Atlantic Records Group Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman and Chairman/COO Julie Greenwald have announced the promotion of Kevin Weaver as Vice President of the iconic label. 

In his new position, Weaver is responsible for overseeing the creation and placement of music and artists affiliated with Atlantic Records in all visual media formats, including film, television, and video games. Furthermore, Weaver is also in charge of developing and overseeing soundtrack projects, strategic alliances, licensing opportunities, and marketing initiatives. 

“Kevin has long been at the leading edge of exploring fantastic new avenues for our artists and their music. In the process, he has developed great relationships with the film, TV, and gaming communities, while at the same time expanding his A&R and creative responsibilities. Craig and I are very pleased to announce this much-deserved promotion.” 

“After a decade and a half with the Atlantic family, I am more energized than ever by the innovative company I am privileged to work for, and by the exciting new opportunities that are continually opening up for our artists,” said Kevin Weaver. “I want to thank Craig and Julie for their passionate commitment to the music, their visionary approach to the business, and their great support over the years.”

Prior to being named Vice President of Atlantic Records Group, Weaver recently launched a music publishing co-venture with Atlantic, where he signed and developed new artists, such as Sofi Bonde, who he also secured a multiple rights (360°) deal with Atlantic, as well as a co-publishing deal with the label and Warner/Chappell. Bonde has had his songs featured on various television programs, including Melrose Place, 90210, The Vampire Diaries, The Beautiful Life, and The Hills, amongst others. 

Most recently, Weaver was the Senior Vice President of the Atlantic Records Group. He started his career with the company in 1994.

Songbook Entertainment and Atlantic Records recording artist Trey Songz is following up his sophomore album Trey Day with the release of his third album Ready, which arrives in stores and online retailers on June 30th. 

Leading the way for the Grammy-nominated R&B singer’s new album is the single “I Need A Girl,” produced by the Grammy-winning Norwegian production team Stargate (Beyonce, “Irreplacable”; Ne-Yo, “So Sick”; Shakira/Beyonce, “Beautiful Liar”; and Flo Rida’s “Be On You”). The record is currently being added to national Urban Mainstream radio outlets weeks in advance of its official multi-format impact date.

In addition, Songz recently premiered (March 31st) the video to the promotional song “Brand New” on Myspace Music.

 

The Coca-Cola Company and Atlantic Records have partnered together, assembling artists on the label from different genres (hip-hop, pop and rock) to record the single “Open Happiness,” as the accompanying song to the third installment in the Coca-Cola “Happiness Factory” series of commercials.   

A collection of top performers participated in the making of “Open Happiness,” including: Cee-Lo Green (Gnarls Barkley), Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), Brendon Urie (Panic at the Disco), Travis McCoy (Gym Class Heroes), and Janelle Monae. Musically, the project was a collaborative effort between chart-topping producers Butch Walker (who co-wrote the song with Cee-Lo Green) and Polow Da Don, both men having produced for some of today’s most popular artists, such as Usher, Kelis, Pink, Fergie, Pussycat Dolls, Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry. 

Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes felt that union made sense commercially and artistically, saying, “I think Coke reaching out to up-and-coming and established artists is a really good move - everyone comes out a winner. We as artists get to collaborate with people we look up to and Coca-Cola gets a fresh new song that I think people are going to be really receptive to.” 

Adding his perspective about being asked to participate on the project by such an iconic brand, Gnarls Barkley frontman Cee-Lo Green said: “I guess what was interesting about the idea at first was Coca-Cola’s interest in me – that was appealing. Music’s marketplace can be very fickle and unforgiving and if you want longevity and you want legend, who better to ask advice from than Coca-Cola?”

“At Atlantic we strive to create career artists who make music with worldwide resonance. The pairing of the artists on this song with the Coke brand is a perfect match and we anticipate it being a huge global success,” stated Camille Hackney, SVP, Brand Partnership and Commercial Licensing, Atlantic Records. 

“Open Happiness” launched today (3-16-09) as part of Coca-Cola’s new global integrated marketing campaign, supported by a global push using popular promotional outlets such as Myspace, iTunes, and Facebook. In addition, a percentage of the sales will be donated to charitable causes through Coca-Cola’s ‘Live Positively’ platform.

 

 

 

After just two weeks in release, Poe Boy/Atlantic recording artist Flo Rida’s #1 hit single “Right Round,” off his up-coming album R.O.O.T.S., has received platinum certification from the RIAA for digital sales, and is currently approaching the two million mark. “Right Round” is the fastest million-selling digital track in history.

As previously reported, “Right Round” broke the record for most downloads sold in the first week of release, recently held by Eminem’s #1 hit, “Crack A Bottle (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent).

Also included on R.O.O.T.S. is the urban single “Shone (Feat. Pleasure P),” as well as the next single “Sugar (Feat. Wynter).”

R.O.O.T.S. drops everywhere on March 31st.

     

Former Atlantic Records recording artist Saigon, who left the label after his highly anticipated debut album The Greatest Story Never Told was shelved, has entered into a partnership with digital retailer Amalgam Digital. The first project to be released from Saigon on Amalgam Digital will be All In A Day’s Work on March 17th.

Pushing the boundaries of the way music is normally recorded and marketed for release, Saigon expedited the process by completing the album in a 24-hour period. “This album, All In A Day’s Work, is a bonafide hip-hop classic created from beginning to end in twenty four hours,” said Saigon. “It is … a spark in the right direction for the resurgence of East Coast hip-hop,” he added.

DJ/producer Statik Selektah handled the entire production of the project, and was amazed at the efficiency of Saigon’s recording pace for the album, saying: “Working with Saigon in those twenty four hours and getting songs done so fast showed why he should be held as one of the greatest to ever do it

“Spit,” which is the first single off All In A Day’s Work will be featured on the newest edition of the video game series Grand Theft Auto, followed by the newest release and second single “The Rules.”

As a follow-up to All In A Day’s Work, Saigon intends to release Warning Shots 2 via Amalgam Digital, building on the title of his previous album Warning Shots.

Track Listing Below for All In A Day’s Work

1.   To Be Told…

2.   So Cruel

3.   The Rules

4.   My Crew

5.   Prepare For War

6.   Spit

7.   Lady Sings The Blues

8.   Lose Her

9.   Goodbye

10. The Reason

11.  I Warned You (Bonus)*

Former Atlantic Records and Warner/Chappell executive, Chris Hicks, has been appointed Executive Vice President at Def Jam, taking over the vacant position that became available following the death of Shakir Stewart in November of last year.

Hicks joined the Warner/Chappell staff as Vice President, Urban A&R in 2004, and was later promoted to Senior Vice President, Urban A&R for Atlantic Records and Senior Vice President, A&R and Head of Urban Music for Warner/Chappell Music in April 2007.

Hicks founded the publishing company, Noontime, in 1997, where he identified and developed numerous artists, including writers Brian Michael Cox, Jazze Pha, Dave Young and Teddy Bishop. At Warner/Chappell, he was an important figure in striking publishing agreements with T.I., Lil’ Wayne, Yung Joc, LeToya, Eric Hudson and Lloyd, in addition to helping re-sign Timbaland and Dr. Dre.

Bad Boy Records, the record label of former rap superstar Christopher Wallace, is releasing the soundtrack to the highly anticipated upcoming Notorious B.I.G. biopic “Notorious,” Tuesday, January 13th. The album, which includes “music from and inspired by the original motion picture,” features many of The Notorious B.I.G.’s classic records such as “Juicy” and “Hypnotize,” in addition to some never released demos. 

The soundtrack is lead by the Kanye West produced “Brooklyn Go Hard,” performed by Jay-Z and featuring Santogold. Jadakiss’ “A Letter to B.I.G.” featuring Faith Evans has recently circulated online as well. In addition, the album includes a new version of “One More Chance/The Legacy (Remix),” featuring The Notorious B.I.G.’s son CJ Wallace and Faith Evans.

A special edition of the “Notorious” soundtrack will be available exclusively at Target stores nationwide. The two-disc set includes an all-new documentary DVD, “Remembering Christopher Wallace,” featuring exclusive, never-before-seen private interviews with the family members who carry on the Notorious B.I.G.’s memory, including his mother, daughter, and son.

“Notorious” hits theaters nationwide on Friday, January 16th.

“Notorious” Soundtrack [Tracklisting Below]:

1. Notorious Thugs (Featuring Bone Thugs N Harmony)

2. Hypnotize

3. Notorious (Featuring Lil’ Kim and Puff Daddy)

4. Juicy

5. Party & Bullsh**

6. Warning

7. One More Chance/ Stay With Me Remix

8. Brooklyn Go Hard (Performed by Jay-Z, Featuring Santogold)

9. Letter to B.I.G. (Performed by Jadakiss, Featuring Faith Evans)

10. Kick In The Door

11. What’s Beef

12. The World Is Filled (Featuring Too Short and Puff Daddy)

13. One More Chance/ The Legacy (Remix)

(Featuring CJ Wallace and Faith Evans)

14. The Notorious Theme (Composed by Danny Elfman)

15. Microphone Murderer (Demo)

16. Guaranteed Raw (Demo)

17. Love No Ho (Original Demo Version)