Sony/ATV Music and Stellar Songs Sign British Rap Talent Octavian

Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Stellar Songs have signed stand-out new British rap talent Octavian to a worldwide deal via their joint venture.

The south-east London songwriter, singer and rapper has been hailed by the media as "shaping the sound of rap in 2018" while winning public endorsements from global superstar Drake.

Sony/ATV Head of A&R, UK David Ventura said: "The first time I listened to his music I had to ask myself what planet he was from! He is so unique in his writing, in his melodies and in his delivery. In truth, I haven't heard anyone doing what he does, and I am his biggest fan. He is a true pioneer and visionary. I simply cannot wait for people to discover him."

Stellar Songs co-founder Tim Blacksmith said: "Stellar Songs is elated to have Octavian join the family. I have been extremely impressed by not only his music prowess but also his understanding of visuals, art and fashion that makes up his very unique and compelling sound."

At just 22 years of age and having to date released only a handful of singles, south-east Londoner Octavian is already being widely cited as the UK's next big rap star. Pitchfork proclaimed that he was "shaping the sound of rap in 2018", Noisey declared he was the one to watch and Complex highlighted him as one of the MCs destined for a big year. Alongside these media endorsements, he has also won the public backing of Drake who posted lyrics from Octavian's breakout release "Party Here" on his Instagram account in January and was then filmed a few days later singing the song at a Golden Globes after-show party in Los Angeles.

The underground success last year of "Party Here" led to renowned independent label Black Butter Records offering a recording deal to Octavian who was born Oliver Godji in Lille, France but relocated with his mother to Camberwell in south-east London as a toddler. Although he later returned to France for a couple of years, he then went back to London as a teenager and enrolled into the BRIT School.

However, it was away from the famed performing arts and technology college whose former students include Adele that Octavian's music identity started to fully take shape. With his friend Jordan Christie, aka J Rick, serving as producer, he released the EPs 22 and Essie World whose titles were inspired by south-east London's "SE" postcode. These were then followed by what became his breakout song, "Party Here", which won over both tastemakers and fans alike. It has since been succeeded by the songs "100 Degrees", "Hands" and "Little", which combined showcase a musical versatility from the young MC who is equally comfortable in the worlds of house, rap and grime.

Octavian now features on Grammy-nominated British electronic artist Mura Masa's brand new single "Move Me", which was released in June to huge critical acclaim. He is managed by Greg Burnell and Cillian Farrell at the newly-launched Palm Artists Ltd.

Pictured, left to right, in the attached photo are Cillian Farrell (Octavian's co-manager), Guy Moot (Sony/ATV UK Manager Director and President, Worldwide Creative), David Ventura (Sony/ATV Head of A&R, UK), Octavian, Wale Kalejaiye (Octavian's lawyer), Danny D (Stellar Songs co-founder) and Greg Burnell (Octavian's co-manager)

ABOUT SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING:

Sony/ATV Music Publishing, established in 1995, is the world's leading music publisher. Sony/ATV Music Publishing owns or administers more than 3 million copyrights, including those of EMI Music Publishing and iconic music catalogs such as Leiber & Stoller, Mijac Music, Motown and Famous Music. Sony/ATV also controls many of the best known songs ever written such as "New York, New York", "Hallelujah", "All You Need Is Love", "You've Got a Friend", "Moon River", "Jailhouse Rock", "The Mission Impossible Theme", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Over the Rainbow", "Stand By Me", "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Singin' in the Rain". In addition, Sony/ATV represents the copyrights of such legendary artists as The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Kraftwerk, Joni Mitchell, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Richie Sambora, Sting, The Supremes, Wyclef Jean, Hank Williams and Stevie Wonder, among others. Its ever-growing list of chart-topping artists, writers and producers includes Cardi B, The Chainsmokers, Drake, Calvin Harris, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, P!nk, Shakira, Ed Sheeran, Sia, Sam Smith, Stargate, Taylor Swift, Walk The Moon, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.