Iley Strikes Global Deal with Black Butter Label for Sony Music UK

20 November 2014 - Press release

Sony Music Chairman & CEO Jason Iley has agreed a landmark global deal with one of the hottest independent labels in the UK, Black Butter, to operate as a standalone imprint under the Sony Music UK banner. Black Butter’s Henry Village and Joe Gossa started the label back in 2010 and have since orchestrated the careers of some of the most promising talent in that time including: Rudimental, Clean Bandit, Gorgon City, Jess Glynne, Dusky, Will Heard and more. 

The deal marks an insight into Jason Iley’s plans for the future of the major record label in his role as Chairman & CEO of Sony Music UK. Black Butter’s Henry Village and Joe Gossa, will head up the label as co-presidents reporting directly to Iley with immediate effect.

Iley’s clear vision for the evolution of Sony Music UK is mirrored by these two progressive thinking entrepreneurs who bring with them an amazing track record of nurturing and breaking talent, with huge ambitions for their future.

'Black Butter is the most exciting label to have emerged in the last five years’ says Iley 'so this is a real coup for us. Henry and Joe bring with them a rare talent for spotting exceptional acts. The deal is a significant benchmark in Sony Music UK's growth plan for the future. Henry and Joe's vision and enthusiasm is incredible and they’re the perfect fit for the new look Sony Music.'

'It's been an incredible four years for Black Butter’ says Gossa 'and we’re very proud of what we’ve achieved. We see partnering with Jason as a great opportunity to build on this. Jason’s vision for the future is very exciting and forward thinking. It was this, along with his understanding of our business that ultimately persuaded us to come to Sony Music UK.'

'Jason was very supportive early on in Black Butter's ascendancy’ enthuses Village 'and has always made it very evident he wanted to work with Joe and I as soon as we were ready. I’ve always been a supporter and now that he's taken the helm at Sony, the time felt right'.

Henry and Joe first signed Rudimental to their label four years ago before managing them full time. They have since helped the band become one of the biggest UK success stories. Since starting the Black Butter label along with the management arm (Stack House), they went on to establish a publishing company and with the help of Roger Ames, who is also a business partner and mentor to the pair, they signed a deal with BMG. Henry and Joe’s multi-pronged music business proposition, the result of four years of incredible hard graft, has helped them to become one of the hottest A&R teams in the UK and the go-to destination for acts wanting a camp that really understands artist development.

With a clean sheet to sign and develop talent on a global scale, Henry and Joe are building a team around them charged with seeking out artists who challenge the norm. Guiding the A&R team will be Nick Worthington (formerly of XL/679) whose past signings include Plan B, Basement Jaxx and The Streets, and has been a business partner in Black Butter for the last 3 years.

Jason Iley adds 'Nick is one of the smartest, considered music execs I have ever met. He has great taste and signed some of the most exciting and innovative artists in recent years. We are all delighted he is on board’.

While Black Butter's current roster will stay with their respective labels, all new talent developed and released by Black Butter will come under the Sony Music UK deal.