Warner Music Group’s ADA Worldwide today announced an exclusive partnership with Billy Mann and Benton James for the launch of new JV label, icons+giants. Founded by Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and artist manager, Mann, along with A&R executive and artist manager, James, the enterprise will combine their savvy digital marketing and proven A&R track record with ADA’s continually widening global influence, resources and connected artist services.
Eliah Seton, President of Independent Music & Creator Services, Warner Music Group, said: “On behalf of everyone at ADA and Warner Music, we welcome Billy and Benton and the icons+giants team to the ADA family. Billy and Benton are defining what comes next in music – they are on the cutting edge of this business, and we are so proud to be their partner and for ADA to be their home.”
On the partnership, Mann commented: “Whether you’re an artist or executive, we are all trying to find our tribe—and just as we are partnering with artists that speak to who we are, we are grateful to have found partners in Max and Eliah who provide the same for icons+giants.”
While intentionally not genre specific, icons+giants represent a swiftly moving A&R philosophy. “We continue to be focused on staying in front of trends,” James said. “While everyone is crowding around creators in the digital space, we remain committed to also identifying the talent who are lifers in music, not just seekers of celebrity.”
Mann, whose creative genius has quietly lived atop the charts for over 25 years – personally having sold over 110 million albums as a hit producer/songwriter with a myriad of who’s who in music. Mann has also served as President of International and Chief Creative Officer of EMI Music Global as well as President of Creative at BMG North America. He has become known for an uncanny ability to identify superstars at the early stages of their careers, including Teddy Geiger, Emma Stone, Alex Aiono, Pablo Alboran, and TikTok stars Charli and Dixie D’Amelio. Mann is also the longtime collaborator of iconic global superstar P!nk, working with her for nearly two decades.
James began his career in the deep south penning songs for television and producing alongside talents like RedOne and Mutt Lang. An A&R force, he is responsible for discovering and signing Grammy-nominated hip-hop wunderkind, Supah Mario, (Drake, Lil Uzi Vert, Tory Lanez) and DMV legend Ciscero. Formerly the head of Urban A&R for Red Bull Songs, James signed K-so Jaynes, Mike Gazzo and TwhyXclusive to the company and delivered a string of records with Grammy-nominated talent including Trippie Redd, Drake, Wiz Khalifa, and Kelly Rowland.
