LA-based R&R Records has inked a joint venture with Warner Bros. Records (WBR).
R&R was launched in 2016 with the goal of providing an alternative approach for independent artists, focusing on an aggressive digital strategy.
In its first two years, R&R Records amassed a quarter billion streams, introducing artists such as Mt. Joy and Sorcha Richardson.
The news of the partnership was announced today (April 9) by WBR Co-Chairman & CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck and R&R founders Ben Persky, Mason Klein, and Will Perliter.
The first two signings under the new R&R/WBR deal are singer/songwriters Dijon and Wens.
Maryland-born, LA-based singer/songwriter Dijon’s debut EP, Sci Fi 1, has just been released, while 20-year-old LA native Wens made her recording debut in 2016 and released her first EP, That Really Long Night, last year.
Persky and Klein, who have been friends since they were four years old, started Mixed Management in 2010, while they were college sophomores in New York City.
Their first client was RL Grime, whom they had grown up with in Los Angeles. Their second signed was Baauer, whose Harlem Shake became a worldwide viral phenomenon, going No.1 in multiple territories and prompting Billboard to include video streams in their chart data.
The duo moved back to their native LA in 2012, working with Tobias Jesso Jr., whose critically acclaimed debut album, Goon, started his songwriting career.
He went on to co-write“When We Were Young with Adele and Slow Hands with Niall Horan, and has since penned songs for Shawn Mendes, John Legend, Charlie Puth, Florence + The Machine, and others.
Persky and Klein also manage the Grammy-nominated production duo DJDS, who worked on Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo, as well as collaborating with Khalid, 6lack, and others.
“I’ve been following Ben and Mason’s careers for years now and I’ve been impressed by the level of artists and songwriters they’ve been championing, on both the management and label sides.”
Bay-Schuck said: “I’ve been following Ben and Mason’s careers for years now and I’ve been impressed by the level of artists and songwriters they’ve been championing, on both the management and label sides.
“They have great taste, an authentic approach, and a clear vision of what R&R represents.
“Dijon and Wens are compelling, original voices and fantastic artists to kick off our partnership. Tom Corson and I are thrilled to welcome R&R into the WBR family.”
“Aaron and Tom have been encouraging of our vision from the beginning, and we love what they’re doing at Warner Bros. They have an amazing team, and it’s an exciting place to grow talent.”
Ben Persky & Mason Klein, R&R Records
Persky and Klein added: “Through this partnership, we’re excited to establish a global presence and offer our artists more comprehensive support.
“Aaron and Tom have been encouraging of our vision from the beginning, and we love what they’re doing at Warner Bros. They have an amazing team, and it’s an exciting place to grow talent.
“We’re incredibly proud to launch our joint venture with Dijon and Wens, two artists whom we feel represent the ethos and direction of R&R.”
Pictured [Left to Right]: Mason Klein; Aaron Bay-Schuck and Ben Persky.Music Business Worldwide
