State Champ Radio signings
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Rapper Freddie Gibbs signed with AWAL. The announcement coincided with the surprise release of Gibbs’ long-awaited album, You Only Die 1nce, which dropped Nov. 1. AWAL senior vp/head of urban music Norva Denton previously attempted to sign Gibbs twice before finally partnering with him at his former label, Warner Records. Denton went on to executive produce Gibbs’ 2022 album, $oul $old $eparately, alongside Gibbs and Gibbs’ manager/partner Ben “Lambo” Lambert. “Happy to be where they want me…I feel Celebrated,” said Gibbs in a statement. “I’m Awal Shawty! I love the freedom… We’re able to create at our own pace and it feels good at this stage in my career.”
Madison Beer (“Make You Mine,” “15 Minutes”) signed with WME for global representation. The singer-songwriter recently finished her The Spinnin Tour, which hit 63 venues on multiple continents. She continues to be managed by Tina Kennedy at Full Stop, with legal representation by Kenny Meiselas at Grubman, Shire, Meiselas & Sacks.
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Vocalist/producer/writer Oliver Tree (“Life Goes On,” “Alien Boy”) also signed with WME. According to a press release, Tree has garnered more than 2 billion streams across major platforms. His third studio album, Alone In a Crowd, was released in September 2023. He continues to be managed by Dan Awad and Paul Donatelli at Good Luck Have Fun, with legal representation by Nicky Stein.
Hard rock band Saliva signed with Judge & Jury Records, the label founded by producer Howard Benson and Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace. The first release under the deal is the new single “Time Bomb.” Saliva is managed by Frank Mastalerz, Dino Kourelis and Bob Hathaway at FM Music Management and booked by Ian “Newy” Koletsis at Sound Talent Group and Spencer Zubrow at Pinnacle Entertainment.
Also signing to Judge & Jury Records was L.A. metal band Butcher Babies, coinciding with the release of its new single, “Sincerity.” The band is managed by Zachry Yoshioka at Powerline and booked by Jim Sennett and JJ Cassiere (North America) and Ian Fintak (rest of the world) at 33 and West.
Tunde Adebimpe, the frontman for TV on the Radio, signed a solo recording deal with Sub Pop and released the new single “Magnetic,” his solo debut. Adebimpe’s solo debut album is slated for release next year.
“Country-infused” sister quartet The BoykinZ signed to Quality Control Music, marking the indie label’s first country music signing. The group’s latest single, “Fell in Love With a Cowboy,” will be released on Friday (Nov. 15). The BoykinZ is managed by Craig King at Gentle King Group.
Singer-songwriter Ali Sethi (“Pasoori”) signed an exclusive global distribution deal with The Orchard for his label Zubberdust Media. Sethi plans to release new music later this year and into 2025. He’s managed by Aroop Sanakkayala at Roopster Entertainment.
Egyptian artist Amr Diab signed an exclusive partnership with Sony Music Entertainment Middle East. The multi-album deal includes the acquisition of Diab’s music catalog, including popular tracks like “Inta El Haz,” “Zay Manty” and “Ya Ana Ya La.”
Warner Music Nashville signed Texas native Braxton Keith to its roster. Keith just released the song “Fall This Way” from his upcoming EP Blue, out Dec. 6. Keith is managed by Alex Torrez and Emily Vincent at Torrez Music Group and booked by Andrew McWilliams at Evergreen Artist Group. – Jessica Nicholson
ONErpm signed Nashville-based artist Tyler Rich, who has notched RIAA-certified gold singles “The Difference” and “Leave Her Wild.” ONErpm will release the first single from Rich’s sophomore full-length album this fall. – Jessica Nicholson
Indonesian R&B duo Galdive signed with Mom+Pop Music and released the first single under the new deal, “Night Charade.” More music will be released soon.
Wynn Williams signed with CAA for exclusive booking representation. Texas native Williams, known for songs including “Country Therapy,” is signed with GCE Records and has opened shows for Randall King, Aaron Watson, Cody Johnson and others. – Jessica Nicholson
Japanese-British artist, model and influencer Hana Kuro signed a global production/management deal with Handcraft Entertainment, marking the second major signing for the J-pop-focused company following Anna Aya earlier this year.
G-Dragon is reclaiming the spotlight on his terms.
The K-pop icon’s first single in seven years, “POWER,” drops Thursday (Oct. 31) as part of a new partnership with his Korean agency, Galaxy Corporation, and EMPIRE, the major independent record label that boasts Shaboozey on its roster.
Known for shattering K-pop conventions and cracking the Billboard charts early in K-pop’s rise as both the leader of boy band BIGBANG and as a solo artist, G-Dragon’s unmistakable confidence — “Guess who’s back/It’s your boy, GD!” — kicks off the hip-hop-infused, high-energy anthem. The comeback cut was co-written by G-Dragon alongside Tommy “TB Hits” Brown, Theron Thomas and Steven Franks.
“‘POWER’ manifests the essence of music,” G-Dragon said in a statement. “I express myself through music. This marks the beginning of a new era and I hope to inspire people who listen to my music.”
“G-Dragon is a cultural force that has laid the foundation for K-Pop’s global dominance,” added Ghazi, founder/CEO of EMPIRE. “This partnership reinforces our mission at EMPIRE to work alongside artists that will shape the future of global music.”
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G-Dragon was signed to EMPIRE by the company’s newly appointed senior vp of East Asia, Jeffrey Yoo.
The signing with the indie label marks a new freedom for the Seoul superstar following his exit from longtime record label YG Entertainment (home to BLACKPINK, TREASURE and BABYMONSTER) last year after two decades.
During his time at YG, G-Dragon led BIGBANG in becoming the first K-pop act to land a Korean-language album on the Billboard 200 in March 2012. He’s also scored three solo entries on the Billboard 200 and held a record for the most entries on the tally among K-pop soloists for years; he now shares the record with BTS‘ RM and J-Hope. While his music career has led to collaborations with the likes of Diplo, Missy Elliot, Sky Ferreira, Skrillex and M.I.A., plus a placement on the 2023’s Elvis soundtrack, G-Dragon also became an integral figure in the fashion and art world with his streetwear brand PEACEMINUSONE along with campaigns with Chanel and Nike.
Looking ahead, the K-pop king will perform at the upcoming MAMA Awards in Japan on Nov. 23, marking his first performance in nearly a decade at the influential K-pop awards show. Earlier this month, Billboard also reported that Tencent Music Entertainment Group had partnered with Galaxy Corporation for his upcoming tour.
G-Dragon
Galaxy Corporation
Brandi Carlile has signed with CAA and Phantom Management for worldwide representation in all areas. In addition to helping expand Carlile’s music initiatives, CAA will work to create opportunities across film, TV, publishing and more.
Phantom Management was launched this year by music veterans Catherine Carlile and Carolyn Snell. The company also represents longtime Brandi Carlile collaborators The Hanseroth Twins. Catherine, who is also Brandi’s wife, began her music career at MPL Music Publishing in London and went on to work with Paul McCartney for more than a decade. After relocating to the U.S. in 2011, Catherine served as the executive director of the Looking Out Foundation and creative director for Brandi before transitioning into senior management. Snell has led the coordination and management of global tours for renowned artists such as Reba McEntire, Janet Jackson, John Mayer and Indigo Girls.
Brandi Carlile is an 11-time Grammy award and two-time Emmy award-winning artist. She has released seven studio albums, including her most recent, the three-time Grammy-winning In These Silent Days. Carlile’s debut album, The Story, spent 25 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart; all of her subsequent albums also landed on the tally She has additionally placed 14 singles on Billboard‘s Adult Alternative Airplay chart, according to Luminate.
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Carlile is also a renowned producer, with recent Grammy Award-winning projects from Joni Mitchell and Brandy Clark. She is a founding member of the all-female country group The Highwomen and has collaborated with Elton John, Soundgarden, Alicia Keys, Hozier, Noah Kahan, Jacob Collier, P!nk and Dolly Parton. She is also the creator of two annual music festivals, Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend and Brandi Carlile’s Mothership Weekend.
In the publishing arena, Carlile’s 2021 memoir, Broken Horses, reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestsellers list. She is scheduled to release another book with Dey Street Books (Harper Collins) next year.
Carlile is also a founder of the Looking Out Foundation, which has raised more than $6 million for grassroots causes, and is a co-owner of the wine label XOBC.
Phantom Management was founded this year by Carlile’s wife Catherine and Snell, both of whom have long histories in the music industry.
Breaking Benjamin signed with BMG to release new music, their first since 2018. According to a press release, the band has racked up 8.5 billion streams globally.
On the heels of his recent signing with Eminem’s Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope, Filipino rapper Ez Mil signed to Grassroots Music for global management. His representative at the company is Dan Lee.
Universal Music Canada signed Punjabi producer thiarajxtt (a.k.a. Dilmanjot Singh Thiara), who released the EP If the Sun Had a Dark Side on the label on Oct. 18. Last year, thiarajxtt produced most of Diljit Dosanjh’s album Ghost and collaborated with Jassa Dhillon, Shubh, Channi Nattan, Jerry and more.
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The Head and the Heart signed with Verve Forecast and released a new single entitled “Arrow.” A new studio album will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (“Face Down,” “Your Guardian Angel”) signed to Better Noise Music, which will release the band’s new album next spring.
Finnish rock band The Rasmus (“In the Shadows”) also signed with Better Noise, which jointly released the group’s new single, “Rest in Pieces,” with Nordic indie label Playground Music on Friday (Oct. 25).
Rap-rock group Hollywood Undead signed with Sumerian Records and released the new single “Hollywood Forever.” According to a press release, the group has more than 3.1 billion career streams across platforms.
Alt-pop trio Coyote Theory (“This Side of Paradise”) signed with Nettwerk Music Group and released the new single “Waiting on the Weather.” The band’s drummer, Jayson Lynn, acts as the group’s manager. A&Rs are Anne Elise Dickinson and Tom Gates.
Austin Williams and Truth or Dare Records partnered with RECORDS Nashville/Columbia Records. Williams, known for songs including “Here We Go Again” and “Wanna Be Saved,” is repped by Loyd Potts and Ken Madson at Ignition Management, with agency representation from CAA. – Jessica Nicholson
Big Machine Records signed singer-songwriter and two-time Grammy nominee Ryan Hurd, who released his latest song, “This Party Sucks,” on Friday (Oct. 25). Hurd is also signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. The Big Machine Records roster additionally includes Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce, Midland, Rascal Flatts and Jackson Dean. – Jessica Nicholson
Mereba signed to Secretly Canadian, which will release her new album, The Breeze Grew a Fire, on Feb. 14. The first single from the LP, “Counterfeit,” dropped on Oct. 22.
Pop-rock duo Sparks (Ron and Russell Mael) signed with Transgressive Records, which will release their as-yet-untitled upcoming studio album — the band’s 28th — next year, with Firebird Label Services serving as distributor.
HEYOON, a Korean-born pop artist based in both L.A. and Korea who was previously part of the international pop group Now United, signed with Universal Music Korea. The label will help develop HEYOON globally.
Sibling duo Ocie and Wes Crowe, known as the country/folk/alternative duo Crowe Boys, signed with UMG Nashville. The duo’s first release for the label is “Let Me Feel Alone,” written solely by Ocie Crowe, out Nov. 8. – Jessica Nicholson
New York-based rapper-producer-trumpeter Pan Amsterdam, previously known as Leron Thomas, signed to Heavenly Records and released the new track “White Ninja.” An album is due next year.
Manchester, U.K.-based experimental punk band Maruja signed with Music For Nations and released a new single, “Break the Tension,” on the label. The group is slated to embark on a North American tour next year.
Barbadian singer/songwriter/producer Ayoni signed with Def Jam Recordings and released the single “San Francisco” ahead of a larger project set to drop next year. Ayoni is featured in the Paramount+ documentary Uncharted.
WME signed singer-songwriter Zach Meadows. The Florida native (and now Nashville resident) is repped by Torrez Music Group’s Alex Torrez and Emily Vincent. He released his debut album, Road to Nowhere, in August and will soon join Braxton Keith on the road throughout November. – Jessica Nicholson
Handcraft Entertainment signed Japanese-British artist, model and influencer Hana Kuro to a global production and management deal, marking the second major signing for the J-pop-focused firm.
Two years after she became the first and only woman to debut at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot R&B/HipHop Songs as a producer this century — thanks to Nicki Minaj‘s Rick James-indebted “Super Freaky Girl” — Malibu Babie has found a new home.
On Thursday (Oct. 24), ONErpm announced that the artist/producer signed with the distribution and marketing company; “Baddie Bakery,” her new Flyana Boss-assisted single, is due Friday (Oct. 25).
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“Malibu Babie’s producer accolades speak for themselves and it’s time for the world to recognize her as an artist,” said Alex Ziabko, denior director of A&R at ONErpm, in a statement. “Malibu reminds us all to have fun from time to time. I’m thrilled to welcome such a strong, creative, forward-thinking artist to ONErpm.”
“I’m so excited to be releasing music with the ONErpm team” added Malibu Babie. “Alex & the incredible team of women he’s brought on to support me — Jenna LoMonaco, Julia McLeod, & Casey Childers, immediately understood my artistic vision and unique path as a producer/artist. I’m thrilled to bring my music to life with an innovative team who takes my mission to trailblaze as seriously as I do!”
In addition to her forthcoming new single with Flyana Boss — the hip-hop duo behind the 2023 hit “You Wish” — Malibu Babie is also prepping a new mixtape for 2025. Beginning Oct. 31, she will join Qveen Herby‘s The Alchemist tour as a supporting act. The trek will commence at The Novo in Los Angeles, visit major cities such as Toronto and New York, and conclude at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami on Nov. 23.
Recently, Malibu Babie has landed placements with Katy Perry and Kim Petras (“Gorgeous”), as well as official remixes of tracks from Sia and Kylie Minogue (“Dance Alone”) and Shania Twain (“Giddy Up!”). She released her debut mixtape, Malibu SZN, Vol. 1, in November 2022.
Hailing from Olympia, Wash., Malibu Babie graduated from Vanderbilt University, where she made an eleventh-hour decision during her senior year to ditch her law school aspirations and go all in on music. After six years of toiling in the industry — including a stint as a studio intern for a company called ZMG in Nashville — she finally struck gold with “Super Freaky Girl.”
Minaj’s 2022 smash debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated Aug. 27, 2022, becoming Minaj’s first unaccompanied No. 1 hit on the chart. The “Super Freak”-sampling track also helped Minaj become the first solo female rapper to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 since Lauryn Hill did so with “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998. The same week “Super Freaky Girl” reigned as America’s most-consumed song, Malibu Babie notched a second Hot 100 entry, this time with Megan Thee Stallion‘s “Her,” a house-inflected track from Megan’s Traumazine LP. That track, whose music video earned three nods at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, peaked at No. 62 on the Hot 100.
The Core Records and Capitol Music Group have signed Hannah McFarland to their joint venture; it is the first signing announced by the two entities. McFarland’s single, “Hey Highway,” out Friday (Oct. 25), will be the first official release from the new label. “Signing with The Core Records and Capitol Music Group feels like the […]
Warner Chappell Music and Giant Music Publishing have signed Jiggi to a joint publishing deal. He is best known as co-writer on Cash Cobain, Bay Swag and Ice Spice‘s “Fisherrr,” which has already generated 418,000 song consumption equivalents since its April release, as well as B Lovee and Cash Cobain’s “All Alone.” Giant Music had […]
Former Journey frontman Steve Perry signed to the late George Harrison‘s Dark Horse Records. The label will release his upcoming holiday album, The Season 3, on Nov. 8. “I am so pleased to announce that I have just signed with George Harrison’s label, Dark Horse Records,” said Perry in a statement. “I’ve so much music in me that has yet to be heard. To be able to work with a team of people who support and respect my creative expressions, is a dream come true.”
CAA signed singer-songwriter, actress, dancer and TV personality Nicole Scherzinger, who is set to make her Broadway debut as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard on Sunday (Oct. 20). Scherzinger won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the play’s London run. She’s also set to reprise her role as Sina in Disney’s Moana 2, which is slated for release next month.
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British rapper-producer Jim Legxacy signed with XL Recordings and released a new single, “aggressive,” on Oct. 7. He’s slated to release a new mixtape, Black British Music (2024), next year.
Seth Shomes‘ Day After Day Productions signed Bobby Brown for exclusive global touring representation. Tour dates will be announced in the coming months. Brown is managed by Alicia Etheredge-Brown at AE Management.
Electronic music duo Deep Dish (Ali “Dubfire” Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi) signed with Purple Wall for management and CAA for touring. The duo, which recently signed with Armada Music and returned to the studio for the first time in a decade to reimagine some of their older songs, including “Flashdance” and “Say Hello,” is slated to hold residencies in both London and New York this winter.
Big Loud Texas, the label offshoot recently co-founded by Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall, signed country singer-songwriter Jake Worthington. To mark the occasion, Lambert and Worthington released the duet “Hello S—ty Day” late last month.
Tyler Brown (former MD at Syco Music) and Harold Serero (former senior A&R at Ultra Music Publishing and Payday Records) launched Heatwave Records, which will focus on signing artists from emerging markets. The label’s first signings are Nigerian artists Fido (“Awolowo”) and Firstklaz (“Gen-Z Area”) and Ivory Coast artist døpelym (“Guala”).
WME signed singer-songwriter Adrien Nunez (“Low Road”). Managed by Dillon Goldberg at FNGRPRNT, Nunez is slated to support both Dasha and Avery Anna on their respective tours later this year.
Music licensing company PPL signed Manchester, U.K.-based pop-soul singer-songwriter Lusaint (“Sweet Tooth”) for the collection of her international neighboring rights royalties. Lusaint recently released her debut EP, Self Sabotage.
Riser House Records signed cross-genre soul artist Stephen Day, who is set to release a two-pack of holiday songs: an original track, “It’s Christmas All Over,” and a rendition of “Pennies From Heaven.”
Universal Music Canada signed singer-songwriter Lindsay Ell, who will release a new EP, love myself, on Oct. 25. It’s preceded by lead single “Story I Tell Myself.”
Bay Area hardcore band Scowl signed with Dead Oceans. The label released the group’s new single, “Special,” earlier this month.
Irish folk band Amble signed with Warner Records and released a new song, “The Commons,” the title track off a forthcoming EP slated for release on Nov. 1.
Deb Never signed with GIANT Music and released a new single, “Not In Love,” on Tuesday (Oct. 15). Her debut full-length album is due for release next year.
Musical duo CocoRosie signed with Joyful Noise Recordings and will release the new single, “Least I Have You,” on Wednesday (Oct. 16).
Metal/hardcore band Biohazard signed with BLKIIBLK, a new heavy music imprint from Frontiers Label Group. The band is set to release a new album next year, marking its first full-length release in more than a decade. Biohazard is co-managed by Andy Gould and Paul Gargano.
Gotee Records, co-founded by CCM hitmaker TobyMac, has signed indie pop singer/songwriter Lydi Lynn. The Portland native, who now resides in Nashville, will release her debut EP Desert Dream on Oct. 11 and is currently providing direct support for Jervis Campbell’s Magnolia Tour. Lynn is booked by Reliant Talent Agency’s Kevin Castleman. – Jessica Nicholson
Range Media Partners’ Range Music label has signed Disney star Meg Donnelly to a recording contract, the company announced Friday (Oct. 11). The label is distributed through Capitol Music Group and Virgin Music & Artist Label Services.
Best known for her roles in the Zombies film franchise and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Donnelly is currently working on new music and released the single “by my heart” on Friday. A press release adds that she has completed her work on the Zombies series after six years.
Range Music partner Jared Cotter, who also co-manages Shaboozey, led the signing.
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“I’ve admired Meg’s talent and tenacity for years, and I’m thrilled to finally have the opportunity to work with her,” Cotter said in a statement. “She is a genre-melding artist that has had multi-format success, and Range Music is uniquely positioned to help her reach superstar status. We’re very much looking forward to being a part of her journey to the top.”
Donnelly was named Radio Disney’s NBT (Next Big Thing) in 2018 and has since performed alongside artists including the Jonas Brothers, Avril Lavigne and Alessia Cara; she also recently opened for Doja Cat. In February, she released the single “title,” a collaboration with the producer Tenroc. Her creative director is Max Pham, who has worked with A-listers including Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake and Rosalía.
Kasual Kas, who manages Donnelly at Big Wins Only, said the team “chose Range because of their incredible creative team and what they’ve been able to build. It feels really special. Their entire staff felt young, hungry, and really understood the long-term vision for Meg as an artist so it was an easy decision for us. On the business side, Range was also extremely flexible and understood that deals are structured differently now for artists, and they made sure to champion ownership. We were in talks with many labels, but this one truly felt like a partnership and that’s what we always wanted.”
Added Kristina Mazzolla, who also serves on Donnelly’s management team: “Meg is an undeniable superstar, who is so certain in her vision and was willing to hold out until the right partner came along. For Meg, that partner was Range. After the release of ‘title,’ it was clear Range truly understood the path Meg is carving out for herself. The sky’s the limit for Meg and I am excited for the world to experience her as an artist.”
Launched in 2020, the Range Media music division is led by managing partners Matt Graham, Jack Minihan, Tyler Henry, Melissa Ruderman, Chris Thomas, Evan Winiker, Cory Litwin and Shawn McSpadden, along with partners Rachel Douglas, Ace Christian, Joel Zimmerman and Cotter.
Renowned U.K.-born singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae has signed with Independent Artist Group (IAG) for exclusive representation across North America. Managed by Anthony Patterson and Taylor Cottrell at Roc Nation, the six-time Grammy Award-nominated artist now joins the ranks of IAG’s R&B roster, which includes legends like Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo and Keyshia Cole. Since her […]
