IMPEL continues growth with five new members 10 Nov 2025
Wings Music Group, Afro Soundtrack, Elite Embassy Publishing, Perfectly Formed Songs and Full Thought Publishing join the IMPEL Collective
IMPEL has recently expanded its membership and global reach by adding five new members, welcoming Afro Soundtrack from Nigeria, Elite Embassy Publishing from the US, and Wings Music Group, Perfectly Formed Songs and Full Thought Publishing from the UK. Together, they represent the next iteration of IMPEL’s expanding licensed repertoire.
Afro Soundtrack is a Nigerian music rights management and publishing company dedicated to helping Afrobeats and diaspora creators get the royalties and recognition they deserve. It represents a growing roster of artists, songwriters, and producers across Africa, Europe, and America, with music that spans Afrobeats, Amapiano, R&B, hip hop, gospel, and contemporary African pop. Beyond publishing, it actively champions sync opportunities, connecting its catalogue to film, television, advertising, and brand campaigns that showcase the richness of African music to global audiences. Sync placements include collaborations with Red Bull, Netflix original Far From Home, Ebuka Turns Up Africa and Christmas in Lagos by Amazon/MGM studios, among others.
Afro Soundtrack’s Head of Publishing, Nifemi Fadipe, said: “As a top music publisher from West Africa, it has always been our mission to engage in strategic and innovative partnerships to ensure every rights holder gets paid wherever Afrobeats is being played. Being a member of IMPEL is a step in the right direction to consistently creating a sustainable revenue for the Nigerian music ecosystem, and by extension Africa.”
Elite Embassy Publishing is the exclusive publishing division of the comprehensive music support and help organisation, Music Embassies, representing hundreds of writers and nearly 30,000 songs across every major genre including Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Gospel, Reggaeton, Latin Music, Afrobeat, Reggae, Dancehall. Its clients have landed on the Billboard charts, earned Grammy nominations, and secured Grammy wins. The company’s catalogue includes works tied to legendary icons such as The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Capleton, Dennis Brown, and Sister Nancy, as well as current global stars including Vybz Kartel, Popcaan, Masicka, Shenseea, Spice, Koffee, Skillibeng, Teejay, Govana, Unknown T, Byron Messia, Locko, Mimie, Faruko, Japanese, Alison Hinds, Machel Montano, and Stefflon Don. Its reach extends into the mainstream, with its clients’ catalogues including songs with Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran, Busta Rhymes, Chris Brown, French Montana, Wyclef Jean, Sean Paul, DJ Khaled, Q Tip, Eminem, Ne Yo, Nina Sky, and Snoop Dogg, as well as fast-rising stars across Africa, Europe, US, UK, Netherlands, Canada, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
The Elite Embassy Publishing/Music Embassies Board of Directors said: “Elite Embassy Publishing / Music Embassies is honored to join the IMPEL family. Becoming a member represents an important milestone in our mission to protect and maximize the rights of our writers/clients worldwide. IMPEL’s collaborative, publisher-led approach and its strong international reach will ensure that our clients receive what is rightfully due to them, while allowing us to focus on fostering creativity and supporting careers across the music industry. This partnership is not only a great advancement for our organization but also a powerful step forward for all of the creators we represent.”
Wings Music Group was founded in UK 2020 to provide a home for independent Christian and Gospel artists, adding publishing administration to their services in 2025. The roster includes Jonathan Ogden, Hannah Hobbs, Harvest Grapevine, Moflo and Hyper Fenton. Wings also partners with churches and ministry organisations such as Rock Harbor, New Wine, Gas Street, HTB Worship and RMC Worship to manage their catalogues and writers.
Wings Music Group’s Head of Publishing, Jen O’Connell, said: “We have chosen to partner with IMPEL because they offer the most comprehensive global coverage of digital services outside of the US, coupled with strong licensing deals and a supportive team which provides the most efficient way for us to collect digital royalties on behalf of our songwriters.”
Perfectly Formed Songs is an independent music publishing company based in London and the South West of the UK. Established by Ellie Kading and co-run with Alan Kading, it offers a bespoke publishing service for songwriters and publishing companies seeking representation and administrative support. Its clients include Slim Chance Music (Ronnie Lane), Simon Dine (Paul Weller, Spitfires and Waterboys), I-Global Music Publishing (Tommy Scott and Franny Griffith of Space) Schedule A Music (Telekura), Low Profile Music, The Boy Least Likely To, JJ, Gary Langan, Paul Morley and Ian Peel (The Art of Noise/The Art of This). Through its consultancy it has worked with a range of well-known music companies including, Abood Music, Cooking Vinyl Publishing, LW Entertainment, Stone Rolla, David Media, Out of The Ark, BMG, 4AD, and Felt Music.
Perfectly Formed Songs Director, Ellie Kading, said: “As a small publisher it is vital that our partners provide expertise, understanding and solutions fit for the independent landscape. IMPEL have a proven track record and fit the criteria perfectly. The team are amazing.”
Full Thought Publishing, founded in 1999 alongside Tru Thoughts Records, has grown into an independent company representing Tru Thoughts’ artists as well as a diverse roster of composers and labels. Its eclectic catalogue spans funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, reggae, dancehall, drum & bass, house, blues and electronica, with published artists including Alice Russell, Hot 8 Brass Band, Moonchild, Quantic, Flowdan and Bonobo. Full Thought’s music has been widely licensed for sync, working with brands such as Apple, Google, Prada and Nike, and appearing in TV and film including Sex Education, Orange Is The New Black, The Blacklist and Venom 2.
Sync & Publishing Manager at Full Thought Publishing, Trevor Heath, said: “IMPEL stands out as a forward-thinking collective, redefining what independent publishers can achieve when they unite with purpose. Their commitment to innovation, transparency, and efficiency provides real value to every member in a marketplace that is constantly evolving. By building strong partnerships and always championing independence, IMPEL plays a pivotal role in helping us at Full Thought Publishing maximise revenue opportunities for our writers, ensuring they are rewarded fairly for their creativity and hard work.”
IMPEL CEO Sarah Williams said: “IMPEL is growing at a fantastic rate, both in terms of our global footprint and the diverse catalogue of works we represent. It brings me great pleasure to welcome Afro Soundtrack from Nigeria, Elite Embassy Publishing from the US, and Wings Music Group, Perfectly Formed Songs and Full Thought Publishing from the UK. The relationship between our members is very much symbiotic, with each individual publisher bringing fresh perspectives, expertise and of course great songs to the whole collective.”
IMPEL is the international collective licensing agency representing digital music publishing rights. It is 100% owned and controlled by its members, which include respected independent publishers such as Bucks Music Group, Beggars Music, Reservoir Music, Kassner Music, CTM, ABKCO, Truelove Music, Faber Music, Mute Song, Budde UK, TRO Essex, Phrased Differently, Warp Music and many more.
The IMPEL membership represents a diverse collection of works recorded by many of the world’s biggest artists, past and present, including Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Dua Lipa, David Bowie, Ray Charles, Rihanna, Beyonce, Calvin Harris, Elvis Presley, Joni Mitchell and Miles Davies.
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THE HEADLINES
The music we should save is the music AI needs the most (see Comment)
The Council Of Music Makers: Put music-makers first in AI deals (see News)
The future of music marketing is no marketing at all (see Features)
AIM states that the independents’ voice is now louder, clearer and impossible to ignore (see News)
Secondary price caps and figuring out fact vs. fiction (see Comment)
Spotify responds to RBX lawsuit over ‘fake’ Drake streams (see Digital)
Spotify perfected the business of distraction — and now we’re paying the price (see Features)
Remasters, deluxe editions and greatest hits show back catalogues are a goldmine (see Features)
Universal Music Group and Stability AI announce strategic alliance to co-develop professional AI music creation tools (see News)
UMG and Udio settle lawsuit; announce agreement for new licensed AI music creation platform (see News)
The last days of Utopia (see News)
UK Music introduces 'Five Ps' guide to boost diversity and inclusion across the music industry (see News)
Reservoir Media: A hidden gem? (see Features)
The music industry remains divided on generative AI. Where will that leave us? (see Comment)
