STORMZY SIGNS WITH 0207 DEF JAM

Stormzy and his team gathered in London, with a beaming Sir Lucian Grainge beamed in via video, to celebrate Stormzy's signing to 0207 Def Jam. Pictured, from left, are Stormzy’s manager, Tobe Onwuka, 0207 Def Jam Co-President Alec Boateng, UMG Chairman & CEO Grainge, 0207 Def Jam Co-President Alex Boateng and Universal Music U.K. Chairman & CEO David Joseph.

British rap star Stormzy has signed to newly launched UMG U.K. label 0207 Def Jam, exiting his deal with Atlantic. He follows the A&R who worked closely with him at Warner, Alec Boateng, now Co-President of 0207 Def Jam.

Stormzy is the first artist to join 0207 Def Jam. Label Co-President Alec Boateng was an integral part of Stormzy’s signing to Atlantic, where Boateng was then A&R Director, in early 2018.

At Atlantic, Stormzy hit the top of the U.K. album chart with his second album, Heavy Is the Head, in December last year. He also hit #1 with his 2017 debut, Gang Signs & Prayer, which was distributed via ADA. The artist is a three-time BRIT Award winner. He headlined Glastonbury in 2019.

The signing is a coup for UMG and Boateng, who serves alongside his fellow Co-President (and twin) Alex Boateng.