Sony Music Launches New U.K. Label Dream Life Records
Sony Music U.K. chairman and CEO Jason Iley says he’s building a company led by "entrepreneurs and innovators" as it launches a new label focused on finding the next generation of urban and pop…
LONDON – Sony Music U.K. chairman and CEO Jason Iley says he’s building a company led by “entrepreneurs and innovators” as it launches a new label focused on finding the next generation of urban and pop talent.
Called Dream Life Records, the London-based imprint will be run by Dan Owusu, Lunick Bourgess and Shane Derozario. All three executives join Sony from other labels or, in Derozario’s case, his own management and independent label business, MizerMillion Entertainment.
Owusu comes to the major from BMG Publishing, where he worked as A&R Manager, signing artists such as Chip, AJ Tracey, Lotto Boyzz, Hardy Caprio and rapper MoStack, who scored a top 3 album in the U.K. last year and is managed by Derozario.
Bourgess was formerly A&R manager at Virgin EMI, where his signings included MoStack, Hardy Caprio, Tion Wayne and the platinum-selling drill artist, Russ. He started his career in the music industry by launching his own independent label, Lucky Streak Records, while studying at university.
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Sony Music says the trio of young executives combine expertise across management, publishing and A&R, enabling them to offer artists an all-encompassing perspective, while bridging the gap between youth and the mainstream.
“Dan, Lunick and Shane are extremely ambitious, hugely energetic and will be an excellent addition to the Sony team. Their combination of nous and flair promises to uncover an exciting roster of new talent,” said Iley in a statement.
“Jason has a tremendous track record when it comes to identifying talent and staff,” said Owusu. Bourgess called Sony Music U.K. a “forward-thinking company in tune with today’s generation.” Derozario added, “We are hungry and ready to start.”
Dream Life Records’ first signing is 19-year-old North London rapper/singer Eric IV, whose latest single, “True Colours,” came out last week. More signings are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Dream Life Records, which will operate out of Sony Music’s London office, faces internal competition for British pop and urban talent from Since ’93, a standalone imprint launched in mid-2018 as part of the RCA label group and headed by Glyn Aikins and Riki Bleau.
In its first year of operation, Since ’93 enjoyed critical and commercial success with British rappers Aitch and Fredo, as well as British-Somali singer-songwriter Amun.
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