‘Building the Band’ Group Soulidified Signs to Atlantic Records (EXCLUSIVE)

In a significant move for the reality TV-to-music pipeline, the vocal quartet Soulidified has officially inked a deal with Atlantic Records, a development first reported by Variety. The signing arrives roughly a year after the group captured widespread attention on Netflix's "Building the Band," a competition series that premiered in July 2025. The ensemble—comprised of Shade Jenifer, Malik Heard, Bradley Rittmann, and Landon Boyce—first united during the show's third episode, a moment that set the stage for their rapid ascent. Their covers of Usher's "U Remind Me" and Miguel's "Sure Thing" became breakout viral sensations, earning them a devoted following before the season even concluded.

The show's distinctive premise, which matched contestants based on chemistry rather than physical appearance, provided an unconventional launchpad for the group, allowing their vocal synergy to take center stage. In a statement obtained by Variety, the band expressed palpable enthusiasm about their new chapter. "We're proud to officially call Atlantic home," they shared. "As a band blending backgrounds, our harmony stands for something bigger—unity that we're excited to share with the world. We've worked hard to get here, and we know we're just getting started. To our fans around the world, thank you for believing in us from day one. We love you more than words can say. Atlantic, let's have some fun, we've got a whole world to take over." Since their television debut, the group has maintained steady momentum, releasing their first original track, "One & Only," in August 2025, followed by "What's Your Name" in February of this year. They've also bolstered their live credentials, recently serving as the opening act for Khalid across four tour dates—an experience that, according to industry insiders, has sharpened their on-stage charisma well beyond what viewers witnessed on screen.

Looking ahead, Soulidified is preparing for their inaugural major international trek, the "What's Your Name" tour, which will bring them to Brazil, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, and London this fall. For a band without a full-length album to their name, the European leg represents a bold bet on their crossover appeal, and early ticket demand suggests the gamble may pay off. Guiding their trajectory is veteran manager Johnny Wright, a figure whose résumé includes steering the Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block—two acts that defined the 1990s boy-band era. Wright, who manages Soulidified alongside Fernando Watson and Jayvon Hicks of Day to Day Management, reflected on the group's formation as uniquely serendipitous. "From the first time I saw them on 'Building the Band,' I knew these four had a rare quality I hadn't seen in any group I've managed before," he said. "Beyond their obvious vocal and performance talent, the fact that they came together sight unseen makes it clear God had a hand in their story. I'm proud to be part of their journey and especially excited that they are now a part of the Bee/Wright Entertainment, Atlantic Records, and WME family." Wright's history with transforming pop acts into enduring franchises offers the quartet a strategic edge as they navigate the tricky transition from reality-show novelty to sustainable career.

Atlantic's senior vice president of A&R, Michael Parker, and vice president of digital marketing, Justin Horowitz, echoed that enthusiasm in a joint statement. "We could not be more excited to welcome Soulidified to the Atlantic family," they said. "Beyond their undeniable talent, this band is breaking boundaries in ways that no band has before. What they represent and stand for, both individually and as a group, has already garnered an incredible community that we can't wait to watch grow and evolve." The signing places Soulidified within a storied roster that has launched some of pop and R&B's most enduring icons, from Aretha Franklin to Bruno Mars. Atlantic Records, founded in 1947 by Herb Abramson and Ahmet Ertegun, has long been a dominant force in the industry, and its backing could provide the infrastructure needed to convert fleeting reality-show fame into lasting commercial success. As the group gears up for their European dates, industry observers are closely monitoring whether their genre-blending sound and grassroots fanbase can sustain momentum beyond the initial streaming buzz. The challenge, as many artists have discovered, lies in maintaining relevance once the spotlight dims—but with a major label's resources and a loyal following behind them, Soulidified appears poised to rise to the occasion.