Universal Music Publishing Group has signed a global publishing deal with Electric Feel Entertainment to form Electric Feel Publishing Europe. The new division, which cements Electric Feel’s European expansion, will be led by Lucas Teuchner and Alex Strehl.
Electric Feel, an early-stage talent incubator founded by Austin Rosen in 2013, has discovered and developed artists, producers and songwriters including Post Malone, Rich The Kid, Travis Scott, Louis Bell, 24KGOLDN and Iann Dior, among others. The company’s partnership with UMPG has already spawned a Hot 100 No. 1 hit, 24KGOLDN’s “Mood” feat. Dior.
The launch of Electric Feel Europe is being supported by the Berlin-based label and management company Two Sides (led by Teuchner), which manages German rap artists Apache 207, Bausa and Loredana; Michael Stockum’s artist management and creative agency A Million Entertainment, which represents artists such as Lena and CÉLINE; and advertising agency DOJO.
Electric Feel Europe’s first signings include German rap producers Minor2Go, Palazzo and Jumpa.
“We are thrilled to partner with such an impressive group of individuals at UMPG, Two Sides, A Million and DOJO to propel Electric Feel into the European marketplace and continue to expand our global footprint with the launch of Electric Feel Publishing Europe,” said Rosen in a statement. “We look forward to working alongside Thomas and the whole UMPG team to help maximize this vision and bring it to life.”
Added Teuchner, “We are really looking forward to working with Austin and his team and couldn’t be happier about this collaboration with UMPG. Offering our writers and producers a fast lane into the international market and leaving our mark worldwide has been one of our goals from the beginning. One of our first collaborative projects – 24kGoldn’s No. 1 single ‘Mood’ – has already proven the power of our joint forces.”
Sony/ATV has signed a publishing deal with SmartStudy, the company behind the children’s brand Pinkfong, for its entire catalog of songs including the viral hit “Baby Shark.” The agreement includes all releases going forward.
Since debuting in Nov. 2015, “Baby Shark” has racked up 7.1 billion views on YouTube, making it the platform’s most-viewed video of all time. The song, which was on the Billboard Hot 100 for 20 weeks, has also received a Diamond certification from the RIAA for sales of over 11 million records. Its success has spawned merchandise, games, live musical shows and a forthcoming animated series on Nickelodeon.
Songwriter-producer Andre “Bizness Boi” Robertson has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Concord covering all past and future works.
Among others, Bizness Boi has worked with artists including 6LACK, J.Cole, Teyana Taylor, Chris Brown and Jessie Reyez. He also produced multiple tracks on PARTYNEXTDOOR’s 2016 album P3 as well as their most recent album PARTYMOBILE, including the song “Believe It” feat. Rihanna.
Biznees Boi also co-wrote and produced Lil Nas X’s “Kick It” and Dreamville’s “Oh Wow…Swerve” and worked on multiple tracks off Swae Lee’s 2018 album SR3MM including “Touchscreen Navigation,” “Lost Angels,” “Hurt to Look” and “What’s In Your Heart?”
Home Team Publishing and Warner Chappell Nashville have reached a worldwide co-publishing deal with songwriter Parker Welling, who most recently co-wrote the Russell Dickerson single “Love You Like I Used To,” which recently landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. The deal covers all future releases from Welling, in addition to “Love You Like I Used To” and the new Thomas Rhett single “What’s Your Country Song.”
Welling broke through with her work on Dickerson’s 2017 album Yours, on which she co-wrote nine songs, three of which – “Blue Tacoma,” “Every Little Thing” and the title track – reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart. She additionally scored a No. 1 on Billboard’s Canada Country chart with Mackenzie Porter’s “These Days.” This year she was nominated for the Canadian Country Music Association’s songwriter of the year award.
KOLIDESCOPES, the songwriting and producing duo who co-wrote the U.K. No. 1 and Billboard Global 200 top 20 single “Head & Heart” by Joel Corry and MNEK, has signed a global publishing deal with Sony/ATV for their future output.
Comprised of Dan Dare and John Courtidis, KOLIDESCOPES also recently launched a career as artists, signing to APG/Atlantic in Los Angeles earlier this year. The duo just released the single “Torn” and are at work on their forthcoming full-length project, in addition to continuing collaborations with U.K. songwriters, producers and artists including Sigala, Raye and MNEK.
Warner Chappell duo OUTSKRTS – comprised of singer-songwriter Brandon Ray and songwriter-producer Christian Hale – have written, produced and recorded a new custom anthem for the Tennessee Titans football team entitled “Get Loud (Titan Up).” The song will “serve as a new staple of the game day experience for fans at Nissan Stadium,” according to a release.
The “Get Loud (Titan Up”) music video was played for the first time at the Titans’ Nissan Stadium with a coordinated light show on Nov. 12.
“Brandon and Christian have such a special connection to the city and truly put their heart and soul into this project,” said Katie Jelen, Warner Chappell’s director of synchronization. “Ben Vaughn, who heads up our Nashville business, and Pat Restaino on our sync team worked closely with me on this partnership, and I know I speak for all of us when I say it’s been an honor to collaborate with the Titans.”
Sentric Music Group has signed British rock band Don Broco to an exclusive songwriting agreement covering future works.
Don Broco released their debut album, Priorities, in 2012, followed by the top 10 U.K. albums Automatic in 2015 and Technology in 2018. In addition to success in their native U.K., the group sold out their debut U.S. headline tour last October.