State Champ Radio signings
Page: 5
UTA signed Mexican singer-songwriter Jasiel Nuñez. Managed by George Prajin, founder/CEO of Prajin Parlay and co-founder of Double P Records along with global superstar Peso Pluma, with whom he has a longstanding creative partnership. The Guadalajara native contributed to Peso’s 2023 album Génesis on tracks like “Laguna” and “Rosa Pastel,” the latter of which reached No. 24 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart. In 2024, Nuñez also joined Peso on his Éxodo tour. Nuñez’s latest album, La Odisea — featuring collaborations with Luis R Conriquez, Tito Double P and Danny Lux — landed at No. 8 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart and at No. 6 on Regional Mexican Albums. “I’m excited and thankful to become part of the United Talent Agency family,” said Nuñez in a statement. “This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and I’m ready to push música Mexicana to new heights.” — Isabela Raygoza
Americana music luminary Charley Crockett signed with Island Records and will release his upcoming 15th album, The Lonesome Drifter, with the label in March. In 2024, Crockett released the indie albums $10 Cowboy and $10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas. He is nominated for best Americana album at this year’s Grammy Awards. — Jessica Nicholson
Trending on Billboard
Alternative rock trio The Hunna (“Bonfire,” “She’s Casual”) signed with FLG, the recently launched imprint of Frontiers Label Group. According to a press release, the band has racked up more than 750 million streams since hitting the scene in 2015.
EaJ (“Car Crash”), formerly a member of the Korean rock band Day6, signed a global label deal with Position Music. Born Jae Park, eaJ is managed by Coulter Reynolds and Jerren Devine of Reynolds Management.
Metal/alt-rock singer-songwriter Violent Vira signed with Mom+Pop Music, which released her latest single, “Saccharine,” on Friday (Jan. 24) and will put out her next album later this year. Booked by CAA, Vira recently got off a 34-city tour and also played last year’s Sick New World festival.
Peso Pluma’s Double P Records added Mexican singer-songwriter Julian Mercado and legacy group Reynaldos de la Sierra to its roster. Both artists, plus newcomer Saul Villareal, will be managed by George Prajin, whose roster includes superstar Peso Pluma as well as Tito Double P, Santa Fe Klan and Gabito Ballesteros. “Double P Records is a place where artists can come to grow their careers, but also a place where they can feel at home with their family, their mentor, their manager and their friends all at once,” Peso said in a statement. Prajin added, “We are excited to be welcoming Julian, Reynaldos de la Sierra and Saul to our family. As fans of their music, we have been witnessing their drive to propel their career and are confident that with our team onboard we can help them grow even further than they ever imagined.” — Griselda Flores
Provident Entertainment/Sony Music has signed former American Idol contestant Madison Watkins to the label’s roster. Watkins, who has been making music since 2019, just released a new song, “Spin,” and is readying a new project for release in 2025. — Jessica Nicholson
Monument Records, in a joint venture with Sony Music, inked a deal with six-piece, Denver-formed band Clay Street Unit. Fronted by lead singer/guitarist Sam Walker, the group recently released the EP Introducing Clay Street Unit. — Jessica Nicholson
North Carolina-based Ramseur Management signed Americana singer-songwriter Jack Blocker, who is prepping his upcoming debut LP. The firm is led by Dolph Ramseur, long-time manager for folk band The Avett Brothers, and its roster also includes Amythyst Kiah, Big Richard and Colby T. Helms. Blockers’s day-to-day managers will be Morgan Deese Locklear and Lisette Rodriguez. — Jessica Nicholson
Nashville-based label River House Artists signed twin-brother duo The Kentucky Gentlemen to its roster. The band, composed of Brandon and Derek Campbell, has previously toured with The War and Treaty and been featured on songs by Will Hoge and Fancy Hagood. The duo recently released the song “Country Hymn.” — Jessica Nicholson
Composer Mara Keen signed with ABKCO Music & Records. Keen has contributed to film and TV projects including Netflix’s Princess Power and Scrappack Production’s Just One More Thing.
BLACKPINK member JISOO has signed a global label deal with Warner Records for her solo output, the company announced Tuesday (Jan. 28). Warner will release JISOO’s debut solo mini album, AMORTAGE, on Feb. 14. “I’m excited about this new era and the continuation of my musical journey,” said JISOO in a statement. “I feel like […]
Música mexicana hitmaker Gabito Ballesteros has signed with George Prajin‘s Double P Management, Billboard can announce. The 25-year-old artist and producer — known for co-writing corrido hits like “Lady Gaga” and “Presidente” — joins megastar Peso Pluma, Tito Double P and Santa Fe Klan on the company’s roster. “This has been an amazing journey so […]
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.
Trending on Billboard
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
Grammy-winning vocal group Pentatonix has signed with Republic Records, the label tells Billboard. “Pentatonix have always stood apart,” said Jim Roppo, president/COO of Republic Corps Collective, in a statement on the signing. “There has never been a vocal group like them, and they’ve been able to completely reinvent both a capella and the holidays to […]
Rising Puerto Rican rapper Clarent has signed a global recording deal with Warner Music Latina, the company tells Billboard.
The signing comes on the heels of Clarent’s success with the single “IA” alongside Puerto Rican urban artist Mora. The track has amassed more than 40 million streams on Spotify alone and topped Spotify’s Top 200 chart in Spain.
Born in Caparra Terrace, San Juan, Clarent (real name Fabián Cartagena Torres) began putting out music independently just last year. Since then, he’s amassed millions of streams thanks to tracks that sound raw and real and connected to life on the streets. His song “Traqueto” alongside iZaak has nearly 26 million streams on Spotify, while his solo track “Enzacio” has nearly 14 million.
“Ready for this new season — big thanks to the Warner fam for keeping it real. This is where boys become men,” said Clarent in a statement.
“We are thrilled to partner with Clarent and his team to help build on his unique vision and take his career to new heights,” said Alejandro Duque, president of Warner Music Latin America. “Clarent is a perfect example of how genres get disrupted and authentic sounds emerge and pave new roads in music.”
Trending on Billboard
Signing Clarent was a months-long process for Warner, added Roberto Andrade, MD of Warner Music Latina. “This isn’t just another record deal — this is an alliance,” he said in a statement. “We crafted a partnership out of months of mutual understanding, collaboration, and shared vision.”
Andrade and Duque worked closely with Clarent and his manager, Jonniel (Jadiel Nuñez Olivera) of Rythmz51, on the deal. On Dec. 13, Clarent is releasing a new track under Warner titled “Babayaga,” a moody trap song.
“Shoutout to the team at Warner Music Latina for believing in this vision and backing us all the way,” said Jonniel. “This is just the kickoff to something amazing. Clarent’s got that raw, undeniable talent, and I’m stoked to be on this journey with him.”
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.
Trending on Billboard
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.
Palestinian American producer DJ Habibeats has signed with San Francisco-based record label, publisher and distributor EMPIRE. The artist, who’s based in Los Angeles and grew up in the Bay Area in a family originally from Ramallah, Palestine, began producing dance music as a teenager. During his rise, he’s had residencies at venues throughout California and […]
Royel Otis, the Australian duo that recently earned its first Billboard Hot 100 entry with a viral cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger,” is now in the Capitol Records system after the band’s independent label, Ourness, struck a partnership with the U.S. label to supercharge the success of the duo worldwide. According to a press release, Royel Otis has racked up more than half a billion streams to date. Other successful tracks for the duo include “Sofa King” and a cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor.”
Hip-hop label Mass Appeal Records, co-founded by Nas, moved into Pakistan with the signing of two of the country’s biggest stars — Talha Anjum and Umair — along with emerging artists JANI, Maanu and Blal Bloch. Mass Appeal’s entry into Pakistan follows its previous expansion into India, where it’s partnered with artists including DIVIE, AP Dhillon and Karan Aujla.
Trending on Billboard
R&B star Omarion partnered with Jeanine McLean and Jeff Robinson at MBK Entertainment, which has guided the careers of Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Elle Varner, SWV, Tyrese and more. According to a press release, the singer has “a bevy of projects in the pipeline” and is slated to co-headline The Millennium 2025 Tour also featuring artists including Trey Songz and Rick Ross.
Anthony Martini and Rich Barner‘s Gravel Road Music Group signed singer Willie Jones, known for blending country, hip-hop and soul. Jones has a forthcoming project slated for release early next year.
Warner Music Nashville and Warner Records signed Adrien Nunez to the roster. The Brooklyn native recently released his major label debut, “Apology Song,” which blends country, pop and hip-hop elements. He is managed by Dillon Goldberg at FNGRPRNT and booked by Braeden Rountree at WME. – Jessica Nicholson
Capitol Christian Music Group and Motown Gospel partnered with singer Annatoria to release her upcoming Christmas EP, Present Jesu. Additionally, Motown Gospel finalized a partnership with JJ Hairston‘s JamesTown Music, through which it will release a 25th-anniversary live recording of JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise — an album featuring reimagined versions of the choir’s songs.
Provident Entertainment added singer-songwriter Megan Danielle to its roster. The 2023 American Idol runner-up has released her label debut single “When I Found You.” Danielle is managed by Hsquared Management and booked through the Jeff Roberts Agency. – Jessica Nicholson
Big Machine Records signed Jack Wharff & The Tobacco Flatts, a group with Virginia origins that blends bluegrass, country and rock. The group, which features musicians Jack Wharff, Garrett Howell, Ryan Atchison and Evan Novoa, recently released its new single, “Picture Perfect.” Big Machine Records’ roster also includes Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce and Midland. – Jessica Nicholson
Cloakroom signed to Closed Casket, which will release the band’s new single, “Unbelonging,” with a full album coming next year. The group is booked by Geoff McGovern at Ground Control Touring.
YawnyBlew and amir. partnered with ALIBI Music to release their second album, Bouncy ‘n’ Pretty. The album follows their debut project, DREAMBIIG, a collection of songs crafted specifically for synch and licensing. YawnyBlew has enjoyed synch placements in Empire, Queer as Folk, Chucky and The Sex Lives of College Girls. amir. is a photographer and creative director who pivoted to the role of artist and producer during the pandemic.
Mexican music star Ana Bárbara has signed a global publishing deal with Kobalt, the company tells Billboard. The indie publisher will administer all of the Mexican music star’s catalog and future recordings. Bárbara’s previous publisher was Ingrooves Music Publishing. The deal comes on the heels of Bárbara’s Reina Grupera U.S. Tour, which celebrated her 30th […]
