Sony/ATV Music Publishing has renewed its worldwide deal with songwriter, musician and producer Joel Little.
The new agreement takes in his work with Lorde, including her multi-million-selling debut album Pure Heroine, which he co-wrote and produced, and songs with artists including Khalid, Imagine Dragons and Sam Smith.
It also covers future compositions.
Joel Little co-wrote The Love Club EP by Ella Yelich-O’Connor a.k.a. Lorde at his production studio Golden Age in Morningside, Auckland.
The EP included the song Royals, which hit No.1 in New Zealand and went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US for nine weeks in 2013.
It also reached No. 1 in the UK and won Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 2014 alongside a Record of the Year nomination.
A second US Top 10 hit, Team, followed for them and it was included with Royals on Lorde’s 2013 debut album Pure Heroine, which was co-written and produced by Little.
The album peaked at No.3 on the Billboard 200 chart in the US where it was certified by the RIAA for 3 million sales, reached No.3 in the UK and was recognized by the IFPI as one of the 10 biggest-selling albums of 2014.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure for all of us at Sony/ATV to work with Joel, and we couldn’t be happier for his ongoing success.”
Rick Krim, Sony/ATV
Little further worked with Lorde on songs for the soundtrack of the movie Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1, including Yellow Flicker Beat which was shortlisted as Best Original Song at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards in 2015.
He also co-wrote Green Light, which reached the Top 20 on both sides of the Atlantic and served as the lead single for Lorde’s 2017 US chart-topping second album Melodrama.
In the same year as Green Light he enjoyed considerable success with rising R&B star Khalid whose Grammy-nominated, US double-platinum debut album American Teen featured three songs co-written by him, including the hit single Young Dumb & Broke.
He also co-produced Khalid’s 2018 hit Youth with Shawn Mendes.
Sony/ATV Co-President, US, Rick Krim, said: “It has been an honor and a pleasure for all of us at Sony/ATV to work with Joel, and we couldn’t be happier for his ongoing success.
“We are thrilled to be continuing with him and are excited about what the future will bring.”
Sony/ATV SVP and Co-Head of West Coast A&R Jennifer Knoepfle, added: “It’s been an incredible ride working side by side with this talented and lovely man.
“I am so proud of the work he’s created throughout his career and so happy we are continuing our long-standing relationship.”
“Sony/ATV have been taking care of me for 10 years now and at this point it just feels like home.”
Joel Little
Joel Little said: “Sony/ATV have been taking care of me for 10 years now and at this point it just feels like home.
“The extended family there have put in so much hard work for me over the years and I can’t wait to see where we take things with this next chapter.”
Joel Little’s manager Ashley Page said: “Sony ATV have always valued and recognized Joel’s talent, providing every opportunity for his continued growth.
“It’s been an incredible partnership, something clearly recognized in the new arrangement, and we’re really looking forward to greater success together.”
Pictured, [Left to Right]: Rick Krim (Sony/ATV Co-President, U.S.), Joel Little, Jennifer Knoepfle (Sony/ATV SVP and Co-Head of West Coast A&R) and Ashley Page (Joel Little’s manager).Music Business Worldwide
