Universal Music Publishing Group has signed R&B star Mariah the Scientist to an exclusive worldwide music publishing agreement. The Atlanta native’s latest album “Hearts Sold Separately debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart and No. 11 on the Billboard 200.
In May she will join Kali Uchis for a major U.S. tour and will be working the festival circuit in the U.S., Europe and even South Africa over the summer.
UMPG senior A&R director Omar Teagle said, “Mariah is one of the most compelling songwriter-artists working today. Her music is intimate, fearless, and incredibly relatable, and she has a gift for capturing emotions in a way that instantly connects with listeners. She’s building something very special, and we’re thrilled to support her next chapter.”
+ United Talent Agency has signed Grammy–winning rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur Eve for worldwide representation in all areas, working to secure opportunities across music, film, television, and ventures.
This week, Eve announced her upcoming “Scorpion” tour of the U.K. & EU in support of the 25th anniversary of the rapper’s sophomore album, set to launch on October 9. She co-hosted the CBS Daytime Emmy-nominated talk show “The Talk” and acting acting credits include starring roles in “Barbershop,” “xXx,” “Whip It,” “The Woodsman,” and “Queens,” as well as her own eponymous sitcom, “Eve.” Last year, she released her debut book “Who’s That Girl?: A Memoir.”
+ Primary Wave Music has closed Primary Wave Music IP Fund 4, with total commitments of $2.225 billion.
According to the announcement, the Fund significantly exceeded its original target of $1.5 billion as well as its hard cap of $2 billion, making it the largest dedicated closed-end music royalties fund raised to date in the industry, and the company’s fourth consecutive oversubscribed fund.
Larry Mestel, CEO of Primary Wave Music said, “This fundraise validates both the platform we have built at Primary Wave and our conviction that an active, aggressive hands-on approach to marketing music is what drives superior long-term returns for our investors and growth in value to our artists.”
Craig Noble, CEO of Brookfield’s Credit business, said, “Primary Wave has built a category-defining platform in music IP, with a clear track record of sourcing, scaling, and enhancing high-quality assets. The success of this fundraise reflects both the strength of their strategy and the growing role of music royalties within institutional portfolios. We are excited about our long-term partnership with the company.”
To date, Fund 4 has invested $700 million, to a diversified set of over 65 single-artist catalogs including The Notorious B.I.G., Village People, Neil Sedaka, Itzhak Perlman, Ric Ocasek, the Cars, Robert “Kool” Bell, Gilberto Gil, Thin Lizzy, Dave Brubeck, and others.
+ Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Talk (Nicholas Durocher) has officially signed to Big Loud Rock and on Friday released “Time Machine,” his first new music in three years. The singer scored a hit with his 2021 gold single “Run Away to Mars” and his debut album, “Lord of the Flies & Birds & Bees,” scored him five Juno nominations the following year.
“We’re excited to welcome Talk into the Big Loud Rock family,” shared Big Loud Partner and Big Loud Rock President Joey Moi. “His powerhouse vocals and eccentric creative concepts really blew us away. He brings such a fresh, infectious energy to the alternative rock space that we couldn’t help but immerse ourselves in it.”
+ Kobalt has signed singer, songwriter, DJ, and record producer Howard Donald of eight-time Brit Awards winners Take That to a global publishing deal.
“Signing with Kobalt Music just feels right,” said Donald. “They understand where I’m coming from and where I want to go with my music. I’m excited for everything we’re going to create together.”
Beyond his success with Take That, Donald has built a solo career as a songwriter and DJ, and also hosted the BBC’s “Mission Ignition.” Later this year, he will reunite with Take That for a run of stadium shows across the U.K. and Ireland, as well as the band’s 10th studio album.
+ Fox Rothschild has elevated attorney John Rose to partner, the firm announced this week. He has been featured in Variety’s Dealmakers and Legal Impact Report lists.
Since joining Fox Rothschild in 2020, Rose has worked with Rick Ross, Coco Jones, the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, T.I., Simone Biles, YFN Lucci, Jagged Edge, B.o.B., $uicideboy$, Ludacris, Viola Davis, and more.
“John Rose has been a key member of our team and there is no limit to his success. His hard work, innovative approach, and enthusiasm make him a valued colleague and deserving partner” said partner Leron Rogers.
+ Kate Lazzari has joined Messina Touring’s touring and booking team, following nearly a decade at Concerts West. While there, she contributed to international tours for the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Ado, Simone Biles and more.
“We are so excited to have Kate join our team,” said Haley McCollister, Messina’s Nashville president. “Her experience and passion make her a perfect fit for Messina Touring. She will be an integral part of our continued growth, and our clients will greatly benefit from having her in their corner.”
Over the years Messina has represented tours by Taylor Swift, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Ed Sheeran, Eric Church and more.
+ The National Independent Talent Organization, the trade group for U.S. independent agents, managers and the thousands of artists they represent recently held their annual general membership elections for Board Of Directors.
Newly elected to the NITO Board are Thomas Cussins, Founder and CEO of Ineffable Music Group; Alex Fang, Vice President of New Frontier Touring; Liz Pjesky, Head of Marketing and Ticketing at High Road Touring; and Amanda Silecchio-Frederick, Artist Manager at Madison House.
They join re-elected NITO Board members Adam Bauer, Partner/Agent at Dynamic Talent International; Jon Grau, Artist Manager at Thirty Tigers; Nelly Neben, Founder & President of Axis Artist Management; Randy Nichols, Artist Manager and Entrepreneur at Fly South Music Group; Steve Schenck, Principal at TKO; Scott Sokol, CEO/Agent at Pinnacle Entertainment; Michel Vega, CEO of Magnus Talent Agency; and Matt Yasecko, Chief Operation Officer of ROAM.
Additional Board Members serving current terms include NITO President Wayne Forte of Entourage Talent Associates, Amy Butterer of outer/most, David Gottlieb of Death Or Glory, Fielding Logan of Q Prime, Maria Matias of Maria Matias Music, Jack Randall of The Kurland Agency and
“We extend our deepest gratitude to our departing board members, Chris Harris, Sean Patrick Rhorer and founding members Tom Chauncey and Paul Lohr,” stated NITO Executive Director Nathaniel Marro. “Their foundational leadership has been instrumental in establishing NITO as a vital voice for the independent community.”
+ London Records has launched a new podcast, “Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story,” a five part deep dive into the label’s history, spanning ‘80s success with Bananarama, Bronski Beat and Fine Young Cannibals to ‘90s stars East-17, All Saints, Orbital and Goldie. Multiple artists and former executives join the conversation. Weekly episodes drop every Wednesday, starting on May 6.
Coinciding with the podcast’s launch, London Records will also release a 2CD / digital compilation “Hit That Perfect Beat.”
Tuesday, April 28
Avex Music Group, the global music company of Japanese entertainment giant Avex helmed by CEO Brandon Silverstein, has announced the launch of a $100 million fund to be aimed at catalog acquisitions, structured through a financing deal with City National Bank. According to the announcement, the deal was funded by $50 million in equity alongside up to $50 million in non-recourse debt financing. (Pictured above, L-R: Ryan Kamada, CFO; Brandon Silverstein, CEO; Spencer LeBoff, Senior VP, all with Avex Music Group.)
The first acquisition under the new deal is the catalog of producer Infamous, best known for his work on Teddy Swims massive hit single “Lose Control,” and tracks with Lil Wayne and Charlie Puth. Avex’s catalog also includes Kehlani’s current No. 1 Hot 100 single “Folded,” (Kamal Wilson), “Nokia” by Drake (Elkan), and multiple releases from Tate McRae including “Sports Car,” “Tit for Tat,” and “Revolving Door” (Grant Boutin), among others.
Earlier this year, the company announced a publishing administration partnership with 16-time Grammy Award-winner — and Variety’s Hitmakers 2025 songwriter of the year — Bruno Mars, commencing upon the completion of his current deal with BMG/Warner Chappell. It also announced a global distribution partnership with the Orchard.
+ Powerhouse Primary Wave Music, fresh from the announcement of its reported $1.5 billion acquisition of Kobalt, will be partnering with the estate of Harry Chapin, the ‘70s songwriter best known for his single “Cat’s in the Cradle,” as well as hits like “Taxi” and “30,000 Pounds of Bananas.” The deal encompasses Chapin’s music, name, image and likeness.
“My family is incredibly impressed with Primary Wave and their remarkably talented team,” Harry Chapin’s son Jason Chapin said in a statement. “We are so excited to support them as they introduce Harry Chapin music to wider and younger audiences while giving long-time fans more of what they love.”
+ Concord, which announced on Tuesday that it will be acquired by BMG in a blockbuster deal, has acquired the independent Mothership Music Publishing.
The transaction covers all of Mothership’s existing publishing contracts as well as its 5,000-song catalog, which includes titles by Tom Waits, the Marías and Bad Religion, among others.
+ Big Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment has upped Allison Jones to executive vice president of A&R, responsible for artists and repertoire across the business.
Jones first worked with Big Machine founder Scott Borchetta in 1997 on the opening of DreamWorks Nashville, prior to Dreamworks Records’ purchase by Universal Music in 2003. She first joined Big Machine in 2008, subsequently contributing to the company’s signing of Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line and the Band Perry, among others.
“Allison is the consummate A&R executive,” Borchetta says in a statement. “She knows every artist, every song, and every publisher, and is obsessed with being on the sharp end of pop culture. Big Machine simply would not be what it is today without Allison by my side, and I’m so thrilled that we get to continue together in this new season.”
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