Excel Music Launches as Universal Music-Backed Bollywood Label
Universal Music Group has launched Excel Music, a sub-label with Indian production house Excel Entertainment, with the Mirzapur: The Movie soundtrack as its first release.
Excel Music, a new sub-label backed by Universal Music Group (UMG), has officially launched as the dedicated music arm of Indian production house Excel Entertainment. The move comes seven months after UMG acquired a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment, the studio behind films such as Dil Chahta Hai, Rock On!! and Gully Boy.
Under the January agreement, Universal gained global distribution rights for all future original soundtracks from projects owned or controlled by Excel, to be released through the new label. Universal Music Publishing Group serves as Excel Music’s exclusive publishing partner, enabling its songwriters and catalogue to be placed in the studio’s productions.
Inaugural Release: Mirzapur: The Movie
The label’s first project is the soundtrack to Mirzapur: The Movie, a feature film based on Excel’s popular crime drama web series. The debut single, ‘Do Numbari’, was released last week by Haryanvi hip-hop artist Dhanda Nyoliwala, who is signed to Universal. The track marks his first appearance in a Bollywood film.
Strategic Partnership
Sanujeet Bhujabal, managing director of Universal Music Group India and South Asia, said: “Leveraging Universal Music’s global artist roster, iconic catalogue, and world-class marketing and distribution capabilities, we look forward to taking Excel Music to audiences across India and around the world.”
Excel Music’s output will not be limited to soundtracks and scores from Excel Entertainment’s own slate. The label will also release music from films by other leading filmmakers and production houses across India.
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