Mary J. Blige has sold undisclosed shares of her publishing and recorded-music assets to Primary Wave Music, the company announced on Monday morning. Included in the deal are some of Blige’s greatest hits, including “Family Affair,’ “My Life,” “Mary Jane (All Night Long),” “You Bring Me Joy,” “Be Without You,” “I Can Love You,” and others; further details were not announced.
Known universally as “the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” over the course of her three-decade-plus career Blige has sold an estimated 50 million records worldwide across 15 studio albums, two live albums and 83 singles, which have garnered her nine Grammy Awards amid 37 Grammy nominations, two Oscar and one Emmy nom. She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018 and inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. She kicked off her first-ever Las Vegas residency, “Mary J. Blige: My Life, My Story.” The 20-date residency began this past May and will run through February 2027 at Dolby Live at Park MGM.
Natalia Nastaskin, Primary Wave’s Chief Content Officer, said “From the moment I heard ‘You Remind Me’ on NY’s KISS-FM, I became a Day 1 Mary J. Blige fan. For over 30 years, she has gifted the world with hit after undeniable hit and in the process has created the soundtrack of our lives. To partner with the Queen herself on her extraordinary catalog and her everlasting legacy is an honor for me and for our entire Primary Wave team.”
* Sandlot-Atlantic Outpost recording artist Stella Lefty, who is enjoying one of the biggest hits of the year with “Boston,” has signed with Nashville-based Make Wake Artists for management representation. At the company, which also manages Luke Combs, Lefty will be managed by founder and CNO (Chief Navigation Officer) Chris Kappy and managing partner Sophia Sansone.
Launched in 2015, the company’s roster includes Jon Bellion, Flatland Cavalry, and Dylan Marlowe, among others.
“Stella’s connection to her fans reminds me of Luke’s fan connection very early on… It is real!!!,” Kappy said in a statement. “Stella has the talent, authenticity and drive to build something truly special, and our team is committed to helping her realize that potential.”
+ Veteran vocal group Boyz II Men have signed with Warner Records Nashville and will launch an all-new country project, scheduled for release in 2027. Since emerging from Philadelphia with their 1991 debut, “Cooleyhighharmony,” the group has sold an estimated 60 million albums worldwide and wont four Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“Boyz II Men’s global influence is decades in the making,” shared Warner Records Nashville Chair & President, Cris Lacy. “Every genre and culture has benefited from their original music, and their impact on artists in the current country landscape, while perhaps surprising to some, is quite profound. When I learned that growing up listening to artists like Randy Travis was seminal in their desire to collaborate with Nashville’s award-winning singers and songwriters, I knew we had to be a part of it.”
+ Pop vet JoJo has partnered with Seeker Music, which has acquired the singer-songwriter’s original and re-recorded versions of her first two albums – “JoJo” and “The High Road” – as well as future releases and projects. The celebration kicks off with Seeker’s release of a deluxe 20th anniversary edition of “The High Road,” featuring the original album and four bonus tracks from the original 2006 editions, as well as acoustic versions. Jojo has also collaborated in the past with Seeker CEO and founder Evan Bogart; Seeker already held interest in two of her hits via deals with other cowriters.
“Deciding who to trust with such a personal and important part of my catalog wasn’t something I took lightly,” Jojo said. “Over time it was heartening to learn more about Seeker’s ethos and see how involved and passionate Evan is — someone who truly understands artists because he is a creator himself. It feels full-circle to have both versions of these albums together with a team committed to finding new ways to amplify it.”
Bogart added, “I’ve personally been such a fan for so long, and it means the world to all of us at Seeker to be partnering with her. This is just the beginning!”
+ Believe has named Mel Curley as Global Head of Editorial & Marketing Partnerships. Based in New York, Mel will report to Darya Pourshasb, Believe’s Chief Marketing Officer. According to the announcement, Curley will lead Believe’s global EMP strategy, strengthening relationships with key digital platforms and unlocking new editorial and promotional opportunities to support artists and labels growth and international development across Believe’s Artist Services, Label & Artist Solutions and TuneCore.
She joins from Amazon Music, where she served as Global Head of Independent Label Relations, overseeing relationships with more than 350 independent distributors, labels and artists. Previously, she held senior positions at Arista Records and at Sony Music Entertainment.
Pourshasb said, “As competition for audience attention intensifies, our ability to connect artists and labels with fans across digital platforms has never been more important, which is why Editorial and Marketing Partnerships are a key pillar of our music marketing strategy. Mel brings an exceptional combination of DSP expertise, music industry experience and strategic vision.”
+ Hybe Americas has announced the launch of Tru Records, a new record label “created to discover and develop the next generation of Latin pop artists,” according to the announcement. Latin music veteran Alejandro Mejía will be the company’s first general manager, and its first artist is Santos Bravos, the first Latin pop group created by Hybe Americas.
“The launch of Tru Records represents a unique opportunity to champion Latin American talent and bring it to new audiences around the world,” Mejía said. “Starting this new chapter with Santos Bravos and with the support of Hybe Americas allows us to build careers with international reach while staying true to our Latin identity and the stories we tell.”