Ultra Music Founder Patrick Moxey has relaunched Payday Records 25 years after he first founded the hip hop label in New York in ’92.
Throughout the ’90s, Payday was known for helping to launch the careers of artists including Jay Z and Mos Def (via his first group U.T.D.).
It went on to sign Jeru the Damaja, Showbiz & A.G., Group Home, Guru, WC and the Maad Circle.
Payday 2.0 will be distributed by Ultra in the US and Sony in the UK, with Moxey serving as President.
Manager Neale Easterby, who looks after producers Fraser T. Smith and ZDOT and first worked at Payday in the ‘90s, is Managing Director of the UK office.
Adrian Nunez will manage A&R and Will Scott will lead the product management and marketing divisions.
Nunez currently handles A&R for Ultra International Music Publishing, covering artists and producers such as Zaytoven, Honorable CNOTE, Cassius Jay and Maaly Raw.
Scott was formerly product manager at Mass Appeal Records working with Run The Jewels, DJ Shadow, and Dave East.
DJ Premier, who played an integral role in the early years of Payday, is the first artist to release music through the relaunched label with his single ‘Our Streets’ featuring A$AP Ferg.
Other new signings include artist Pell, rapper OJ Da Juiceman, upcoming UK hip-hop artist Yung Fume and group Gloss Gang.
“Hip-hop has become a global language and the new Payday is here to reflect that and help bring diverse and talented artists to the world.”
patrick moxey
“Hip-hop has become a global language and the new Payday is here to reflect that and help bring diverse and talented artists to the world,” said Moxey.
“Our initial signings are from four different cities – New York, Atlanta, New Orleans, and London – and it reflects today’s relationship of music and the internet.
“We want to push hip-hop’s creative boundaries across borders and cultures. Our recording studios in LA, London, and Atlanta will be promoting this creative exchange.
“DJ Premier represents the essence of hip-hop and everything that Payday stands for – I am so excited to have him be a part of the relaunch.”
“Our memories of growing together is monumental, so relaunching Payday brings it all back to the roots of where our flight to success lifted off.”
dj premier
DJ Premier added: “Patrick always had his ear to the street and it didn’t take a lot of explaining the culture since he was so involved with so many aspects of it, including managing Gang Starr’s legacy since 1989 – 2003.
“Our memories of growing together is monumental, so relaunching Payday brings it all back to the roots of where our flight to success lifted off.”
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