Music Industry Moves: Cash Cobain Signs Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music; Arista Ups Nick Petropoulos to EVP

Warner Chappell Music has signed a global publishing deal with Cash Cobain, who is currently enjoying a breakout hit, “Fisherrr.” The song, which currently boasts over eight million streams on Spotify, features Ice Spice and Bay Swag.

The move comes as Cobain gears up for the release of his “Play Cash Cobain” EP. Most recently, Cobain enlisted J. Cole on “Grippy,” collaborated with Charlie Wilson on Don Toliver’s new single “Attitude” and also appeared on A Boogie Wit da Hoodie’s “Body.” He also produced Lancey Foux’s “Daylight” featuring Teezo Touchdown.

On signing with WCM, Cash Cobain said: “I’m so excited for this chapter in my career – shoutout to Warner Chappell Music and my team for making this happen. This is a huge moment, and I’m looking forward to building the ‘Slizzy’ empire with WCM by my side.”

Ryan Press, president of North America for WCM, added: “Cash is one of the best up-and-comers out there. As the original creator behind this entirely new drill style, he’s introduced a sound using some of music’s most classic hits, and his delivery is spot on every single time.”

Pictured above Top L-R (Back row): Rich Christina (WCM), Will Foster (Cash Cobain Management), Cash Cobain, Makeda Tewodros (Cash Cobain Management), Wallace Joseph (WCM); (Front row): Glyn Brown (Cash Cobain Management)

+ Arista Records has announced the promotion of Nick Petropoulos to executive vice president of promotion and artist development. Petropoulos will lead the label’s artist development strategy, while continuing to oversee radio promotions across the roster.

Since joining Arista in 2021, Petropoulos has spearheaded the labels’ promotion team and radio strategy.

Petropoulos adds, “Arista leads with an Artist-centric approach that has led to many of our success stories in the last few years. I am thrilled to take on this expanded role and continue the journey with the entire team on the development and elevation of our unique global roster.”

+ BMI has hired Tom Kershaw as chief technology officer, and Justin Rohde to the newly created position of chief transformation officer. Both Kershaw and Rohde will report to Mike O’Neill, president and CEO of BMI.

“Tom and Justin have the experience and leadership qualities to enable us to enhance and increase the value we provide to our songwriters, composers and publishers,” said O’Neill. “Working with our team, they will be instrumental as we carry out the key elements of our strategic growth plan, to continue to grow distributions, advance our technology and customer service and to seek new sources of revenue for our affiliates.”

Kershaw joins BMI most recently from Travelport, a leader in travel distribution for air, hotel, car, and rail, and has also held positions at Google and Ericsson.

Rohde brings experience in process improvement, sales effectiveness, product development and global business management to BMI. He joins the company from Xplor Technologies, a private equity owned Global SaaS and Payments conglomerate where he served as both chief revenue officer and chief transformation officer.

+ CAA has signed country artist Kashus Culpepper. Culpepper is currently represented by Big Loud Records, and just dropped his first career single “After Me?”