UMPG and the London-based label DnB Allstars have launched a new joint venture. As the "epicenter" of the U.K. drum and bass scene, DnB Allstars have cultivated a unique community with artists such as Vibe Chemistry and Alcemist. Rising writers joining DnB Allstars and UMPG include Grace Barton, Elipsa and Tsuki.
“I’m incredibly excited to start the next chapter of DnB Allstars alongside UMPG," Joshua Williams, creator of DnB Allstars, said. 'We’re thrilled to be working with [UMPG Senior A&R Director] Dougie Bruce and the team to sign some of the best new and established artists and writers in the scene to shape the future of Drum and Bass.”
Bruce added, “Josh is a pioneer on the new wave DnB scene. What he has achieved in such a short space of time across the label and his events is sets a truly entrepreneurial standard in the genre. Adding publishing to his already successful business was a logical step for him and we are delighted that he chose UMPG to partner and grow with. His infectious nature and self-belief in the brand will ensure there will be many signings to DnB Allstars Publishing.”
Pictured wondering why we haven't dug up our pacifiers and JNCO jeans yet are (l-r) DnB Allstars attorney Pete Bott, Bruce, Williams and UMPG Senior Legal & Business Affairs Manager Erin Ruxton.
Boutique publishing house Next Era Music Publishing will partner with Downtown Music Publishing to streamline collection and administration as well as drive unique opportunities for its creators and partners.
Downtown Music Publishing will represent the Next Era catalog worldwide for administration and collection, excluding Korea and China.
"This collaboration not only strengthens our commitment to supporting artists globally but also opens up exciting prospects for the vibrant music scene in the Netherlands,” said Next Era’s Olga Heijns.
Next Era Music Publishing currently represents 45 songwriters and manages more than 7k titles. Among its writers are The Track Masters, Nick Vall, Laidback Luke, Young Ellens, TJWave and Merow.
Andrew Bergman, CEO of Downtown Music Holdings, adds: “With Downtown Music Publishing already working across the Next Era catalog in North America, we look forward to expanding and continuing our relationship with Olga and the Next Era team on a more global scale.”
K-pop group ATEEZ is battling with Peter Gabriel for this week’s Official Albums #1. Over on singles, Wham! leads a Christmas chart invasion.
THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL (KQ) by Ateez is #1 at today’s halfway point. However, Gabriel’s i/o (Bright Side Mix) (Real World) is just 1.5k sales behind.
Pink’s former #1, TRUSTFALL (RCA), looks set to return to the Top 5 at #5 following the release of its Tour Deluxe Edition. Cher’s Christmas (Warner Records) could reach a new peak at #7 on Friday.
On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, Wham!’s “Last Christmas” (Epic) has taken an early lead for #1. The top spot is all to play for, however: “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Columbia) by Mariah Carey is less than 1.5k sales behind at #2. “Fairytale of New York” (Rhino) by The Pogues f/Kirsty MacColl is #3.
Other Christmas tracks that could rise into the Top 10 this week include Sam Ryder’s “You’re Christmas to Me” (East West/Rhino) at #4; Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” (MCA) at #6; Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s “Merry Christmas” (Atlantic/EMI) at #7; Michael Bublé’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (Reprise) at #8; Jorja Smith’s cover of “Stay Another Day” (FAMM) at #9; and Shakin’ Stevens’ “Merry Christmas Everyone” (Epic) at #10.
The three nominees for 2024 BRITs Rising Star—Caity Baser, The Last Dinner Party and Sekou—have filmed exclusive performances for the BRITs official channels. Watch them here and place your bets.
EMI-signing Baser—a 21-year-old singer and songwriter from Southampton—performed her first Top 40 single, “Pretty Boys.” Rock band The Last Dinner Party, who are signed to Island, went with their debut single, “Nothing Matters.” Soul artist Sekou, who is also signed to Island, performed his first single, “Better Man.”
UMG acts dominate the BBC’s Sound of 2024 list of 10 artists primed for success over the next 12 months.
Ayra Starr, Caity Baser and CMAT are among the nominees.
From the UMG camp is singer- songwriter Baser (EMI), soul/R&B artist Elmiene (Polydor/Def Jam), indie rock band The Last Dinner Party (Island), R&B artist Olivia Dean (EMI) and soul/pop act Sekou (Island).
The independent sector counts three entries: Afropop/R&B singer Starr (Mavin), singer-songwriter CMAT (AWAL) and DJ Peggy Gou (XL). Sony and Warner have one each with Amapiano artist Tyla (FAX/Epic) and dance artist Kenya Grace (Warner Records).
The winner will be revealed on BBC Radio 1 on 1/5.
UMG's haul follows its domination of 2024's BRITs Rising Star nominees, revealed last week, which included Baser, The Last Dinner Party and Sekou.
Take That have the biggest opening week for a British act in 2023 with This Life (EMI), their ninth #1. Over on singles, Jack Harlow has a third week at #1.
This Life shifted 116k chart sales to top the U.K.’s Official Albums chart; 97% of which are on physical formats. The set surpassed 2023’s previous fastest-selling record by a British act, Lewis Capaldi’s Broken by Desire to be Heavenly Sent (EMI), by 21k sales.
Elsewhere, Michael Bublé’s festive staple, Christmas (Reprise), jumps 12 places to #4. A posthumous greatest-hits collection from Tina Turner, Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll (Parlophone), lands at #16.
A 35th anniversary edition of Kylie Minogue’s debut, Kylie (BMG), returns to the Top 40 for the first time in 34 years at #30.
On the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart, Harlow’s “Lovin on Me” (Atlantic) is still #1. The track has outperformed itself week-on-week, securing its biggest seven-day numbers yet with 55k U.K. chart units.
Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” (Republic) is up one to #2.
As the festive season gets underway, nearly half the chart is Christmas songs with 16 tracks in the Top 40.
“Last Christmas” (Epic) by Wham! leads the way at #5 while “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Columbia) by Mariah Carey is #6.
Outside the Top 10, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Can’t Catch Me Now” (Geffen), taken from the latest Hunger Games soundtrack, is up one to #12.
Following the news of death of Shane MacGowan, The Pogues' holiday song “Fairytale of New York” (Warner Music U.K.) rises to #18 from #53.
The shortlist for the 2024 BRITs Rising Star has been revealed with Caity Baser, The Last Dinner Party and Sekou in the running. All three are signed to Universal U.K.
Baser, a 21-year-old singer and songwriter from Southampton on the U.K.’s south coast, is signed to EMI. Her first singles include “Friendly Sex,” “X&Y” and “Pretty Boys,” which hit #26 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart earlier this year. She’s tipped as a Gen Z role model for self-confidence, honesty and female empowerment. This year, Baser played the Reading & Leeds festival. In March, she’s set to embark on her biggest tour, including a show at London’s 5k-capacity Eventim Apollo and release her 14-track mixtape, Still Learning. Management is Dakota Hoven at Chosen Music.
The Last Dinner Party are a five-piece band who make “guitar-heavy leftfield indie-rock dramas.” Signed to Island, they had a breakthrough in July with “Nothing Matters,” which hit #16 on the U.K. singles chart. James Ford, who has worked with Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode and Haim, produced the track. Since then, the band has released more singles, including “Sinner” and “My Lady of Mercy,” and played a summer of festivals in the U.K. and Europe. Their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy, will arrive in February. Management is Tara Richardson at Q Prime.
Sekou, a 19-year-old who hails from Leicester in the East Midlands, gained recognition after posting soulful covers online. That led to him being discovered by Nick Raphael and Christian Tattersfield’s company, NWS Music, and he later signed with Island/Republic. Sekou’s music is described as “a blend of classic soul and contemporary pop” with inspiration from Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé. His breakout single, “Better Man,” arrived in May and has tallied over 4m plays on Spotify. He’s since released “Forgiving Myself” and his debut EP, Out of Mind. Management is Raphael and Tattersfield.
The winner will be announced on 12/7.
Central Cee and his elusive manager Bello were celebrated at the annual Artist and Manager Awards in London along with Duran Duran and their longtime manager, Wendy Laister.
Accepting his award for Manager of the Year, Bello said: “We take pride in being disruptors, game changers and never taking 'no' for an answer. The minute I heard the first verse from Cench and clicked onto his page, I saw a star and I knew exactly what he was capable of achieving.
“The last two years we’ve done over 150 shows all around the world, we’ve got two projects, we’ve released EPs and countless singles. I’m the worst at delegating and not the best at finding people to hire, so we’ve always had a small team. But that’s also had its benefits as our vision has never been diluted.”
Laister and Duran Duran were honored with the Artist & Manager Partnership award for a relationship that has spanned 22 years. The band celebrated Laister for her “grace, intelligence, tenacity and loyalty.” Laister used the opportunity to call for greater diversity in management.
“Over the years, I've witnessed remarkable progress, and women have risen to prominent positions, both in front of and behind the scenes, but there is still work to be done,” she said. “This should be a place where talent knows no gender and where diversity is celebrated. As managers our role is to empower artists, to guide them, and to ensure that their voices are heard.”
Other winners on the night included Nia Archives for Breakthrough Artist and Louise Latimer, the manager of Self Esteem, The Big Moon and Gently Tender, for Breakthrough Manager.
