In acknowledgement of India’s rapid growth in the global music industry, three standalone international music publishers have entered the Indian market via sub publishing agreements with Turnkey Music & Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

The three are music publishers of differing lengths of time in the business and have distinct identities and catalogues.

The first is the largest independent publisher in the world, Kobalt Music Publishing Limited. Though only 20 years old, Kobalt has catapulted into number four position globally by market share, just behind the three majors, viz. Universal Music Publishing, Sony ATV and Warner Chappell Music. Kobalt represents over 25,000 songwriters, 600 publishers and 20,000 independent artistes  that include current chart sensations like DuaLipa, the Weeknd, Marshmello, Diplo, Childish Gambino, Dave Grohl, the Foo Fighters, Enrique Iglesias, Lauv, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi  as well as legends like Paul Mc.Cartney, Elvis Presley, Bob Marley, Stevie Nicks and Max Martin. It controls 40% of the Top 100 singles and albums in the US and UK.

The second publisher, the Fairwood Music Group is an established and highly respected independent music publisher. Formed in London in 1987, over the years Fairwood has represented such iconic artistes and writers as David Bowie, U2, Cat Stevens, Antonio 'LA' Reid, Average White Band, Bob Marley, Sandy Denny, J.J. Cale and Collective Soul amongst many others. It has active songwriters from all genres on its roster and is actively looking for co-writes with Indian songwriters for material that will appeal to both the Indian and International markets.

The relatively small Konic Records is also a UK based record label and publisher that represents the catalogues of eclectic singer / songwriter and producer James Kennedy and Kyshera. Konic’s focus is rock and electro-pop, of which it has some very exciting music, with a lot more releasing very soon.

All three contracts commenced on 1^st July, bringing a large number of contemporary and classic international hits into the Indian music publishing fold.

Says Atul Churamani, Managing Director of Turnkey, “We’re very excited to be representing some of the greatest music in the world in India. There are many opportunities that we’re hoping to tap into, including helping independent artistes do legitimate covers of global hits that they can release officially on all audio platforms, working on collaborations between Indian and international songwriters, artistes and producers and of course, doing a lot of synchronization deals for films, ads and web series in all languages. We’re also looking to strengthen the IPRS representation of international music which has been continually growing in consumption in India. The task at hand is as challenging as it is exciting so we’re nervous of course and just hope we can do a good job for our licensors.!”