Afrojack, Grammy Award®-Winning Producer/DJ, Signs Exclusive Worldwide Deal With Universal Music Group

LONDON and NEW YORK, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy Award®-winning producer and DJ Afrojack, one of the most sought-after producers and DJs in the world, has been signed to an exclusive worldwide deal with Island Records and Universal Music Group (UMG), through Afrojack's label Wall Recordings.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130314/NY76013 )

Under terms of the agreement, Island Records, a division of Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ), will now take over radio promotion and sales in the U.S. for "As Your Friend" featuring Chris Brown, Afrojack's new single on his self-owned label, Wall Recordings.  The track, which has begun to receive strong radio support in the highly competitive EDM (electronic dance music) scene, officially impacts this week at Pop and Rhythm radio formats in the U.S. where Mediabase airplay is already building.  "As Your Friend" is available at iTunes now.

Internationally "As Your Friend" will be released by Wall Recordings, Island Records UK and UMG's PM:AM Recordings. The track was written by Afrojack, Chris Brown, Leroy Styles, DJ Buddha, Polow da Don and Nadir Sakir and produced by Afrojack with co-production by Leroy Styles, DJ Buddha and Polow da Don. Afrojack's debut album is currently scheduled for fall of 2013.

"I want to take my music to the next level, both creatively and from a business point of view. Partnering up with Island Records will give me the chance to do both, so I am very happy we were able to make a deal. Island/UMG will promote my releases with very strong support and with great people working my music around the world," said Afrojack.

"This deal is an ideal combination of Wall Recordings' strength as an independent with the worldwide marketing and distribution infrastructure that Island/UMG can provide us with," added Hugo Langras, Afrojack's Manager. "We are very happy with this agreement, as it will allow us to take Afrojack's career as a recording artist to the next level, while safeguarding his independence and stature in the EDM world."

"Afrojack is one of the most important and prolific artists, DJs and producers in the world and we're incredibly excited that he's chosen to partner with us for the next stage in his career," said Andrew Kronfeld, President Global Marketing.

"Afrojack has won global acclaim for his production genius, and Barry Weiss, Steve Bartels, Karen Kwak and I did everything in our power to ensure that he join us at Island Records in the US," said David Massey, President of Island Records.  "His stellar track record speaks for itself and we're thrilled to join forces with an artist who continues to transform the musical landscape."

Afrojack, born Nick van de Wall in the Netherlands, became one of EDM's major icons in 2010, when he shared his first Grammy Award® (with David Guetta) for Madonna's "Revolver (David Guetta's One Love Club Remix)," voted Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical.  Afrojack then shared two Grammy Award® nominations (Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song) as co-writer and co-producer of 2011's "Look At Me Now" by Chris Brown.  Also in 2011, Afrojack produced, co-wrote, and was featured on Pitbull's worldwide number one multi-platinum smash "Give Me Everything" along with Ne-Yo and Nayer, named the seventh biggest-selling digital single of the year.

In 2010, Afrojack's "Take Over Control" with fellow Dutch artist Eva Simons was a Top 40 hit around the world, and was one of the main EDM anthems of that year. Afrojack's list of nearly 80 original productions and remixes since 2006 also includes will.i.am's "This is Love" featuring Eva Simons, a worldwide number one hit; the remix of Michael Jackson's "BAD"; and Afrojack's own "Can't Stop Me" featuring Shermanology, which received significant radio play in the US. For the last two consecutive years, Afrojack has been voted one of the world's top ten DJ's in the renowned DJ Mag Top 100 list.

For more information on Afrojack, visit:

www.afrojack.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/djafrojack
Twitter: @djafrojack

SOURCE Universal Music Group