Gucci Mane Signs Music Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell

via the press release

Warner/Chappell Music, the global music publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG), (March 11) announced it has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Atlanta-based Warner Bros. Records/Asylum recording artist, Gucci Mane. Warner/Chappell Music will administer a majority of Gucci Mane’s catalog of work, his recently-released second studio album, The State vs. Radric Davis, as well as his future compositions.

Released on December 8, 2009, The State vs. Radric Davis debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Rap Album chart, No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 10 on The Billboard 200.

The first single from the album, “Wasted” (featuring Plies and OJ Da Juiceman) reached No. 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts. A second and third single from the album, “Spotlight” (featuring Usher) and “Lemonade,” both reached No. 8 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs charts.

In making the announcement, Scott Francis, President, Warner/Chappell Music, and Chairman and CEO, Warner/Chappell Music U.S., said, “Not only has Gucci Mane quickly become one of today's most successful new urban recording artists, but he has also proven to be one of the most sought-after collaborators for guest appearances on hit singles. His incredible recent mark of having 11 songs appear on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the same week is an impressive display of his songwriting talent. We are thrilled to have him join our Urban roster and look forward to working with him to continue his success in the future.”

Since bursting onto the music scene in 2005, Gucci Mane has made guest appearances on a number of hit singles and remixes which, in 2009, earned him the No. 6 spot on MTV’s annual “Hottest MCs in the Game” list. In January 2010, Gucci Mane held 11 positions on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, tying T-Pain for the second most concurrent titles on that chart since the list began using Nielsen SoundScan data in 1992 -- second only to the 14 positions once held by his fellow Warner/Chappell songwriter Lil Wayne. Some of these titles include: “Obsessed,” (remix) the Platinum-certified hit song by five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Mariah Carey; “Break Up,” recorded by Mario which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart and spent 17 in the top 10 as well as reaching No. 14 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles charts; “LOL :-)” by Warner/Chappell’s Trey Songz and “Pretty Girls” by Warner/Chappell’s Wale.

Additionally, Gucci Mane has worked with a number of recording artists including: Big Boi, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Lil’ Kim, Ludacris, Omarion, Busta Rhymes, Juelz Santana, and Young Jeezy.