launched C-corp Daniel Allan Entertainment — which owns Allan’s IP, streaming, touring and Web3 income — raised a $1 million seed round to support the next stage of his career. The round was led by Coop Records with support from Palm Tree Crew Crypto, Noise DAO, Woodstock DAO and Fire Eyes DAO as well as several angel investors. Allan is represented by manager Delfina Glover and agent Phil Quist at CAA.
Austin-based “swamp-pop”/soul band Shinyribs signed with Hardcharger and Blue Élan Records, which will release the group’s upcoming album, Transit Damage, on July 14. Led by Kevin Russell, the band is represented by manager Rick Pierik at Nine Mile and booking agent Jon Folk at Red 11.
Nashville-based artist Stephen Wilson Jr. signed to Big Loud Records, which released his debut EP, bon aqua. He additionally signed with managers Alicia Jones at ALJ MGMT and Jordy Dettmer at Range Media Partners. His booking agents are Brett Saliba and Lance Roberts at UTA.
Sydney-based producer/multi-instrumentalist Skeleten (born Russell Fitzgibbon) signed to 2MR, which released his latest track, “Teenage of the Year” — a reworking of the song by Lo-Tel. He’s represented by Lucy Beaver of Melange Management; Matthew Thompson is his agent for Australia and New Zealand.
Country singer/songwriter Shelly Fairchild signed with Kill Rock Stars, which released her latest track, a cover of Loretta Lynn‘s “Fist City” with Shamir; she is currently at work on an album. She’s managed by Rochelle Shipman.
Artist/producer Trevor Horn (The Buggles) signed with PPL for the international collection of his neighboring rights royalties. Horn is managed by Paul Crockford at Crockford Management (paul@crockfordmanagement.com).
Australian/English pop artist Mereki signed with BMG, which released her debut solo album, Death of a Cloud, on Friday (March 24). Her project leads at BMG are Cydni Lynott and Ariana Rendon; she’s managed by David Zonshine at DH Systems.
Former The Voice contestant Rachel Mac signed with Capitol Christian Music Group. Mac is managed by Jonathan Sell and Carter Hammond at UEG.
Los Angeles-based artist Lauren Early signed with Danger Collective Records for her debut LP, Don’t Take My Dream Away, which is due out May 10.
Mammoth WVH, the hard rock band led by Wolfgang Van Halen, has signed a global record deal with BMG for its forthcoming second studio album. The band has also signed a publishing deal with BMG.
“The Mammoth team and I are so excited to now be a part of the BMG family,” Van Halen said in a statement. “The entire team have welcomed us with open arms and have been nothing short of wonderful. I couldn’t ask for better partners for the future of Mammoth.”
The BMG release, coming this summer, will follow Mammoth WVH’s 2021 self-titled debut on EX1 Records. That set reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums and Top Rock Albums charts, as well as No. 12 on the Billboard 200. It also included two No. 1s on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart — “Distance” and “Don’t Back Down” — while a third song, “Epiphany,” reached No. 9. The group became the first act to send its first two songs to No. 1 on that chart since The Glorious Sons in 2019.
At the time of the debut album’s release, Van Halen, who played every instrument on the effort, told Billboard, “I’m so proud of this record and have never worked harder on anything in my life. This is only the beginning. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.”
Van Halen, the son of late rock god Eddie Van Halen, previewed the new album at Los Angeles’ 5150 Studio in Los Angeles March 6-7. The group’s name comes from the original moniker for his father’s band, Van Halen.
Dan Gill, BMG executive vp of recorded music, said in a statement, “It is rare to come across an artist with such exceptional musical abilities and Wolfgang is that shining example. His new album firmly establishes himself at the forefront of the genre and is destined to become the torch bearer for the new generation of Rock artists.”
Emi Horikawa, BMG vp of creative, added, “From our very first listen to Mammoth WVH, we knew this was something truly exceptional. Wolfgang’s songwriting and sense of melody, coupled with his ability to reinvent the elements of Rock’s power and energy, is sheer talent. We are proud to represent his music publishing and now call BMG his label home.”
This is Signed, a new biweekly column that rounds up artist signings at labels, agencies, management companies and more.
Two-time Grammy winner Tori Kelly signed with Epic Records, which will release her latest single, “missin u,” on Friday (March 17) with an album to follow. She’s managed by SB Projects.
Singer-actor Dove Cameron (“Boyfriend”) signed with WME in all areas. She’s signed to Columbia Records and represented by LBI Entertainment, attorney Patti C. Felker and Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis.
Country singer-songwriter Nate Smith (“Whiskey On You”) signed with WME for global representation in all areas. He’ll be represented by Joey Lee, Sloane Cavitt Logue and Braeden Rountree at the agency. He’s signed to Sony Music Nashville and managed by Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman at The Core Entertainment.
Bettye LaVette signed with Steve Jordan and Meegan Voss‘ Jay-Vee Records, which is distributed by MRI Entertainment. Jordan produced two previous albums for LaVette, 2018’s Things Have Changed and 2020’s Blackbirds. She’s represented by manager Kevin Kiley; agents Seth Rappaport and Steve Martin at Paladin Artists (North America) and Neil O’Brien of Neil O’Brien Entertainment (international); and publicist Carla Parisi at Kid Logic.
ONErpm signed singer-songwriter Chance Peña, who got started as a contestant on The Voice in 2015. He’s currently working on a new EP to follow up 2019’s project anxiety & mixed emotions and 2020’s The Inevitable. He’s managed by Liz Baylog at Bread City.
Universal Music Group Nashville teamed with Universal Music Canada to sign country singer Josh Ross (“First Taste of Gone”). He’s represented by managers Chief Zaruk and Simon Tikhman at The Core Entertainment, booking agent Adi Sharma at The Neal Agency and publicist Jodi Dawes at UMG Nashville.
Country singer-songwriter Ella Langley (“If You Have To,” “Damn You,” “Country Boy’s Dream Girl”) signed with Columbia Records/Sony Music Nashville. In January, Langley was named to Spotify’s list of Hot Country Artists to Watch.
Toronto rock band Half Moon Run signed with BMG, which will release the group’s fourth studio album. Previous album releases for the band — a two-time winner of adult alternative album of the year at the Junos — include 2013’s Dark Eyes, 2015’s Sun Leads Me On and 2019’s A Blemish in the Great Light. The group is managed by Mathieu Drouin and Marie-Eve Carriere; their label representative at BMG is Steve Nightingale.
Texas-based band Pecos & The Rooftops (“This Damn Song”) signed to Warner Records, which released their latest single, “5AM,” in the leadup to their forthcoming album. The group is represented by managers Chase Cooper and Jeb Hurt at Floating Leaf Entertainment, booking agent Chad Kudelka at CAA and A&R Miles Gersh.
South Africa-born, Canada-raised rapper ARDN signed to Capitol Records, which will release his major label debut single, “Plain Jane” and forthcoming EP, The Bronze Age. ARDN gained notice when a snippet of his song, “Til the Morning,” went viral on TikTok last year.
Los Angeles duo SkyeChristy signed to Warner Records, which released their new single “Beach Zombies.” They’re represented by manager Jesse Beer at The MGMT Company and Bex Majors at Sound Talent Group.
Milk & Honey signed singer-songwriter-producer JHart, production duo The Elements and songwriter-producer-composer Alexis Kesselman, who performs under the name Idarose. The company will manage all aspects of their music careers, including artist projects. JHart will be managed by Lucas Keller, Nic Warner and Danny Herrle; The Elements will be managed by Ant Hippsley, Keller, Warner and Justin Frazier; and Kesselman will be managed by Keller, Warner and Frazier.
Minneapolis indie-rock trio Yam Haus signed to Big Loud Rock, the new alternative/rock imprint of Big Loud Records. The label released the trio’s latest single, “Rafters.” The group is represented by managers Deborah Wilson and Doug Wilson at Wilspro and agent Sara Schlievert at Paladin Artists.
Pittsburgh-based rock and blues group Ghost Hounds signed to Gibson Records, which will release the band’s fourth studio album on June 29 in partnership with distributor Firebird Label Services. It will mark the second album release from the recently-formed Gibson Records following Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators’ album, 4, last year.
Drummer-producer-emcee Kassa Overall signed to Warp Records, which will release his new single “Ready To Ball.” He previously released two studio albums, 2019’s Go Get Ice Cream and Listen to Jazz and 2020’s I Think I’m Good.
Los Angeles-based “grit-pop” duo ill peach signed to Hardly Art, which released their new single, “Heavyweight,” on Feb. 28. Ill peach is managed by Chris Mcilvenny and Nic Damasio at Tap Management.
Country artist Kirk Jay signed to Yung Bleu’s label Moonboy University, which is distributed by EMPIRE. Jay was a finalist on The Voice in 2018.
Philadelphia rapper Sheedts signed to Great Day Records, the label launched in January by Barolilne Diaz in partnership with Todd Moscowitz‘s Santa Anna and Alamo Records. The news coincided with the release of a video for “Rockin’ & Rollin’,” a track off Sheedts’ 2022 album 5ive. He’s managed by Rahee “Heezy” Ellis.
Singer-songwriter and American Idol alum Harper Grace signed with Curb Records, WME and Jonas Group Entertainment. Her first original song is set to drop on Friday (March 17).
Arthur Moon, Cale Hawkins and Raia Was have joined together to form Switch Hit Records, described as a “musicians-run cooperative record label committed to giving artists 100% of the profits from their work” that’s comprised of “a collective of multi-hyphenate artists: producers, instrumentalists, composers, musical directors and business owners.” Moon, Hawkins and Was have all released singles through the label, while full-length albums from all three are expected for release later this year.
Zayn has signed with UTA for representation across music, film and television, among other areas.
Currently at work on his fourth studio album, Zayn launched his career as a member of One Direction in 2010 before departing the group in 2015 to embark on a solo career. In 2016, he released his debut solo album, Mind of Mine, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The album’s lead single, “Pillowtalk,” also topped the Billboard Hot 100 and has since been certified five-times platinum by the RIAA. He has garnered several accolades for his music throughout his career, including a Billboard Music Award, an American Music Award, an MTV VMA and two Brit Award nods.
Zayn’s catalog, which encompasses three studio albums (2018’s gold-certified Icarus Falls, 2021’s Nobody Is Listening and Mind of Mine), has earned 4.6 million on-demand official U.S. streams, according to Luminate.
Outside of music, Zayn has also ventured into the fashion world, having collaborated on capsule collections with the likes of Giuseppe Zanotti and Versus Versace while gracing the cover of numerous fashion publications including Vogue, GQ, ELLE UK, Highsnobiety, PAPER and The FADER. In 2017, he was named “Most Stylish Man” at the British GQ Men of the Year Awards.
Elsewhere, ZAYN has advocated for free school lunches for children living in poverty in the UK, penning an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Zayn is also represented by Nicola Carson at ZenKai Management and Taryn Zimmerman.
Veteran manager/label executive Greg Ham has launched artist development company one:eight entertainment, with Christian music icon Steven Curtis Chapman as his first signing.
Ham was previously a partner in the MWS Group, and the clients he shepherded there — Michael W. Smith, reigning Gospel Music Association artist of the year CeCe Winans, Gotee Records newcomer Joseph O’Brien and Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton — will move to one:eight entertainment. Producer Robert Deaton, who was previously managed by Ham outside the MWS Group, will also be under the one:eight umbrella, as will worship leader Charity Gayle.
The idea for the new company began percolating when MWS partner Chaz Corzine exited early last year to become the founding executive director of the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Nashville’s Belmont University. Corzine co-founded the MWS Group in 2009 and had served as Smith’s manager for 38 years.
“Chaz left a year ago now and it was Michael and me,” says Ham, a veteran executive whose extensive resume includes serving as former president/CEO of ForeFront Records. “As we were going through the year, we were saying, ‘I think there’s an opportunity to grow this thing more, but we’ve got to retool it a little bit.’”
The result is one:eight entertainment and the new business association with Chapman. “I’ve been a friend and a huge fan of Greg Ham for many years,” says Chapman, whose current single, “Don’t Lose Heart,” is currently No. 9 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart. “There’s nobody smarter or more full of integrity and I’m very blessed and honored to be a part of this exciting new season for Greg and the awesome team at one:eight entertainment.”
Chapman was previously managed by the Stable Collective, a company he launched in 2017 with artist manager Mark Mattingly. Mattingly joined radio station K-LOVE and Air1 Media Networks last October as executive director of live events and sponsorships.
Ham says the name one:eight entertainment was inspired by the Jan. 8 birthday he shares with Elvis Presley and David Bowie and also his favorite scriptures. “Three of my favorite verses that are foundational to me are 1:8 verses,” he shares. “That’s Daniel 1:8, which is ‘Daniel purposed in his heart’ and it’s a cool story. I consider that foundation[al]. And then Joshua 1:8, which is ‘Be strong and courageous,’ and Acts 1:8, which is ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you’ — so to me power from above to bring hope to the world. We are an artist/creative development company with global perspective and those three verses are at the very core.”
Though Chapman and Smith are two of the Christian industry’s all-time most successful male artists, Ham doesn’t see representing both as a conflict. “Maybe 20 years ago yes, but today it makes sense because to me it’s more complementary than competitive,” he says. “Steven and Michael being under the same umbrella says something very special to me to the younger generation that this is something to aspire to where two competitors can be served under one entity and the unifying nature that it shows.”
Nicki Minaj has signed a management deal with Range Media Partners, according to sources close to the situation. Managing partner Melissa Ruderman will oversee her career.
Ruderman joined Range Media Partners as a partner in the music division at the top of 2021. She is no stranger to working with superstars, having a yearslong partnership with Mariah Carey, including previously at Roc Nation (their relationship spans back to 2005, when Ruderman handled Carey’s day-to-day under veteran manager Benny Medina).
As of last spring, Minaj was self-managing after a short stint working with Wassim “Sal” Slaiby‘s SALXCO — with whom she announced she was working in September 2021. From 2019-2021, Minaj was working with Irving Azoff at Full Stop Management, and then before that was repped by Gee Roberson and Cortez Bryant at Blueprint/Maverick Management.
Range Media launched in Sept. 2020 by former Entertainment One chief strategy officer Peter Micelli and a coalition of former CAA, WME and UTA agents. By July 2021, the company formed Range Music, a record label under the Range Media umbrella and a partnership with Capitol Music Group and Virgin Music & Artist Label Services.
Range clients include Jack Harlow, Justin Tranter, Cordae, Midland and many more.
As for Minaj, her solo catalog has logged 11.9 billion on-demand official U.S. streams, according to Luminate. Her albums have earned a combined 14.1 million equivalent album units, selling a combined total of 3.9 million copies across four full lengths.
Minaj has scored two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200: Pink Friday and Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. On the Hot 100, she has three No. 1s: “Trollz,” “Kiss Me More,” and most recently “Super Freaky Girl.” She is signed to Republic Records.
Mexican singer-songwriter Danna Paola has signed an exclusive go-forward and full catalog publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico, Billboard has learned.
“I’ve been waiting for a music partner like this for a while now and couldn’t be happier,” the “XT4S1S” singer said in a statement. “As a songwriter, I’m glad to be part of a company that supports and respects their artists’ creativity, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to create magic together!”
Since releasing her album K.O. in 2021 — which peaked at No. 9 on Billboard‘s Latin Pop Albums chart (dated Jan. 30, 2021) — the 27-year-old artist has released a handful of singles including her latest “XT4S1S,” a euphoric and liberating track. Her 2020 project, SIE7E+, also entered the charts. It peaked at No. 16 on that same tally.
About the deal, Carlos Ruíz, Warner Chappell Music Mexico managing director, added: “Danna is an artist in every sense of the word. Her talent, professionalism, and dedication are the basis of her solid career and why she has become an icon of her generation — not only in Mexico but in many parts of the world. She provokes a unique connection with her fans through her music, and we are delighted that she has entrusted us to accompany her in all the successes that are to come.”
With more than 10 million listeners on Spotify and collabs with artists such as Sebastián Yatra, David Bisbal, Mau y Ricky, among others, Paola — who also starred in Netflix’s popular series Élite — is currently on the XT4S1S Tour in Mexico.
