Music Industry Moves: Warner Music Partners With Ghanaian Label Small World Records

Warner Music Group is partnering with Small World Records, the indie label and publisher founded by Ghanaian entrepreneur, SmallGod. Small World Records will collaborate with Warner Music, ADA and Warner Chappell Music to help advance the careers of its artists and writers.

SmallGod, who has experience in marketing, promotion and A&R, will continue to lead Small World’s operations in the African music scene with added support from WMG. The first release under the new partnership will be SmallGod and Black Sherif’s “Fallen Angel.”

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“Our mission at Small World Records is to amplify the voices of Africa and its diaspora,” said SmallGod, whose first venture into the music industry was running the Ghanaian nightclub Basement. Through the club, he built relationships with many artists and started managing Black Prophet before signing J-Town.

He continued, “This resounding partnership with Warner Music Group will help deliver this mission by empowering emerging African artists, breaking boundaries, and resonating across continents. Together, we aim to compose a symphony of boundless diversity, innovation, and passion, uniting cultures through the universal language of music with the core being from Africa.”

Before the launch of Small World Records, SmallGod launched and ran his own independent record label and publishing company, Nasecworld. Outside of music, the multi-hyphenate also leads several fashion collaborations with brands from all over the world.

Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music, Warner Music Group, added: “SmallGod is a brilliant tastemaker, marketeer and visionary, and working with him will allow us to champion the incredible African talent he discovers. We will work with his artists to give them the support and services they need to break onto the world stage.”

+ Sony Music Publishing UK has promoted three in its A&R department across the UK and Europe. The restructuring elevates Felix Canetty-Clarke to VP of UK A&R strategy and international research; Sarah Gabrielli to senior director of A&R for UK and Europe; and Saul Fitton to senior director of A&R for the UK, effective immediately.

Gabrielli and Fitton will both be responsible for driving opportunities on behalf of the company’s songwriters and advancing creative strategy. Since joining the company in 2016, Gabrielli has signed and worked closely with breakthrough talent including beabadoobee, Sampha and Arlo Parks. She most recently served as UK and Europe A&R manager. Fitton’s career at SMP began in 2020 when he was named senior A&R Manager. He previously served as A&R manager at Warner Chappell. During his time at SMP, he has signed acts like Mimi Webb and Bastille.

In his new role, Canetty-Clarke will continue to push forward the company’s data-driven A&R initiatives and extend his focus across operations and strategy. Canetty-Clarke first joined the company in 2018 as A&R Research and also signed top talent including Miggy Dela Rosa, Lovejoy and Matilda Mann.

+ Sony Music Publishing Nashville, in partnership with Verse 2 Music, country artist and songwriter Dylan Schneider to a global publishing deal.

Following the release of his single “Ain’t Missin’ You,” and receiving songwriting credits on Dustin Lynch’s “Momma’s House,” Schneider set out on tour with Scotty McCreery. He also recently wrapped dates with Kane Brown and Tyler Hubbard, and he is set to join Nate Smith’s 2024 tour that will kick off in January.

Verse 2 Music, led by Brown and executive Kent Earls, launched as a joint venture with Sony Music Publishing in 2021. Schneider joins a roster that includes Josh Hoge, Rivers Rutherford and Joybeth Taylor.

Schneider said, “I’ve respected Kane for so long, so I’m thrilled to join the Verse 2/SMP family. Writing songs for myself and other artists is so rewarding, I can’t believe I get to call this work. I can’t wait to start this new journey with the best team. Thanks for believing in me. Let’s make some magic!”

+ SoundCloud has relaunched its official charts in the U.S. and UK, including a revamped “New & Hot” chart and a brand new “Next Pro” chart to spotlight emerging talent. The charts will be updated every, this includes the pre-existing genre-specific charts, which encompass Rap, Pop, R&B, and Electronic.

Monday, Nov. 20

Grupo Frontera, the Texas-bred música Mexicana hitmakers behind “Unx100to,” has signed a management deal with Habibi, Bad Bunny manager Noah Assad‘s firm. Habibi’s roster also boasts chart-topping Colombian artist Karol G.

The news, first reported by Billboard and confirmed by Variety, comes on the heels of the group’s first Latin Grammy nomination for their Bad Bunny’-featuring and Hot 100-topping “Unx100to.” The six-member band is also busy completing a run of dates across theaters in the United States.

Prior to their signing, Grupo Frontera was managed by Victor Ruiz and was under the guidance of producer-songwriter Edgar Barrera. Raymond Acosta, director of talent management at Habibi, will now be managing the band.

+ Downtown Music Holdings has announced Tracy Maddux will be stepping down from his role as Chief Commercial Officer, effective immediately. After 23 years at the company, Maddux will continue to offer his insights to the company as a consultant and advisor “in support of key strategic initiatives throughout 2024,” per the company’s official statement.

Maddux joined CD Baby in 2010 and served as CEO for 10 years, helping guide the company through acquisitions of FUGA and Curve Royalty Systems.

“It has been a remarkable journey at Downtown, and I am proud of everything we have achieved together,” said Maddux. “From the strategic sale of CD Baby, AdRev, and DashGo, to leading our M&A practice and working towards the integration of FUGA and Curve, we have set new industry standards. I am now eager to embrace new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I want to thank Andrew Bergman and Justin Kalifowitz for their unwavering support and partnership during our work together over the past 13 years.”

Downtown Music Holdings’ CEO, Andrew Bergman, added: “Tracy has made material contributions to our culture and to the growth of the business. He’s universally respected by his peers and I personally consider myself fortunate to have worked alongside him. We look forward to our continued association with Tracy.”

+ Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has promoted A&R executive BJ Hill to senior VP of A&R. Hill has worked with Lady A along with Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of the superstar duo Dan + Shay. He also currently supports up-and-coming talent such as the720, Zack Dyer, and Sophia Scott.

Ben Vaughn, President and CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville, said: “I’ve been lucky enough to work with BJ for over a decade, and he’s always been an unwavering supporter, resource, and friend to our songwriters and the whole Warner Chappell team. He has some of the best ears in the business, he’s a master of puns, and he can mix a drink with the best of them. It’s a true honor to announce his well-deserved promotion today.”

Hill first joined Warner Chappell in 2002, when he started as an associate catalog manager before moving to the A&R department in 2005.

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