Superstar Future dropped two new albums back to back in a week and shot straight to No.1 with his self-titled album on A1/Streambandz/Epic. Both albums feature production by UMPG writer Metro Boomin. Future's second release, HNDRXX, has 17 new tracks plus guest appearances from Rihanna & The Weeknd.
UMPG artists and staff from around the world again ascend on Austin, Texas Mar. 13 - 19 to showcase new music and, let’s face it, have a great time!
UMPG Nashville artists and writers have swept the Academy of Country Music Awards nominations. With seven nominations in five categories, Keith Urban leads the ACM nominees.
Rokstone Music/ UMP UK writer Steve Mac is celebrating his massive No.1 hit, “Shape of You,” by Ed Sheeran (produced by Mac and co-written with Ed Sheeran & Johnny McDaid). The song reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and since release has topped the official charts in 60 countries worldwide.
UMPG has appointed Walter Jones as VP Creative. Reporting to David Gray, UMPG EVP/Head of West Coast A&R, Jones will relocate to Los Angeles, and joins UMPG’s global A&R team from Sony/ATV, where he served as Vice President of Urban A&R.
At the 59th annual Grammy Awards held last night, Universal Music Publishing Group artists, writers and producers took home 17 awards in a wide range of major categories. UMPG artist Adele, the biggest winner of the evening, received five Grammy Awards including Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her global smash hit ballad, “Hello,” Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 25, the best-selling album of 2015 and 2016.
Hip-hop star Big Sean scored his second No.1, on the Billboard 200 album charts with his newest release, I Decided. The album features the singles “Bounce Back” and “Moves” along with guest features from UMPG artists Jeremih, Eminem, Jhene Aiko and Quavo, plus additional UMPG songwriting credits from Metro Boomin, Travis Scott and DJ Khalil. Congratulations to Big Sean and all our amazing writers on the record!
Some of the greatest songs ever written by Prince are now streaming worldwide on services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Prime, and Google Play, among others.
UMPG has appointed Rochelle Holguin to the position of Vice President of Creative Strategy. Holguin’s newly created role is part of UMPG’s global strategy to accelerate the company’s focus on creative development and strategic marketing for artists, songwriters and song catalog. Reporting to Gerson, Holguin will work closely with UMPG's Sync and A&R teams, as well as UMG’s Film/TV development group, to create unique partnerships and promotional opportunities with streaming services, TV/film studios, digital, social and other emerging platforms.
Just a few days before Super Bowl Sunday, Billboard.biz ran a major feature spotlighting our own Tom Eaton, SVP of Music for Advertising, and the stellar UMPG advertising team.