Amber Davis has been named Head of A&R at Warner Chappell Music UK, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group.
In her time at the publisher she has signed songwriters including Dave, J Hus, Raye, Skepta and Stormzy to its roster.
Her new role will be effective from October 1. A&R Award-winning Davis (pictured) will report to Mike Smith, Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music UK.
Amber Davis said: “It’s a real honour to be asked to take on this role working with our amazing A&R team and I’d like to thank Carianne, Guy and Mike for this incredible opportunity. I’ve been working in publishing for more than 15 years and I’m genuinely excited for what the future holds for Warner Chappell Music.
“The songwriters we have are what make our business thrive and to work with some of the most talented writers and managers in the business and represent their songs is a real privilege.”
Mike Smith added: “Amber’s one of the standout A&Rs of her generation and yet one of the most modest people you’ll ever meet. Her role in the UK urban scene cannot be underestimated, but she’s also proved adept at working with writers from Girls Aloud to Celeste. It’s been fantastic to work with her over the years and I can’t wait to see what she achieves in this new role.”
Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music, said: “I first worked with Amber when we hired her as an A&R assistant at EMI Music Publishing more than 10 years ago. I knew then that she had the drive, determination and diligence to go far, as well as a real feel for how to help songwriters fulfil their potential. I’m so pleased to be working with her again and supporting her as she grows and leads her talented team.”
Amber Davis joined Warner Chappell Music UK in 2014 as Creative Director and has worked with many standout talents from the UK’s contemporary music scene.
Skepta’s Konnichiwa (2016) was a milestone in grime songwriting, winning the Mercury Prize and seeing him named Songwriter of the Year at the Ivor Novello Awards.
Multiple Brit Award winner Stormzy’s Gang Signs And Prayer (2017) became the first grime album to top the UK charts and won Best Album at the Ivor Novello Awards. Most recently, Dave enjoyed a Number One album with Pscyhodrama (2018), which has been nominated for the Mercury Prize, while his track ‘Question Time’ was named Best Contemporary Song at the Ivor Novello Awards.
Artist and songwriter Raye has seen her songs generate over 1.2 billion streams to date. Her feature on the Jax Jones single ‘You Don’t Know Me’ has also sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and, most recently, she has written the track ‘Bigger’, which features on Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift.
David also supports a wider roster of songwriters including B Young, Celeste, DJ Spinall, Dyo, Katy B, Odunsi (The Engine), Ssega, Steel Banglez, Swifta and Tom Zanetti.
Davis won the MBW A&R Hip Hop & Grime Award in 2016.
She began her career at EMI Music Publishing as an A&R Assistant, before progressing to become VP, A&R, Producer Management. During her time there, under Guy Moot’s tenure, she signed Girls Aloud, James Arthur, Katy B, Tinie Tempah and Two Inch Punch.
She also signed a publishing deal for DJ Paleface’s song ‘Do You Mind?’, which was sampled last year by Drake on ‘One Dance’, one of the most successful Number Ones of all time.Music Business Worldwide
