Carin León Signs Exclusive Global Publishing Agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group

Carin León has a new worldwide publishing deal…

The 34-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter and Regional Mexican star has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).

Carin LeonA leading force in the música mexicana genre, the Sonora-born artist has established himself as one of Mexican music’s most versatile and eclectic artists today recording in norteño, banda, R&B and pop.

“There is no doubt, Carin León is one of the most talented artists currently,” Yadira Moreno, UMPG managing director of Mexico and Central America & vp of new business development for Latin America, said in a statement. “He can blend R&B, Folk, Country and Mexican Music easily and gracefully. We are excited to collaborate with Carin and foster his composing career internationally.”

“I feel deeply honored to embark on this creative journey alongside Universal Music Publishing Group. This partnership marks a thrilling new chapter in my career, and I’m eagerly looking forward to expressing my passion and creativity through the art of music,” added Leon.

Since launching his solo career in 2018, León has helped usher a new era for regional Mexican music. With three career entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and 12 on the Hot Latin Songs tally, he scored his first top 10 on the Top Latin Albums chart with Colmillo de Leche, released in May. It was the first studio album released on the singer-songwriter’s own label, Socios Music, which he launched late last year.

Jody Gerson, UMPG chairman and CEO, said: “Carin León’s career is limitless and transcends Música Mexicana. His soulful voice, songwriting, live shows and ambition goes beyond language. I look forward to working with Jorge Juarez and our entire global team to support Carin as he opens doors creatively across musical genres and geographies.”

León joins UMPG’s roster, which includes other regional Mexican powerhouses such as Juan Gabriel, Espinosa Paz, Horacio Palencia, Grupo Firme, Yahritza Y Su Esencia and Ivan Cornejo, among others.

Abel Pintos Signs Exclusive Global Publishing Agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group

Abel Pintos is becoming a universal artist

The 39-year-old Argentine singer-songwriter has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the company has announced.

Abel PintosKnown for his folk-tinged intimate heartfelt songs, Pintos’ career spans over nearly three decades. Since debuting at age 13, the Gardel Award-winning artist has released 14 albums (12 studio albums and two live albums). On the Billboard Argentina Hot 100, he’s entered five songs, including “Piedra Libre” and “Y La Hice Llorar.”

“I am very happy to be part of the Universal Music Publishing Group family, and to begin working in this new stage together with so many authors and artists that belong to its roster,” Pintos said in a statement.

“Abel is one of the most gifted singer-songwriters today in Argentina and he has proved it throughout his career, composing songs that have become anthems in his country,” added Daniel Retondano, managing director of Universal Music Publishing Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. “We’re happy to have been able to sign him and are certain that we’ll co ntinue to grow internationally through the work that we will develop together.”

His critically-acclaimed La Familia Festeja Fuerte (2018) was recorded live from the River Plate Stadium and led Pintos on a world stadium tour performing across 36 shows, 28 cities and 10 countries, including Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina. In July, Pintos released Alta En El Cielo, for which he recruited the Academic Orchestra of the Teatro Colón to perform eight emblematic national Argentinian songs.

According to a press release, he’s set to announce a stadium tour throughout Argentina, with additional dates in Spain and elsewhere in Latin America.

Universal Music Publishing Group to Administer Publishing Rights to Jenni Rivera’s Global Catalog

The late Jenni Rivera’s global catalog has a new administrator…

The Jenni Rivera Estate has signed a global deal with Universal Music Publishing Group to administer the publishing rights for the late banda singer’s global catalog.

Jenni Rivera“I’m so excited about this new partnership with Universal Music Publishing. It’ll bring great achievements for my mom’s legacy and for Jenni Rivera Enterprises,” said Jacqie Rivera, CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises, in a statement. “We’re confident that this amazing group of empowered women behind Universal Music Publishing will help expand the Jenni Rivera music catalog, something that our mother would have loved. Our mom had her hand in making this decision. While looking through her files, we found an email from years back showing that it was her plan all along to go with Universal Music Publishing.”

Jacqie — the second of Jenni’s five children — took over as head of the Jenni Rivera estate in January 2022, signaling a change of direction in the management of Jenni Rivera’s estate, which had been helmed by Jenni’s sister, Rosie Rivera, since the singer’s death in 2012.

After taking the reins, Jackie — along with her four siblings Chiquis, Mike, Jenicka and Johnny — released the posthumous album Misión Cumplida in June featuring original recordings they discovered after taking over the estate.

Jenni — at the pinnacle of her career — tragically died in 2012 at 43 years old. The most successful woman in Regional Mexican on the Billboard charts, she has a total of 19 entries on Top Latin Albums, 12 of which reached the top 10 and seven of which topped the chart.

She has earned a total of 12 entries on the Billboard 200 and has 14 top 10 hits on the Regional Mexican Airplay tally.

“We share the news of the signing of the Jenni Rivera Estate with much joy! Jenni was someone who inspired the fans of her music and empowered them,” added Alexandra Lioutikoff, president of Latin America & U.S. Latin, Universal Music Publishing Group. “She was a fighter and a woman with much success, and her music will always be remembered because it opened many doors for women in the regional Mexican genre.”

The Juan Gabriel Estate Teaming Up with Cirque Musica for Special Cirque-Style Show Inspired by His Iconic Music

Juan Gabriel’s beloved music will be celebrated in a special way…

The late Mexican singer’s estate and Cirque Musica have announced the production of Cirque Musica Presents Querida: The Official Celebration of Juan Gabriel, which will kick off in Mexico City in October.

Juan GabrielAccording to a press release issued by Cirque Musica — which produces cirque-style shows featuring acrobats, aerialists and “daredevil” athleticism combined with the “greatest music of all time” — the company has signed a global rights deal with the late Mexican artist’s estate for the creation and production of the show “with the purpose of bringing the joyful legacy of the singer to the fans.”

The first iteration will take place on October 22 at the San Rafael Theater.

“We will continue his legacy in every way we can so his work and art can reach a new generation,” said Ivan Aguilera, Juan Gabriel’s son, in a statement. “I am thrilled to work with Cirque Musica to bring this spectacular interpretation of my father’s legacy to his amazing fans. My father was a natural entertainer and I know he would be very pleased with this production.”

Added Stephen Cook, president of TCG Entertainment, creator and producer of Cirque Musica, “Cirque Musica is honored to be working with Juan Gabriel’s estate to bring this production to the stage. Our goal is to be the biggest and the best show in the world and this is the next step. We understand the importance of Juan Gabriel and the impact his music made, and we are excited to bring this celebration to his loyal Mexican fans.”

According to a description of the production, Cirque Musica Presents Querida will interpret the music of the legendary recording star and prolific songwriter with “an extraordinary cirque presentation to include breath-taking aerial performances and acrobats; creating an artistic spectacle in tribute to the beloved Mexican icon.”

News of this project comes months after the estate signed an exclusive global agreement with Virgin Music US Latin and UMPG that includes “never-before-released” material.

The deal will represent the singer’s post-2008 catalog and future recordings, and also extended its publishing administration agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group, which will exclusively represent Gabriel’s extraordinary catalog of songs worldwide.

Gabriel died of a heart attack the morning of August 28, 2016, in Los Angeles following a show at The Forum. At the time, the then-66-year-old singer and icon was at the peak of his career in the midst of the U.S. leg of his MeXXico Es Todos tour, a 22-city arena trek that had him playing 360 stages to accommodate sold-out crowds.

Calacote Signs Exclusive, Global Publishing Deal with Universal Music Publishing Group

Calacote is going universal

The 22-year-old Dominican urban Latin artist, whose real name is Luca Newton, has signed an exclusive, global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).

CalacoteThe ambitious singer-songwriter, who was born in North Carolina and is of Dominican and French descent, hopes to revolutionize the Dembow movement with his Caribeño and European roots, and trilingual lyrics.

Through his new deal, Calacote will be given the opportunity to collaborate with many of UMPG’s composers in English, Spanish, and French.

“Calacote represents a new sound within the Latin urban community,” Alexandra Lioutikoff, president of US Latin and Latin America at UMPG, said in a statement. “UMPG is thrilled to sign a multilingual talent like him with truly global potential as both a songwriter and an artist.”

Ana Rosa Santiago, vice president of Latin Music at UMPG, added that the newcomer is “energetic, versatile and a fresh new prospect in Latin Music.”

Calacote, who unearthed his talent and passion for composing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, moved from Canada to Miami for a shot in the music industry.

He was discovered by the award-winning Latin hitmaker Maffio, and later signed to his label Alkatraks Music Group in 2021. The artist’s proposal is a “unique and unheard of” musical mixture full of witty hooks and experimental fusions with Dominican dembow always at the forefront.

“I’m thrilled to be working with the amazing team at UMPG,” Calacote noted. “This marks an exciting chapter in my career, and I am excited to have the opportunity to collaborate creatively with UMPG’s writers in the U.S. and abroad as well to develop commercially with Alexandra’s and Ana Rosa’s input. I know we will achieve great things together.”

“Alexandra and Ana Rosa understand our vision and we are excited to be collaborating with them and the entire UMPG global team on the development of Calacote’s career,” said Maffio.

On Jan. 14, Calacote will release his third single “Intercambio” in collaboration with Venezuelan rapper and Latin Grammy nominee Akapellah. The single follows his debut track “Azafata” and his Kiko el Crazy-assisted “Bruja.”

His debut album is slated to be released in the second quarter of 2022.

MadMusick Signs Global Representation Deal with Universal Music Publishing Group

MadMusick is going global…

The writer-producer team, comprised of Puerto Rican brothers Giencarlos and Jonathan Rivera, have signed an exclusive global representation agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).

MadMusick

MadMusick is responsible for major hits like Daddy Yankee’s “Limbo” and Maluma’s “La Temperatura” (which they co-wrote and co-produced).

The Rivera brothers, who also go by Yan MadMusick and Yon MadMusick, have also written and produced tracks for the likes of Yandel (“Moviendo caderas”) and Alexis y Fido (“Rompe la cintura”).

They’re currently working on new projects with Maluma, Don Omar and Nacho’s upcoming single featuring Wisin and Randy Malcom.

“MadMusick speaks to a young global audience,” Ana Rosa Santiago, VP Latin Music at UMPG, said in a statement. “While they specialize in urban music, they work across genres and generations, writing and producing music with artists from many different backgrounds. I’m thrilled to welcome them to UMPG.”

MadMusick are the latest high-profile UMPG signing. Last year, the publisher signed Romeo Santos to his first major publishing deal and also began administering the publishing catalog of Roc Nation Latin.

“After a long time searching for the right publishing house, we found the company that believes in us and in our vision,” the Rivera brothers said in a statement.

Paz Signs Deal with Universal Music Publishing Group

Espinoza Paz is going Universal

The 34-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has joined the Universal Music Publishing Group roster after signing an exclusive, worldwide publishing deal with the company.

Espinoza Paz

The announcement was made by Alexandra Lioutikoff, UMPG EVP Latin Music, and Yadira Moreno, Managing Director of UMPG Mexico and Central America.

“Espinoza is the consummate hitmaker with a rare ability to write songs that truly connect with music fans. We are proud to be part of the career of one of the most important songwriters in Mexico and the U.S. Latin market,” said Moreno in a statement.

Lioutikoff adds: “We are honored this is the first time Espinoza Paz has signed a publishing deal with a major music publisher and chosen Universal Music Publishing Group. Espinoza is such an important songwriter who’s had a constant presence on the charts for years with songs that have such wide reach and continue to touch people’s hearts.”

The “Perdí la pose” singer, known for his achingly beautiful and poetic lyrics, has written for Latin superstars including Paulina Rubio, Julión Álvarez, Banda MS, Calibre 50 and Thalía.

The latest chart-topping hits penned by Paz include Banda Carnaval‘s “Desde cuándo no me quieres,” which peaked at No. 6 on Regional Mexican Airplay chart (dated October 1) and the Latin Grammy-nominated song “Te dirán” by La Adictiva Banda San José de Mesillas, which peaked at No. 2 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart (October 15).

Paz recently made a comeback on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart with his latest album, No Pongan Esas Canciones, debuting at No. 1 on the chart two weeks ago (chart dated Oct. 8). It became his fifth chart-topping album.

Balvin Expands Universal Music Worldwide Publishing Deal to the U.S.

J Balvin is heading stateside…

The 31-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer and rapper has extended his exclusive, worldwide publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), weeks before he prepares to release his new solo album this summer.

J Balvin

Balvin, who was previously signed to UMPG Colombia, will now join the publishing company’s U.S. roster and UMPG will continue to administer his entire catalog, including his upcoming album.

The move comes in the wake of rising interest from brands and Hollywood studios in Balvin’s music.

Last year, Balvin’s “Ginza” notched 22 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and it was the only Latin song on Spotify’s list of most streamed viral songs of 2015.

Balvin was also named Vevo’s Latin artist of the year for 2015. Prior to that, previous hits “6 A.M.” and “Ay Vamos” also hit No. 1 on the Hot Latin songs chart.

In the last year, he has also collaborated in remixes with mainstream market acts like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, French Montana and Nicky Jam.

“I consider J Balvin one of the greatest global contemporary songwriters/artists in any genre,” said Evan Lamberg, UMPG President, North America in a statement. “He will be a force for years to come.”

“The massive appeal and magic of J Balvin is yet another example the world is waking up to Latin songwriters and what they can bring to making hits,” added Alexandra Lioutikoff, EVP, Latin Music for UMPG.