EMI Music Publishing signs Sam Sparro to global publishing agreement

LONDON.- EMI Music Publishing has completed one of the most sought-after publishing deals of 2008, with the signing of Sam Sparro and his songwriting partner Jesse Rogg.

With his debut album due to be released around the world later this year by Island/Universal, Sam Sparro’s electronic soul and funk music has led to him being hailed as one of the brightest musical hopes for 2008. Songs including Black and Gold and Cut Me Loose had A&Rs from around the world flying into Los Angeles in a bid to sign the pairing.

The exclusive agreement will see Sparro and Rogg represented by EMI Music Publishing on a global basis. They will be A&R’d by Felix Howard at EMI Music Publishing UK.

EMI Music Publishing managing director Guy Moot commented, “This is a deal that everybody wanted to secure, and I’m delighted that Sam and Jesse have made the decision to sign with us. Their songs are completely infectious and have huge potential, and we’re looking forward to working with them for a long time to come.”

Sam Sparro is a 24-year-old Australian, who moved to Los Angeles as a child and honed his singing style in church. Both of his parents are musicians, while his grandfather was a jazz trumpeter who played with legends such as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. His music is influenced by his church upbringing as well as his love of funk, pop and house music. He was discovered by Modus Vivendi founder Jesse Rogg, who quickly became his songwriting partner and brought his German electronica roots to bear on Sparro’s music.

EMI Music Publishing is the world’s most creative music publisher with more than one million copyrights including some of the best known songs ever written. Its current hit-making writers and producers include Arctic Monkeys, Natasha Bedingfield, James Blunt, Cathy Dennis, Gorillaz, Calvin Harris and My Chemical Romance.