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Universal Music Publishing Group has signed hitmaker and Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson to an exclusive global publishing agreement. According to the terms of the deal, UMPG will represent Wilson’s future works. “I consider it a true gift to work alongside a person who is so storied and accomplished, and yet so open to new experiences and collaborations,” said Jennifer Knoepfle, UMPG’s evp and co-head of A&R.
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Ultra Publishing has signed a deal extension with Wheezy, who first signed to the company in 2018. The new extension will also see Ultra acquiring an additional 427 songs from Wheezy, including titles released by Drake, Travis Scott Meek Mill and Lil Uzi Vert.
Kobalt has signed Latin Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter JULiA LEWiS to a global publishing administration deal. A go-to collaborator for Bad Bunny, Anitta, Rauw Alejandro, NBA YoungBoy, Feid and more, JULiA LEWiS is a certified hitmaker with top tracks like “La Jumpa,” “Classy 101” and “Kacey Talk” as part of his fast-growing catalog. He is managed by Matt Geffen, Jamil Davis and Matt Bauerschmidt of The Revels Group.
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Warner Chappell Music France has signed an administrative publishing deal with Lofi Records, the company behind the famous YouTube “Lofi Girl.” The channel provides a 24/7 feed of chill beats to relax or study to and it boasts more than 13.6 million subscribers, with 30,000-60,000 simultaneous listeners on any given day.
Avex USA has signed Jahnei “Mr. Jah” Clarke to its publishing division. A Queens-raised, Los Angeles-based hip-hop, R&B, Latin and pop producer, he is best known for his work with Luísa Sonza, 6ix9ine, Masego.
Rimas Publishing has expanded its roster, signing seven new talents. The new signees include Andrea Cruz, Elia, Harold Wendell Sanders, Manu Berlingeri, Mendoza, Nes, and Valentina.
Warner Chappell Production Music launches Run4Cover in partnership with Warner Chappell Music. Run4Cover is a new label designed to cover some of WCM‘s biggest songs in a way that might be useful for sync licensing purposes. Already their repertoire includes new renditions of hits like Radiohead (“Exit Music (For A Film),” “Karma Police”), Curtis Mayfield (“Move On Up”), Kool & The Gang (“Celebration”) and Donna Summer (“Hot Stuff”). These covers come in a wide array of styles, from string quartets to big band to trailerizations.
Concord Music Publishing has signed songwriting team Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen to a global publishing administration deal. This includes their full catalog and future works. Two of Broadway’s biggest composers today, the duo has written the music for Tuck Everlasting, The Burnt Part Boys, Blown Sideways Through Life, Revival and more together. Independently, Miller has worked on Swept Away, April Twilights, and Ravello. Tysen has worked on The Great Gatsby, Amelie, Paradise Square.
Major Bob Music has signed rising songwriter SJ McDonald to a global publishing deal. “She keeps it country and she’s a perfect fit for Major Bob,” says Andy Friday, head of publishing. Along with the announcement of her signing, McDonald also released a new single: “Hummingbird.”
Prescription Songs and Day One Songs has signed Joseph Tilley to a global publishing agreement. An artist, producer and songwriter, Tilley makes pop and R&B music. Along with his artist project, he also produces for indie pop songstress Emilee, contributing to songs like “Heaven” and “I Love You Baby.”
Sony Music Publishing and Relative Music Group have signed rising country artist Carson Wallace to a global publishing deal. Only 20, the songwriter has built an audience on TikTok, and now has achieved success with the release of singles like “Lonely Look Like,” “Leavin’ Season,” “Ghost In My Chevy” and “Light of Day.”
Kobalt has extended its worldwide publishing deal with rap superstar Gunna. The agreement includes global synch and creative services for all of Gunna’s catalog as well as future works. “Gunna is a superstar, plain and simple,” says Kobalt CEO Laurent Hubert. “It’s been incredible to see him attain these musical achievements while at Kobalt. We are honored to continue our partnership with Gunna and his team and look forward to supporting their efforts.”
BMG has signed a publishing deal with Daniel Johns, encompassing his entire Silverchair catalog. The worldwide deal immediately includes all of Johns’ publishing interests on his sophomore solo album FutureNever, and it will eventually include his catalogue of global hits including “Straight Lines,” “The Greatest View,” “Ana’s Song,” “Freak,” “Tomorrow” and many others reverting into the deal in 2025.
Warner Chappell Music and Madfun Entertainment have extended their publishing agreement with Matt Jenkins and have purchased Jenkins’ back catalog of music. This includes songs like “Happy Anywhere” by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, “Buy Dirt” by Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan, and more.
Reservoir has announced a new deal with Grammy-winning country songwriter/producer/engineer Brent Maher. The company’s relationship with Maher began in 2018 when it acquired rights to Maher’s full catalog, and now it will also be involved in his future works as well. over the course of his career, Maher has worked on a slew of hits, including songs recorded by The Judds, Tanya Tucker, Dottie West, Tina Turner, Kenny Rogers, and more.
Warner Chappell Music has signed rising country trio The Castellows. Comprised of Ellie, Powell and Lily, the band recently signed a record deal with Warner Records and Warner Music Nashville and released their debut song “No. 7 Road.”
Budde Music and Karma Songs have extended their publishing deal with Nick Bradley, a London-based songwriter who has written songs with James Blunt, Bow Anderson, Røry, Matteo Bocelli, Don Diablo, You Me At Six, Maneskin, Kelvin Jones, NCT 127 and Flux Pavilion.
Warner Chappell Music has renewed its publishing deal with multi-platinum songwriter Rick Boardman. His credits include songs with Marshmello, Jonas Brothers, Khalid, Bebe Rexha, Louis Tomlinson, Clean Bandit, and Jess Glynne.
Universal Music Publishing Group has signed a global publishing deal with Mexican singer-songwriter Carin Leon. He’s known best for his Latin Grammy-winning song “Como Lo Hice Yo,” but he also has a slew of other popular songs, including “Ni me debes ni te debo,” “Te lo agradezco,” “Me haces tan bien,” and more.
Concord Music Publishing has signed Nashville-based songwriter and producer Aaron Eshuis. The worldwide co-publishing deal is effective immediately and also includes a selection of his existing catalog and all future works. His catalog includes cuts with Scotty McCreery, Rascal Flatts, Joe Nichols, A Thousand Horses, Catie Offerman, Kameron Marlowe, Corey Kent, Cole Swindell, Kylie Morgan, Meghan Patrick, and Mason Ramsey.
Position Music has signed producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Alex Wilke to a worldwide publishing deal. So far, the rising hitmaker has worked on songs with Maddie Zahm, Leah Kate, Lexi Jayde, Jake Miller and more.
Regional Mexican star Carin León signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Billboard has learned. A leading force in the música mexicana genre, the Sonora-born singer-songwriter has established himself as one of Mexican music’s most versatile and eclectic artists today recording in norteño, banda, R&B and pop. “There is no […]
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has announced a worldwide publishing agreement with Sabrina Carpenter, Billboard can announce exclusively. The news comes in between international stadium dates for Carpenter, who is opening for Taylor Swift‘s Eras tour through the remainder of the year. “I am so thrilled to have joined the UMPG family and to be […]
Mexican music singer-songwriter Ivan Cornejo has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the company announced Wednesday (Sept. 13). The deal with UMPG comes just weeks after Cornejo joined Interscope Records’ roster — he had been signed to indie label Manzana Records since 2021. “I’m incredibly grateful about my signing with […]
Producer extraordinaire and Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff has signed an exclusive, global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group. The move follows his weekend wedding and reunites him with UMPG executive vp Jennifer Knoepfle, his longtime publishing A&R during the songwriter’s lengthy — and fruitful — stay at Sony Music Publishing.
“Jack is honestly one of one,” noted Knoepfle. “To continue being his publisher is an honor we don’t take for granted. He’s even more creative and prolific than when I first met him over a decade ago – and that’s saying a lot! I look forward to this next chapter for him with UMPG by his side.”
That hard-working ethos has gotten Antonoff far over the years, having collaborated extensively with Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Sia, Florence + The Machine, Tegan and Sara, St. Vincent, The Chicks, Carly Rae Jepsen, Pink, Olivia Rodrigo, FKA Twigs, Spoon, Zayn, Cam, Clairo, The 1975, Kevin Abstract and Sara Bareilles, among many others.
Then there’s Taylor Swift, whom Antonoff calls “the first person who recognized me as a producer.” They first collaborated in 2013 on “Sweeter Than Fiction” from the film One Chance, and have since gone on to produce Billboard 200-topping records 1989 (2014), Reputation (2017), Lover (2019), Folklore (2020), Evermore (2020), Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (2021), Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021), Midnights (2022) and Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (2023).
Antonoff has been rewarded with eight Grammy Awards, including back-to-back producer of the year nods in 2022-2023.
As a performing artist, Antonoff rose to prominence in the early 2010s as the guitarist and multi-instrumentalist in Fun., who scored hits with “We Are Young,” “Carry On” and the title cut off the band’s second album, Some Nights. He later formed Bleachers, whose hits include “I Wanna Get Better” and “Don’t Take the Money,” among others.
With the launch of a music publishing venture, Simon Cowell returns to the business where he honed his own talents in pop.
Unveiled this week, SYCO Publishing, a collaboration between Syco Entertainment and Universal Music Publishing Group, will sign and develop songwriters and catalogs that will be administered and supported exclusively through UMPG globally, reps say.
At launch, SYCO Publishing is home to Lucy Spraggan and John Samuel Gerhart, as well as song catalog from Camila Cabello, James Arthur, Grace VanderWaal, Fifth Harmony and others.
The record executive, TV personality and current judge on America’s Got Talent got his break in publishing.
“There is nothing more important than a great song. I started my career in music publishing,” comments Cowell on the unveiling of his new venture. Paying tribute to Mike McCormack, managing director of UMPG U.K., and the music publishing giant, Cowell says he’s been given “the chance to build a music publishing company. They are a brilliant company and share my wish to work with amazing songwriters.”
SYCO Publishing will also create new opportunities for its writers to work across Cowell’s network of media formats and projects, reads a statement.
“Simon has been a good friend for decades and I’m thrilled he has finally decided to launch a publishing business with UMPG,” adds McCormack. “His track record is incredible – he’s always had great instincts and passion for outstanding songs, and brings incredible value to every songwriter, producer and catalog he works with.”
It’s the second songwriting-focused project in the past year that has brought together Cowell’s entertainment venture and Universal Music Group. In 2022, both companies got behind StemDrop, a creative platform for musical collaboration, curation and artist discovery, which launched exclusively with TikTok and Samsung, by providing users with access to music “stems,” the isolated components of a song, from an exclusive track, which creators could then use to record and share their own versions.
Syco Entertainment is the independent company which created and owns TV formats such as “Got Talent” and “The X Factor”.
The Jenni Rivera Estate has signed a global deal with Universal Music Publishing Group to administer the publishing rights for Jenni Rivera’s global catalog, Billboard has learned. “I’m so excited about this new partnership with Universal Music Publishing. It’ll bring great achievements for my mom’s legacy and for Jenni Rivera Enterprises,” said Jacqie Rivera, CEO of Jenni […]
Niall Horan has signed a new worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group. Already a signee of Capitol Records, his new deal with UMPG sees the artist uniting both recorded and songwriting efforts under the Universal Music umbrella. Previously, he was signed to an administrative agreement with Downtown Music Publishing, beginning in 2017. The […]
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.
