Universal Music has launched the Motown label in France. French female hip-hop hitmaker Diam’s will serve as artistic director. As an artist, Diam’s remains linked with EMI/Hostile.
“This won’t be a replica of Motown U.S., which would be impossible anyway,” says Olivier Nusse, managing director of Universal France’s label ULM, to which Motown France is attached.
Label manager is Sébastien Catillon. During his career as an A&R director, Catillon signed Diam’s to EMI and Sinik to Warner.
Nusse explains that the label will release projects in various genres from soul to French chanson.
Executives anticipate signing two artists each year to Motown in France, with a first album to be released before summer 2007. No plans for a publishing arm have been revealed.
