Universal Music India and first.wav Announce Global Distribution Agreement
Universal Music India (UMI) has formed a partnership with first.wav, an independent music company located in Mumbai.
Under the terms of the agreement, UMI will distribute recordings from first.wav’s artists internationally. The collaboration aims to broaden the global exposure of first.wav’s artists by leveraging Universal Music Group’s global platforms and resources.
first.wav was founded by Raghav Meattle, who previously worked as a singer-songwriter and A&R executive at Big Bang Music (Records) India. The company provides artist management, music distribution, and marketing services, and describes its operational philosophy as “run by artists for the benefit of artists.”
The current first.wav artist roster includes gini, Divyam Sodhi, Bharath, Khwaab, Samad Khan, and Kunal Kemmu.
This partnership signifies UMI’s continued expansion within the Indian music market, building on recent developments including a deal with Albuquerque Records, the acquisition of a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment, and a partnership with Maddock Films and its music label Mad For Mussic.
“Independent music in India is at a tipping point,” said Raghav Meattle, Founder of first.wav. “Our goal is to build the environment that allows artists to focus on what they do best – create. Whether it’s through management, marketing, or distribution, we’re creating an ecosystem that supports artists at every stage of their journey. This partnership is just the next step towards shaping the future of Indian indie music.”
Discussions have also taken place regarding the impact of technology on the evolving creative economy.
