The SRG/ILS Group, an independent label and distribution company, has announced an extension of its existing partnership with Universal Music Group-owned artist and label services company Virgin Music Group.
The renewal builds upon their initial collaboration established in 2015 that produced a catalog of releases from artists including Brian McKnight, Chaka Khan, Avant, J. Brown, Ruben Studdard, Lalah Hathaway, Johnny Gill, Vivian Green, After 7, and more.
SRG/ILS was born from a merger between SoNo Recording Group and The ILS Group in 2017. Today, SRG/ILS operates its own label under the SoNo Recording brand and provides distribution and marketing services. It also represents a number of independent labels including Music Matters, MPress Records, and Blues label Gulf Coast Records.
The combined entity has since continued to expand, launching the SRG Jazz imprint in 2023. Since its launch, SRG Jazz has released music by legendary figures like David Benoit and Jeff Lorber, and contemporary artists such as Mike Phillips, Xavier Gordon, and Damien Escobar. Notably, Escobar’s song Taboo recently reached number one on the Jazz airplay chart.
“SRG/ILS has undergone tremendous growth over the past several years, largely thanks to the strong support provided by Virgin Music Group.”
Claude Villani, SRG/ILS
This year, SRG/ILS recently released a new album by reggae group UB40. Entitled UB45, in celebration of the group’s 45-year career, the album is currently a top-five hit in the UK, sharing chart space with artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Olivia Rodriguez, and Pearl Jam. UB45 also recently held the number one position on the UK reggae albums charts. Additionally, SRG/ILS will soon be releasing the first single from Lalah Hathaway‘s upcoming album, VANTABLACK.
Headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, SRG/ILS Group has satellite offices in Los Angeles and Toronto.
“We love our partners and the SRG/ILS roster, which is full of incredibly successful and career-defining artists. We are proud of all we have accomplished together and are excited to build on their vision for the future.”
Jacqueline Saturn, Virgin Music Group
Commenting on the expanded partnership with Virgin Music, Claude Villani, SRG/ILS, CEO, said, “SRG/ILS has undergone tremendous growth over the past several years, largely thanks to the strong support provided by Virgin Music Group. Jacqueline Saturn and her team are exceptional, demonstrating a commitment to navigating today’s ever-changing music landscape with an artist-first attitude.”
Jacqueline Saturn, President, Virgin Music Group, North America & EVP Global Artist Relations, added “We love our partners and the SRG/ILS roster, which is full of incredibly successful and career-defining artists. We are proud of all we have accomplished together and are excited to build on their vision for the future.”
The renewed partnership follows new alliances struck by Virgin Music in recent months including a deal with 3AM Entertainment, a new label founded by British artist Jay Sean, producer Jeremy Skaller, and talent manager Jared Cotter, and a new distribution partnership with Position Music, an independent publisher, record label and management firm with a catalog of over 35,000 songs.
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