MUSIC'S HOTTEST FIRMS: GRANDERSON DES ROCHERS, LLP
As a founding partner of premier boutique entertainment firm GDR, Damien Granderson is at the forefront of the music industry for his dynamic and strategic approach to advising clients for long-term entrepreneurial success. Over the past year, he represented acclaimed reggaeton artist J Balvin in an unprecedented joint-venture recording agreement with UMG in addition to numerous other cutting-edge deals for his client. These include performance agreements for the popular online game Fortnite and the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show, an endorsement agreement with McDonald’s and a talent agreement in connection with Balvin’s documentary, The Boy From Medellín. Granderson also represented A$AP Rocky in his endorsement agreement with Gucci for its “Life of a Rock Star” campaign, which launched in the fall of 2020, as well as A$AP Worldwide’s partnership with PacSun, which will include special collaborative drops throughout its term.
Other significant deals include J. Cole’s endorsement and collaboration agreement with Puma, singer/songwriter H.E.R.’s endorsement agreement with Tommy Hilfiger, NE-YO’s partnership with the streaming and social media app LÜM (which is expected to revolutionize interaction between artists and their fans), Young Thug’s YSL Records joint-venture agreement and renegotiation with 300 Entertainment (which includes such artists as Gunna and Lil Keed) and Young Thug’s contract negotiation with Atlantic. Granderson also represents hip-hop powerhouse Quality Control Music, one of the hottest record labels in the business, whose star-studded roster includes Lil Baby, Migos, City Girls, Lil Yachty and Lakeyah.
Founding and Managing Partner Guy Blake is Chair of the firm’s Music Publishing Practice. He has handled numerous matters for such GDR clients as J. Cole, Young Thug, J Balvin, Harvey Mason Jr., Bernie Taupin, Quality Control Music, Timbaland, Beluga Heights Records, H.E.R., Hayley Williams (Paramore) and Primary Wave. Prior to launching GDR, he served as Partner at Davis, Shapiro, Lewit, Grabel, Leven, Granderson & Blake and as SVP Legal & Business Affairs at Warner Chappell Music.
