Skillibeng Was A “Must Sign” For RCA Records

For RCA Records, Dancehall star Skillibeng was a “must sign” addition to their roster of talent which includes A$AP Rocky, Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, Chris Brown, Doja Cat, H.E.R., SZA, Shakira, Usher, and Wizkid.

In October 2021, ahead of his debut album, DancehallMag had first reported that the Crocodile Teeth deejay had signed to RCA—an American label under the Sony Music Entertainment group—in partnership with the Jamaica-based EastSyde Records.

Now Senior VP of A&R at the label, Skane Dolla, tells Billboard that “I was familiar with Skillibeng prior to meeting him in Jamaica, but once I met him, I knew right away that Skilli was a ‘MUST SIGN’ for RCA.”

“Working with Skillibeng in the studio and observing his musical range, alongside his other A&R’s (Karl and Tariq), confirmed his potential to be a global star. His talent, style, and sound are unique and dynamic, and I’m excited to collaborate with Skilli on this next phase of his career,” Skane added.

Romaine ‘Stan’ McFarlane, Chief Executive Officer of EastSyde Records, had told DancehallMag in October that, “The deal is a major one for Dancehall music as it is a production and distribution deal for Skillibeng and this can push him on the international stage, allowing him to tap into music distribution markets worldwide.”

“I’m thrilled to have signed with RCA Records and have their global support,” Skillibeng told Billboard of the deal.  “I have a wonderful team working with me under the leadership of Peter Edge, and it’s a true pinnacle of my career to have their commitment and belief,” he added.

McFarlane and EastSyde’s other principal, Tajay Edwards, told Billboard: “We were very excited when our international business partners BPureSounds connected us to RCA, who understood our vision for Skilli and shared our beliefs. We think that with them as our label partners, Skilli is going to shine a global spotlight on Jamaican music. Music is our life, so we’re putting in the work.”

Several other Jamaican artists have snagged international deals over the last three years, in a frenzy not seen since Shaggy and Sean Paul scored big hits in the late 90s and early 2000s.

At RCA Records, Skillibeng will join Protoje, Lila Iké, Sevana, and Jaz Elise (all under an In.Digg.Nation partnership with Six Course Records signed in 2020), and Koffee, who is signed to Columbia Records UK with RCA Records as her U.S. licensee.

In June 2021, Dancehall songstress Jada Kingdom announced that she had signed with Republic Records after parting ways with previous management.

In 2020, almost a year after he was released, Buju Banton announced his partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation under which he later released his first post-prison album.

In May 2019, Shenseea signed with Interscope Records (in partnership with Rvssian’s Rich Immigrants) before securing new international management in 2021.

Popcaan, who’s currently readying his fifth studio project, had signed with Drake’s OVO Sound in late 2018. 

Meanwhile, Skillibeng, today, released visuals for a new single titled Whap Whap featuring F.S., which was shot in Trinidad and Jamaica.  Watch below.