Together, they plan to both acquire catalogs and sign and develop Jamaican artists and songwriters, aimed at “further advancing the new generation of Jamaica’s music scene”.
Started by Jamdown Records founder Othman Mukhlis in 2001, Abood Music is a long-established publisher of Jamaican and international music.
With a catalog spanning “decades”, Abood Music has an extensive history of global hits, with more than 220 million albums sold and over 120 Jamaican clients.
Skatta is a superstar Jamaican artist, songwriter, producer, media celebrity, and influencer who was published by Abood Music in the past. He is behind the hit 2003 dancehall record Coolie Dance Rhythm (also called Coolie Dance Riddim), which Reservoir has published in the US via Abood since 2020.
The rhythm earned international popularity through several influential featured samples in global hits by Pitbull, Lil Jon, Whitney Houston, Fatman Scoop, Nina Sky and more.
In the last year, Coolie Dance Rhythm has enjoyed what Reservoir calls “a renaissance of its sampling”, including in the Grammy-nominated, Gold-selling global hit After Hours by Kehlani.
These recent uses have yielded 15 singles in the past 18 months, with more than 1.3 billion views across various territories. Coolie Dance Rhythm also remains what a Reservoir calls a “synchronization staple”, with more than 45 major film and television licenses, including top Hollywood films such as Zero Dark Thirty, major network television syncs such as And Just Like That and America’s Next Top Model, as well as global advertising campaigns.
As Reservoir expands its global footprint, with plans to acquire catalogs via its new JV with Skatta Burrell in Jamaica, elsewhere in the world, Reservoir, in conjunction with PopArabia, recently made two new acquisitions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Reservoir also launched a new Mumbai subsidiary called PopIndia in April, and made its first catalog deal in India a month later.
Other recent highlights from the company include its acquisition of the publishing catalog of jazz icon Miles Davis. The deal, valued at between $40-$60 million, encompasses Davis’ music publishing rights as well as the estate’s income from his recordings.
The New York-headquartered music company generated$45.4 million in calendar Q3 (the three months ending September 30), representing 12% YoY growth, or 7% organically excluding acquisitions.
“This venture integrates Abood’s veteran catalog strength with Reservoir’s frontline creative leadership and international infrastructure, ensuring Jamaican music reaches wider audiences and greater commercial heights.”
Skatta
Commenting on the deal, Skatta said: “I’m excited to announce this partnership with Reservoir. This venture integrates Abood’s veteran catalog strength with Reservoir’s frontline creative leadership and international infrastructure, ensuring Jamaican music reaches wider audiences and greater commercial heights.
“I particularly want to thank Rell Lafargue and Spek, who have been instrumental in supporting Coolie Dance Rhythm and driving the billion plus views associated with its global renaissance.”
He added: “Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, I’m also honored to share that the first transaction of our joint venture is a substantial donation to support relief efforts. With this donation, we hope to signal our meaningful commitment not just to the creators we sign, but also to Jamaica and its people as a whole.”
“We look forward to supporting the voices of established and developing Jamaican creators alike, as we work to amplify their artistry, expand their global reach, and continue to elevate Jamaican music on the world stage.”
Rell Lafargue, Reservoir
Reservoir President and Chief Operating Officer Rell Lafargue also added: “We’re pleased to be extending our relationship with Skatta through this new venture, which will enable Reservoir, Skatta and Abood Music to be worldwide market leaders in dancehall, reggae, and Jamaican music.
“We look forward to supporting the voices of established and developing Jamaican creators alike, as we work to amplify their artistry, expand their global reach, and continue to elevate Jamaican music on the world stage.”Music Business Worldwide
