Karma Artists Explained

Karma Artists is a producer and artist management business, established in 2012,[1] in London, England, by Jordan Jay and Ross Gautreau. It grew into a multi-faceted entertainment company including publishing (Karma Songs), records (Ka Records) and TV projects.

History

Jordan and Ross met while working in A&R at Polydor Records (Universal Music Group).[2] During their time there, Jordan helped form The Saturdays and The Wanted, as well as working on Girls Aloud and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, while Ross worked in an A&R Scout position at the label championing new and unsigned artists including James Bay, Jacob Banks and The 1975.[3] Ross also held roles at ASCAP,[4] Fairwood Music,[5] [6] and Epic Records (Sony). Following this, they set up Karma Artists together.

Between them they have consulted for The X Factor, The Voice UK,[7] Eurovision Song Contest, Rip Tide (film), TV show ‘Project Icon’, Warner Music Group, ITV, and Fremantle, and participated on the Brit Awards Voting Academy.[8]

At the time of winning the Artist & Manager Awards Writer/Producer Manager of the Year category in 2021,[9] Karma-represented creators contributed to 10 UK No.1 albums and 400 million units sold, working with artists like Charlie Puth, OneRepublic, David Guetta, P!nk, Take That, James Arthur, Little Mix, Olly Murs, The Script, and Katy Perry.

Jordan contributed to the 2021 Producer & Songwriter Manager Edition of the Music Managers Forum (MMF)'s Managing Expectations report.[10] [11]

Karma Artists has partnerships and consulting projects with EMI,[12] XL Talent,[13] and Budde Music.[14] [15] [16] [17]

Awards

Karma Artist executives Jordan and Ross were recognised in Music Week’s 30 Under 30 longlist.

Jordan was nominated Pop/R&B A&R of the Year at the 2019 Music Business Worldwide (MBW) A&R Awards.[18]

Karma Artists was recognised as Writer/Producer Managers of the Year at the 2021 Artist & Manager Awards,[19] hosted by music industry bodies Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Featured Artists Coalition (FAC).[20]

Karma Artists was nominated in the Songwriter & Producer Management Company of the Year category at the 2023 Music Business Worldwide (MBW) A&R Awards.[21] .

Roster

As of spring 2024, the core Karma Artists (management) roster consists of:

Karma Songs (publishing) roster:

Alumni: Tre Jean-Marie,[24] and Finn Keane aka Easyfun.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Manager Spotlight: Jordan Jay. Music Managers Forum, 11 October 2021.
  2. Web site: Feature: Jordan Jay & Ross Gautreau. Music Business UK, Q4 2020. 16 December 2020 .
  3. Web site: The A&R Sessions with Karma Artists. Pack London, 12 April 2018.
  4. Web site: Alumni, Ross Gautreau. BIMM Music Institute.
  5. Web site: Karma Artists. Tileyard.co.uk.
  6. Web site: Fairwood Music.
  7. Web site: Ross Gautreau, Music Department. IMDB.
  8. Web site: BRIT Awards Voting Academy 2019. BRITs.
  9. Web site: Artist & Manager Awards 2021, in association with Soundcloud: Mogwai to receive Pioneer Award, KARMA ARTISTS TO RECEIVE WRITER/PRODUCER MANAGER AWARD. The Independent Music Insider, 28 October 2021.
  10. Web site: MMF publish Managing Expectations: Producer and Songwriter Management Edition (The Producer & Songwriter Manager Edition of the MMF's Managing Expectations report 2021). Music Managers Forum, 13 December 2021.
  11. Web site: MMF calls on industry to provide more support for managers of songwriters and producers. Music Week, 13 December 2021.
  12. Web site: Jordan Jay x EMI A&R. Record of the Day, 29 April, 2021.
  13. Web site: XL Talent, Producer / Songwriter Management. XL Talent, About Us.
  14. Web site: Budde Music and Karma Songs extend publishing partnership with Nick Bradley. Music Week, 2 November 2023.
  15. Web site: Budde Music and Karma Songs extend their agreement with songwriter Nick Bradley. Creative Industries News, 1 November 2023. November 2023 .
  16. Web site: One Liners: Foy Vance and (famous) friends, JLS, Nick Bradley + more. Complete Music Update (CMU), 2 November 2023. 2 November 2023 .
  17. Web site: Budde Music and Karma Songs extend collaboration with Nick Bradley. Record of the Day, 1 November 2023.
  18. Web site: THE A&R AWARDS 2019: THE FINALISTS REVEALED!. Music Business Worldwide, 24 September 2019. 24 September 2019 .
  19. Web site: Artist & Manager Awards 2021, in association with Soundcloud: more winners announced. Featured Artists Coalition, 19 November 2021. 9 November 2021 .
  20. Web site: Artist & Manager Awards - Full List of Winners . AM Awards blog.
  21. Web site: THE A&R AWARDS 2023: THE FINALISTS REVEALED!. Music Business Worldwide, 26 September 2023. 26 September 2023 .
  22. Web site: UK: Red Triangle sign exclusive publishing deal with BMG. BMG UK, 18 August 2020.
  23. Web site: Jez Ashurst profile. Genius.
  24. Web site: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS NATHAN DAWE AND MABEL HIT MAKER TRE JEAN-MARIE. Concord, July 25, 2022. 25 July 2022 .