Warner Chappell Music UK’s Shani Gonzales and Amber Davis recently reflected on the publisher’s impressive five-year trajectory, which has seen them reach the pinnacle of success. The company has gained significant recognition, clinching the Publisher of the Year award at the Music Week Awards in May.
Current Roster and Emerging Talent
According to Gonzales, the EVP, MD, and head of international A&R at WCM UK, the timing is particularly advantageous for their roster. “Amber and her team have been exceptional in identifying talent early and nurturing our signees,” Gonzales remarked. She highlighted the early signing of Raye at just 17 and praised the impressive success Raye has achieved. “We are witnessing many songwriters and artists coming into their own, which can sometimes take years. We also have exciting new talents like Nectar Woode, Nia Smith, and Nia Archives emerging. I’m incredibly proud and excited about this.”
Contributions of Leadership and Team
Gonzales, who had previous stints at Epic Records, Def Jam, and BMG, rejoined WCM in 2019 after an 11-year hiatus and moved to the UK the following year to become MD. She attributed the current success to the strategic vision set by CEO Guy Moot and COO Carianne Marshall five years ago. “Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall had a vision that they set out five years ago, and we’re seeing their plans come to fruition, which is not always the case in music,” Gonzales noted. “I feel incredibly proud of the team; witnessing our successes is very rewarding.”
Acknowledging the Team’s Efforts
Amber Davis, SVP and head of A&R, emphasized the importance of recognizing the entire team’s contributions. “On the A&R side, we have a re-energized team,” Gonzales added. “Andrew Howell has recently taken over as head of sync, and they are experiencing tremendous success. Additionally, advancements in digital technology have enabled our admin teams to process payments faster and collect from more sources.”
Key Signings and Market Impact
Davis, who joined Warner Chappell in 2014 as a creative director, has played a crucial role in signing notable acts such as Celeste, Dave, Fraser T Smith, J Hus, Skepta, Stormzy, and Willow Kayne. She believes that the company’s foresight in signing emerging artists has paid off. “We take calculated risks on emerging talent, and it’s gratifying to see artists like Nia Smith, who had no music out at the time of signing, rise to prominence. Toby Daintree’s global hit with Artemas’ single ‘I Like The Way You Kiss Me’ and Nia Archives’ prominence in the jungle scene are examples of our successful bets.”
Celebrating Success Stories
A standout success story is Raye, who signed with WCM in 2016 and renewed her contract in 2023. She recently won six BRIT Awards and the Songwriter of the Year prize at The Ivors with Amazon Music. Despite this success, Davis is cautious about taking credit. “Raye is a driven, exceptional songwriter, and her achievements are a result of her vision and hard work. We are thrilled to be part of her journey. Everyone’s relationship with their publisher is unique, and we are here to support in any way we can.”
Recognizing Independent Artists
Davis praised Dave as “a force of nature,” noting his recent success with “Sprinter” alongside Central Cee. Gonzales echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of artists taking control of their careers. “It’s inspiring to see artists like Raye and Dave manage their careers independently. Their success as some of our biggest acts is remarkable.”
Expansion into the African Market
Gonzales also discussed WCM’s expansion into Africa, highlighting partnerships with Flight Club, Mavin, and LVRN. She commended Ayra Starr for her impressive performance and visibility in the American market. “Ayra Starr’s success is unprecedented for a Nigerian artist. Africa’s music scene continues to grow, and we’re proud of the strategic decisions we’ve made. We’ve also signed Ruger and are developing ShineTTW from Nigeria, alongside investing in writing camps globally.”
Continuing Growth and Investments
Additionally, Gonzales noted that producer Ari PenSmith won a Grammy this year for his work on Tyla’s “Water,” and producer P2J has been instrumental in Wizkid’s recent albums. “We remain committed to investing in new talent and opportunities, including our writing camp in Lagos last October, which brought together global songwriters and producers.”
Through strategic leadership, a focus on emerging talent, and expanding global presence, Warner Chappell Music UK has solidified its position at the forefront of the music publishing industry.
