UMPG’s A&R and film/TV and advertising creative teams were a force on the ground this year in Austin, Texas at SXSW 2017, one the world’s largest and most important festivals and music conferences. All week our team was busy supporting and meeting with UMPG artists, while they showcased their talents and new music to global industry VIPs.
Coldplay announced a new EP due out on June 2, which will feature their current trending single with The Chainsmokers, “Something Just Like This.” This week band also revealed a new song, “Hypnotised,” which shot to No.1 on the Billboard + Twitter Trending chart. The accompanying lyric video has already garnered 4 Million Views on YouTube.
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 has signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing deal with Grammy-winning artist and producer Zedd. Currently featured on Hailee Steinfeld & Grey’s international hit “Starving," Zedd has had numerous chart topping hits both as an artist and producer.
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 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.
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.