ole Signs Billboard Chart-Topping Ghetto Classics Collaborator To Multi-Year Deal

TORONTO: ole, Canada's largest independent music publisher, is thrilled to announce the signing of songwriter Derek Brin -- currently riding a hot streak as a co-author of Jaheim's "Daddy Thing," a cut on the New Jersey R&B singer's recent No. 1 Billboard album Ghetto Classics -- to a three-year deal.

The Toronto-based Brin, president of Fierce Music Entertainment Inc., is one of those exceptional multi-hyphenate talents -- producer/songwriter/engineer/film and video game composer/talent developer/up-and-coming fashion designer -- who has amassed an extensive list of gold, platinum and multi-platinum credits throughout his career.
His songwriting, programming and production work with such artists as Billie ("Makin' My Way, Any Way That I Can)" from the million-selling Top 10 soundtrack Pokemon: The First Movie), platinum Canadian Idols Kalan Porter and Ryan Malcolm, R&B sensations Robyn and Kelly Price and the phenomenal gold songstress Keshia Chanté has brought him recognition in international circles.

Schooled in percussion and piano, Brin has not only produced, mixed and remixed over 85 albums, but has also scored music to over 1500 television projects ranging from movies and episodic series to song placements in such popular programs as Traders, Psi-Factor and Blue Murder.

"Derek is a significant pop and urban songwriter who also offers an extensive film and television body of musical work," says Ivan Berry, ole senior partner, International.

"In the past few years, Derek has made an amazing impact on the Caribbean Soca and calypso charts and I'm pleased to announce that this deal also includes Derek's future work over the next three years."

Co-founder and principle member of the Carib-Soca band Neu Jenarashun, Brin has served as programmer for songwriter Diane Warren ("I Don't Want To Miss A Thing", "Unbreak My Heart"); songwriter and producers Guy Roche (Cher, Céline Dion, Brandy, "What A Girl Wants"); Jud Friedman (James Ingram, Ray Charles, Chaka Khan); Allan Rich (Whitney Houston, 'NSYNC, Natalie Cole); Dan Hill ("Sometimes When We Touch," "Can't We Try") and Jörgen Elofsson (Britney Spears, Il Divo).

Currently Brin is enjoying success with his work on "Daddy Thing," his collaboration with songwriter Balewa Muhammad ("Dirrty") and Trakaddix's Tommy Oliveira ("Still Ghetto") that's on Jaheim's chart-topping album Ghetto Classics.
It's not the first time he's tasted top-drawer status: In 2000, Brin topped the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with the Kristine W. hit "Stronger."
More recently, Brin partnered with Rhode Island production team Trakaddix and is developing Australian NuUrban wonder Che'Nelle with Sir Charles Dixon for her upcoming Virgin Records debut later this year.

Derek Brin is also developing a stable of Caribbean artists for his own Fierce Entertainment Inc., including Antigua's Kenne Bless, Barbados' Olivia Waithe, Trinidad's Precious and St. Kitts' Jermul as well as Toronto-based former In Essence singer Dru.

Such networks as PBS, The Playboy Channel, the CBC, Global, HGTV, CFMT, The Life Network and WTN in North America and SACM in Mexico and APRA in Australia have licensed his music.
Brin has also provided stock music for TM Century (Imagio Collection), Water Music and Nightingale Music, and music assembly and editing for corporate clients ranging from McDonald's and Western Union to the Toronto Sun and CHCH TV. For the past two years, The Bell Mobility Celebrity Gala has relied on Derek Brin to create and provided all music and performance tracks for Canada's largest charity event.

Branching out into ringtones and other 3G media, Brin recently completed his first video game score with Nayan Williams for Digital Extremes/Brain Box Games Marine Heavy Gunner and is aggressively hunting for future projects.

Brin is setting another precedent: He's the first ole family member poised to launch his own line of clothing called RASSWEAR, demonstrating a versatility and ambition that fits perfectly with ole philosophy.

"We're extremely excited to welcome Derek Brin to the ole roster," says Robert Ott, ole co-founder and managing partner.

"Derek is a proven, world-class songwriter whose aggressive work ethic is exactly aligned with the spirit at ole."

For his part, the Toronto-born Brin is also elated to join the ole family.
“I think what ole has accomplished in its first year is amazing," said Brin. "Being a Canadian songwriter/producer, I’m grateful to be part of a team that I can learn from, contribute to and with whom I can enjoy worldwide success."

about ole

ole is a multi-national, Canadian-owned, full-service independent music publisher with offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, London and Nashville. Founded by Robert Ott (former VP/GM BMGMP Canada) and Tim Laing, the company has initial financing of over $100 million dollars. ole boasts an experienced team of some 18 industry professionals involved in acquisitions, creative development and administration worldwide. The ole catalogue includes over twenty thousand songs across all genres ranging from pop, to country, to urban to rhythm & blues and soul. ole has completed some 21MM USD in new acquisitions over the past year including purchases of the, Balmur, Encore, Keith Follese, Dream Warriors and David Tyson catalogues.

Recent cuts include the lead-off single "Shoes" by Shania Twain from Music Inspired by Desperate Housewives, Sean Paul’s “Change The Game” and "He Ain’t Even Cold Yet" by Gretchen Wilson. Additionally, ole has concluded publishing administration agreements with film and television producers Nelvana, Shaftesbury Films, Arcadia Entertainment, Devine Entertainment and Slanted Wheel. ole is the Canadian administrator for the prestigious Arc Music Group, a catalogue that includes songs by Jerry Butler, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley and Otis Rush. The company has signed songwriters Gerald O'Brien, Derek Brin, John Wesley Chisholm, Ben Dunk, James Huff and Scarlett and struck a co-venture deal with Last Gang Publishing a division of Last Gang Records bringing West Coast rocker Panurge and Kinnie Starr to the roster.

ole also recently announced another co-venture with Roots Three Music, which includes songwriters Denny Carr, Chris Thornsteinson and Dave Wasyliw. At ole the goal is to be the home for the best songwriters, composers, management talent and intellectual property investors and the first choice music source for creators in all media. The ole website can be found at www.majorlyindie.com