Sony Music Publishing Signs Global Deal with Mike Dean; Launches Partnership with M.W.A.

31 October 2024 - Press release

Acclaimed M.W.A producers Sean Solymar, Tommy Rush, Sage Skolfield sign with SMP

Sony Music Publishing today announced the signing of legendary producer Mike Dean and several members of his renowned producer collective M.W.A., including Sean Solymar, Tommy Rush and Sage Skolfield. The company has also launched a strategic partnership with M.W.A. to foster the creative development of its new talent. 

GRAMMY-Award winner Mike Dean is one of the most influential figures in contemporary music, renowned for his work as a producer, engineer, mixer and multi-instrumentalist. With a body of work spanning across hip-hop, pop, experimental rock and soul, Dean’s career began in the early ‘90s with his pioneering work alongside southern rap icons including Scarface, Ugk, and Devin The Dude. Since then, he has continued to achieve critical acclaim as a key collaborator with an extensive range of artists including Travis Scott (ASTROWORLD, “Sicko Mode”), Beyoncé (Lemonade), Frank Ocean (Blonde), Ye (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, “Mercy”), The Weeknd (Beauty Behind the Madness) and many more.

As an artist, Dean has sold out headlining shows at the Wiltern in Los Angeles and toured with The Weeknd as an opening act on his sold-out After Hours Till Dawn stadium tour in the US. He also scored the entirety of HBO’s The Idol alongside The Weeknd and Sam Levinson and starred as himself in the series.

“I’m thrilled to have Tommy Rush, Sean Solymar, and Sage Skolfield join MWA Publishing and Sony,” said Mike Dean. “We’re excited to create some incredible hits together.”

Sony Music Publishing Chairman & CEO Jon Platt said, "I am a longtime fan of Mike and his music. Not only has he consistently transformed Hip-Hop, but his creative influence extends across modern music, inspiring new talent through his work with M.W.A. We are pleased to partner with Mike and M.W.A.’s Sean Solymar, Tommy Rush, and Sage Skolfield as they continue to shape music’s future.”

Launched in 2017, Dean’s producer collective, M.W.A. is known for its innovative production, having worked with many of the biggest names in music. Sean Solymar has worked with Nas, Latto, 070 Shake, Teyana Taylor, Madonna, Ye, Travis Scott and more, with production credits including the GRAMMY-winning hit song “Jail.”  Tommy Rush is known for his collaborations with renowned artists such as Beyoncé, Travis Scott and Ye, as well as writing and production contributions across Christine And The Queen’s Paranoia, Mike Dean’s 4:23, and the Platinum-certified hit “Popular ft. Playboy Carti” by The Weeknd and Madonna. Sage Skolfield has achieved success with recent collaborations with The Weeknd including “Dancing In The Flames,” We Still Don’t Trust You with Metro Boomin and Future, “Wheelie” with Latto, as well as “World Class Sinner / I’m A Freak” and “One Of The Girls” from HBO’s The Idol.