Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club (JDTFC), today announced a new strategic collaboration with Universal Music South East Asia (UM SEA) and Def Jam Recordings SEA for the release of “Pioneers”, the club’s official 2022 theme song, created and performed by global hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg and Joe Flizzow, one of Malaysia’s most popular and acclaimed rappers, who also serves as President, Def Jam Recordings SEA. The track, forms part of JDTFC’s wider global branding strategy, developed in partnership with UM SEA.
Universal Music Malaysia will be the exclusive music distribution partner for the single, which will be available on digital streaming platforms worldwide, from tomorrow 18th March 2022. The track’s inspirational tone will allow for fans to channel and appreciate the essence of JDTFC’s values of winning-mentality, innovation, discipline, and excellence at the highest level.
HRH Major General Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor and owner of JDTFC, and Kim Lim, MD of Universal Music Malaysia signed the distribution agreement at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, JDTFC’s 40,000 capacity home ground, symbolizing another historic milestone in JDTFC’s journey to become a global recognized football team with a growing international fanbase.
“Pioneers” was performed by Snoop Dogg and Joe Flizzow and produced by SonaOne with lyrics inspired by JDTFC’s tireless efforts in setting new football standards in Malaysia and the success that have come on and off the pitch since 2013. The vocals were recorded in Los Angeles and Kuala Lumpur, with mixing and mastering completed in Los Angeles.
HRH Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Owner, Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club said, “Universal Music Group is the largest music company in the world with a very rich history of award-winning artists and great music that have shaped the entertainment industry for almost 100 years. Having a phenomenal hip hop legend like Snoop Dogg to perform JDT’s 2022 official theme song with our Johorean artiste, Joe Flizzow is truly an amazing collaboration. We hope that “Pioneers” will mark the beginning of many more collaborations between JDT and Universal Music in the years to come.”
Calvin Wong, Universal Music Group’s CEO, Southeast Asia & SVP, Asia commented, “We are honored to partner with Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club for this groundbreaking initiative. The experience and creativity of Universal Music SEA and Def Jam Recordings SEA’s teams of artists and executives will help expand the legacy of JDTFC and cultural impact of our artists, not only in Malaysia and South East Asia, but around the world. We are truly proud to play a part in JDTFC’s global brand strategy and hope our artists will unite JDTFC’s fans globally through music.”
Kim Lim, MD of Universal Music Malaysia remarked, “Artist collaboration is one of the biggest creative forces driving music and brands today. The beauty of this unique partnership with JDTFC is that we can provide breakthrough opportunities for local artist and upsurging homegrown brand with international superstar like Snoop Dogg. I believe this collaboration can open up a whole new world of sounds, styles and opportunities between Universal Music Malaysia and JDTFC in future seasons.”
British icon James Blunt has teamed up with Jason Zhang, one of China’s most
accomplished music stars, for a special collaborative version of the sensational
single “Adrenaline” – released via Warner Music Group.
This special version of “Adrenaline” is a true partnership between two of the biggest
artists in the world and a luxurious blend of James and Jason’s styles; Jason’s soft
vocals perfectly offset with the richness of James’ signature vocal stylings, mixing
perfectly as they take turns singing alternating verses on this infectious track.
As one of four brand new offerings from James’ current greatest hits album, The
Stars Beneath My Feet (2004-2021), “Adrenaline” is a driving pop tour de force
produced by Loose Change that delivers yet another memorable chorus – a trait that
has remained constant throughout James’ career and is a stunning addition to the
greatest hits collection – a culmination of 17 years of prolific songwriting.
Jonathan Serbin, Co-President of Warner Music Asia, said: “We are delighted to
announce this collaboration between James and Jason as it puts together two of the
biggest stars from the world’s largest music markets. Partnerships between Chinese
and international artists are set to be a growing trend as international acts want to
tap into the vast audiences here and local performers want to take their place on the
global stage. Pairing these two iconic artists together means that we can further
grow their global audience and amplify their success.”
London based singer-songwriter and performer, Lucy Wroe has been developing her sound as a musician since the age of 10, when she first learnt how to play the guitar. Blossoming with poised vocals, groovy drum rhythm and whimsical charm, Wroe’s naturally laid-back sound is best described as jazz-infused indie-pop.
Following her debut release in 2020, Wroe’s songwriting has really taken shape, by combining the melodic work from early female songwriters and the modern jazz and electronic production of Lianne La Havas and Jessie Ware; painting in new colours to establish her exclusive sound.
Backed by a drummer, bassist and guitarist, the Winchester born artist explores the passion of a new relationship, the complexity of commitment and how this drives us towards self-reflection. The new EP Same World represents a whole relationship. The title track “Same World” explores the passionate, physical beginnings, where a relationship is just skin deep. “Far Too High” becomes a complete emotional investment, almost an obsession. By “Closer To Home”, there is hesitancy, and a slow realisation that you’ve become a different person in order to be with another. Finally we reach a moment of self-reflection in “Want You Back”, where it becomes clear that the partnership was only ever going to be physical and temporary.
Wroe expresses, “Since I can remember, I’ve had this strange yearning really deep inside me like a well that I can’t fill, and over the years I’ve just pushed it further down. It regularly surfaces through my lyrics which is why this EP has focused on making a very special and deep connection, then realising that it just isn’t what you need”.
Despite numerous lockdowns, Wroe has felt a spark of productivity over the last few years, with 2022 seeing her continue to flourish as the world reopens.
Rising pop artist Annika Wells shares the video for her new single “Modern Art.” The video was directed by Logan Fields (Syd, Slayyyter, Rod Wave) and captures the songs essence as Annika walks the halls of an art gallery. The exhibit? Remnants of a relationship.
The minimalist pop song is a poignant piece of commentary on heartbreak in the digital age. Her voice is soft yet fragile as she tries to absorb the truth of her own words. “There’s no pretty way to break a heart,” she intones in a half whisper over an ominous drone. A delicate beat then kicks up underneath, urging her to share more. “Breaking up is modern art,” she declares, before orchestral strings sweep in as if soundtracking the credits to another sad ending.
The track not only captures the pain of a breakup, but the struggle with having to process it inside—and online. Annika explains that the song “explores the aftermath in the modern age where our relationships are no longer just interpersonal experiences, but digital galleries in which we can curate, arrange, and erase carefully constructed identities. It walks you through the world that’s left after the real break up – the physical evidence, but also the online remnants that are increasingly inescapable in this day and age.”
“Modern Art” is another sparkling showcase of the Los Angeles-based artist’s clever, candid songwriting. Before dropping her Vol. 1/Epic Records debut single—the unapologetic “Fuck Being Sober”—last year, Wells had already proven her chops, penning tracks for acts like Jonas Brothers, BTS, PRETTYMUCH, and Steve Aoki. Her vocals and songwriting have also powered two Billboard dance hits on collaborations with Illenium’s “Nightlight” and Midnight Kids’ “Run It.”
Now, Annika Wells is ready to show off more of her powerful voice as a solo artist. Stay tuned for more new music this year, as she prepares her debut project.
Montreal-based singer and songwriter Annabel Gutherz returns with the release of her new single, “Retrograde.” The Honey Pop exclusively premiered the new track and called it “out-of-this-world.”“Retrograde” arrives on the heels of Annabel’s debut album, Loose Ends, which was released in late 2021. In contrast to the softer ballads that featured prominently on the album, Annabel’s newest single taps into a more maximalist pop-rock sound. Filled with driving drums, anthemic production and deliciously infectious pop hooks, “Retrograde” represents the beginning of a fresh chapter for this rising artist. Expanding on what inspired the track, she says: “I noticed a shared sentiment amongst my friends, family, and me in the wake of the pandemic — a feeling of stagnation in our respective ambitions and pursuits, or worse, a sense of retrogression. Upon having an insightful conversation with my mom, who seems to have a blueprint of life’s greatest lessons, I came to the understanding that no one is ever stagnant. We are always learning, growing, and moving forward as a result… In other words, we are ‘never in retrograde.’”
Caitlynne Curtis started singing when she was 3 years old. She fondly remembers, “I used to sing to my grandma.” When she was 6 her mom put her in voice lessons. The minute she got her first solo she said, “It’s like I knew from then on that music is what I wanted to do.” Her parents moved her whole family down to Nashville from Massachusetts when she was twelve so that she could pursue music. After receiving a heartbreaking rejection from X Factor at the tender age of 16, Caitlynne thought she blew her chance at being a singer, but she never really gave up. Her life took a detour when she had her son at 19. Selling cars to support herself and her son, she would record covers of songs to her Instagram as a small way to keep her dream alive. Fortunately, the stars aligned and the right person came along to change everything. Now, thirteen years after moving to Nashville, Caitlynne is realizing her dream. Signed to Angels & Outlaws, an independent label spearheaded by rapper Struggle Jennings, she released her first full length album early in 2021. Her latest single “I Will Survive” is an autobiographical narrative of Curtis transforming her life for the better and finding newfound purpose in being a mom to her new son.
Oliver Keane returns with his stellar new single ‘Fixing a Broken Heart’ along with news of his debut EP ‘16mm dream sequence’ due for release on the 22nd of April!
‘Fixing a Broken Heart’ comes as a gorgeous moment of honesty from the up and comer. Led by his standout vocals, the single navigates the pain of a missed opportunity. Sharing more, Oliver explained: ‘Fixing a broken heart was about a friend of mine. We’d both been flirting back and forth but neither had the courage to make a move. She started talking to another guy and as her friend I had to sit there and accept that.’
Fixing a Broken Heart comes in the wake of indie-rock release 3am, a track that hundreds of thousands of fans had been patiently waiting for, after hearing the demo on TikTok last year. The release saw support from a wealth of tastemaker support including Complex UK, Variance and Wordplay Magazine.
Despite being just 18 years old, Oliver Keane has been writing songs on the daily for over six years. “We’re talking about thousands of songs. I can’t remember the last time I went without making music, or having some form of an idea just sitting in the back of a train, singing to myself like a weirdo…”
LA based quintet Spanish Love Songs have announced “Brave Faces Etc”, due out 15th April 2022. The album features reimagined & alternative versions of the original 2020 release and today they share new track/ video for “Losers 2”“This version of the song takes it back to something more in line with the original demo, which was really just a simple protest style song. This was another song that we decided worked better by simplifying — we removed the wall of guitars and synths and let a much calmer, earnest version emerge. It was interesting to us, since it shifted the mood of the song from something angry into something more resigned, despite having the exact same lyrics and structure.” says Singer Dylan Slocum.
Unveiling the melodic masterpiece, ‘Changes’ comes courtesy of world-renowned producer ‘Mr Kamera’ and creates the perfect template for FRYA’s soulful, soothing vocals to shine. Choosing a poignant and stripped back approach, the instrumental stands out with breath-taking piano chords and epic synths that crescendos as the song develops. Paired alongside a set of heart-warming visuals, the Netflix approved songstress has created a heart-wrenching experience that delves into the deep changes that are inevitable when it comes to love and loss.Adding a deeper understanding to the inspiration behind the record, FRYA explained “Changes is a song that’s very dear to my heart because it was inspired by my mother, Juliet. I wanted a song that expressed my pain…honestly, but also expressed a realisation that loss of any kind is simply love persevering.”
Stay up to date with FRYA by following his socials for news about upcoming releases & more.
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