Universal Music Publishing China (UMP China) has signed a global publishing deal with Chinese singer-songwriter Tia Ray, the first and only Chinese singer to be listed on IFPI’s Top 10 Global Singles Chart.
Ray has gained popularity with her hit song, Be Apart, which ranked seventh among the world’s best-selling tracks in 2018 on the IFPI’s list.
Her collaborative songwriting project, TIVA000, received the 2021 Original Song Award of CCTV Global Chinese Music Top 10, while her self-produced album Once Upon A Moon, earned her two nominations – Best Female Mandarin Singer and Best Vocal Recording Album – at the Golden Melody Awards.
Throughout her career, she has released four studio albums and nearly 40 singles including Emo Whiskey, Love Can Fly, Lucky Rain, Ready For Love, I’m Not Good, TIVA000, Time Wasn’t Right, Kismet and Amazing Timeless Vacation.
“In putting songwriters first, one of our primary goals is to foster a dynamic and healthy environment that nurtures songwriters’ originality and transcends boundaries.”
Joe Fang, Universal Music Publishing China
Ray first gained prominence in 2012 when she joined The Voice of China. She has also been named Berklee College of Music’s Honorary Ambassador to China.
“Music brings people together. It transcends borders, culture and gender. Songwriting allows me to express myself and also tell stories that are happening around us,” said Ray.
Said Tia Ray: “As a singer-songwriter, I’m thrilled to be able to partner with UMP China because the UMP family is borderless too! I collaborated with many other talented writers from not just China, but the U.S., Germany, Norway, Australia, and Malaysia, just to name a few. UMP’s extensive network and professionalism enable my music to reach a wider audience, connecting hearts and souls globally through the power of music.”
“UMP’s extensive network and professionalism enable my music to reach a wider audience, connecting hearts and souls globally through the power of music.”
Tia Ray
Joe Fang, Managing Director, UMP China, added: “In putting songwriters first, one of our primary goals is to foster a dynamic and healthy environment that nurtures songwriters’ originality and transcends boundaries. Our tightly-knit international community of songwriters is eager to collaborate with Tia. We extend our warmest wishes to Tia and look forward to supporting the incredible musical milestones she will achieve.”
Fang has been named on Billboard‘s International Power Players list for multiple consecutive years
UMP China, with offices in Beijing and Shanghai, is home to a pool of songwriters and local publishers including RYCE Publishing, Hanggai, Fan Chong, Akini Jing, Zhang Weiwei, and Rainbow Chamber.
Elsewhere across the world, Universal Music Publishing signed exclusive publishing deals with Niall Horan last month, the estate of legendary songwriter Irving Berlin in November, Dave Bayley of Grammy-nominated band Glass Animals last year, and Lionel Richie in 2021.
Music Business Worldwide