Busy Signal Signs Deal With Sony Music Publishing

Dancehall artist Busy Signal has signed a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing/Benelux, which was brokered by Richie Flores of Rich Stone Publishing.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Busy Signal said “It’s a good look. Mi doing music for some time an’ wi now starting to get certain deals, it shows something and it motivates me to keep doing what I am doing. I keep working while attracting new markets and new ventures.”

The Stay So singer encouraged other Dancehall entertainers to consider entering publishing deals, saying that it will prove beneficial in the future.

“Having a publisher dat’s like your pension. Dat’s your retirement plan, dat’s your everything in terms of di music business aspect of it,” he said.  “Whether you’re a co-writer or you wrote di song by yourself, its always good to have your publishing set up.”

“Your publisher monitors airplay, they authorise the use of your song in commercials or in samples of music. They are very important in terms of what we do. I would urge every artiste to reach out to a publisher.”

Dancehall stars Beenie Man and Skillibeng are also signed to Sony Music Publishing (formerly Sony/ATV).  The publishing company is part of Sony Music Group which is owned by Sony Entertainment.

Other international talents under their tent include 50 Cent, Babyface, BTS, Backstreet Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion, Destiny’s Child, Ed Sheeran, and John Legend.

Busy Signal, whose real name is Reanno Gordon, achieved crossover attention for Major Lazer’s hit single Watch Out Fi Dis (Bumaye) in 2013.  He’s also known for hit singles like Not Going Down, Nah Go A Jail Again, Night Shift and One More Night.

“I started out with Step Out and then I went to Not Going Down and then a lot of songs over the years. Then I did reggae music and people loved me doing reggae,” he said.  “Some great people encouraged me over di years like Toots Hibbert an’ Beres Hammond. I always try to do things outside of our culture. Di evolution keeps going.”