Sony Music has entered into a strategic partnership with A&R and marketing entrepreneur Jonathan Master.
Together, Sony and Master are launching SamePlate, a new joint venture label focused on cultivating emerging, dynamic music talent using cutting-edge approaches to artist development and services.
Master (pictured), who has worked with artists including Logic, D.R.A.M., G-Eazy, Cam'Ron and PJ Morton, will head the New York-based imprint, overseeing a dedicated staff that includes Alex Ciccimarro, who will serve as VP, operations. Ciccimarro previously held digital marketing roles for Republic Records and Atlantic Records, and has worked on releases from Cardi B and Gucci Mane.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with all the great people at Sony Music on this new label,” said Master. “SamePlate’s mission is to work in true partnership with artists to help them nurture their brands, not just chase records. Artists need to be competitive and relevant all the time, not just in traditional release cycles, and we are committed to helping them share their stories with fans every day, through any medium, including music, videos, and social content.”
SamePlate’s roster includes Ro Ransom, YGTUT, Tobi, Eza, Shari Marie, Romderful and Ducko McFli. Its first release is Floetry, from Ro Ransom.
Peter Edge, chairman & CEO, RCA Records, said: “Jonathan Master is a forward-thinking entrepreneur, talent developer and marketer with a strong vision for building artist careers. I look forward to SamePlate making exciting new contributions to music culture, and creating opportunities for collaboration with RCA.”
The Orchard Brad Navin added: “The Orchard is excited to serve as the global distribution solution for SamePlate. We share Jonathan Master’s passion for providing the best possible value and service to artists, and we are eager to collaborate with him and his talented team to help grow the reach and awareness of SamePlate artists around the world.”
For the last four years, Master has overseen the New York A&R and marketing operations of independent distribution and artist services company Empire. He also has spent more than a decade running his own independent marketing, artist management, events and content creation company under the SamePlate name.
