One Liners: Jason Aldean, Becky Hill, KRS-One, more

completemusicupdate.com:

DEALSSpirit Music Group has acquired a big old stake in the recording royalties – including from those always fun neighbouring rights – of country musician Jason Aldean. “It’s cool that a company like Spirit, that’s been around so long, has taken on my music catalogue”, says Aldean. “It’s something really important to me, so I’m glad it’ll be looked after”.Sony Music Publishing Scandinavia has announced a partnership with Lateral Management’s publishing arm Vertical Rights. “Our passion has always been to make great music with good people”, says Vertical Rights MD Christian Wåhlberg. “I am convinced that working together with Sony Music Publishing’s team will inject new energy into the vibrant network of artists, songwriters and producers that make up the Lateral and Vertical family”.Reservoir has acquired a stake in the catalogue of late hip hop producer and songwriter Larry Smith. “My family and I are excited to partner with Faith [Newman, Reservoir EVP A&R] and the Reservoir team”, says Smith’s son, Lawrence Smith Jr. “We know that our dad’s catalogue will be safe and receive great promotion with them.

Faith’s knowledge of hip hop and her commitment to both cultivating the future of the genre and preserving its foundations make this feel like a full-circle moment”.Bucks Music Group has signed songwriter, producer and mixer James Dring to a global songwriting agreement. “I’m really excited to join the Bucks family of artists and songwriters”, he says. “I have huge admiration and respect for their integrity as an independent publisher”.————————————————–APPOINTMENTSMarketing agency Deviate Digital has promoted Stef Pascual to General Manager.