Kobalt has formed a strategic partnership with LAA Music, the independent publishing company launched last year by sports agent Zac Hiller and music executive Justin Goldman.
The deal gives LAA Music access to Kobalt‘s global publishing administration platform.
According to the announcement on Tuesday (May 12), LAA Music‘s artists and writers have amassed more than 4 billion streams across DSPs, and more than a dozen gold and platinum certifications since the company’s launch in early 2025.
“Zac and Justin are dialed in to where the next generation of groundbreaking songwriters and artists are emerging,” said Jeannette Perez, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Kobalt. “We are thrilled to be able to support their efforts around the world.”
LAA Music was launched as an offshoot of LAA Sports & Entertainment, the NFL-focused agency Hiller founded after becoming a certified NFLPA contract advisor in 2016.
“Zac and Justin are dialed in to where the next generation of groundbreaking songwriters and artists are emerging.”
Jeannette Perez, Kobalt
The publishing company has built its roster by signing artists and producers having viral moments on TikTok and other social platforms. One early LAA Music signing, Rambbo Beats, had a No. 2 charting single on the TikTok Viral Charts and generates more than 150,000 U.S. streams per day, according to the company.
Rambbo is joining the LAA Music team as an A&R Scout in addition to his role as a label artist.
Other tracks in the catalog include Brrdadumdum by Joe Moses, produced by DJ Westcoast; Drugs Callin’ by Hurricane Wisdom, co-written by LAA Music writer Prod.Yari; and the platinum-certified ABG by Quando Rondo.
“LAA Music‘s mission is to identify up-and-coming artists, producers and songwriters who are moving culture very early in their careers and giving them a platform from which to grow,” said Goldman. “We feel that Jeanette and her team at Kobalt are the right partners to make that happen.”
Goldman‘s prior music ventures include JustGold, the label he launched in 2018, and management company Pr1me Sound, which has worked with Lil Gnar and Yung Gravy, among others.
“LAA Music‘s mission is to identify up-and-coming artists, producers and songwriters who are moving culture very early in their careers and giving them a platform from which to grow.”
Justin Goldman
Hiller, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, added: “We are ambitious about our desire to expand into new areas of the business, and industry-leading partners like Kobalt are essential as we chart our path forward. We’re excited to be working with Kobalt around the world.”
“We are ambitious about our desire to expand into new areas of the business, and industry-leading partners like Kobalt.”
ZAC Hiller
On the sports side, LAA Sports & Entertainment represents Buffalo Bills running back and 2025 NFL rushing title winner James Cook, Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart, and Denver Broncos running back JK Dobbins, alongside Nelk Boys content creator Aaron “Steiny” Steinberg.
For Kobalt, the LAA Music tie-up is the latest in a string of strategic partnerships under President and Chief Commercial Officer Perez and CEO Laurent Hubert.
The publisher inked a worldwide sub-publishing and admin tie-up with UK-headquartered Sync Music Global in March, following a similar arrangement with London-based Geo Music Group the previous month.
Last month, Kobalt signed a licensing agreement with AI music platform Udio, its second AI tie-up after a deal with ElevenLabs in August.
The string of deals comes ahead of a change in ownership for Kobalt.
Primary Wave Music announced in March that it has agreed to acquire Kobalt from US private equity firm Francisco Partners, in a transaction that includes investment from Brookfield and is expected to close in Q3 2026.
Kobalt says it serves over 1 million songs across 10 global offices, with a roster including Roddy Ricch, Max Martin, Karol G, Stevie Nicks, Phoebe Bridgers, The Foo Fighters, and Paul McCartney. The company says it represents, on average, more than 35% of the top 100 songs and albums in the US and the UK.Music Business Worldwide