NEW YORK -- University Records, home to hit R&B acts Dru Hill and Mya, has signed a worldwide distribution pact with legendary soul imprint Motown Records.
The 50/50 joint-venture pact gives University access to Motown's formidable network of national radio promotion and marketing muscle backed by parent conglom Universal Music Group.
It also reunites two childhood friends: University founder and prexy Haqq Islam and Motown CEO Kedar Massenburg grew up together in Brooklyn.
Islam said his personal friendship and professional respect for Massenburg will pave the way for close collaboration on artist and project development between the two companies.
A&R and artist development "are going to stay mainly inhouse, but it's always wise to solicit opinions --especially from people you have respect for," he told
Daily Variety. "And it helps that they definitely know how to get a record played."
Their Majusty
The labels' first project together will be the debut release from male R&B quartet Majusty, due to ship this summer. Producers on the LP include Shondrre (Ludacris) and Darren Lighty (Ruff Endz).
Islam said more collaborative projects will be forthcoming thereafter, but declined to divulge specific numbers or timetables. He did say, however, that University's release pace will be faster than it has been in the past.
University, which bowed in 1993, previously distributed its releases through Universal Music's flagship label, Interscope Records.
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