iWorld
Zee Music Company signs Adnan Sami, QARAN to expand original music push
The label deepens its bet on artist-led music with a non-film deal with Adnan Sami and a new partnership with pop producer QARAN
MUMBAI: Zee Music Company is widening its push into original, artist-led music, signing composer-singer-pianist Adnan Sami for exclusive non-film releases while onboarding contemporary pop producer QARAN to its growing roster.
Launched in 2014, the label has built one of India’s largest music catalogues spanning Bollywood soundtracks and independent music. The latest signings mark a sharper tilt towards non-film originals as the company seeks to expand its presence in the rapidly evolving pop landscape.
Padma Shri awardee Adnan Sami joins the label for a new slate of non-film singles, opening a fresh creative chapter in a career that has shaped Indian pop for more than three decades. The singer-composer is behind defining hits such as Lift Karade, Kabhi To Nazar Milao, Tera Chehra and Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein. Among his global milestones, Sami became the first Asian artist to sell out London’s Wembley Arena for two consecutive nights, a breakthrough moment for South Asian musicians on the international stage.
Under the deal with Zee Music Company, Sami will release a series of original singles, returning to the melodic sound that once dominated India’s pop charts.
Alongside him, the label has also signed QARAN, one of the architects of India’s modern urban pop sound. Known for blending Indian melodies with global production styles, the producer has delivered hits such as Haaye Oye and the breakout crossover Tareefan, widely seen as a defining pop track of the past decade.
Sujal Parekh, chief business officer at Zee Music Company, said the label is entering “a defining phase”. “We’re expanding our vision beyond film soundtracks to build a dynamic platform for artist-led music. Welcoming Adnan Sami is a proud moment given his extraordinary legacy across generations. Our collaboration with QARAN reflects our commitment to nurturing the next wave of Indian artists and taking Indian music to audiences worldwide.”
Adnan Sami said the partnership marks a new creative direction. “Music has always been about evolution and connection for me. I’m delighted to begin this new musical chapter with Zee Music Company. The partnership gives me the freedom to explore new genres while staying true to melody. I’m excited by the support for my artistic vision and we’re already working on fresh music. See you on the wild side.”
QARAN said the moment was ripe for Indian pop to travel globally. “Indian pop music is entering a new era where it can move across borders while staying rooted in its sound. With Zee Music Company’s scale and vision, I’m excited to push that sound forward and build bridges between Indian music and the rest of the world. New music coming soon.”
Adnan Sami is co-managed by Exceed Entertainment and Big Bad Wolf, while QARAN is exclusively represented by Big Bad Wolf.
With new releases from both artists already in development, Zee Music Company is turning up the volume on independent music—and signalling that the next big hits may arrive far beyond the film soundtrack.
iWorld
Universal Music to sell half its Spotify stake, expand buyback plan
Ackman pressure mounts as label posts €2.9bn revenue and strong subscription growth
HILVERSUM: Universal Music Group has unveiled plans to sell half of its stake in Spotify and double its share buyback programme to €1 billion, signalling a sharper capital strategy as investor scrutiny intensifies.
The company said it will launch an additional €500 million buyback after completing the €500 million programme announced in March, taking the total authorisation to €1 billion. Proceeds from the Spotify stake sale will help fund the buyback and will also be shared with artists, in line with long-standing commitments.
The move comes amid pressure from billionaire investor Bill Ackman, whose firm Pershing Square Capital Management holds over 4.5 per cent of UMG. Ackman recently made an unsolicited offer valuing the company at around $64 billion to $65 billion and has argued that the label’s shares are undervalued.
As part of his proposal, Ackman suggested selling the entire Spotify stake to raise €1.5 billion after taxes and artist payouts, while also pushing for a US listing and changes to the company’s financial reporting structure. UMG’s board has instead opted to move independently, approving a partial stake sale on its own terms.
The decision also aligns with what is informally known as the “Taylor Swift clause”, a commitment made when Taylor Swift re-signed with the label in 2018, ensuring that any proceeds from Spotify stake sales are shared with artists on a non-recoupable basis.
With investor pressure building and strategic levers now in motion, UMG appears to be striking a careful balance between rewarding shareholders and reinforcing its long-term growth play in the streaming era.
