Jazmine Sullivan has signed a global publishing deal with Kobalt, the company has announced. The deal includes a full range of creative, synch, and administration services for her catalog and future works.
A 12-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, Sullivan’s latest album “Heaux Tales” was a critical triumph, and earlier this year she performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl alongside Eric Church.
“I am thrilled to continue my partnership with Dominique [Keegan] and the Kobalt team,” Sullivan said. “‘Heaux Tales’ was an important milestone in my career. Passion, patience, and support were all important factors in bringing ‘Heaux Tales’ to fruition and the key drivers behind my decision to continue my partnership with Kobalt. I can only imagine what the future holds for us.”
Keegan, VP of creative for Kobalt said, “Jazmine is a phenomenal artist and songwriter and we are extremely pleased to continue our partnership with her. Jazmine’s release of ‘Heaux Tales’ earlier this year proved that she is one of the most important voices in American music and the BET awards proved that by honoring her with Album of the Year. We look forward to continuing our work with one of the most respected creators in the game and cannot wait to hear what’s next from one of R&B’s finest.”
+ LiveNationhas hired Jay Byrd as the newest global tour promoter to join its Concerts team. In his new role, Byrd will be responsible for several existing tours, including Lil Baby, A$AP Rocky, Logic and more, as well as building new relationships with artists and booking tours across North America as well as major international tours around the world.
He began his career in 2006 in the William Morris Agency mailroom and worked his way up to agent. In 2015, he moved over to CAA where he worked with artists including Lil Wayne, Common, Jason Derulo, Queen Latifah, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lukas Graham and Jon Batiste, among others.
“Throughout his career, Jay has proven that he can’t be stopped. He has an incredible drive and passion that we are excited to continue to foster at LiveNation,” said Omar Al-joulani, Head of LiveNationConcerts’ Talent & Touring. “We are always looking for the best and the brightest, and there is no doubt Jay is going to create incredible opportunities for any touring artists he works with.”
+ Music manager Dre London, whose clients include Post Malone and Tyga, is launching a label in partnership with music technology platform Vydia. London Music Group will utilize Vydia’s infrastructure — including an audio and video supply chain, global distribution, analytics, rights management and detailed revenue reporting — to power the label. Its first release is “Get Back,” a new single from Mario and Chris Brown.
Said Vydia CEO and co-founder Roy LaManna: “Dre has an innate ability to discover talent and create superstars on a global level. We’re excited to work with him and provide him the tools he needs across the board to run this new label”.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Vydia for the creation of London Music Group,” added London. “Vydia’s work to empower independent music labels opens doors for incredible new artists to emerge, a mission we both share. This new venture will allow established artists to evolve exponentially into the future, as well as introduce top of the line new talent to the world.”
Thursday, Oct. 28
+ Sony Music Publishing will administer the Gregg Allman catalog of songs. The global agreement covers many of Allman’s compositions from his time in the Allman Brothers Band, as well as solo work. Among Allman’s best-known work are the classics “Whipping Post,” “Melissa,” and “Midnight Rider” by the Allman Brothers Band.
In the band and as a solo artist, Allman, who died in 2017, touched on musical influences that came from blues, jazz, rock and country.
“Gregg Allman is without a doubt one of the greatest rock and roll songwriters of all time,” said SMP president, global chief marketing officer Brian Monaco. “On behalf of all of us at Sony Music Publishing, we are honored to partner with his estate to support his incredible catalog, and we look forward to creating new opportunities for his songs.”
Added Michael Lehman: “I am very pleased to begin this partnership with Brian Monaco and the Sony Music Publishing team to build upon Gregg Allman’s legacy. I look forward to bringing his music to new generations of fans and inspiring audiences around the world.”
Wednesday, Oct. 27
+ Quality Control Music has promoted Simone Mitchell to president, Tamika Howard to executive VP and Amber Mitchell to VP of artist relations. In announcing their new positions,QC COO Kevin “Coach K” Lee said, “These women are the backbone of this QC family, and have had their hand in building some of the best musical careers in rap. Their promotions and elevated positions have been well-earned.”
Added CEO Pierre “P” Thomas: “These powerful Black women are the executives that run much of the show with us. Watching them grow through the ranks and impact our artists the way they have is something I’m so thankful and proud to witness.”
Mitchell joined the company in 2014, helping guide the music careers of Migos, City Girls, Layton Greene and new talent Lakeyah. She will supervise operations for the music and management division. Howard joined QC in 2013 and has worked with Lil Baby, Migos, and Lil Yachty; she’ll head business operations for QC ventures. Mitchell came to QC in 2017 and will oversee and manage logistics for touring, press and promotion tours, award shows, and more for the label’s roster.
+ The A&R department at Epic Records announces two new hires and a promotion, all reporting to EVP and head of A&R Ezekiel Lewis. Ascending to VP of A&R is Jermaine Pegues, while joining the label from Generation Now is Patrick Afeku, who’ll serve as senior director of A&R, and Kailen Tharpe, who joins from OTF as associate director of A&R.
Monday, Oct. 25
+ Veteran artist manager Laura Haber has announced the launch of Little Lion Management, which sees her continuing to work with longtime clients First Aid Kit, Tove Lo, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The firm is “focused on a holistic, bespoke, and personally supportive approach to each client’s individual career and personal goals,” according to the announcement. Haber was previously a manager at Ciulla Management and worked at CAA.
“It has been a professional and personal honor to have guided the careers that I have for the last 15 years, and I look forward to building on that legacy with Little Lion and continuing to work tirelessly to support my clients and help them to continue to achieve their greatest potential,” Haber said.“We’re not looking to be the biggest management company out there, rather simply the best for our clients and our team.” The company plans to add more artists and managers “in time.”
+ AEG Global Partnerships has named Lara Fox vice president of global partnerships. An internal agency for AEGandAEGPresents, Global Partnerships oversees worldwide sponsorship sales and activation for over 135 properties across five continents, including venues, sports franchises, events, tours, festivals, and digital content among otherAEGholdings. Fox will be based inAEG’s Los Angeles headquarters and will report to managing director Andrew Klein. Fox will be responsible for building strategic relationships and partnerships for concert tours, festivals, venues, and other assets ofAEGPresents, as well as its various subsidiaries including festivals and live events such as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival, Camp Flog Gnaw and more She also will manage brand deals forAEG’s network of live music venues with a focus on those located on the West Coast. She previously held roles at Complex Networks, Condé Nast’s W Magazine and ViacomCBS.
“Lara’s impressive career combined with her proven ability to drive significant revenues and build innovative partnerships with some of the biggestbrands in the world, makes her a perfect fit forAEG,” said Klein. “We have a one-of-a-kind global portfolio with some of the most coveted music and live entertainment assets in the world, and this is an incredibly exciting time to be joining our company.”
+ SACEM, the French performing rights society, has named Cécile Rap-Veber CEO and and David El Sayegh will become deputy CEO. Rap-Veber is the first female CEO of Sacem since its creation in 1851 and succeeds Jean-Noël Tronc, who has held the position since 2012. She was most recently director of development, international and operations and member of the executive committee; El Sayegh was previously secretary general in charge of the legal department, institutional relations, anti-piracy and music services.
+ Concord has promoted Andrew Woloz to vice president of streaming, chief label exec Tom Whalley has announced. Woloz will be based in Concord’s Los Angeles office and report directly to Whalley. He will oversee streaming strategy forConcordRecorded Music’s artists and labels such as Craft Recordings, Fantasy Records, Fearless Records, Loma Vista Recordings, Rounder Records, Easy Eye Sound, Stax andConcordJazz. He will be responsible for leadingConcord’s streaming marketing team, including playlist and marketing strategy, performance, revenue and reporting. Before joiningConcord, Woloz held posts at Red Bull Records, Dirtybird Records and Pepsi.
“Over the course of the past year, we have added additional focus to our streaming efforts to better serve the evolving marketplace and our expansive artist roster,” said Whalley. “Throughout this process, we have come to rely on the expertise, guidance and leadership exemplified by Andrew.His years of experience on both the DSP and label side of the business will ensure that we will always be in front of the streaming trends.”
+ Chromatic PR has promoted Christina Cambria to senior national publicist. based in the New York office, Cambria will further expand Chromatic in her new leadership role with national press campaigns and in helping oversee associate staff. Chromatic co-founders Hector A. Silva and Amanda Pitts said, “Christina is an integral part of our team who has gone above and beyond since joining us four years ago. Her dedication to our clients and quick professional growth in PR have been nothing short of remarkable. We are lucky to have her and are delighted to celebrate her ascent as Chromatic turns six.”
