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Karma Artists is a producer and artist management business, established in 2012, [1] in London, England, by Jordan Jay and Ross Gautreau. In little over a decade, it has expanded into a multi-faceted entertainment company including publishing (Karma Songs), records (Ka Records) and TV projects.

Jordan and Ross were recognised as Writer/Producer Managers of the Year at the 2021 Artist & Manager Awards, [2] hosted by music industry bodies Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Featured Artists Coalition (FAC). It was noted: ‘Karma Artists, also celebrating their 10th anniversary, were a highly popular choice as Writer / Producer Manager’. [3] The two were also nominated for Songwriter & Producer Management Company of the Year at the 2023 Music Business Worldwide (MBW) A&R Awards, [4] recognised in Music Week’s 30 Under 30 longlist, and Jordan was nominated Pop/R&B A&R of the Year at MBW's 2019 A&R Awards. [5]

History

Jordan and Ross met while working in A&R at Polydor Records ( Universal Music Group). [6] During their time there, Jordan helped form The Saturdays and The Wanted, as well as working on Girls Aloud and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, while Ross worked in an A&R Scout position at the label championing new and unsigned artists including James Bay, Jacob Banks and The 1975. [7] Ross also held roles at ASCAP, [8] Fairwood Music, [9] [10] and Epic Records (Sony). Following this, they set up Karma Artists together.

Between them they have consulted for The X Factor, The Voice UK, [11] Eurovision Song Contest, Rip Tide (film), TV show ‘Project Icon’, Warner Music Group, ITV, and Fremantle, and participated on the Brit Awards Voting Academy.

They currently have partnerships and consulting projects with EMI, [12] XL Talent, [13] and Budde Music. [14] [15] [16] [17]

At the time of winning the Artist & Manager Awards Writer/Producer Manager of the Year category in 2021, Karma-represented creators contributed to 10 UK No.1 albums and 400 million units sold, working with artists like Charlie Puth, OneRepublic, David Guetta, P!nk, Take That, James Arthur, Little Mix, Olly Murs, The Script, and Katy Perry.

Of the accolade, Annabella Coldrick, CEO, Music Managers Forum (MMF) said: “Within the industry, I don't think we’ve ever seen such a profound focus on the importance of writers and producers as we have over the past 18 months or so. The managers who represent this bedrock of talent also deserve to be recognised for their tireless investment and development, and, as they approach a major milestone anniversary I'm really pleased we can celebrate the achievements of Jordan, Ross and the entire Karma team. MMF will also continue to shine a light on the vitally important role of writer/producer managers in our upcoming Managing Expectations report.” [18]

Jordan contributed to the 2021 Producer & Songwriter Manager Edition of the MMF's Managing Expectations report: [19] [20]“The MMF's Managing Expectations report raises some incredibly important recommendations that we as a company welcome wholeheartedly. For many writer/producer managers, it's incredibly frustrating how often payments for our clients are delayed for considerable time, and how simple accounting procedures are frequently not present. There's also a lack of transparency or clear information within royalty statements.

“Ultimately, without songwriters and producers there is simply no music business. I really hope that the great work the MMF are doing is taken notice of and reform can happen so we are able to give creatives the sustainable career they deserve, as well as showing developing songwriters and producers that it is possible to make a living for themselves in the music business.”

Roster

As of spring 2024, the core Karma Artists (management) roster consists of:

Karma Songs (publishing) roster:

  • Johan Fransson
  • Nick Bradley
  • Jez Ashurst

Alumni: Tre Jean-Marie, [23] and Finn Keane aka Easyfun.

References

  1. ^ "Manager Spotlight: Jordan Jay". Music Managers Forum, 11 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Artist & Manager Awards 2021, in association with Soundcloud: more winners announced". Featured Artists Coalition, 19 November 2021. 9 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Artist & Manager Awards - Full List of Winners". AM Awards blog.
  4. ^ "THE A&R AWARDS 2023: THE FINALISTS REVEALED!". Music Business Worldwide, 26 September 2023. 26 September 2023.
  5. ^ "THE A&R AWARDS 2019: THE FINALISTS REVEALED!". Music Business Worldwide, 24 September 2019. 24 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Feature: Jordan Jay & Ross Gautreau". Music Business UK, Q4 2020. 16 December 2020.
  7. ^ "The A&R Sessions with Karma Artists". Pack London, 12 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Alumni, Ross Gautreau". BIMM Music Institute.
  9. ^ "Karma Artists". Tileyard.co.uk.
  10. ^ "Fairwood Music".
  11. ^ "Ross Gautreau, Music Department". IMDB.
  12. ^ "Jordan Jay x EMI A&R". Record of the Day, 29 April, 2021.
  13. ^ "XL Talent, Producer / Songwriter Management". XL Talent, About Us.
  14. ^ "Budde Music and Karma Songs extend publishing partnership with Nick Bradley". Music Week, 2 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Budde Music and Karma Songs extend their agreement with songwriter Nick Bradley". Creative Industries News, 1 November 2023. November 2023.
  16. ^ "One Liners: Foy Vance and (famous) friends, JLS, Nick Bradley + more". Complete Music Update (CMU), 2 November 2023. 2 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Budde Music and Karma Songs extend collaboration with Nick Bradley". Record of the Day, 1 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Artist & Manager Awards 2021, in association with Soundcloud: Mogwai to receive Pioneer Award, KARMA ARTISTS TO RECEIVE WRITER/PRODUCER MANAGER AWARD". The Independent Music Insider, 28 October 2021.
  19. ^ "MMF publish Managing Expectations: Producer and Songwriter Management Edition (The Producer & Songwriter Manager Edition of the MMF's Managing Expectations report 2021)". Music Managers Forum, 13 December 2021.
  20. ^ "MMF calls on industry to provide more support for managers of songwriters and producers". Music Week, 13 December 2021.
  21. ^ "UK: Red Triangle sign exclusive publishing deal with BMG". BMG UK, 18 August 2020.
  22. ^ "Jez Ashurst profile". Genius.
  23. ^ "CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS NATHAN DAWE AND MABEL HIT MAKER TRE JEAN-MARIE". Concord, July 25, 2022. 25 July 2022.