Ultra Records founder Patrick Moxey has signed a global deal with Warner Recorded Music for his newly launched label group, the companies announced Thursday (March 24). Under the deal, Warner’s indie services arm ADA Worldwide will handle digital distribution for Moxey’s influential hip-hop/R&B label Payday Records and his newly created EDM imprint Helix Records. The agreement includes an option for both parties to co-sign new repertoire.
Helix Records, which officially launched at Miami Music Week earlier this week, will serve as the flagship EDM label for Moxey’s label group. The imprint’s roster at launch includes electronic duo Snakehips, British-Australian band AR/CO, house DJ/producer Marshall Jefferson and tech house artist DJ Susan.
Both Helix and Payday will work closely with Warner Recorded Music and ADA “to maximize audience reach and commercial opportunities,” according to a press release. The alliance will also allow Helix, Payday and non-U.S. Warner Music territories to reciprocally license music to one another and facilitate creative collaborations between Helix and Warner Music artists.
Combined, Helix and Payday boast a 36-person team spread across offices in Los Angeles, New York and London, who handle marketing and promotions in Canada, Sweden, Germany, France and Australia. Each office includes a dedicated synch team.
Earlier this month, Warner Chappell Music struck a deal to become the sub-publisher for Moxey’s Ultra Music Publishing in the U.K. and collect the company’s digital income in the U.K. and the remainder of Europe. The agreement also opened the door to collaborations between Ultra and WCM clients.
Moxey departed Ultra Records, the iconic dance label he founded in 1995, in January after Sony Music acquired full ownership of the label, though he held onto Ultra Music Publishing under the deal.
In a statement, Moxey called the Warner Music deal “an exciting new phase for our recording activities” that would “ensure our labels and the artists we represent get the best global distribution and opportunities available and we are also looking forward to pooling our strengths and collaborating on signings, remixes, and more.”
“Patrick and his team have built some of dance music’s most influential brands,” added Warner Recorded Music CEO Max Lousada. “They’ve discovered diverse, distinctive talents, and taken a bold, entrepreneurial approach to developing their careers. We’re very happy he’s chosen to partner with us to begin Payday’s next chapter as well as create a dynamic new identity with Helix.”
ADA Worldwide president Cat Kreidich added, “I’ve known Patrick for years and I’m looking forward to bringing together his amazing roster of artists and his brilliant team with our global expertise, tools, and services. We’re excited to both amplify the iconic Payday label and help spearhead the launch of his new venture.”
