Reservoir announces the signing of star rapper DIVINE to a worldwide publishing deal. The deal includes global rights to his catalog, plus future works. In addition, Reservoir has struck a joint venture with DIVINE’s Gully Gang Entertainment, the umbrella company which houses his label Gully Gang Records, to sign and develop new songwriting talent.
“2020 is all about manifestations and taking things a few notches higher,” said DIVINE. “I’m super elated to partner with Reservoir who aspire to leverage my desi brand of hip-hop amongst global tastemakers. It’s time that Indian hip-hop and rap is no longer confined to homegrown parameters, but assumes the form of a world phenomenon!”
Beyond his own music career, DIVINE has ventured into entrepreneurial endeavors. Founding Gully Gang Entertainment, which Reservoir has united with in a joint venture to continue to identify, sign, and develop songwriting talent in India. Launched in 2019, Gully Gang Entertainment houses the record label ‘Gully Gang Records’ and is home to a diverse talent pool comprising of D’Evil, MC Altaf, Shah Rule, Aavrutti, Karan Kanchan, Stunnah, Xplicit, DJ Proof and in-house filmmakers JD & Gltch.
Spek, Reservoir’s EVP of International & Emerging Markets, said, “In a market historically dominated by Bollywood, what DIVINE has done to bring hip-hop into the mainstream is really unprecedented in India. It’s a remarkable story and we look forward to making history together, signing the next generation of Asian hip-hop talent with Gully Gang.”
Following several successful singles including “Yeh Mera Bombay,” “Kohinoor,” “Jungli Sher,” “Kaam 25,” and his breakthrough track “Meri Gully Mein,” he released his debut album Kohinoor, in 2019, in partnership with hip-hop legend Nas’ label, Mass Appeal India. The album has received widespread acclaim, with nearly all tracks becoming a mainstay on audio streaming charts in India. To date, DIVINE has amassed over 1 billion audio and video streams.
DIVINE is expected to release music later this year and has already been working with other Reservoir roster talent.