Warner Bros. Records is now just Warner Records:
The move is taking place for both legal and imaging reasons. The announcement notes that when Warner Music Group was sold by Time Warner in 2004 to a group of investors led by Edgar Bronfman Jr., it was agreed that Warner Bros. Records, which was founded in 1958 as a division of Warner Bros. Pictures, would continue to use the Warner Bros. name and logo for 15 years.
Hannah Karp, writing for Billboard:
Warner Music Group is launching a new standalone record company to be staffed by a mix of WMG employees and new hires.
The company, Elektra Music Group, will launch October 1 and consist of WMG’s labels Elektra Records, Fueled By Ramen (FBR), Roadrunner Records, Low Country Sound, and Black Cement Records, marking the first time in 15 years that the storied Elektra label will operate independently. Heading the new 60-person team will be FBR/Roadrunner president Mike Easterlin and Elektra’s current president Gregg Nadel.
TMZ reports that Lil Pump has signed an $8 million contract with Warner Brother Records:
According to the contract, Warner Bros. Records agrees to pay Pump an $8 million advance, and then $9,000 for the first year, $12k for the second and $15k for the 3rd through 7th contract years.
Warner Bros. Records has acquired Artery Recordings. Alternative Press reports:
The entire staff, including President Shan Dan Horan, has been let go from the company since Warner’s acquisition, with an unclear future for the band’s that are currently on the label.
“To address the rumors, yes, Artery has sold to Warner,” Horan said in a statement to Alternative Press. “I can’t disclose too much about the deal, but building up this company to a million record sales in just five years is a tremendous accomplishment for the fans, our artists and the team. I’m humbled and appreciate each and every band I’ve ever had the honor of developing at Artery Recordings. As we hand over the keys to Warner, I’m not quite sure their plans for the label or catalog, but I hope they keep the legacy alive. With new Slaves and Capture albums on the horizon, I’m sure the fans will be ecstatic. “
Former AbsolutePunk staffer, Rohan Kohli, has been hired by Warner Music Nashville as director of A&R. MusicRow reports:
“Warner Music Group was built on artist relationships, and we here at Warner Music Nashville have created and fostered one of the most artist-friendly cultures in any label in the music business anywhere,” said WMN Chairman & CEO John Esposito. “In keeping with our family philosophy, Rohan has made a career of connecting with artists. Our A&R team is made up of individuals who, in addition to their artist-facing values, possess a wide and varied taste in music that reflect the breadth of our genre. Rohan’s well-rounded experience will bring us a fresh perspective on the kind of talent we aim to pursue. I’ve long considered artists and repertoire the foundation of any label, and with Rohan our foundation just got stronger.”
Congratulations Rohan!