DANGER MOUSE SIGNS PUB DEAL WITH SONY, PREPS TWO LPs

Sony Music Publishing U.K. has inked Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, to a worldwide publishing agreement.

“Danger Mouse is not only a brilliant songwriter but a true innovator who pushes creative boundaries and challenges listeners to think outside the box,” said SMP chieftain Jon Platt. “We look forward to working alongside Brian and his team in this new phase of his career.”

The polymath, who introduced himself to the world back in 2004 with the audacious mashup The Grey Album, proceeded to establish himself as a cutting-edge writer/artist (Gnarls Barkley, Broken Bells) and producer (The Black Keys, Michael Kiwanuka, Beck, Gorillaz, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, A$AP Rocky, Norah Jones, Adele), collecting six Grammys and two dozen noms along the way.

“We’re Not in Orbit Yet…” is the new single from the reunited Broken Bells, Burton’s heady collab with The Shins’ James Mercer; it’s the lead track from their upcoming LP Into the Blue.

Danger Mouse has also announced the 8/12 release of Cheat Codes, a collaborative album with The Roots’ Black Thought featuring new singles “Aquamarine” with Kiwanuka, “Because” with Joey Bada$$, Russ and Dylan Cartlidge and “No Gold Teeth.” The all-star project also includes contributions from Run the Jewels, A$AP Rocky, Raekwon, Conway the Machine and the late MF Doom.

David Ventura, the pubco’s U.K. president, co-managing director and SVP international, hailed Burton as “one of the most pioneering songwriters and producers of this century. It is a real honor for all of us at SMP to have this unique chance to work with Brian and Jeff [Antebi], his manager. We are not only thrilled to be representing some of his most prestigious songs, many of which have been recognized by the Grammys, but opening a new relationship towards the future. From his own projects to artist collaborations or even soundtracks, the opportunities with a genius like Danger Mouse are limitless, and it's with the biggest smile that I say this is a dream come true.”

Portrait by Shervin Lainez