Billboard Canada FYI Bulletin: Punjabi Music Star AP Dhillon Signs with Republic Records and Universal Music Canada

Punjabi-Canadian music superstar has inked what is being described as a “groundbreaking deal” with Republic Records in alliance with Universal Music Canada.

Republic reported that the India-born, Canada-based superstar “becomes the first-ever India-born singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer of Punjabi lineage” to join the label’s roster.

“Republic Records always saw the vision,” Dhillon says in a statement to Billboard. “They got and understood who I am from day one. We’re all in harmony when it comes to this new music, and now I just can’t wait to show everybody what we’ve been cooking up.”

This follows the launch of 91 North Records last year, a joint venture between Warner Music Canada and Warner Music led by artist and producer Ikky (Ikwinder Singh) aimed at supporting artists of South Asian heritage.

The 31-year-old Dhillon moved to Canada in 2015 for his post-graduation course in Business Administration and Management. According to one report, for about four years, he did odd jobs like working at gas stations and convenience stores, a detail that also features in his 2020 hit “Brown Munde.” Read a full Billboard Canada Q&A with Dhillon here.

His first release on Republic will be “Old Money,” a new single and video that will have its release this Friday (Aug. 9). Two weeks later, on Aug. 23, the album The Brownprint, will follow.

– Western University music school graduate Jeff Lupker has developed an artificial intelligence tool, dubbed Staccato AI, that generates lyrics and melodies. It’s hit the right notes with Silicon Valley investors, has partnered with music label AMG and has a motto that sums up the goal: “Think of it as an AI Lennon to your McCartney.” Lupker, a 33-year-old Londoner, spoke with reporter Beatriz Baleeiro about incorporating technology into music-making and AI-related copyright concerns.

– Masked Mississauga Grammy-winning songwriter Shapiro is back with a new release. Managed by Toronto/LA’s TopLeft Ent., his breakthrough moment came a couple of years back when he teamed up with Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, better known by his stage name Black Coffee, the South African DJ, record producer and songwriter. The co-writing credit on “You Need Me” vaulted him into the name recognition register. Back in the sweepstakes, Shapiro has just released “All I Need” and “Never Change” to DSPs and commercial broadcasters. You can hear him here.

– Robert Charles-Dunne has sold The Village Idiot, a record store he has owned for 23 years in London, Ontario. Ray Groves has taken over the music emporium, adding it as a second location to Grooves Records in the same city. The shop comes with an inventory of 15K albums, 3K CDs, stereo gear, musical instruments, and a collection of Mojo and Prog magazines. Matthew Trevithick has the details.

– Road closures and bottle-necked traffic in the downtown core of Toronto didn’t play favourably into the Radio & Records annual organized by Gary Muth and Dave Charles, but well over 100 retired players in the Canadian music industry recently turned out to discuss ailments and renew friendships on the expansive deck of Roy Thomson Hall. Luminous figures from the past included former CHUM morning host Roger Ashby, impresario Bernd Fiedler (we all knew him as Bernie) and former Sun writers such as Liz Braun and Jonathan Gross. It’s become an annual right of summer summoning the lions of our past that started as a garden party in Muth’s backyard in 2009 with all of 70 people attending. Next year’s event is a given.

– A Calgary-based private foundation calling itself the Canadian Museum of Recorded Music and Culture says it has over 100K vinyl records, photos, magazines, and books that catalogues recorded music from the late 19^th century to today. In 2022, it recorded total assets of $159,748.00 and produced several YouTube videos celebrating the life and times of people such as Stan Klees, Al Mair, and Greg Godovitz. While the CMRMC continues to operate an online searchable database, no news announcements have been made since Oct. 2022. Can anyone update us on this curiously understated org?

– Has CARAS quietly decided to retire the Canadian Music Hall of Fame? Maestro Fresh Wes is the lone inductee announced in 2024, but since the announcement in March, there has been no word on other honourees or when and where the ceremony will take place.

– Congrats to bluesman Colin James (Munn) on being appointed to the Order of B.C. He is one of 12 new appointees.

Appointments

– Paquin Entertainment Group has announced the appointment of media and television executive Andrew Akman as its Chief Operating Officer.

Based in Toronto, Akman is expected to leverage the company’s status as a global, multi-platform entertainment business to produce large-scale events, exhibitions, and theatre, film, and television productions. Paquin is currently in development on several talent-driven projects for broadcasters, streaming platforms, and live audiences, according to the Aug. 6 announcement.

Akman has 30-plus years of experience in media and entertainment and held senior roles at Cineflix Media, Shaw Media, Canwest Media, Alliance Atlantis Communications, and co-founded the television production company Husk Media.

Paquin Entertainment Group, led by Gilles Paquin, has 45 years of experience managing and representing talent and producing film, television, theatre and immersive exhibitions. Akman’s appointment follows Paquin’s acquisition of the Canadian arm of APA as it continues to build on its momentum as one of North America’s leading Artists Agencies, now representing more than 350 artists.

Paquin, Chairman & CEO, of Paquin Entertainment Group, said: “Andrew’s expertise in media and entertainment and his entrepreneurial spirit make him an ideal fit for Paquin as we continue to expand the range and scale of our global businesses in artist representation, immersive exhibits, live events, brand partnerships, and theatre, film and television.” [Billboard Canada has a strategic partnership with Paquin.]

– Canadian venue management, concert promotion and hospitality company, MRG Group has announced the hire of Robyn Kaszor as Director and Senior Talent Buyer. Based in Montreal, she joins the company from Just For Laughs where she spent the last 18 years, most recently holding the post of Vice President of Festivals with oversight of the company’s festivals in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

The company produces 1100+ shows per year in North America, selling approximately 500K tickets. The company also owns and operates six venues, including The Vogue and Queen Elizabeth theatres in Vancouver and Adelaide Hall in Toronto.