Virgin EMI U.K. Signs Exclusive A&R Deal with Dani Stephenson’s Straight Forward Recordings
Virgin EMI UK’s President Ted Cockle today announced an exclusive A&R agreement with the President of fast-rising British indie Straight Forward Recordings, Dani Stephenson, to build on the label’s successful track record of breaking global artists and hit records.
Additionally, under the agreement, Dani has signed Detroit born artist, producer-writer Maejor and Nevada, singer-songwriter, producer from Washington DC, who will join Virgin EMI’s roster.
Maejor’s work on Bieber’s album “Purpose” earned him a Grammy nomination at this year’s awards, while his 2013 single Lolly featuring Bieber and Juicy J peaked at number 19 on the Hot 100 charts. More recently, the artist – real name Brandon Green – collaborated with Brazilian man-of-the-moment MC Livinho for his new single “Rebeca” and singer Anitta on her hit single “Vai Malandra” which broke the global streaming record by clocking over 17 million streams within the first 12 hours of release streaming well over 200 million globally and shooting straight to the top of the charts. Maejor is also one half of alternative electronic-pop duo AREA 21 alongside Dutch superstar DJ Martin Garrix.
Also signed to Virgin EMI via the collaboration is the hit Singer-Songwriter, Producer – Nevada, whose debut single “The Mack” featuring Fetty Wap and Mark Morrison has amassed over 280m streams globally and sold over 2 million singles to date. Nevada’s credits also include official remixes of Ed Sheeran’s “Castle on the Hill”, Charli XCX’s “BOYS” and Liam Payne’s “Strip That Down”.
Dani said, “My ambition is to develop Straight Forward’s venture with Virgin EMI to break a variety of records from all genres and all cultures, to create the next generation of top 40 global stars,” Stephenson said. “Ted is someone who I have looked up to for years, from the outside looking in. His marketing expertise and track record in discovering and breaking hit artists is incredible.” Stephenson tells Billboard.
Cockle said, ”Dani’s energy could light up a city. He doesn’t see any borders to music, he’s constantly on the hunt to make or find global hit records. We’re delighted that Dani, Maejor, Nevada and the Straight Forward Recordings operation will now work alongside Virgin EMI.”
Stephenson, who writes and produces under the alias Pyramids In Paris, has created a global hub for developing talent with Paper Kid Group and MFG Studios, including facilities in Stockholm, Amsterdam and London as well as plans to open a new studio complex in Los Angeles in the coming months. The executive also manages British producer David Zowie, whose 2015 single “House Every Weekend” topped the UK charts, and London-based Nana Rogues, who has fashioned hits for Section Boys, Tinie Tempah, Anne-Marie and produced two records on Drake’s “More Life” album, including “Skepta Interlude” and global hit “Passionfruit”.