HYBE has introduced a major growth into the quickly rising African music market by means of a brand new world administration partnership with two influential voices shaping African and diaspora music: Brandon Hixon and Colin Gayle.
Collectively, they’re launching a world administration initiative designed to amplify African artists, develop cross-cultural storytelling, and construct long-term artistic pathways throughout the U.S., Asia, and the world, in response to the announcement. Below this partnership, HYBE will set up a pipeline of rising and established expertise and signal new artists. Tyla — honored at Selection‘s Younger Hollywood occasion final summer season — would be the first artist supported below this expanded imaginative and prescient. She’s going to proceed to be guided by Hixon and Gayle, with HYBE offering further world attain.
“We’re thrilled to companion with cultural architects like Brandon Hixon and Colin Gayle, whose imaginative and prescient is crucial to driving the highly effective momentum of African artistry onto the worldwide stage,” mentioned Jason Jaesang Lee, CEO of HYBE. “This partnership represents a pivotal second in HYBE’s world growth technique. By combining their experience with our world community and assets, we are going to set up a strategic, sustainable bridge designed to amplify genuine African voices and artistry to followers internationally.”
Hixon mentioned, “Our work has at all times been about connecting nice artists with the world in the suitable approach. HYBE brings a world perspective that enhances how Colin and I construct. Collectively, we might help artists transfer freely and inform their tales on the largest levels.”
Gayle added, “We’re coming into a second the place African artists have limitless potential. With HYBE’s collaborative help, we might help them increase their attain whereas staying true to the roots that make this music extraordinary.”
+ The ASCAP Basis, the charitable group devoted to supporting American music creators, at the moment introduced that Patricia Leonard has been appointed to function government director. She succeeds Nicole George-Middleton, who was just lately promoted to government vp, head of artistic membership at ASCAP.
“For 50 years, The ASCAP Basis has succeeded by offering recognition and help in order that growing music creators of every kind can flourish,” mentioned The ASCAP Basis President Paul Williams. “We’re elated to have Patricia Leonard take over the Government Director position and assured that her love of music and her deep background within the arts and philanthropy will allow the Basis to proceed to thrive for years to return.”
Leonard joins the ASCAP Basis with greater than twenty years of expertise in arts and philanthropy. She was previously chief philanthropy officer with the Princess Grace Basis, the place she led the planning and execution of charitable occasions and sponsorship alternatives and created new packages such because the Crown Patrons Society for high-value donors. Previous to that, she served because the director of institutional giving for the Manhattan Theatre Membership and as director of institutional relations for the Metropolitan Opera. She serves on the boards of the New York New Music Ensemble and New York Ladies Composers, is a founding member of the New York Composers Circle, and is the composer of “My Dearest Good friend,” an opera impressed by the letters of John and Abigail Adams.
Based in 1975, the ASCAP Basis has supported American music creators by means of music schooling, expertise growth and humanitarian packages. In 2024 alone, its packages reached greater than 300,000 people, together with 60,000 Okay–12 college students, by means of scholarships, mentorship initiatives and academic packages.
+ Nick Hartley, [PIAS]’ longtime chief working officer and chief monetary officer, has introduced his retirement and can step down from each roles and his place on the corporate’s board, efficient December thirty first, 2025.
Hartley began his profession as a chartered accountant earlier than transferring from the UK to Australia in 1984 to take up his first music trade position with EMI Australia, the place he shortly rose to change into finance director. He then moved to PolyGram Australia in 1990 as CFO and was promoted to the position of PolyGram U.Okay. Group CFO in late 1995 after returning to the UK. He left PolyGram in late 1998 after its acquisition by Common and joined [PIAS] in January 2000. Below his steering, the corporate has expanded its world operations, enhanced monetary efficiency, and continued to foster profitable partnerships with artists and labels. He additionally performed an essential position within the acquisition of [PIAS] by Common in 2024.
