iWorld
Madhur Sharma releases ‘Reversion’, announces India tour
Mumbai: After swooning fans with his heartfelt renditions and soulful originals, the singing sensation, Madhur Sharma, has released his EP ‘Reversion’, featuring a blend of various genres and his soulful voice. Alongside his EP, he has also announced his ongoing India tour with Team Innovation, offering fans a live experience of his originals and recreations in a multigenre medley.
Reversion highlights Sharma’s range, blending Afro and Indie pop elements and featuring a surprise wedding anthem. The EP includes tracks with distinct moods, from relaxed grooves to celebratory beats. Known for covers like Kiveh Mukhde and Kaali Kaali Zulfon Ke, Sharma’s new EP further establishes his unique and authentic style.
Sharma said, “It is an interesting time with many experimental pieces of music coming out. With ‘Reversion,’ we wanted people of all ages to resonate with the sound of the EP as we seamlessly incorporated genres across the board to add a diverse, fun, and inclusive sound to fans’ playlists. It was a rewarding experience to release the music.”
As ‘Reversion’ has revealed the undying passion that Madhur has for the craft, allowing fans to enter his world of creativity. He will also enthrall them with his India tour giving them an indelible musical experience of their lives, where groovy Bollywood meets Sufi mysticism.
“Nothing will ever compare to the immediate audience reaction to the piece of music you created, and this tour will be an opportunity to interact with my fans. I am indebted to them for showering love on all the music that I have released, and I hope this relationship will continue for eternity”, he further added.
The tour’s first stop was Hyderabad, and he will continue the tour across other cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Jaipur, and Pune while signing off the tour in the vivacious city of Ahmedabad on 15 February 2025.
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Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
