Reservoir expands Indian presence with new subsidiary PopIndia

New York-headquartered impartial music firm Reservoir is increasing its presence in India with the launch of a brand new subsidiary dubbed PopIndia.

PopIndia’s Mumbai headquarters will likely be Reservoir’s seventh international workplace, after Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, London, Abu Dhabi, and New York. The subsidiary will likely be targeted on signing and creating regional expertise in addition to buying publishing and recorded music catalogs, Reservoir mentioned in an announcement on Thursday (April 17).

The corporate may also act as Reservoir’s sub-publisher for international music catalogs inside the Indian and South Asian markets and can present music supervision and rights administration companies for regional music purchasers.

Overseeing PopIndia will likely be Spek, who grew to become Reservoir’s EVP of Worldwide and Rising Markets after a 2020 partnership between Reservoir and PopArabia, the corporate Spek based in 2011.

He will likely be joined by Ray Ahmed, previously the Enterprise Growth Lead at PopArabia, who will now function PopIndia’s Head of Operations.

“The launch of PopIndia is a serious step ahead for Reservoir’s rising markets technique,” Reservoir Founder and CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi mentioned. “India’s music market is rising quickly, and the chance is ripe to additional set up ourselves on this evolving market.”

“India’s music enterprise is maturing, but there stay vital gaps and alternatives,” Spek mentioned. “We’re primed to supply bespoke companies that match the wants of the area and people of each international and regional creators.”

“The launch of PopIndia is a serious step ahead for Reservoir’s rising markets technique.”

Golnar Khosrowshahi, Reservoir Media

PopIndia’s first publishing deal is with Yohani, a Mumbai-based Sri Lankan artist who received her begin protecting well-liked rap tracks on YouTube, incomes the title of “Rap Princess” of Sri Lanka. The deal is for her catalog in addition to future works.

Yohani’s rise to international fame got here following her viral hit Manike Mage Hithe, which gained recognition throughout South Asia and South Asian diaspora communities. Her music has appeared in blockbuster Bollywood movies like The Legend, Thank God, An Motion Hero, and Dhamaka, and her 2023 debut album Kella met with important acclaim. She is at present on tour, together with a sold-out date in London.

“I’m so excited to start out this new chapter with Reservoir and PopIndia. From the second I met Spek, Ray, and the workforce, I felt their real love for music and their perception in and assist of me,” Yohani mentioned.

“I really feel seen, heard, and backed by a workforce that really cares. Calling Reservoir and PopIndia my new residence feels proper, and I can’t wait to see the place this journey takes us.”

“India’s music enterprise is maturing, but there stay vital gaps and alternatives.”

Spek, Reservoir Media

“Yohani is the true deal – an throughout, singer, songwriter, rapper, and artist,” Spek mentioned.

“Signing a publishing take care of her is an exceptional strategy to kick off PopIndia. She has had immense success with South Asian followers globally, and we’re excited to be supporting her out of Mumbai with Ray main the cost on the bottom whereas leveraging Reservoir’s international attain to assist additional her success.”

Moreover, PopIndia will now oversee Reservoir’s relationships with Indian celebrity rapper DIVINE and his firm Gully Gang Leisure. That relationship started in 2020 when Reservoir signed DIVINE to a worldwide publishing deal and shaped a three way partnership with Gully Gang Leisure, the umbrella firm that homes DIVINE’s label, Gully Gang Data.

PopIndia marks the most recent initiative to return out of the Reservoir-PopArabia tie-up, which over the previous 5 years has included the acquisition of Egyptian label 100COPIES and Lebanese label and music writer Voice of Beirut, amongst different offers.

“Capitalizing on the expertise and synergies throughout Reservoir and PopArabia, PopIndia is adapting the identical mannequin Spek has efficiently applied all through rising markets, with Ray constructing relationships on the bottom in Mumbai and showcasing Reservoir’s ongoing dedication to supporting native expertise worldwide,” Khosrowshahi mentioned.Music Enterprise Worldwide