Music Industry Moves: The Linda Lindas Sign With Reprise-Warner; Motown Announces HBCU Internship Program; Republic and Ziza Launch Label

The Linda Lindas, a rock quartet hailing from Los Angeles, have officially signed with Reprise-Warner Records, marking a significant step in their career. The band, which first gained national attention as teenagers in 2018, celebrated the milestone by releasing a new single and music video titled "Burning Out." This track is expected to serve as a preview of their upcoming third studio album. Guitarist and vocalist Lucia de la Garza explained that the song captures themes of change and nostalgia, particularly resonating with her recent high school graduation. "It felt both new and nostalgic for us, which was fitting since I was surrounded by transition," she noted. The song was written during a week-long retreat in Palm Springs, just weeks after de la Garza's graduation. "That's where we wrote about feeling like the world is moving on without you. Knowing my friends would head to college in the fall, it made sense I was in a nostalgic headspace," she added. The Linda Lindas, whose debut album 'Growing Up' earned critical acclaim for its raw punk energy, will tour the West Coast this fall with Bleachers. They are also scheduled to perform at Tom Morello's Power To The People Festival. The band's name, inspired by a 2005 Japanese film about a high school rock group, reflects their energetic live shows and socially conscious lyrics, appealing to a younger generation of punk fans. Industry observers note that their signing with Reprise-Warner Records positions them for broader mainstream exposure, building on their grassroots fanbase.

In a separate development, Motown Records has launched the New Legends Internship Program, a new initiative designed to create career opportunities for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The first cohort will participate in a 10-week immersive internship from June 8 to August 14, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as Marketing, Creative, Digital, and A&R. "Motown has always been dedicated to discovering and nurturing talent that shapes culture," said Dante Smith, SVP Marketing & Head of Motown Digital. "With New Legends, we're expanding that legacy beyond artists to include the future executives, creatives, marketers, and innovators who will define the next chapter of the music industry." The inaugural group includes students from Howard University, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Spelman College. Interns will work with Motown teams, contribute to active projects, and receive mentorship from industry veterans, offering a comprehensive view of career paths in modern music. This program builds on Motown's rich history of talent development, which began with its founding in Detroit in 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr. The label, which launched the careers of icons like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross, has long been a pioneer in artist development and cultural influence. Music industry experts suggest that such initiatives are crucial for diversifying the executive ranks of the music business, where HBCU graduates remain underrepresented despite their significant cultural contributions.

Republic Collective has formed a strategic partnership with Ziza Inc. to launch Ziza Records, a joint venture focused on South Asian artists. Ziza, based in New York, was founded by entrepreneur Shivam Malhotra, who also serves as CEO of Malsons—an independent label that has become a major player in South Asian music. The venture aims to sign and develop artists from the South Asian diaspora, particularly those gaining traction in North America, the U.K., Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. According to the announcement, the label will also focus on catalog opportunities, brand partnerships, live events, and cross-market collaborations. "This partnership reflects the continued global expansion of South Asian music," said Republic Collective President and CEO Jeffrey Remedios. "Shivam and the Ziza team have built a strong foundation in this space, and we see an opportunity to grow that internationally together." Malhotra added, "Republic Collective represents the gold standard of modern music culture and global artist development. For us, this partnership is the start of a long-term movement to position South Asian music at the center of the global mainstream." Industry experts note that this deal comes as South Asian music, from Bollywood hits to independent pop and hip-hop, is experiencing unprecedented global streaming growth, driven by platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. The South Asian music market, valued at over $500 million, has seen a surge in international interest, with artists like Diljit Dosanjh and A.R. Rahman gaining global followings. This partnership is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on this momentum, potentially opening doors for cross-cultural collaborations and new revenue streams.

Combustion Music, a Nashville-based independent music company, has signed country artist Ryan Hurd to its label arm, Combustion Masters. Hurd, managed by Core Entertainment and booked by CAA, expressed his excitement about the move. "I'm really proud to make music in Nashville," Hurd said. "Chris and Falcon have always been great friends, and getting the chance to work with them is something I've looked forward to for a long time. I'm excited about what we're creating and can't wait for everyone to hear it." Hurd, who has collaborated with artists like Maren Morris and released hits such as "To a T," is expected to bring his polished songwriting and vocal style to the Combustion Masters roster. In a separate development, Madverse Music Group, a music technology company specializing in AI-powered infrastructure for distribution, publishing, marketing, and fan engagement, has closed its first institutional funding round. Founded in 2023 by CEO Rohan Nesho Jain, the India-based company will use the investment to accelerate growth. The round is led by Ahdritz Capital, the investment vehicle of Willard Ahdritz, founder and chairman of Kobalt Music Group. Other investors include Mohnish Sani and Suraj Sani of SumoSan Ventures (USA), Ashish Jain and Sidharth Kohli of 10X Global (India), and Vijay Sajjanhar of Marigold Capital (Dubai). This funding signals strong belief in AI's potential to transform music marketing and monetization globally. The AI music market, projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2028, is attracting significant investment as companies seek to streamline operations and enhance fan engagement through technology. Madverse's focus on AI-powered tools could help independent artists and labels navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape, offering data-driven insights for marketing and distribution.

Finally, The ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams has announced the recipients of the 2026 ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, which honor talented young creators of concert music aged 13 to 30. "It is such a joy to recognize these truly remarkable young composers," said Williams. "Their extraordinary talent, artistry, and dedication to their craft speaks to a bright future for concert music. As their biggest fans, we are honored to celebrate and nurture their creativity." Past winners of this prestigious award have achieved major distinctions, including the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Music winner Gabriela Lena Frank, as well as former Pulitzer Prize-winning composers Michael Abels, Jennifer Higdon, David Lang, Melinda Wagner, and Julia Wolfe. The 2026 recipients, listed with their current residence and place of origin, include: Zixuan Chen of Baltimore, MD (Hangzhou, China); Sophia Kunxu Dou of New York, NY (Beijing, China); Bobby Ge of Princeton, NJ (Atlanta, GA); Jacob Harrison of Los Angeles, CA (Clinton, IN); Oswald Huỳnh of Rome, Italy (Portland, OR); Maya Miro Johnson of New Haven, CT (Salt Lake City, UT); Kai Kubota-Enright of Brooklyn, NY (Vancouver, Canada); Jacky Jiaqi Liu of New York, NY (Beijing, China); Daniel Lubin of New York, NY; Matthew Huang Mailman of Evanston, IL (Hershey, PA); Aaron Nichols of New York, NY; Paul Novak of Chicago, IL (Reno, NV); Luca Pasquini of New York, NY (Denver, CO); Sofía Rocha of Providence, RI (Boulder, CO); Cyrano Jett Rosentrater of New York, NY (Philadelphia, PA); Dylan Tyree of Los Angeles, CA (Denver, CO); and Vincent Zhang of New York, NY (Vancouver, Canada). Honorable Mention recipients (those under 18 are listed by state of residence) include: Benjamin Coble of Munster, IN; Oliver Dubon of Philadelphia, PA (Palmyra, VA); Henry Golden of Maryland; Cem Güven of New York, NY (Istanbul, Turkiye); Patrick Holcomb of Westbury, NY (Ocean View, DE); Isaiah Saranow of Philadelphia, PA (Miami Shores, FL); and Jason Zhang of Ann Arbor, MI (Northville, MI). Oswald Huỳnh was also recognized with the 2026 Leo Kaplan Award, created in memory of the distinguished attorney who served as ASCAP Special Distribution Advisor and funded by the Kaplan Family. The judging panel included composers David Biedenbender, Anthony Cheung, Loren Loiacono, Brian Raphael Nabors, Nina Shekhar, and Ileana Perez Velázquez. This year's awards highlight the growing diversity and global reach of young composers, with recipients hailing from countries like China, Canada, and Turkiye, reflecting the increasingly international nature of concert music. The inclusion of composers from diverse backgrounds underscores the ASCAP Foundation's commitment to fostering a global community of emerging talent in classical and contemporary concert music.