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Business News Deals Labels & Publishers
Black Butter joins Sony Music UK
By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 20 November 2014
British indie label Black Butter has signed a new deal with Sony Music UK to become a standalone imprint under the major. Sony’s CEO for the UK and Ireland, Jason Iley, who was appointed to the role in April, has said this partnership is the first sign of his new vision for the company.
Responsible for the rise of acts like Rudimental, Clean Bandit, Gorgon City and Jess Glynne, Black Butter founders Henry Village and Joe Gossa will remain with the company, becoming co-presidents, while Nick Worthington will head up its A&R team. Worthington has been working with Black Butter for three years already, previously holding positions at XL and 679, and signed artist such as Plan B, Basement Jaxx and The Streets in the past.
Iley said in a statement: “Black Butter is the most exciting label to have emerged in the last five years, so this is a real coup for us. Henry and Joe bring with them a rare talent for spotting exceptional acts. The deal is a significant benchmark in Sony Music UK’s growth plan for the future. Henry and Joe’s vision and enthusiasm is incredible and they’re the perfect fit for the new look Sony Music”.
Explaining that Iley’s approach was not entirely out of the blue, Village added: “Jason was very supportive early on in Black Butter’s ascendancy and has always made it very evident he wanted to work with Joe and I as soon as we were ready. I’ve always been a supporter and now that he’s taken the helm at Sony, the time felt right”.
The new partnership will cover all newly signed talent, while pre-deal acts on the label will remain covered by any previous agreements – Rudimental’s debut ‘Home’, for example, was released through Warner Music.
