Publishing Briefs: Multiple Signings at Sony/ATV, Kobalt Enters India & More
A rundown of the latest moves in publishing, including multiple signings at Sony/ATV and a move by Kobalt into India.
Sony/ATV has signed a number of new publishing deals. They include:
A global administration agreement with songwriter and producer Freddy Wexler, who has co-written such hits as Marshmello and Halsey‘s “Be Kind,” the Jonas Brothers’ “Like It’s Christmas,” Kanye West’s “Wolves” and Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber’s Hot 100 No. 1 “Stuck With U.” He also releases music as an artist under the name Jackson Penn.
A global co-publishing deal with songwriter and Def Jam artist Bobby Sessions, known for co-writing the No. 1 single “Savage Remix” by Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé. Under his own name, he has also released tracks including “The Hate U Give,” “Level Up” and “Black Neighborhood” feat. Killer Mike. The deal covers Sessions’ full catalog.
A global publishing agreement with songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Karen Kosowski (under Sony/ATV Nashville), who has been a force behind popular country tracks including Mickey Guyton’s “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?”, The Washboard Union’s “Country Thunder” and Tim Hicks’ “What a Song Should Do.” She also works in other genres, with credits including Tryon’s “Somebody to Love Me” and Emma-Lee’s “It Won’t Be Christmas.”
A worldwide publishing deal with Swedish songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Linus “Lotus IV” Wiklund, who has written tracks including Zedd’s “Stay” and “Happy Now” feat. Elley Duhé, David Guetta’s “Don’t Leave Me Alone” feat. Anne-Marie, Rita Ora’s “Let You Love Me” and Avicii’s “I Could Be the One.”
A global publishing agreement with music producer Ángel Gabriel Figueroa (a.k.a. D-Note “The Beatllionare”). Producing credits for Figueroa, who is signed to GLAD Empire, include Alex Rose, Rauw Alejandro and Lenny Tavarez’s “Toda.” He has also worked with artists including Miky Woodz, J Alvarez and Cosculluela.
A trio of publishing companies – Kobalt, Fairwood Music Group and Konic Records – have entered the Indian market via sub-publishing agreements with Turnkey Music & Publishing. All three deals were effective as of July 1.
Kobalt, the largest independent publisher in the world, represents over 25,000 songwriters, 600 publishers and 20,000 artists including Dua Lipa, The Weeknd and Marshmello. The London-based Fairwood has represented artists and songwriters including David Bowie, U2 and Cat Stevens, while Konic Records – which focuses on rock and electro-pop releases – represents the catalogs of singer-songwriter-producer James Kennedy and Kyshera.
Warner Chappell Music has signed acclaimed songwriter and producer Fraser T. Smith to a worldwide publishing deal. Smith has worked with some of the biggest artists in the world, including Adele, Britney Spears, Drake, Kesha and Sam Smith, among others. It was with Adele that he collaborated on the Hot 100 No. 1 “Set Fire to the Rain,” which earned a Grammy in 2013 for best pop solo performance (for a live version on the DVD Live at the Royal Albert Hall). He was nominated for another Grammy in 2015 thanks to his work on Sam Smith’s album In The Lonely Hour.
“Having someone as influential, talented and prolific as Fraser with us at Chappell is an absolute honour,” said Amber Davis, head of A&R at WCM. “He is without doubt one of the best producers of his generation and has been pivotal in the making of many classic songs and albums. Having him with us is a real coup for the company and I can’t wait for him to start working with more of our songwriters.”
Warner Chappell Music has also signed a worldwide administration deal with Mexican grupero Bronco. The agreement covers the band’s full catalog — including such hits as “Dos Mujeres, un Camino,” “Vamos a Amarla Los Dos” and “Libros Tontos” — and all releases going forward.
Known for a sound that pays tribute to the Norteño tradition while incorporating modern instruments and a pop style, Bronco has sold 14 million albums worldwide over a career spanning four decades, earning gold and platinum records in countries including Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. The group took a brief hiatus in the late 1990s before returning with the 2003 album Siempre Arriba, which earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Mexican/Mexican American Album. Current band members include Jose Guadalupe Esparza, Jose Adan Esparza, Rene Esparza Bass, Ramiro Delgado Jr. and Javier Cantú, A new single is slated for release in August, to be followed by an album early next year.
Music publisher and record label Riptide Music Group has acquired boutique music placement and sync licensing company Hidden Track Music. Under the deal, Hidden Track founder Justin Bumper Reeve will lead Riptide’s TV, film, video game and advertising creative sync.Founded in 2011, Hidden Track represents labels, publishers, songwriters and artists, servicing their music to film, television, film trailers, advertising, sports and video games. The company’s roster includes Big Boi, Courtney Barnett and Major Lazer, while label clients including Big Brother Recordings, Kitsuné Musique, Mom + Pop Records, Mushroom Group, Neon Gold and OWSLA.
Spirit Music Group has signed a co-publishing deal with R&B singer-songwriter David Lyn. The agreement includes Lyn’s catalog and all releases going forward.
The Jamaican-American Lyn – younger brother of Grammy-winning producer IzyBeats – just released his debut single, “Can’t Breathe,” with an EP slated to follow this summer. As a songwriter, Lyn contributed to Koffee’s “W” feat. Gunna.
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