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Idris Elba signs to Universal Music Publishing

By | Published on Thursday 27 June 2019

Idris Elba has signed a double deal with Universal Music Publishing, which will see the company rep his songs, as well as sub-publishing artists signed to his 7Wallace record label.

Oh, you didn’t know Elba wrote songs? Yup, he can’t spend his whole day just denying that he’s going to be the next James Bond. He wrote his own lines for his remix of Wiley’s ‘Boasty’, including the bold brag, “I write for myself, no ghosty”. He’s also got writing credits on remixes and collaborations with Natalie Wood, Shy and Kah-Lo, plus yet-to-be-released tracks with Slick Rick, Tiggs Da Author and Poo Bear.

“Like countless other folks, I’ve been a fan of Idris through his acting roles for years with ‘The Wire’, ‘Luther’ and ‘Beasts Of No Nation’, among others”, says UMPG UK MD Mike McCormack. “So when I first heard and loved ‘Boasty’ a few months ago and found that Idris had remixed and rewritten the song, it was my top priority to sign him to UMPG”.

So kids, if you want to be a success in this industry, all you need to do is spend a couple of decades building an international acting career and then rework something released by Wiley. You’ll be right in there after that.

“Now ‘Boasty’ has become one of the hits of the year”, McCormack goes on. “And I’ve also gotten to experience Idris’s incredible and relentless work ethic, his boundless charm, and that passion with dedication to succeed as much in music as he has with his acting career”.

“Idris’s musical/DJ aspirations are so big, it’s a great fit for our global company as we can support his vision and ambition worldwide”, McCormack adds, going somewhat overboard to justify signing an actor to his publishing roster. It’s alright Mike, it’s fine, you sign whoever you want. I’m sure Idris is great.

What we now need is someone to gush about Universal to balance this out. Step in Elba’s manager, Katy Ellis of Anglo Management, who says: “Teaming up with Mike McCormack and his team was an easy decision. Idris’s songwriting ambition and drive knows no boundaries and requires a strong and openminded team that can help us deliver his ambition, and Mike and his team get Idris musically”.

“Really important is the strength of the relationship in the US where Idris is marrying his film and music, and we need the experience of a team that is used to working with international acts across film and music at the highest level”, she concludes.

Christ, that was exhausting. And no one was even THRILLED. Although I think it was implied throughout.



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