Signed: Thomas Rhett Strikes New Deal With HYBE AMERICA’s Blue Highway; HARDY Inks TRIPPP-y Trio

Thomas Rhett signed an “artist-led partnership” with HYBE AMERICA’s Nashville-based country, Americana and roots rock division Blue Highway Records. According to a press release, the partnership, dubbed Fifty-One/Forty-Nine Records, was “built around long-term ownership, creative independence and artist development. In partnership with Blue Highway Records, this label will serve as the home for Thomas Rhett’s recorded music and the next chapter of his creative and entrepreneurial career.”

“When we started talking about what the next chapter could look like, I knew I didn’t simply want to make another deal. I wanted to build something that reflected the legacy and shaped the future of my music,” Rhett said in a statement. “From my initial conversations with Jake and the leadership team at Blue Highway, it was clear they, too, were thinking differently about what a record company can be for an artist today.”

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Rhett added that the deal “allows me the opportunity to own the body of work I’ve spent my entire career creating, while still having an ambitious team and global infrastructure around me for my future recordings.”

Further details of the partnership have not been disclosed.

“Thomas Rhett has always been an artist, a songwriter, a performer who brings the best of what being a progressive country artist is today: someone who is willing to explore how other genres merge with Nashville without losing his roots, without sounding calculated or forced,” added Blue Highway Records CEO Jake Basden. “His musical fluidity is matched by his sense of lyrics, songs, and what people feel, creating an honest kind of country that finds its way into people’s lives, wherever they are. Having watched Thomas Rhett come into his own and then achieve major success, I am honored to be his partner going forward.”

Blue Highway Records is also home to Brett Young, Midland, Justin Moore, Jackson Dean, Preson Cooper and Mae Estes, among others. — Chris Eggertsen

Check out more recent artist signings below.

• TRIPPP (HARDY’s Mockingbird Records)

  HARDY signed brother trio TRIPPP to the newly formed Mockingbird Records, a sister country label to his previously announced rock imprint CROW Records. The new label launches in partnership with Big Loud Records.

  The TRIPPP brothers — vocalist JD Stafford, guitarist Chaz Stafford and bassist Treyson Stafford — were born and raised in Arkansas. The siblings attended Nashville’s Belmont University and released their EP nothin’ and albumTRIPPP this year, blending Southern rock, blues and bluegrass. TRIPPP supported Goodbye June on its Trouble For All tour in September, and will be on the road through October. — Jessica Nicholson

• Blake Whiten (CAA)

  

  Blake Whiten signed with CAA for global booking representation. Whiten, who is signed with Enchntmnt/Warner Records, is currently spearheading his sold-out 22-show Something To Say tour. His song “Bet On That” earned Whiten his first Billboard Hot 100 entry, while his debut album Something To Say debuted on the all-genre Billboard 200.

  Whiten has opened shows for Morgan Wallen this year and is set to perform at Stagecoach Music Festival in 2027. — Jessica Nicholson

• Jesse Jo Stark (BMG)

  Singer-songwriter Jesse Jo Stark brought her label Deadly Doll to BMG, which will release her album MUSE on Nov. 6. The first single from the set, “colorado,” is out now. Stark is managed by Sam Jackson and Liza Owen. — Chris Eggertsen

• Ruby Rose Turner (Atlantic Records)

  

  Singer-songwriter and actress Ruby Rose Turner, best known for her role in Disney’s Descendants franchise, signed with Atlantic Records. Her new single, “Clementine,” is available now. Last month, she released the track “Vanity.” Prior to that, her song “Shuffle of Love” was included on the Descendants: The Rise of Red soundtrack. — Chris Eggertsen

• Hudson Freeman (Mom+Pop)

  

  Hudson Freeman signed to Mom+Pop, which will release his new album, Doom Country, on Nov. 6. He’s currently opening up tour dates for Jesse Welles in the U.S. Freeman has previously released three studio albums, including last year’s is a Folk Artist. — Chris Eggertsen

• Baby Rasta & Gringo (Ganda Entertainment)

  

  Baby Rasta & Gringo, composed of Wilmer Alicea and Samuel Gerena, reunited and signed a new management deal with Jonathan Gandarilla of Ganda Entertainment, who previously managed the Puerto Rican duo from 2008 to 2017. During its first successful run together, the reggaeton duo landed many Billboard chart entries, including a No. 2 on Top Latin Albums with its 2015 set Los Cotizados, as well as two No. 1s on Tropical Airplay with “Un Beso” (2015) and “Bailando Todo Se Olvida” (2016).

  The signing news comes on the heels of Baby Rasta & Gringo signing a deal with Interscope Records. The duo, which is making the rounds with its EP Antes del Romance [Unplugged], is a finalist for Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Duo or Group at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards. — Jessica Roiz

• serpentwithfeet (One Little Independent)

  

  Baltimore-raised, New York-based singer-songwriter-producer serpentwithfeet signed with One Little Independent Records, which will release his new EP, Sentinel, on Dec. 4. The title single is out now. To date, serpentwithfeet has released one EP and four albums, the most recent of which, GRIP SEQUEL, was released last year. — Chris Eggertsen

• Rachael Lampa (Centricity Music)

  

  Centricity Music signed Rachael Lampa to a global recording and publishing contract. Her debut single for the label, “Permission,” was released Sept. 25. — Jessica Nicholson

• Derrick Milano (Vitalize Records)

  Vitalize Records signed a new distribution and marketing partnership with Grammy Award-winning songwriter-producer Derrick Milano for his upcoming releases as a solo artist. Founded by 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Steff (Stephanie) Agathis, Vitalize will collaborate with Milano and his management team on distribution, marketing strategy, publicity and release positioning. A best rap song Grammy winner for co-writing Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé’s “Savage Remix,” Milano counts additional credits on projects by Justin Bieber, Latto, Teyana Taylor and, most recently, BTS’ Arirang album, including the tracks “Normal” and “Swim.” — Gail Mitchell

• Bess Atwell (Nettwerk)

  

  Nettwerk Music Group signed U.K. artist Bess Atwell. The first release under the deal is Atwell’s new single, “The Act.” She previously released two albums: 2021’s Already, Always and 2024’s Aaron Dessner-produced Light Sleeper. — Chris Eggertsen

• Liily (Atlantic Records)

  

  L.A. rock band Liily signed with Atlantic Records, which will release its major-label debut album later this year. Two songs from the upcoming set, “FOREVER” and “EVERYDAY,” are out now. The group previously released two EPs and the album TV or Not TV. Liily consists of Dylan Nash (vocals), Charlie Anastasis (bass), Sam De La Torre (guitar) and Maxx Morando (drums). — Chris Eggertsen

• Mei Simones (Verve/Interscope)

  

  Mei Simones signed to Verve/Interscope, which will release her new album, Howl, on Jan. 15. The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter also announced a North American headline tour starting in February. In a press release, her sound is described as a meld of “jazz, bossa nova, samba and grungy math rock,” with lyrics in both English and Japanese. Her debut album, Animaru, was released last year by Bayonet Records. — Chris Eggertsen

• Bachyard Ghost (Position Music/The Cut Records)

  

  Position Music signed Korean-American rapper and producer Bachyard Ghost to a joint venture label deal with The Cut Records. He’s set to release his full-length debut following a string of singles including “TAP IN” featuring Qrystal, “Pretty Privilege” with Justin Park and “ARIRANG” with FVBII. The first releases off the upcoming album are “PREESH!” and “FAITHFUL.” — Chris Eggertsen

• Crate (Good English Records)

  New York-based band Crate signed to Good English Records, which will release the group’s self-titled debut album on Nov. 13. The first track from the album, “Not My Song (Mine to Keep),” is out now. The band is composed of Cody Hudgins, Ezra Engler, Henry Smith and Juan Angulo. — Chris Eggertsen

• Kinsley (WME)

  

  Kinsley signed with WME for global representation. The singer-songwriter recently released the debut EP Learn to Live through MCA and inked a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. — Jessica Nicholson
  

• Emma Ogier (Lost Highway Records)

  

  Emma Ogier has signed with Lost Highway Records and will release her debut album Fly 1111 on Nov. 11, led by the new single, “Hands Tied.”

  “What struck us immediately about Emma is how completely herself she is. Her songs are intimate and deeply human, but there’s also a restless creative spirit behind them. She isn’t interested in fitting neatly into a genre or following a prescribed path, which is exactly what we admire most about her. She’s unstoppable and is just getting started,” Lost Highway Records executive vp and co-heads Robert Knotts and Jake Gear said in a statement.

  Other artists on the Lost Highway Records roster include Kacey Musgraves, Vincent Mason and Brandi Carlile. — Jessica Nicholson

• Jubël (Symphonic)

  

  Symphonic signed Swedish pop-dance duo Jubël to a distribution deal in conjunction with the launch of Jubël’s new label, Peach Lemonade. The duo consists of producer and vocalist Sebastian Atas and producer and guitarist Victor Sjöström. — Chris Eggertsen

• Lewis Love (EMPIRE Nashville)

  

  Australian country singer-songwriter Lewis Love has partnered with EMPIRE Nashville, bringing Love into the label’s global network. Love is managed by Hallwood Media. — Jessica Nicholson

• Daniel Doss (WieRok Records)

  WieRok Records, the flagship label of Franklin, Tenn.-based WieRok Entertainment Group, signed singer-songwriter and worship leader Daniel Doss to a record deal. He’s slated to release his debut on the label next year. Doss’ songs have been recorded by artists including Stephen McWhirter, Aaron Shust, Stars Go Dim, Seventh Day Slumber and Joseph Habedank. — Chris Eggertsen
  

• JP THE WAVY, Fyeqoodgurl, Nasi & Zolie Chan (Pacific Music Group)

  Pacific Music Group (PMG) launched Tokyo-based PMG Japan, which signed Japanese hip-hop artist JP THE WAVY to a long-term recorded music and 360 management deal. JP THE WAVY will release new music via PMG Japan this fall as the label looks to expand his reach across Asia and Western markets. PMG Japan will be co-led by Tomomi Takeshima and MiMi Shimada.

  Elsewhere, PMG is growing its roster with the signings of Thailand-based R&B singer-songwriter Fyeqoodgurl, Taiwan-based Voice of China contestant Nasi (Li Zhi Ting) and Hong Kong pop singer Zolie Chan. — Chris Eggertsen