Reservoir Media has signed Roxy Music’s lead guitarist and record producer, Phil Manzanera, to a global publishing deal, including his back catalog of hits and future works. Credits for Manzanera’s storied career include cuts from Roxy Music, Pink Floyd, Tim Finn, David Gilmour, Nico, and Brian Eno, among others. One of the U.K.’s most renowned musicians and producers, he is known for his impact on the emergence of glam rock and new wave. Still, nearly fifty years later, Manzanera is still working on new music. In 2021, he released Caught by the Heart his tenth solo album, and Manzanera hopes to release a follow up project The Ghost of Santiago this July.
Reservoir Media in conjunction with leading Middle Eastern publisher PopArabia, has signed a worldwide publishing deal with popular Egyptian rapper, singer, and actor Mohamed Ramadan. The deal includes both his back catalog and future releases and aligns with Reservoir’s goals to expand their presence in emerging markets like the MENA region. Along with the deal, Reservoir has also announced the acquisition of Egyptian label 100COPIES and is launching a joint venture with the company to sign and develop talent from Egypt.
Concord Music Publishing has signed Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido to a publishing agreement. The deal is part of a new JV called Immensum Music. Created by Koch Okoye and Saheed Okunnu along with the team at Concord, the venture will allow the U.S.-based publisher to expand its presence in West Africa.
Warner Chappell Music has signed 21-year-old Mexican star Natanael Cano. Known for his ability to bridge the gap between Mexican corridos and American trap music, the artist is perhaps best known for his appearance on Bad Bunny’s “Soy El Diablo (Remix).” The new deal with WCM brings Cano even futher into the WMG fold. On the records side, Cano has been aligned with Warner Music Latina/Rancho Humilde and his label Los CT for years.
Electric Feel Entertainment has signed latina singer, songwriter and producer Kuinvi to their management roster. From Equador but now based in Miami, the talent has already worked with some of the biggest names in Latin music. Recently, she produced six tracks on Becky G‘s new album ESQUEMAS, and has also worked with Sebastian Yatra, Khea, and Lele Pons. Her signing is part of Electric Feel’s expansion into the latin music space, and the company plans to open a state-of-the-art studio and office in Miami by the end of the year as well.
Songwriter William Van Zandt has signed a global co-publishing deal with Therapy Records Publishing, a joint venture between Jesse Rutherford and Warner Chappell Music. The deal includes Van Zandt’s back catalog of hits, including songs with Ty Dolla $ign, YNW Melly and Brockhampton, as well as future works made under the deal.
Distiller Music Group‘s publishing division has partnered with Downtown Music Services to provide administration services to its growing roster of talent, including Dimitri Tikovoi (Charli XCX, Purple Disco Machine), Danny LaFrombe (John Legend), Danny Goffey (Supergrass), and The Ramona Flowers (Nile Rogers). The company has also hired a new head of A&R, Claire Bianchi, for its publishing arm.
