Music Industry Moves: Puerto Rican Star Jay Wheeler Signs With UTA; Sulinna Ong Joins U2’s Management as Partner

The representation of Latin music sensation José Ángel López Cruz, professionally known as Jay Wheeler, has been taken on by United Talent Agency (UTA) for global coverage across all areas. This agreement spans live touring, media projects, brand collaborations, filmed entertainment, and other worldwide endeavors. Wheeler, a Puerto Rican singer-songwriter recognized for blending reggaeton with R&B, has earned three Latin Grammy nominations. His latest nod came in the Best Urban/Fusion Performance category for "Roma," a track from his eighth studio album, "Girasoles." The artist's career took a pivotal turn with his breakout hit "La Curiosidad," which has surpassed 1.4 billion streams on Spotify and over 1 billion views on YouTube. Beyond music, Wheeler is set to launch a podcast, signaling his foray into digital media. Industry analysts point to this signing as evidence of UTA's growing emphasis on Latin music talent, a genre that has seen explosive growth in global streaming over the last five years. As music analyst Carlos Ramirez of Billboard Latin notes, "UTA's move mirrors a wider industry trend where Latin artists are no longer considered niche but have become mainstream forces generating substantial revenue." This shift is backed by data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, which reported a 24% increase in Latin music consumption worldwide in 2023 alone.

In a separate development, legendary Irish rock band U2 has brought on former Spotify executive Sulinna Ong as a management partner, a newly created position that aligns her with industry veterans Irving and Jeffrey Azoff. Ong, who spent over seven years at Spotify as global head of editorial and curation, will oversee strategic initiatives across all facets of U2's career, with a focus on creative innovation. She will report directly to band members Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. In a joint statement, the group praised Ong's "flair, finesse, and clarity," acknowledging her understanding of both their history and future ambitions. Irving Azoff, whose management roster includes the Eagles and Christina Aguilera, called Ong "one of the best executives in music, with a career built on judgment, taste, and an instinct for where culture is now and where it's going." This appointment underscores a rising trend of streaming executives moving into artist management, as platforms like Spotify fundamentally reshape how musicians connect with audiences. U2, famous for pioneering digital distribution with their 2014 album "Songs of Innocence," which was automatically added to millions of iTunes libraries, continues to explore novel business models. The band's willingness to innovate has long set them apart, from their early adoption of digital releases to their groundbreaking 360-degree tour deals.

Country music stars Reba McEntire, Wynonna, Vince Gill, and emerging artist Belle Frantz recently shared the stage at Musicians on Call's "Music Heals Live!" fundraiser, held at Nashville's Pinnacle venue. The event raised over $700,000 to support the organization's initiatives, which include bedside performances, virtual sessions, songwriting workshops, and streaming programs that deliver live music to patients in healthcare settings. McEntire, a country icon with more than 50 million albums sold globally, received the Music Heals Golden Ukulele in recognition of her ongoing support for the nonprofit. Separately, Mitch Glazier, chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Chairman Emeritus of the MOC Board of Directors, was honored with the Leadership in Music Golden Ukulele during a surprise presentation by Martina McBride. Glazier has championed MOC's mission for over a decade, helping to launch its Washington, D.C., program and raising substantial funds. Accepting her award, McEntire remarked, "Music brings light into dark times and gives hope when everything feels hopeless." Volunteers Stan Garrison, Daisy Perez, Dianna Perez, Jeff Scornavacca, and Keenan Kamae were also recognized for their contributions. Founded in 1999, Musicians on Call has now reached over 1 million patients and families through its programs, a milestone that highlights the power of music in healing environments.

Sony Music Publishing has promoted ZaZa Kazadi to senior director of A&R for the U.K. and Europe, a role in which he will remain based in London. Since joining the company in 2024, Kazadi has signed a varied roster of artists, including BRIT Award-winning rapper Dave, rising talents EsDeeKid, Kidwild, Shallipopi, and Fimiguerrero, as well as producers AOD, known for work with Tems and FKA Twigs, and Jo Caleb, who has collaborated with Dave and Asake. He also works closely with Nigerian superstar Wizkid, Producer X, and Jester Beats. In 2024, Kazadi received Music Business Worldwide's A&R of the Year award for Contemporary Black Music. Before Sony, he managed artists and producers like ZieZie and Sonzi at Never Dies Management and spent two years as an A&R manager at BMG Music Publishing. Sarah Gabrielli, head of A&R at Sony Music Publishing, praised Kazadi's "judgment, clarity of vision, and determination," calling him a key driver of the team's success. This promotion highlights Sony's commitment to fostering diverse talent in the European market, particularly within Afrobeats and UK rap scenes. The Afrobeats genre has experienced a 200% surge in streaming on Spotify since 2017, making it one of the fastest-growing global music categories, a trend that Sony is clearly eager to capitalize on.

The Chamber Group, a New York-based PR and marketing agency, has launched a new philanthropy, arts, and culture department, to be led by Edwin Tetteh Jr., who has been promoted to director. Tetteh, who joined the firm in 2021 after previous roles at Williamson PR, the Lede, and PR Consulting, will report directly to CEO Chris Chambers. The newly formed department aims to serve clients in the nonprofit and cultural sectors, using the agency's expertise in strategic communications. Chambers commented, "Watching Edwin grow into a seasoned PR executive and brand builder has been a true gift and pleasure. He takes his craft seriously as he looks to understand clients' goals and their trajectory." This expansion reflects growing demand for specialized PR services in the arts and philanthropy spaces, as organizations seek to amplify their impact through targeted media campaigns and community engagement. According to a 2024 report by the Nonprofit Communications Network, 68% of cultural organizations plan to increase their PR budgets in the next year, highlighting the increasing importance of strategic storytelling in the sector. This move positions The Chamber Group to tap into a market that is both financially robust and socially impactful.