Issa Rae’s Raedio record label has signed emerging artistes Jae Stephens and GAWD in addition to Grammy-nominated producer ThankGod4Cody.
Raedio and Def Jam Records have a partnership as a result, TeaMarrr, NCognita, and Josh Levi—whose R&B groove, Birthday Dance, is currently a TikTok hit—are among its members.
The group’s song Nobody Like You, written by Billie Eilish and Finneas, earned the sibling songwriting team a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media. Levi also voiced Aaron Z in the fictional boy band 4*Town in the Pixar animated film Turning Red.
Including I Hate U, Love Language, and Seek & Destroy, ThankGod4Cody contributed to seven of SZA’s SOS tracks. Together with the best-selling vocalist, who took home three Grammy Awards, including Best Progressive R&B album, he was nominated for Album of the Year this month.
On the other hand, Alana and Alayna, the female duo GAWD, based in Los Angeles, have toured with Harry Styles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anderson Paak, Steve Lacy, and Duckwrth.
Related stories
A statement from Xtina Prince, general manager of Raedio noted, “We are thrilled to welcome ThankGod4Cody, Jae Stephens, and GAWD to Raedio. We are excited to give these artistes more recognition because their skills and artistry are among the best in the field.”
Raedio, dubbed an “audio everywhere company,” is also involved in podcasts, digital content, events, music supervision, music publishing, and music libraries.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, who broke the story, Rae predicted the winners of the 2024 Grammy Awards.
A number of the nominees, including SZA, Victoria Monét, Leon Thomas, 6lack, SiR, Alex Isley, and others, were artistes who benefited from her TV shows Insecure and the recently canceled Rap Sh!t.
“It’s an honor that Insecure has been able to feature so many artistes, giving them their first syncs,” stated Rae. “We’ve done the same with Rap Sh!t, so seeing them recognized and honored at the Grammys makes me proud of both them and our shared musical taste”.
“Every story is made better by music. I compose with music in mind, so even if a scene flows smoothly, music can still add a subtle element of suspense, passion, or emotion.
She added, “It will permanently imprint a scene in your mind. There are so many songs that I connect to particular moments that have impacted my life and memories as well; it just gives that song a deeper meaning. That is to say, they complement each other quite well”, Rae added.
