Universal Music India has entered into an exclusive partnership with Albuquerque Records – an independent record label recently launched by singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander.
The partnership will see Universal Music India and Albuquerque Records release future pop and hip hop music by Anirudh Ravichander, and future artists signed to the label.
According to a press release, the global partnership will see Universal Music India work closely with Albuquerque Records “to expand the influence of Anirudh’s artistry” with the ambition for the label to “become home to emerging pop and hip-hop artists from the region”.
According to UMG, Anirudh’s track record over the last 15 years has been “enviable and unparalleled”.
Debuting as a composer in 2012 with his global viral hit Why This Kolaveri Di, he has amassed over 13 billion audio streams across more than 770 tracks, making him the No.1 South Indian artist on Spotify in terms of total streams.
Additionally, he is described as one of the “most coveted” composers in the Tamil Original Soundtrack (OST) space, with many “global chart-topping successes” including Hukum, Vaathi Coming, Arabic Kuthu, Monica, A23 Theme, Aaja Raja, Aya Sher and more.
Universal Music India says that it has maintained “a steady focus on the South Indian region, working closely with the rich artistry and culture which spans the four key south language markets (Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu)”.
The arrangement with Anirudh, according to the company, “will help further the presence of groundbreaking music from this region on the global stage”.
Additionally, the company added, “it further expands Universal Music India’s presence in pop and hip-hop, genres associated with some of the most influential names in the South Indian market”.
Commenting on the partnership, Devraj Sanyal, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music India; SVP Strategy, AMEA, said: “Anirudh represents the future of Indian music — bold, original, and with enormous potential. At Universal Music India, identifying transformative talent is our superpower, and this partnership reflects that belief.”
“We’re proud to stand behind Anirudh as he embarks on his next chapter, and helps take more Indian music to the world.”
Devraj Sanyal
Added Sanyal: “We’re proud to stand behind Anirudh as he embarks on his next chapter, and helps take more Indian music to the world.”
“I’m excited to champion the next wave of Indian independent voices and take them to audiences around the world.”
Anirudh Ravichander
Anirudh Ravichander added: “Albuquerque Records was built to be an artist-backed, homegrown label focused on nurturing independent talent and taking their sound to the global stage. Universal Music India’s leadership in pop and hip-hop made them the natural partner.
“I’m excited to champion the next wave of Indian independent voices and take them to audiences around the world.”
“Anirudh has long been a defining force in shaping the creative landscape beyond music.”
Sanujeet Bhujabal, Universal Music India
Sanujeet Bhujabal, MD, Universal Music India, said: “Anirudh has long been a defining force in shaping the creative landscape beyond music. Alongside his stellar track record of innumerable hit songs for films, he commands a phenomenal fanbase that engages deeply with his creative output.
“Albuquerque Records represents Anirudh’s bold artistic vision in the world of pop and hip-hop. True to his legacy of innovation, this partnership is set to establish yet another landmark creative space — this time for the emerging world of iPop and beyond.”
The deal is the latest in a series of strategic moves by UMG across the Indian market.
In January, UMG signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 30% stake in Bollywood production house Excel Entertainment — co-founded by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar — in a deal that values the company at approximately $267 million. That deal gives UMG worldwide distribution rights for all future original soundtracks from Excel-owned projects.
Speaking on UMG’s Q4 2025 earnings call earlier this month, Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge outlined geographic expansion as one of four pillars driving UMG’s next phase of growth, alongside artist and label services, superfan initiatives, and AI.
Elsewhere in India, in March 2025, Universal Music India launched a new label called Pentertainment 0075 in partnership with superstar India-based rapper Badshah. UMG first struck an exclusive global agreement with Badshah in 2021.
Separately, in 2022, Universal Music India took a majority stake in India-based music and entertainment company TM Ventures, which manages a roster of artists that includes Badshah.
In August 2025, Universal Music India entered into a strategic partnership with Maddock Films, one of India’s most prolific Hindi film production studios, and its newly formed music label Mad For Mussic, led by founder Dinesh Vijan.
In 2023, Universal struck a strategic partnership with India-based talent agency REPRESENT to help introduce Indian music culture to global audiences.
In 2021, Universal Music India launched label VYRL Punjabi in association with music composer Jatinder Shah. That same year, Universal Music India and Capitol Records teamed up on Jason Derulo’s rework of Tesher’s global hit, Jalebi Baby, which was released in 2020.
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