Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed singer/songwriter and rising popstar Zak Abel to a worldwide deal. The agreement comes ahead of the release this autumn of Only When We're Naked, the debut Atlantic Records album by the British talent who initially rose to fame as the guest vocalist on Gorgon City's UK Top 20 hit "Unmissable".
Sony/ATV UK Head of A&R David Ventura said: ""Zak's music is incredible. He is truly an extraordinary talent. I can't wait for the world to discover him as he is without a doubt an international songwriter and artist.
Welcome to the Sony/ATV family!"
Zak Abel manager Alex Kadis said: "We are genuinely delighted to be working with David and his team at Sony/ATV. It was an instant meeting of minds both creatively and business-wise, which is a rare and precious thing. Zak, Joe Barbe at Atlantic and myself feel excited and privileged."
Zak Abel said: "I feel truly humbled to be part of the Sony/ATV family. They are the home to so many amazing songwriters that I admire. I want to be up there with the best and I know Sony/ATV will help me get there."
Londoner Zak Abel was just 17 years old when he caught the attention of Atlantic Records, which ultimately signed him to a worldwide recording deal. It marked an incredible turnaround in prospects for the self-taught pianist, guitarist and singer/songwriter who was a UK table tennis champion but switched his ambitions from the sport to focus on a career in music instead. Influencing his funk, electronic pop sound are acts such as Bobby Womack, Gil Scott-Heron, Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson.
Having already signed to Atlantic, he teamed up with British electronic music production duo
Gorgon City to record the track "Unmissable", which reached the Official UK Top 20 as well as becoming a top five hit on the Dance
Singles Chart. It was followed by a series of EP releases from Abel on which he worked with big-name producers Kaytranada, Joker and Wookie, while he has also worked with chart-topping acts including Avicii and Wretch 32.
He sold out London's famed Scala venue for two nights in February, winning praise from The Independent as a performer "with more charm and personality than your average singer-songwriter". He is performing a series of live dates in the UK and in mainland Europe over the summer, including at the V, Sundown, Hope & Glory and Truck festivals. These will be followed by the release in October of his debut Atlantic Records album Only When We're Naked.
ABOUT SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING: Sony/ATV Music Publishing, established in 1995, is the world's leading music publisher. Sony/ATV Music Publishing owns or administers more than 3 million copyrights, including those of EMI Music Publishing and iconic music catalogs such as Leiber & Stoller, Mijac Music, Motown and Famous Music. Sony/ATV also controls many of the best known songs ever written such as "New York, New York", "Hallelujah", "All You Need Is Love", "You've Got a Friend", "Moon River", "Jailhouse Rock", "The Mission Impossible Theme", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Over the Rainbow", "Stand By Me", "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Singin' in the Rain". In addition, Sony/ATV represents the copyrights of such legendary artists as The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Kraftwerk, Joni Mitchell, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Richie Sambora, Sting, The Supremes, Wyclef Jean, Hank Williams and Stevie Wonder, among others. Its ever-growing list of chart-topping artists, writers and producers includes Avicii, The Chainsmokers, Drake, Calvin Harris, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, P!nk, Shakira, Ed Sheeran, Sia, Sam Smith, Stargate, Taylor Swift, Walk The Moon,
Kanye West and
Pharrell Williams.
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