One Liners: Zayn, Blur, Shakira, more

completemusicupdate.com:

DEALSZayn Malik has signed a new record deal with Universal Music – releasing through Mercury in the US and Island in the UK. “As soon as Zayn and I met, I knew we had to work together”, says Mercury Records President Tyler Arnold. “I was blown away by the new music, but just as impressed by his vision, drive and spirit.

We’re honoured he and his team have joined us at Mercury Records. We’ve got an incredible opportunity to tell the next chapter of his story together”.Armada Music’s BEAT Music Fund has confirmed two new deals, acquiring the catalogue of New York-based dance label King Street Sounds, and also the recording and song catalogues of producer/DJ duo Chocolate Puma, aka René Ter Horst and Gaston Steenkist. “It is an honour to be trusted with these legendary catalogues, and I’m confident that we will add value through our vision and expertise”, says Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada Music and its BEAT Music Fund.————————————————–APPOINTMENTSGerman song rights collecting society GEMA is getting a new boss, with Tobias Holzmüller – who has headed up the society’s legal department since 2013 – taking over from long-time CEO Harald Heker on 1 Oct.

Chair of the GEMA Supervisory Board, Ralf Weigand, says that the society’s incoming CEO is “not only an excellent, globally respected copyright expert but also an extremely well-connected and committed advocate for our concerns”, adding: “We look forward to continuing GEMA’s successful trajectory with him and tackling the immense challenges that lie ahead for us and the entire music industry”.Music credits database Jaxsta has appointed a new CEO, Josh Simons, who takes over from a departing Beth Appleton.