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Universal to distribute Indian label Desi Melodies worldwide

By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 8 July 2020

Universal Music has signed a global distribution deal with Indian music company Desi Melodies. The major will distribute all past and future releases where the independent label has the worldwide rights to tracks in its catalogue.

“Music in India is evolving rapidly and now is an exciting time to see how artists, labels, innovators and entrepreneurs can adapt to this changing landscape”, says CEO of Universal Music India, Devraj Sanyal. “At Universal Music India, we strongly believe in creating music that can transcend regional popularity and local languages, to reach the widest possible audience worldwide”.

Adding that UMI is committed to “giving Indian music and artists a global platform to find success”, he continues: “We share these beliefs with our new partners at Desi Melodies, who in recent years have revitalised Punjabi music, and have helped introduce it to new audiences around the world. We are excited to welcome Desi Melodies to the Universal Music Group family and look forward to many successes together in the future”.

Singer Jaani – the co-founder and MD of Desi Melodies – adds: “Desi Melodies has the legacy of great music, great songs and producing great artists. With the same spirit, we have collaborated with Universal Music to bring in some illustrious Punjabi hits to national and global audiences”.

“Punjabi music and its culture have intense vibrancy that is reflected in the artists and music coming out of the region today and is fast becoming a massive cultural choice for most younger consumers, even to Bollywood”, he goes on. “We are quite optimistic that this collaboration will create a new benchmark in the Indian music industry”.

The first release under the new partnership will arrive later this month.