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Cordell ‘Skatta’ Burrell, who’s inked a JV deal with Reservoir Media. Photo Credit: Reservoir
With an eye on scooping up reggae catalogs and signing talent, Reservoir Media (NASDAQ: RSVR) has unveiled a joint venture with artist Cordell “Skatta” Burrell and publisher Abood Music.
Reservoir formally disclosed the multifaceted JV – and underscored its aggressive IP-purchase plans – today. On the opposite side of the tie-up, Jamdown Records founder Othman Mukhlis established Abood Music back in 2001.
A quarter century later, the reggae and dancehall publisher is said to have, among other things, north of 120 Jamaican clients at present. Additionally, the veteran musician and “major Jamaican influencer” Burrell (previously published by Abood) has released much-sampled tracks including “Coolie Dance Rhythm.” (Reservoir’s been publishing the latter in the U.S. since 2020.)
Now, Abood, Burrell, and Reservoir are in their own words poised “to both acquire catalogs and sign and develop Jamaican artists and songwriters.” And while time will tell exactly what these moves entail, the same parties are looking to support “the new generation of Jamaica’s music scene.”
“This venture integrates Abood’s veteran catalog strength with Reservoir’s frontline creative leadership and international infrastructure, ensuring Jamaican music reaches wider audiences and greater commercial heights,” Burrell added in part.
“Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica,” he continued, “I’m also honored to share that the first transaction of our joint venture is a substantial donation to support relief efforts. With this donation, we hope to signal our meaningful commitment not just to the creators we sign, but also to Jamaica and its people as a whole.”
While Mukhlis didn’t provide a statement for the JV release – Reservoir opted against publicly disclosing the partnership’s financial or ownership particulars – Reservoir president and COO Rell Lafargue underscored plans “to elevate Jamaican music on the world stage.”
“We’re pleased to be extending our relationship with Skatta through this new venture, which will enable Reservoir, Skatta and Abood Music to be worldwide market leaders in dancehall, reggae, and Jamaican music,” added Lafargue.
“We look forward to supporting the voices of established and developing Jamaican creators alike, as we work to amplify their artistry, expand their global reach, and continue to elevate Jamaican music on the world stage,” the higher-up concluded.
Not short on capital or demand, the catalog arena definitely doesn’t lack investors in search of genre-specific and/or single-song IP. In fact, this isn’t even the sub-sector’s first reggae-focused pact; Iconoclast is aiming to take stakes in the works of “culturally significant reggae artists” in partnership with Ujama Designs.
