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O`Jays sign with Knowles` music world
LA, Mar 01: Mathew Knowles, the guiding force behind daughter Beyonce`s group Destiny`s Child, has signed the O`Jays to a multiple-album deal through his Sony Music-distributed Music World Music (MWM) label.
LA, Mar 01: Mathew Knowles, the guiding force behind daughter Beyonce's group Destiny's Child, has signed the O'Jays to a multiple-album deal through his Sony Music-distributed Music World Music (MWM) label.
The veteran soul trio's first album under the pact is due this summer.
MWM's move is the latest in a series of initiatives by labels to sign such R&B acts, many of whom can sell out concert venues. Def Soul Classic signed Patti LaBelle last year. The first single from the project will be released shortly. Indie Thump Records just started a classic R&B division with first signings Lakeside, Midnight Star and Club Nouveau.
"I talked to Don Ienner 18 months ago about the opportunities that exist with classic artists," Knowles said. "The beautiful thing is you don't have to spend a lot of marketing and branding dollars: People already know who these acts are. If you keep the costs low, you can, in fact, make a profit.
"The key to this is having great music and finding great producers without spending $30,000 to $50,000 a song. This is a new era in music that is going to apply to every artist: keeping costs down."
Knowles also plans to sign classic soul acts to his urban label through Sanctuary. He said he has had "initial discussions" with '80s R&B hitmakers the Whispers. He has already had "initial discussions" with '80s R&B hitmakers the Whispers. Knowles said his wish list includes Chaka Khan, De La Soul and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.
MWM's move is the latest in a series of initiatives by labels to sign such R&B acts, many of whom can sell out concert venues. Def Soul Classic signed Patti LaBelle last year. The first single from the project will be released shortly. Indie Thump Records just started a classic R&B division with first signings Lakeside, Midnight Star and Club Nouveau.
"I talked to Don Ienner 18 months ago about the opportunities that exist with classic artists," Knowles said. "The beautiful thing is you don't have to spend a lot of marketing and branding dollars: People already know who these acts are. If you keep the costs low, you can, in fact, make a profit.
"The key to this is having great music and finding great producers without spending $30,000 to $50,000 a song. This is a new era in music that is going to apply to every artist: keeping costs down."
Knowles also plans to sign classic soul acts to his urban label through Sanctuary. He said he has had "initial discussions" with '80s R&B hitmakers the Whispers. He has already had "initial discussions" with '80s R&B hitmakers the Whispers. Knowles said his wish list includes Chaka Khan, De La Soul and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.
Bureau Report