One of the UK’s most successful and celebrated independent artists, Stormzy, has inked a landmark deal with a major label – Warner’s Atlantic Records.
Stormzy’s debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer, hit No.1 in the British market in February last year, selling 69,000 UK combined copies in its opening week.
The LP set a British record for the most first-week streams for a No.1 album in UK chart history, with 13.9m streams – surpassing the previous record set by Drake’s Views.
GSAP was the 10th biggest-selling album in the UK last year.
It was released on Stormzy’s own label, #Merky, via Warner Music’s distribution division for indie releases, ADA.
#Merky now appears to have entered into a JV with Atlantic – covering future releases from its star attraction plus new signings.
Presumably a central objective of the deal is to boost Stormzy’s momentum internationally, especially in the US.
Confirming the news on Twitter today (Jan 19), Stormzy posted a picture of himself at Warner Music UK’s offices alongside the likes of Warner’s global CEO of recorded music, Max Lousada.
Others in the photo include Stormzy manager Tobe Onwuka, Atlantic Records UK President Ben Cook, lawyer Kieran Jay (Lee & Thompson) and other key members of Atlantic and #Merky.
Stormzy tweeted: “#MERKY RECORDS/ATLANTIC RECORDS – Beginning of a new chapter. Looking forward to delivering more music, more bodies of work and to start developing and working on new talent on the #MERKY roster. Let’s work.”
Gang Signs & Prayer is nominated for Album Of The Year at the BRIT Awards, which take place in London on February 21.
Stormzy is also nominated as British Male Solo Artist.Music Business Worldwide
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