What do Shabuzi, Tizo Touchdown, Auditarie and Kenya Grace have in common? They were part of SoundCloudThe “Escalating” Global Artist Development Programme has been in pilot mode since March 2023.
“Ascending” initially launched as a pilot in the UK with Grace before expanding to the US with Odetari in August 2023. SoundCloud first publicly introduced the program on Monday with the singer and producer Laila! As is the featured artist for September.
Laila! was discovered by SoundCloud’s A&R Talent Identification team last year, and has signed a joint venture with Sickamore’s IIIXL Studio. SoundCloud reports that Laila!’s global weekly streams have increased from 1.6 million to 6 million since April 2024, with her latest single “Not My Problem” racking up 44 million views globally across all streaming platforms since its release in June 2024.
The “Rising” package includes billboard placement in key locations like New York City, London, and Los Angeles, curated playlists, engaging social media content, a platform preview, and other growth marketing efforts. To qualify as a Rising Artist, you must be a SoundCloud “Next Pro” subscriber, a signed artist who releases new music during the month of promotion, and demonstrate increased engagement or stream growth on the platform.
+ Oriel Company Announced the addition of Grace Jones and Kayla Isaac To their team.
The PR firm has named Jones as vice president and Isaac as director, both industry veterans based in Oriel's Los Angeles office.
Jones began her career as a news anchor at Triple J Radio and most recently worked at Grandstand Media, where she managed artist campaigns and communications for festivals, music brands and corporate PR for music executives. She brings a roster of artists including Courtney Barnett, Girl in Red, Mona, Alvays, Royle Otis and Mix M Tone to name a few.
Isaac brings five years of experience and expertise in communications, having helped develop national press strategies for artists including Lenny Wilson, Zac Brown Band, The Chainsmokers, Drake, Jason Sudeikis, and more.
+ Universal Music Publishing (UMPG) He has signed a contract with producer and songwriter James Ford to an exclusive global management deal.
Ford has worked with Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode via Foals, Florence and The Machine, Haim, Gorillaz, and Jessie Ware. He has also toured internationally as Simian Mobile Disco and with the Last Shadow Puppets, among others. Ford has also produced albums for bands such as Blur, Pet Shop Boys, Fontaines DC, The Last Dinner Party, and Beth Gibbons.
“It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to work with someone as influential as James,” said Pete Simmons, Head of Talent Discovery at UMPG UK. “He’s been on literally all of my favourite records over the last 15 years or so. From Gorillaz to Arctic Monkeys, Florence and The Machine, right down to Simian Mobile Disco – one of the first things I ever ‘discovered’ as a teenager. I’m looking forward to seeing what our creative ideas – and my collection of short films – can add to his career.”
+ Amy Feldman He is the new head of A&R for the specialty music publishing company. OTM In the United States
Feldman helped develop and open the Brooklyn branch of Rough Trade Record Shops and also spent seven years as A&R director for Atlantic Records.
+ Twicecoaster Entered into a strategic partnership with magic starGlobal Children and Families Division The orchardTo become the official global music distribution partner for all Toikido music releases.
Magic Star will leverage The Orchard’s distribution network to bring Toikido’s music to new audiences. “This collaboration marks an important milestone for Toikido as we continue to innovate and expand our presence in the entertainment industry,” said Darran Garnham, CEO of Toikido. “We are incredibly proud of what we have created and look forward to working with Magic Star in a fun and innovative way.”
“Toikido is a fast-paced and highly creative entertainment company, and music is a huge part of their DNA,” added Will Speer, CEO and co-founder of Magic Star. “We are thrilled to partner with them to help further amplify and grow their music.”
