1916 Enterprises has signed Grammy-nominated artist-songwriter-producer MNEK for management, the company has announced. The partnership comes in advance of MNEK forthcoming album “Bulldozer!!,” due September 18, and a headline U.K. and European tour this fall. He also recently inked a new publishing deal with Sony Music.

Over the past decade MNEK (born Uzoechi Emenike) has developed a formidable catalog as a hit songwriter, with tracks for BeyoncĂ© (“Hold Up” and “Sorry”), Dua Lipa (“IDGAF”), Selena Gomez (“A Sweeter Place”) and Zara Larsson (“Never Forget You” and “Ain’t My Fault”). 

“We’re so excited to welcome MNEK to 1916,” said Ruchir Mohan, Partner at 1916 Enterprises. “He’s a creative force whose influence on pop music is undeniable, but what really excites us is where he’s headed next. We truly believe this next era has the potential to be his biggest yet and we’re honored to be part of that journey.”

+ The independent distribution platform UnitedMasters, which has enjoyed hits with Brent Faiyaz, BigXthaPlug, FloyyMenor and more, has appointed Todd L. Perry II as VP and head of artist and label marketing, Luca Zanello as head of brand & sync, Goldie Harris as head of commerce and Jason Peerless as VP of artist & label operations.

Perry II joins from Warner Records, where he served as VP / head of artist and label marketing; Zanello was previously with the Orchard, Roc Nation, and MSM Group; Peerless joins after 12 years at Universal Music Group, including 10 years at Def Jam Recordings.

“We’re excited to welcome this exceptional group to UnitedMasters as we continue redefining what independence looks like,” said CEO Steve Stoute. “These hires reflect our continued investment in the infrastructure, partnerships, and talent needed to help artists build sustainable careers on their own terms, especially this year as we are achieving milestones within the global music sector of the business.”

+ Seeker Music, the creator-led music rights, publishing and record company led by songwriter-executive Evan Bogart, is relaunching its record label imprint Music Is Fun as what it describes as the industry’s first ever label built entirely around catalog flips. Its inaugural release, “Vacation” by Flo Rida featuring Sage the Gemini, is out today. The new track reimagines the Go-Go’s classic of the same name co-written by Charlotte Caffey, whose catalog is represented by Seeker, as are songs by Joan Jett, Christopher Cross, Run the Jewels, Jay Sean, Jon Bellion, and more.

“The label will bring together contemporary artists, songwriters and producers to sample, interpolate, remix and reinvent songs across the portfolio, with Seeker identifying concepts, assembling collaborators and releasing the resulting music from start to finish,” the announcement states.

Bogart said: “At Seeker, we believe celebrating great music isn’t just about preserving legacy. It’s about extending it by introducing the songs we love to new generations. In the six years since we formed the company, we’ve shown through hits with Shaboozey, Pop Smoke, Coco Jones, Drake, and more, that we know how to successfully take an incredible song and re-invent it.”

+ AEG Presents has entered into a strategic partnership with Creativeman Productions, a leading Japanese concert promotion and live events company. The two companies will work together to create new opportunities for artists to connect with audiences throughout Japan. In addition, this partnership provides a platform for expansion across the region for AXS, AEG Presents’ ticketing company.

Founded in 1990, Creativeman Productions promotes concerts, tours, and destination events under the leadership of CEO Naoki Shimizu. In addition to concert promotion, Creativeman owns and operates a diverse portfolio of festivals that span multiple genres, including its signature festival Summer Sonic, which launched in 2000 and has featured Radiohead, Oasis, Metallica, Linkin Park, Daft Punk, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers along with top Japanese acts.

“Over the past 37 years, Creativeman has grown from a company with just 2 staff members to become the largest independent music promoter in Asia,” commented Shimizu. “This strategic partnership with AEG Presents will propel our growth as we expand our festivals and artists from Japan to Asia and the rest of the world.”

Shawn Trell, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AEG Presents, added, “Creativeman is an important presence in Japan and across the region. The company’s vision and business strategy align perfectly with ours, and we’re thrilled to be entering into this partnership together.”

+ Warner Chappell Music has signed Kurdish rapper Fat Papi and New Zealand-born producer Prodshushy to worldwide publishing deals. The two agreements will encompass the two artists’ entire catalogue and future works, including their hit “Fraked Out.”

Fat Papi shares: “I’m excited to join Warner Chappell Music, home to so many legends and icons. I’m also really proud to represent both my Kurdish and New Zealand people with my music on the international stage”. prodshushy continues: “It’s a privilege and an honour to be represented by Warner Chappell Music for publishing. I’m looking forward to working with the team and building connections with their fantastic roster of writers.”

Warner Chappell’s Nashville division has also partnered with Twelve6 Entertainment for a global publishing deal with rising singer-songwriter Lucas Ball. The signing comes on the heels of his breakout single, “You Only Call When It’s Raining.”

Ball shared: “I’m so happy to be a part of the fantastic Warner Chappell and Twelve6 teams. I never thought I’d be in this position in life. Everyone has been so welcoming to me, and I’m excited to see where this road leads. God Bless Country Music.”

+ Influence Media Partners has announced a strategic investment supporting the launch of IPNation as the first investment platform dedicated exclusively to Arabic music catalogs and entertainment intellectual property. With a target investment size of $100 million, IPNation will focus on acquiring, developing and growing iconic music and entertainment intellectual property across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The company was founded by Eddy Maroun, co-founder of Anghami, and Jose Maria Dot, former Chief Investment Officer of Multiply Group (now 2PointZero) and Managing Director at FTI Capital Advisors. Backed by Influence Media Partners, IPNation aims to build and grow a portfolio of iconic Arabic music and entertainment IP.

Headquartered in the UAE, IPNation invests in music masters and publishing rights, artist brands, Name, Image and Likeness, and entertainment intellectual property originating from the Arab world. Beyond acquisitions, the company will actively develop acquired intellectual property into multi-format entertainment franchises spanning immersive experiences, live shows, film, documentaries, merchandise, gaming, licensing, AI-powered derivatives, and next-generation fan engagement.

+ Make Wake Artists has announced a partnership with One Twenty One Management, founded by Adam Hale and home to Muscadine Bloodline, Ben Chapman and Josh Weathers. Joining Hale in the partnership is Ivan “Churro” Haro, who serves as Day-To-Day manager for Muscadine Bloodline, Josh Weathers and Ben Chapman.

“Kappy and I first met years ago in the UK while I was tour managing Kip Moore and he was helping build Luke Combs’ career,” Hale says. “I’ve admired how he’s grown Make Wake with a fan-first mindset, and I believe that philosophy pairs naturally with my artist-first approach built on integrity, communication and execution. On top of that, Jarrod Holley has been one of my closest friends for more than 20 years. We talk every single day, bouncing ideas off each other and helping each other navigate this business, so at some point it just made sense to be working under the same roof.”

“I’ve always believed that the best partnerships are built on shared values before shared success,” adds Chris Kappy, Founder of Make Wake Artists. “Adam Hale and the Muscadine Bloodline team have built something authentic by staying true to who they are, and that’s exactly the kind of artist and people we want to be in business with.”

+ Virgin Music Group has appointed Syaheed MSBI to the position of Vice President of the AMEA region at the company. Syaheed will oversee the company’s activities in Africa, Middle East, and Asia (AMEA). He joins Virgin after more than 13 years at Believe, where he was most recently Global Artist Success & International Director. He was also instrumental in building out the company’s team and offices in Singapore and Malaysia. He got his start by establishing his own independent music company, Bedsty, in 2002.

“Syaheed has built his reputation as a fierce advocate for artists first as a founder of his own independent music company and later as a seasoned exec building a robust business in support of independent labels and artists,” said Michael Roe, Virgin Music Group’s Managing Director of AMEA. “With his deep connections on the ground across AMEA, we’re looking forward to having him come in to lead and inspire our great team.”

+ Merlin, the global digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, has named Jon Glass as General Counsel.

Based in New York, Glass joins Merlin following nearly two decades in senior business & legal affairs leadership roles across the global recorded music business, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Head of Digital Legal Affairs at Warner Music Group. Prior to Warner, he worked in digital business & legal affairs at Sony Music Entertainment and practiced law at several firms, including Morrison & Foerster LLP.

Glass will report to Merlin CEO Charlie Lexton and will lead Merlin’s Business & Legal Affairs function while also assuming responsibility for the organization’s partnerships team.

Lexton said, “Jon is one of the most respected legal executives in the digital music business. He brings an exceptional combination of legal expertise and commercial judgement with a highly developed understanding of the opportunities and complexities facing Merlin. As the digital playing field continues to evolve, we need to ensure we are coordinated in the way we think about the relationships we build with our partners. Bringing our Business & Legal Affairs and Partnerships teams together under Jon’s leadership is designed to do exactly that and will help us deliver even greater value for our members.”

+ Independent publishing company Tape Room Music has promoted Caroline Hodson to vice president of A&R. A graduate of Belmont University, Hodson joined Tape Room as an intern in 2020 and has advanced through the company’s A&R department.

“Caroline is one of the best young executives in our business,” shares Tape Room Music COO and President, Business Affairs Blain Rhodes. “She is a fierce champion of songwriters and the ultimate teammate. She has been vital in the success of our writers and entirely deserving of this promotion.”