RedOne's 2101 Records Signs Worldwide Partnership Agreement With Capitol Records Group

LOS ANGELES, May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Capitol Records has signed an exclusive multi-year, worldwide agreement with multi-Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter and music executive RedOne (Nadir Khayat) that will bring his 2101 Records to the company, and base its operations at the company's iconic Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood. The announcement was made today by Capitol Music Group Chairman and CEO Steve Barnett. Capitol will draw on RedOne's highly regarded skills as a record executive and discoverer of great music talent to partner in a consistent slate of 2101 Records releases, personally overseen by RedOne and his label's team of executives, including 2101 Records General Manager Ray De La Garza.

Steve Barnett commented, "RedOne is a true visionary and one of the most well-rounded and talented figures in music.  He can do it all, but we're especially relying on his acumen as an executive and his commitment to discovering and guiding new talent through 2101 Records to bring success to our partnership and enhance Capitol's reputation as a welcoming home for artists in all genres of music.  I welcome RedOne to Capitol and look forward to many years of shared success with him and 2101 Records."

"RedOne is an outstanding producer, gifted songwriter and savvy music executive all rolled into one," said Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group.  "As Universal Music Group builds out an unrivaled team of the industry's finest creative executives, I am thrilled that we are extending our relationship with RedOne, and that he will be working with the incredible team Steve Barnett has built at Capitol."

"Today is truly a monumental day for 2101 Records, and marks an exciting new chapter in my career. Capitol Records is a great partner for us, and we can't wait to bring our artists to music fans around the world under 2101 Records/Capitol. I look forward to working with Steve, Lucian, and my amazing team to drive 2101 to preeminence in the days, weeks, months, and years to come," stated RedOne.

Initial 2101 Records artists include pop quintet Midnight Red, industrial-rock pop artist Porcelain Black and Hybrid Indy Rock/Electro Hip-Hop band 7Lions. The label plans to announce some highly anticipated new signings and releases in the very near future.

Prior to 2101 Records partnership with Capitol, the label has experienced tremendous growth since its inception in 2010. The label earned its first U.S. Platinum® selling single with Havana Brown's, "We Run The Night" feat. Pitbull in September 2012, and their debut Artist Mohombi hit #1 in 14 countries throughout Europe and Asia.

About RedOne:
RedOne (Nadir Khayat) is a multi-Grammy winning, Moroccan/Swedish-born producer, songwriter, music executive, and Founder/CEO of 2101 Records, a joint venture partnership with Capitol Records. RedOne is also the Founder/CEO of 2101 Songs, one of the fastest growing music publishing companies; and of RedOne Productions, an independent music and television content creation and IP business.

RedOne's credits include Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias, Akon, Usher, Mohombi, and DJ Havana Brown among others, RedOne has created more than 55 Global Hit singles in the past five years, including 28 #1 singles. His work has earned three GRAMMY Awards, he was named BMI's Songwriter of the year, as well Billboard magazine's Producer of the Year and multiple awards from the Swedish Music Publishers Association.

Beyond his music, RedOne is intimately involved in his 2101 Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to helping, inspiring, and motivating disadvantaged youths through music, arts and education.  For more information about RedOne or 2101 Records, please visit www.redoneprod.com or www.2101records.com.

About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the global music leader, with wholly owned operations in 60 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's premier music publishing operations worldwide.

Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol Records, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, I.R.S., Island Records, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, Manhattan, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Republic Records, Universal Music Latino, Verve Music Group and Virgin Records, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalogue is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes Global Digital Business, its new media and technologies division and Bravado, its merchandising company.

Universal Music Group is a fully owned subsidiary of Vivendi.

SOURCE Universal Music Group