MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters Of 2024

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Zach Bryan. Photo: Trevor Pavlik

Since 2018, MusicRow has published a weekly Top Songwriter Chart that ranks the week’s top 60 songwriters based on song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams.

Through the use of proprietary software, the points awarded to each song are evenly distributed among its co-writers, mirroring the revenue and ownership structures common in Music City’s publishing industry. This system highlights the overall success of active songs for each songwriter. As a result, the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart provides a weekly snapshot of the most active and successful songwriters in Nashville.

Zach Bryan accumulated the highest number of points on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart in 2024, securing the top spot on the year-end rankings.

After earning the top spot in 2023 with songs from his American Heartbreak, Boys of Faith and self-titled projects, which stayed near the top of the charts throughout 2024, Bryan continued to release new music in 2024. The Warner Records artist released his The Great American Bar Scene album in July, consisting of mostly solo-written tunes, allowing Bryan to collect all of the points those songs earned.

Songs that contributed to Bryan’s dominance on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart include his Grammy-winning collaboration with Kacey Musgraves “I Remember Everything,” “28,” “American Nights,” “Bass Boat,” “Bathwater,” “Better Days,” “Boons,” “Funny Man,” “High Road,” “Like Ida,” “Lucky Enough,” “Mechanical Bull,” “Memphis, The Blues,” “Northern Thunder,” “Oak Island, “Pink Skies,” “Sandpaper,” “Sun To Me,” “The Great American Bar Scene,” “The Way Back,” “This World’s A Giant,” “Towers” and more.

Ashley Gorley. Photo: Katie Kauss

Ashley Gorley ranks No. 2 on MusicRow‘s Top 100 Songwriters of 2024 list. A continuous mainstay on the country charts, Gorley added numerous hits to his songbook over the past year, including “Bulletproof,” “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” “Hell Or High Water,” “I Am Not Okay,” “Liar,” “Love Somebody,” “Park” and “Whiskey Whiskey,” among others.

He also snagged multiple charting cuts on Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion album, which made waves in the country music industry this year. Throughout 2024, Gorley was recognized with numerous accolades, including ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year for the 11th time, iHeartRadio Award’s Songwriter of the Year, MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Songwriter of the Year and Male Songwriter of the Year, NMPA Top Gold & Platinum Songwriter and a TICUA Hall of Fame induction. Gorley currently has over 80 No. 1 hits.

Landing at No. 3 on MusicRow‘s Top 100 Songwriters of 2024 list is Chris Stapleton. Stapleton has his own “It Takes A Woman,” solo-penned “Think I’m In Love With You,” “What Am I Gonna Do” and the Grammy and CMA Award winning “White Horse” all from his Higher album featured on the charts this year, as well his collaboration with Post Malone, “California Sober.” Stapleton was also named the Artist-Songwriter of the Year at the 2024 ACM awards and the 2024 ASCAP Country Music Songwriter-Artist of the Year.

Chris Stapleton. Photo: David McClister

Josh Phillips placed at No. 4 this year, largely attributed to his solo-penned Cody Johnson cut, “Dirt Cheap.” The tune was awarded the MusicRow Song of the Year last summer and was nominated for many other awards. Phillips also earned points with his Luke Combs’ recorded “The Man He Sees In Me.”

Jessie Jo Dillon rounds out the top five songwriters of 2024. Dillon had two charting cuts on Megan Moroney’s Am I Okay? album this year, with credits on “Am I Okay?” and “No Caller ID.” Dillon also was recorded by a bevy of Nashville artists throughout the year, writing on “Baggage,” “Friday Night Heartbreaker,” “Lies Lies Lies” and “Messed Up As Me.” She was named the 2024 ACM Awards Songwriter of the Year, and is nominated for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Dillon is also the highest-ranking female on the list. This year’s data remains predominantly male, with only 16 other female songwriters appearing in the top 100, which includes 121 names due to tied scores. This marks a slight increase from last year’s total of 15 female songwriters.

MusicRow’s Top Songwriters of 2024:
1. Zach Bryan
2. Ashley Gorley
3. Chris Stapleton
4. Josh Phillips
5. Jessie Jo Dillon
6. Charlie Handsome
7. Taylor Phillips
8. Hunter Phelps
9. Jason DeFord
10. Riley Green
11. Jordan Minton
12. Jessi Alexander
13. Jonathan Singleton
14. Rocky Block
15. Luke Combs
16. Randy Montana
17. Ernest Keith Smith
18. Casey Brown
19. Austin Post
20. Ben Johnson
21. Louis Bell
22. Chayce Beckham
23. Lainey Wilson
24. Shane McAnally
25. Morgan Wallen
26. Bryan Martin, Vernon Brown
27. Tucker Wetmore
28. John Byron
29. Kacey Musgraves
30. Michael Hardy
31. Chase McGill
32. Chris LaCorte
33. Tom Petty
34. Jesse Frasure
35. Bailey Zimmerman
36. Aaron Raitiere
37. Thomas Archer
38. Matt Jenkins
39. Megan Moroney
40. Paul Sikes
41. Jordan Dozzi
42. Josh Thompson
43. Adam Wendler, Anna Dasha Novotny, Cheyenne Rose Arnspiger, Kenneth Travis Heidelman
44. Michael Tyler
45. Dave Turnbull
46. Tracy Chapman
47. Joe Fox
48. Carson Chamberlain, Zach Top
49. Jared Keim
50. Warren Zeiders
51. Pete Good
52. Ella Langley
53. Shaboozey, Sean Cook
54. Carly Pearce
55. Nevin Sastry
56. Chase Matthew
57. Kane Brown
58. Micah Wilshire
59. Zach Abend
60. Grant Averill, Joe Spargur
61. David Garcia
62. Jerrel Jones, Joe Kent, Mark Williams
63. Hoskins
64. Thomas Rhett
65. Justin Ebach
66. Chris Tompkins
67. Daniel Ross, Josh Miller
68. Jaron Boyer
69. Tyler Hubbard
70. Jacob Kasher
71. Brent Anderson
72. Allison Veltz Cruz
73. Ashley Cooke, Mark Trussell
74. Aaron Eshuis, Marc Beeson, Tony Lane
75. Rhett Akins
76. Ryan Beaver
77. Beyoncè
78. Trannie Anderson
79. Jacob Rice
80. Jessie Murph
81. Dylan Gossett
82. Mentor Williams
83. Jacob Davis
84. Josh Jenkins
85. Dylan Marlowe, Seth Ennis
86. Abram Dean, Andy Sheridan, David Fanning, Matt Thomas
87. David Bowie
88. Chandler Walters
89. Ben Stennis
90. Wyatt McCubbin
91. James Maddocks
92. Geoff Warburton
93. Jordan Davis
94. Nick Gale
95. Milan Modi
96. Emily Weisband
97. Amy Allen, Gabe Simon, Ropyr Wetzel
98. Jeremy Stover, Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni
99. Rodney Clawson
100. Michael Lotten

Luke Combs, Marcus King, The Red Clay Strays, More Among Bonnaroo 2025 Lineup

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Pictured (clockwise): Luke Combs, Marcus King and The Red Clay Strays

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has unveiled the lineup for its 2025 event, taking place June 12–15 in Manchester, Tennessee.

The festival will once again feature artists performing nonstop across more than 10 stages. Live music will run late into the night and include special sunrise sets.

Luke Combs will headline opening night on Thursday (June 12). Additional performers will include Marcus King, Dom Dolla, Sammy Virji, Green Velvet, 2Hollis, Insane Clown Posse and more. Friday night (June 13) will feature performances from The Red Clay Strays, John Summit, Glass Animals, Tipper, Goose, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Megadeth, among others, before a headlining set from Tyler, The Creator.

On Saturday night (June 14), Olivia Rodrigo will take the stage for her headlining slot after performances from Jessie Murph, Flatland Cavalry, Avril Lavigne, Justice, Nelly, Glorilla, Mt. Joy, RL Grime, Beabadoobee, Tyla and more. On Sunday (June 15), Treaty Oak Revival, Alexandra Kay, Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge, Vampire Weekend, Queens of the Stone Age, Lszee, Raye, Royel Otis, Dispatch, Role Model, Barry Can’t Swim and more will take the stage before a closing set from headliner Hozier.

Additionally, Bonnaroo debut its first-ever Roo Residency, featuring King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, who will perform three sets over three days. Also, Remi Wolf will headline the “Insanely Fire 1970s Pool Party SuperJam,” continuing the festival’s tradition.

The 2025 event will introduce the “Closer” RV and Primitive Camping options, ensuring fans are closer to Centeroo no matter when they enter “The Farm.” Another addition is The Infinity Stage, a venue created in partnership with Polygon Live that will feature spatial sound, synchronized lighting and a three-dome, open-air design.

Tickets will go on sale tomorrow (Jan. 9) at 10 a.m. CT. Guaranteed lowest-priced tickets will be available during the first hour of sales. Options include Four-Day General Admission, Four-Day GA+, Four-Day VIP and Four-Day Platinum, along with a variety of camping and parking options. For more information, click here.

Kirk Franklin To Receive Black Music Icon Award At Fourth Annual Recording Academy Honors

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Kirk Franklin. Photo: Chris Cavanaugh

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and producer Kirk Franklin will be celebrated with the Black Music Icon Award at the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Santa Monica on Jan. 30.

The Black Music Icon Award celebrates Black music creators whose commitment to their craft has profoundly shaped the industry and whose legacy of service inspires countless people around the world.

A 20-time Grammy-winning gospel artist, Franklin has revolutionized the gospel genre by blending gospel, R&B and hip-hop. The Fort Worth, Texas native began playing piano at age four and directing choirs at 11. Franklin’s debut album, Kirk Franklin & The Family, was the first gospel album to sell more than a million copies, spending 100 weeks on the Billboard Gospel charts.

Known for hits like “Stomp,” “Revolution” and “Brighter Day,” Franklin’s music has achieved widespread crossover success and transformed the genre. Through the joint-venture between RCA Records and his company, Fo Yo Soul Entertainment, Franklin has fostered diverse, Christ-centered content while mentoring urban youth. His 13 albums, all certified Gold or Platinum, have earned him nine Dove Awards, 33 Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Award.

Collaborating with artists like Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and Chance the Rapper, Franklin has consistently bridged the gap between gospel and mainstream music, reaching broader audiences. In 2011, he also authored The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms, which focuses on a transparent approach to addressing issues from marriage and politics to sex and religion. Through his foundation, he leads community outreach initiatives focused on education and mentorship, empowering future generations and promoting personal growth through faith and music. Franklin’s renowned leadership of urban contemporary gospel choirs, including The Family, God’s Property and One Nation Crew, continues to dominate the Billboard Gospel chart while achieving mainstream success.

“Kirk has not only revolutionized gospel music but has also bridged the gap between genres, redefining the possibilities of musical expression and inspiring generations with his message of hope and faith,” says Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “His unwavering dedication to his craft and his legacy of service embody the very essence of the Black Music Icon Award. We look forward to honoring Kirk for his profound influence on the industry and the countless lives he continues to touch worldwide.”

AEG Presents Names Weston Hebert Vice President Of Global Touring

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Weston Herbert

AEG Presents has appointed Weston Hebert as Vice President of Global Touring. Based out of the company’s Nashville office, his responsibilities will include driving touring strategies and initiatives across the global market, reporting to President of Global Touring, Rich Schaefer.

Herbert began his career at WME in Nashville, focusing on international expansion of the agency’s Country Touring business. Prior to joining AEG, he served as a Talent Buyer for Live Nation Entertainment in the Great Lakes region, overseeing bookings and programming at numerous prominent venues including Andrew J Brady Music Center, The ICON Festival Stage, Bogart’s & The Bluestone. He also successfully booked and promoted tours for emerging artists such as The Red Clay Strays, Gavin Adcock and Lawrence.

“When Rich & I first spoke about this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to join the AEG Presents family,” says Hebert. “Rich & the Global Touring team have cultivated an exceptional sense of collaboration & community with the artists, managers & agents they work with. I’m excited to contribute to the ecosystem they’re fostering, which drives artist development & growth in all facets of the business.”

“We’re very excited to welcome Weston to Global Touring, boosting our presence in Nashville,” adds Schaefer. “We’ve been watching Weston’s development as a touring promoter from afar and have been impressed by his relationships with the artist community, managers and agents and his impeccable taste in music. We’re looking forward to Weston being a significant contributor to our team.”

Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Bailey Zimmerman Among Lineup For Field & Stream Music Fest

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Field & Stream Music Fest has unveiled the lineup for the festival taking place Oct. 3-5 at Carolina Adventure World in Winnsboro, South Carolina.

Co-produced by Field & Stream, the fest will feature over 40 artists performing across multiple stages including Eric Church (a key investor in the brand), Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Riley Green, ZZ Top, Bailey Zimmerman, Shane Smith & The Saints, Kameron Marlowe, Larry Fleet, Tyler Farr, Whey Jennings, Ashland Craft, Boy Named Banjo, Josh Sanders, Edwin McCain, David Lee Murphy and many more.

The Fest brings together the best of country music and outdoor adventure where fans can dive into themed villages like the Ugly Stik Fish On America Village, where pro fishing tips and casting competitions await, or the onX Hunt Village, featuring outdoor gear showcases and expert-led demos. For sports fans, the GameWatch Football Showdown Village delivers live games on massive screens, complete with spirited activities and a fully stocked bar. Beyond the villages fans can take on excursions like trophy fishing, archery, Rattlesnake Park mountain biking and off-road tours.

Pre-sales begin tomorrow (Jan. 9) for Field & Stream 1871 Club Members, with tickets on sale to the general public Jan. 10 at fieldandstreammusicfest.com.

Brown Sellers Brown Announces New Hires & Promotion

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Pictured (clockwise from top left): Ash Bowers, Angela Wheeler, Abby Driscoll and Wendy Buckner

Brown Sellers Brown (BSB) has hired Ash Bowers as Director of Artist Management and A&R Support, Wendy Buckner as Day-to-Day Manager for artists, including Ben Gallaher and Spencer Hatcher, and Abby Driscoll as Day-to-Day Manager for Annie Bosko, as Bosko’s previous Day-to-Day Manager Angela Wheeler has been promoted to Director of Content & Creative.

“As we continue to grow BSB, hiring Ash, Wendy and Abby and promoting Angela helps set us up for continued success in 2025,” says BSB Partner Benny Brown. “All four of those individuals have worked with some of the biggest brands in the music business, and their combined abilities will be a great asset to BSB’s artist roster.”

Reporting directly to Benny Brown and fellow partners Paul Brown and Jason Sellers, Bowers will lead management strategy for artists like Gallaher and Hatcher. In his new role, he will also provide A&R assistance across Quartz Hill Records and Stone Country Records while serving as a record producer for multiple acts. Bowers started in the industry as a Stoney Creek Records artist before becoming a songwriter and producer, securing cuts with Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and Dustin Lynch, among others. He also co-founded a publishing and management company in 2013. Bowers can be reached at ash@brownsellersbrown.com.

Reporting to Bowers, Buckner brings more than 25 years of experience in music publishing, music and television production and artist management to her new position. She most recently served as Executive Personal Assistant to Wynonna Judd and Assistant to Marion Kraft at ShopKeeper Management, whose clients include Miranda Lambert.  Buckner can be reached at wendy@bsbmgmt.com.

Driscoll will report to Bosko’s Manager Randy Bernard. The Belmont University graduate began her artist management career interning and working part-time as an assistant at Make Wake Artists. After graduation, she joined CAA as a receptionist and floater. Driscoll at can be reached at abby@bsbmgmt.com.

In her elevated role, Wheeler will report directly to Sellers and provide leadership support for the production of creative assets, including cover artwork, music videos and social media content. Before joining the company, she gained over 30 years of experience with The Charlie Daniels Band, ultimately serving as Director of Creative Services & Logistics for the Country Music Hall of Famer. Wheeler also worked as Director of Creative Services & Licensing for Daniels’ record label, Blue Hat Records, and Executive Assistant to President of Corlew Music Group David Corlew.

Industry Ink: Brian Crews, Cory Edmondson, Kurt Stevens

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Jayson Entertainment Group Adds Brian Crews

Brian Crews

Industry veteran Brian Crews has joined Jayson Entertainment Group (JEG) as Director of Business Development & Strategy, where he will continue working in talent buying, concert promotion and production.

Crews began his career with Roxboro Jaycees, where he helped book and produce the Flem Whitt Beach Music Festival. He later founded Crewser Entertainment & Promotions, a talent buying and concert production company. Crews most recently served as Senior Talent Buyer/Event Producer at Romeo Entertainment Group (REG). Over the past two decades, he has worked with artists including Lainey Wilson, Alabama, Hank Williams Jr., Lee Brice, Nelly, 3 Doors Down and more.

“We are excited for Brian to join us at JEG. His knowledge and experience is going to help us grow and expand,” shares Aaron J. Green, Partner, Jayson Entertainment Group. “Brian shares our mission of making great events happen!”

KFGE/Lincoln, NE Ups Cory Edmondson

Cory Edmondson

Cory Edmondson has been promoted to PD at KFGE/Lincoln, NE. He takes over the role from Steve King, who will focus on duties as OM for the five-station cluster as well as the company’s seven-station cluster in Omaha.

“I don’t think there is anyone more deserving than Cory to lead the charge for Froggy,” shares King. Edmondson joined KFGE in 2022 after working for numerous stations, such as KFLS/Klamath Falls, OR, KKOA/Hilo, HI, KTHK/Idaho Falls, ID and KKNU/Eugene, OR.

 

Maui Songwriters Festival To Debut ‘Festival Find’ With Kurt Stevens

Kurt Stevens

The Maui Songwriters Festival will debut their new “Festival Find” program with Kurt Stevens earning the debut honor. Stevens will perform during the festival, taking place Jan. 15–18 in Maui, Kapalua.

A South Florida native, Stevens is rooted in the traditions of artists, such as Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Jack Johnson and more. He recently caught the attention of SiriusXM’s Radio Margaritaville with his latest release, “Everglades,” which is now in regular rotation on the station. The song draws a parallel between a romantic relationship and the Florida Everglades.

Splice Releases New AI Discovery Tool For Country Creators

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Splice, the sounds catalog platform that helps music creators bring their ideas to life, is launching the country music genre in its Create AI tool, which allows producers, songwriters and instrumentalists to build song starters and create stacks using compatible sounds from across the vast Splice catalog.

The Splice team spent months in Nashville, Austin and Los Angeles to capture rich, authentic, human-made country sounds for this launch. Released under a new sample label, Splice Country features performances from country musicians including Devin Malone (Jelly Roll, Carrie Underwood), Trevor Nealon (Willie Nelson, Lee Ann Womack) and Kate L. Malone (Sam Hunt, Emma White).

“Create is already changing the game for producers across genres whose phones are filled with Stacks and I’m looking forward to seeing how the country community engages with the tool,” says Kenny Ochoa, SVP of Content at Splice. “Our ability to deliver these beautiful country samples right into studio workflows is going to make such a difference for country producers. It was important to us to get this right, to find the right musicians to play on these sample packs and get the best recording quality and instrumentation that producers in the country space want to use.”

“Inspiration can be a luxury when you’re always creating,” says CMA Award-winning songwriter Mikey Reaves (Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson), producer of the recently released Country Mojo & Spice sound pack. “That’s where Splice Create comes in. With a single click, it generates a full production vibe—again and again—until the right one sparks your next song.”

Splice Country is home to 10 new sample packs featuring loops and melodies using the unique instruments that define the genre; the dobro, pedal steel, lap steel and banjo. These sounds are now accessible in Splice’s Create Mode, providing country producers with the same technology embraced by songwriters, producers and Splice users worldwide. With the launch of Splice Country, the company now has 29 in-house sample labels spanning more than 130 genres, featuring hundreds of instruments.

Billy Strings Announces Spring Shows

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Billy Strings. Photo: Dana Trippe

Billy Strings will continue his headline tour through the spring, which will run through June 21 in Lexington.

The new dates will include multiple shows in St. Augustine; Cary, North Carolina; Grand Rapids; Lexington; Savannah; St. Louis and more. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, (Jan. 10) at billystrings.com/tour.

The spring shows are just the latest added to Strings’ 2025 run, which also includes stops in Denver, Asheville, Atlanta and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Additionally, following his two-night stand at Bridgestone Arena, Strings will once again return to the Ryman Auditorium on March 2 for a third Nashville show.

The upcoming performances celebrate Strings’ latest album, Highway Prayers, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales chart last fall—the first time in 22 years that a bluegrass album has been the top-selling album across genres.

Billy Strings Confirmed Tour Dates:
January 24 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
January 25 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
January 26 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
February 6 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 7 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 8 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 14 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 15 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 16 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 21 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena
February 22 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena
February 28 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena
March 1 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena
March 2 — Nashville, TN — Ryman Auditorium (SOLD OUT)
April 3 — St. Augustine, FL — St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 4 — St. Augustine, FL — St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 5 — St. Augustine, FL — St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 9 — Tampa, FL — Yuengling Center
April 11 — Savannah, GA — Enmarket Arena
April 12 — Savannah, GA — Enmarket Arena
April 15 — Charlottesville, VA — John Paul Jones Arena
April 17 — Cary, NC — Koka Booth Amphitheatre
April 18 — Cary, NC — Koka Booth Amphitheatre
April 19 — Cary, NC — Koka Booth Amphitheatre
May 30 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
May 31 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
June 6 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena
June 7 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena
June 11 — Kansas City, MO — T-Mobile Center
June 13 — St. Louis, MO — Chaifetz Arena
June 14 — St. Louis, MO — Chaifetz Arena
June 20 — Lexington, KY — Rupp Arena
June 21 — Lexington, KY — Rupp Arena

Bold: on-sale this Friday, Jan. 10 at 10:00 a.m. local time

Rani Hancock Appointed Executive Vice President, Head Of U.S. Creative At Kobalt

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Rani Hancock. Photo: Charlie Gross

Kobalt has appointed Rani Hancock to the position of Executive Vice President, Head of U.S. Creative at the company. She will now lead the company’s creative teams in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville.

Hancock joins Kobalt from her position as EVP, Head of A&R at Columbia Records, where she worked with Dove Cameron, Maren Morris and JoJo Siwa, among others. In her previous role as Executive Vice President, A&R at RCA Records, she signed chart-topping artists including Miley Cyrus, Kesha and Becky G and A&R’d projects for Pitbull, Britney Spears and more. During her stint as President of Sire Records, she signed Bryce Vine and Cavetown, oversaw projects by Tegan and Sara and Andra Day, as well as executive produced the Golden Globe-nominated soundtrack for The United States vs. Billie Holiday.

At Kobalt, Hancock will report directly to Jeannette Perez, the company’s President & Chief Commercial Officer.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rani Hancock to Kobalt Music,” says Perez. “Her exceptional creative vision and proven track record make her the perfect fit to head our U.S. creative team. Rani’s deep understanding of the evolving music landscape, combined with her passion for nurturing talent, will be invaluable as we continue to empower songwriters, artists and producers in achieving their greatest potential.”

Laurent Hubert, CEO of Kobalt adds, “Rani is a creative executive who has always looked at the songwriter as a foundational player in our business. That point of view, along with her vast experience in our business, embodies the kind of leadership and creative acumen that makes her the ideal leader to guide our U.S. creative team moving forward.”

A Berklee College of Music grad, Hancock began her career working for Clive Davis at Arista Records, later joining him as part of the founding team at J Records. She has A&R’d six No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 singles, three No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 albums and 17 Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 singles throughout her career.

“Joining Kobalt is an incredible opportunity to be part of a company that truly values songwriters, artists and producers,” shares Hancock. “Laurent and Jeannette have built an amazing team and a culture of creativity and innovation. I’m incredibly excited to work alongside them to champion the next generation of creative talent. Kobalt’s commitment to empowering artists aligns perfectly with my own values, where great songs and great songwriters always come first. I can’t wait to contribute to their continued success.”