Sony/ATV has signed a long-term international agreement with Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and recording artist Tori Kelly.
Since establishing herself with a self-recorded cover of Frank Ocean’s Thinkin Bout You, Kelly has established herself as one of America’s brightest new talents, reaching No. 2 in the US with her debut album Unbreakable Smile.
Sony/ATV co-president US, Rick Krim said: “Tori is a smart, self-driven and extremely talented artist with one of the most stunning voices in music. As she showed on her debut album, she is also a versatile and extraordinary writer and we are excited that she has put her faith in Sony/ATV as she further develops her songwriting.”
Sony/ATV senior director, creative of A&R Lou Al-chamaa, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Tori into the Sony/ATV family. Tori is an incredibly gifted songwriter and arguably one of the best singers around. Tori has so many projects that we’re excited about and is currently in the studio working on her second album, which will be a huge success.”
Kelly wrote, recorded, produced and engineered her first EP called Handmade Songs By Tori Kelly, which she released digitally and which went on to reach the iTunes pop Top 10 and No. 9 on Billboard’s Heatseekers albums chart for emerging artists.
She penned all five songs that made up her first Capitol Records EP Foreword, which reached the US Top 20 in 2013, and her first full-length album Unbreakable Smile debuted at No.2 on the Billboard 200 chart in the US.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the Sony/ATV Publishing family and eager to start working together to create my next project,” said Kelly. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds as I continue to develop as an artist.”
“Tori is an incredible talent that needs to be shown to the world,” said Kelly’s manager and SB Projects founder, Scooter Braun. “That is the way I have always felt and this partnership is just another step in continuing her incredible journey. I can’t tell you how excited I am for her next album.”
