Grammy-winning songwriter and producer James Steed, professionally known as DJ SwanQo, has signed with Giant Music Publishing, a division of the Azoff Company. Giant, in partnership with Pardison Fontaine’s St. Lukes Publishing, will represent the beatmaker’s hits, including Cardi B’s Billboard Hot 100-topping track “Up,” in which SwanQo’s is co-producer and a writer.
The global deal signing SwanQo marks the debut signing for the venture, launched by Giant Music’s Shawn Holiday and Irving and Jeffrey Azoff earlier this year. Giant Music Publishing and Pardison Fontaine’s St. Lukes Publishing, LLC entered into a global deal with Warner Chappell to administer DJ SwanQo’s works.
“I am excited to start this new relationship with Giant Music Publishing and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future brings,” SwanQo says. “I know how hard Shawn and his team work for artists so I’m excited to kick off our partnership with a No. 1.”
Swanqo has also produced hit singles for Fontaine, HoodCelebrityy, and others, as well as Aunty Hammy’s viral single, “Pew Pew Pew.” He also works with the KSR label and runs his own independent company, the Galixee label and management firm.
Fontaine is a rapper and Grammy-nominated songwriter best known for his single “Backin’ It Up,” featuring Cardi B. In addition to his numerous credits on Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy” and Kanye West’s “Ye,” Fontaine co-wrote the Cardi B/ Megan Thee Stallion’s smash, “WAP” and Megan’s Top 5 hit, “Savage.”
Pardi says, “I’ve known SwanQo for years, from making beats in my mother’s basement. I knew then he had a great ear for music & that one day the world would see his talent…it won’t be long before u hear his tag all over the charts!”
“We couldn’t be prouder to represent someone as gifted as SwanQo,” Holiday said. “His undeniable talent, artistic drive and authenticity sets him apart from others and makes our first signing that much sweeter. We have big plans for him and we are all looking forward to the many successes I know we’ll share with him.”
Holiday was previously Columbia’s co-head of urban music and held a dual role at Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Columbia’s urban division has seen success with Lil Nas X, Polo G, Chloe x Halle and others, and earlier in his stint at Columbia, Holiday played a key role in the label’s music partnership with the hit TV series “Empire,” as well as Solange’s critically acclaimed album A Seat at the Table. Prior to joining Columbia, Holiday was Senior Vice President/Head of Urban A&R at Interscope Records and an SVP of A&R at RCA Records.
Warner Chappell Music Co-Chair and CEO, Guy Moot, and President of A&R, U.S., Ryan Press, shared, “When Shawn and the Azoff team brought SwanQo to us it was an easy decision. Swanqo is one of the best beatmakers in the game with a long list of top hits. We are looking forward to supporting his incredible work along with his partner Pardison and Giant.”