Warner Chappell Music sign songwriter and producer Toby Daintree 23 May 2024
Daintree co-wrote the global Number One smash ‘i like the way you kiss me’ by Artemas
Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed a global publishing deal with songwriter and producer Toby Daintree.
Daintree has recently made a name for himself as Artemas’ main collaborator, having co-written and co-produced ‘i like the way you kiss me’, as well his mixtape pretty, and the viral single ‘if you think I’m pretty’.
Since its release in March, ‘i like the way you kiss me’ has become a global phenomenon, amassing 400 million streams and topping Spotify’s Global Chart for three weeks. The track also charted at Number One in Austria, Switzerland and Germany; Number Three in Australia, Denmark and the UK, and Number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
‘if you think I’m pretty’ was the song that shot Artemas into the mainstream, following its release last October, becoming a viral streaming hit that has been played more than 160 million times across the DSPs.
Daintree has also worked with the likes of Devin Workman, FKA Twigs, Jesse Fink, Joy Crookes, Kamal., Kev White, Matilda Mann, and Two Inch Punch. He is a multi-instrumentalist and virtuosic guitar player who studied Jazz at Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London.
Daintree is managed by Fin Kemp (Virgo Management) and through this new partnership, Daintree will work closely with WCM UK’s Managing Director, Shani Gonzales and Head of A&R, Amber Davis.
Toby Daintree said: “I’m delighted to be joining Warner Chappell Music after an exciting few months for me, with ‘if you think I’m pretty’ and ‘i like the way you kiss me’ having blown up all around the world. I’m looking forward to working with George and the wider Warner Chappell team who have shown a passionate interest and understanding in the music I’ve been a part of and I'm excited to see what opportunities and new relationships come from the partnership.”
George Baker, A&R Manager, Warner Chappell Music UK, added: “Toby is a world-class songwriter and producer. His recent hits have showcased he can write songs that connect with a global audience and we want to help replicate this success by partnering him with the world’s biggest artists and writers. I couldn’t be more excited for Toby’s next steps and to be working alongside his brilliant manager Fin Kemp.”
NEWS & PRESS
Warner Music France launches Adore Music
A new chapter for dance music begins today with the launch of Adore Music, Warner Music France's dedicated dance label. Designed to bring together both emerging and established talent, Adore Music will showcase the best dance music to the world. Adore...more
Reaction from UK Music to Ed Sheeran letter
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: "The alarm bells are ringing and there is a crisis in music education. Over the years there have been real term cuts in funding, budgetary shortfalls, fewer music teachers and declining participation in GCSE...more
Ed Sheeran spearheads open letter to Sir Keir Starmer & UK government advocating for music education funding
SHEERAN'S LETTER IS BACKED BY LEADING MUSIC INDUSTRY FIGURES INCLUDING...HARRY STYLES, CENTRAL CEE, COLDPLAY, STORMZY, ELTON JOHN, DAVE, YOLANDA BROWN, MYLES SMITH, PALOMA FAITH, ANNIE LENNOX, SLEAFORD MODS & MORE ED SHEERAN FOUNDATION OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN JANUARY 2025 Ed Sheeran has written...more
AI is supercharging majors' data analysis. Indies need to assemble or get left behind
Comment: Henrik Hansen - Business Lead, Rough Bones Much of the conversation around artificial intelligence in music has centered on its existential threat to human creativity. We've all seen the headlines about AI-generated songs mimicking artists' voices and the looming copyright battles...more
Reservoir announces publishing deal with R&B songwriter and performer El DeBarge
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a new publishing deal with five-time Grammy-nominated R&B songwriter and performer El DeBarge. The deal includes hits from his catalog as a solo artist and as a member...more
Frontiers Music announces signing of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Frontiers Music Srl is thrilled to announce the signing of Lynyrd Skynyrd, one of the most legendary and enduring bands in rock history. This partnership celebrates the band’s incredible legacy while looking ahead to exciting new projects. As part of this...more
TMG sign multi-year commitment to host Afro Nation in Portugal
Global entertainment company TMG has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering world class events including Afro Nation festival in Portimão, Portugal, by signing a long-term, multi-year exclusive site license agreement. The renewed partnership was officially signed during a special presentation at Better...more
U2 to receive one of songwriting's highest honours: Fellowship of the Ivors Academy
BONO, THE EDGE, ADAM CLAYTON AND LARRY MULLEN JR. BECOME THE FIRST IRISH SONGWRITERS TO BE BESTOWED WITH THE IVORS ACADEMY'S GREATEST ACCOLADE SELECTED BY FELLOW SONGWRITERS, FELLOWSHIP RECOGNISES U2'S ENDURING INFLUENCE AND IMPACT ON THE CRAFT OF SONGWRITING U2 will be inducted...more
Merlin Engage Returns for Third Year, Strengthening Community in the Next Generation of Female Leaders
Now entering its third year, Merlin Engage is a pioneering mentorship program to empower women within Merlin's global independent music community. This year, the program expands its focus to foster stronger community-building and welcomes a new cohort of experienced mentors....more
Downtown Neighbouring Rights Sign Worldwide Deal with Jason Mraz
Worldwide agreement will see Downtown Neighbouring Rights represent the award-winning artist and songwriter’s extensive catalog, including hits ‘I’m Yours,’ ‘Lucky,’ and ‘I Won’t Give Up.’ Downtown Neighbouring Rights (DNR) has today announced a worldwide neighbouring rights agreement with acclaimed Multi-Platinum artist...more
UK Music response to Technology Secretary visit to US to see AI firms
Responding to Technology Secretary Peter Kyle’s visit to the States to meet tech firms, UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: "We fully support the ambition to make the UK a global hub for investment and expertise in Artificial Intelligence. "However, Government's...more
Belfast named UK's top location for pub gigs as PRS for Music and BBPA launch "Pubs Go Live"
New research reveals the UK's top pub gigs hotspots as music stars back a nationwide celebration of live music in pubs · Belfast ranks as the UK's leading location for live music in pubs, followed by Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol and Brighton · PRS for...more
ATC Group promote Ric Salmon to the new position of Chief Growth Officer
ATC Group is pleased to announce the promotion of Ric Salmon to the newly-created position of Chief Growth Officer. A highly experienced music executive and entrepreneur, Ric has worked with ATC for ten years, representing a wide range of artists, including...more
Italian recorded music revenues rise by 8.5% in 2024 – Italy is the third-largest market in EU, growing more than global and regional averages
It's the seventh consecutive year of growth FIMI publishes its exclusive 2024 Report For the seventh consecutive year of growth, the Italian recorded music market confirms its vitality with an overall increase of 8.5% in 2024, reaching almost half a billion euros (461.2 million)...more
David Israelite announced as speaker at The Ivors Academy Summit
David Israelite, President and CEO of the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) has been confirmed as a speaker for The Ivors Academy Summit on 20 May at BFI IMAX, London. As head of the NMPA since 2005, David plays an important...more
Tuned Global Partners with Zetaris to Turn Music Data into Gold via AI Analytics
Now anyone can query scattered music data sources to discover a potential goldmine of insights—including fraud detection—thanks to Tuned Global's expanded AI-driven data analytics, powered by Zetaris. Music streaming generates millions of data points per second. This data represents a massive...more
Stormzy to receive Honorary Doctorate from Cambridge University
MARKS STORMZY'S SECOND HONORARY DOCTORATE TO DATE It has been announced today that Stormzy will be among eight distinguished individuals awarded honorary doctorates by Cambridge University in 2025. The University Council nominated all eight recipients, who will be formally admitted at a special Congregation...more
Sony Music Publishing Signs Freya Ridings to Global Deal
Sony Music Publishing UK today announced the signing of celebrated singer-songwriter Freya Ridings to an exclusive global publishing agreement. Famed for an honest, raw and powerful songwriting style, this creative partnership will cover Ridings’ future works, including her upcoming anticipated third...more
IFPI Report: Gee Davy (AIM CEO) comment
Gee Davy, CEO at AIM, said: "It is certainly encouraging to see the UK retain its top 3 spot globally and recorded music revenues continue to show growth. All the same, fast action is needed to support the UK's music...more
Edition Capital Acquires Sebastian Mclean International Limited, Expands Investment Strategy in Its 10th Year
Edition Capital Limited (‘Edition’), a leading entertainment professional services group, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Sebastian Mclean International Limited (‘SMI’), a specialist insurance brokerage serving the entertainment sector. SMI has built a strong reputation for delivering tailored insurance solutions...more
Clubbing TV Announces Inaugural Rave Photographies of the Year 2025
An international photography competition celebrating the essence of electronic music culture and nightlife through visual storytelling. Clubbing TV is thrilled to announce the launch of “Rave Photography of the Year 2025”, an international competition dedicated to showcasing the best photo shots...more
Musical AI and First Rule Join Forces to Create Fully Licensed Generative AI for Music Artists
Musical AI, the AI rights management platform for music and audio, is collaborating with First Rule, a new Nashville-based artist-model platform and VST plugin, to build fully licensed AI agents and models that support music makers. Musical AI will provide licensed...more
Groundbreaking Documentary & Website, The Record Store & Black Music: England's Tastemakers Unveiled by 2Funky Arts
A new documentary and website delve into the cultural and social significance of England’s independent record shops that specialised in Black music. Tracing their impact through the decades, the project highlights the crucial role these stores played in shaping UK...more
Executives from Over 70 Leading Security Companies and Associations Urge Government Action in Letter on Business Licensing Reform - #BusinessLicensingNow
Today, the UK’s private security sector has come together in unity, signing a formal letter to the Home Secretary and the Minister for Security urging the implementation of business licensing across the industry. The letter has been signed by 11...more
Merlin Named to Fast Company's Annual List of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2025
The independent’s digital music licensing partner joins the ranks of Waymo, Nvidia, Duolingo, and more Merlin is proud to have been named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025. This year’s list shines a spotlight on...more
Stationhead Unveils Stationhead Shop: Live, gamified e-commerce for music fans and artists
Stationhead, the go-to destination for music superfans, is now letting artists create unique, thrilling Shops, where fans can find must-have merch while gaining increased cred in their fan communities. Stationhead Shop easily expands artists’ existing Shopify stores, linking online fan...more
Spinnin' Records announces new leadership
NIELS WALBOOMERS LEADS SPINNIN’ RECORDS IN ADDITION TO WARNER MUSIC BENELUX, WARNER CHAPPELL BENELUX EWOUT SWART STEPS DOWN AS CO-PRESIDENT AFTER 16 YEARS AT SPINNIN’ RECORDS As part of a new leadership transition, Warner Music Group (WMG) has announced that its President...more
The Cure's Robert Smith to curate Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2026
The essential concert series New 2025 Saturday headlinerA special Erased Tapes event:Penguin CafeDaniel BrandtDouglas DareHatis Noit Announcing Our 2026 guest curator - Robert Smith (The Cure) www.teenagecancertrust.org/gigs Teenage Cancer Trust is pleased to announce a special bill for Saturday 29th March 2025 at the Royal...more
IFPI: Amidst highly competitive market, global recorded music revenues grew 4.8% in 2024
Paid subscription streaming key revenue driver; all regions deliver growth Music companies embrace AI’s opportunities Read IFPI’s Global Music Report 2025 - State of the Industry here.The Premium Edition of the IFPI Global Music Report 2025, also available today here. Global recorded music revenues have grown for the tenth consecutive...more
Ninja Tune announces new partnership with Reactional Music
Will bring Ninja Tune closer to the world’s 3.5 billion gamers and $125.7 billion global in-game economies. New technology enables music rightsholders to reach audiences through personalised gaming experiences. **Reactional and Ninja Tune preview partnership with a unique in-game demo featuring Coldcut,...more
THE HEADLINES
Ed Sheeran calls for UK to put £250m into music education (see News)
What's the perfect song length? (see Analysis)
AI is supercharging majors' data analysis. Indies need to assemble or get left behind (see Opinion)
IFPI's annual Global Music Report - all the stats and analysis (see Reports)
RIAA 2024 Report: On-demand streaming subs top 100m in the US (see Reports)
How the DNA of a hit changed in the last five years (see Analysis)
Interview: Lola Young’s manager Nick Shymansky (see Features)
Music strand of SXSW in Texas rumoured to be cut back (see News)
UK Music calls for an urgent Government rethink after moves to prevent AI firms stealing music creators' work were blocked in Parliament (see News)
Recorded music market 2024: $36.2bn, up 6.5% (see Analysis)
Will the next wave of British music stars break through? (see Features)
Spotify is trumpeting big paydays for artists – but only a tiny fraction of them are actually thriving (see Comment)
Spotify paid over $4.5bn to music publishers over the last two years, so why are songwriters struggling? (see Analysis)
UK recorded music market reached a decade of continuous growth in 2024 (see Reports)
Spotify says its payouts are getting better, but artists still disagree (see Digital)
How to score a No 1 single (it might take 20 years) (see Features)
Pop stars used to rail against injustice – now they’re too afraid of getting cancelled (see Features)
A global phenomenon: The creative community’s viral outrage against AI theft (see Features)