A Reflection of NPA's 2020
As we get ready to shake the dust off 2020, the team at NPA wanted to express our thanks to our network and artists for their formidable creativity and collaboration in this most turbulent of years.
MTV’s VMAs was the first major awards ceremony broadcast since the coronavirus pandemic shuttered production in America. On 30th August, the program mixed audience-less performances with a studio base whilst Lady Gaga live-debuted her latest hit album Chromatica. NPA artist Chris Johnson joined her on the stage for a medley performance alongside special guest and collaborator Ariana Grande. In the same month, Gaga also surpassed 3 billion Spotify streams for the soundtrack to her and Bradley Cooper’s Oscar-winning A Star Is Born, in which Chris features extensively. This follows the soundtrack being certified 6 times platinum in the US for over 6 million sales since it's release in October 2018.
The VMA’s weren’t the only televised event that Chris featured in this year - in November, Chris was featured on BET’s SoulTrain Awards, which saw him perform with legendary artists Charlie Wilson, Smokey Robinson, and CeeLo Green. Additionally, Chris’ debut book, which was featured by Seth Meyers on his NBC ‘Late Night’ show, is set for global release in early 2021 and published by global print giant Hal Leonard. Chris’ debut publication features hours of video and audio content, plus performances and interviews from a prodigious range of industry guests including Nate Watts, Rickey Minor, Aaron Spears, Kevin Teasley, John ‘Jubu’ Smith and Lonny Bereal.
NPA’s first-ever signing, Hannah V, had a stunning year of success. Hannah was appointed to the Ivor’s Academy Songwriting Committee, as well as to their new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group. Her ability as a co-writer and producer was evident on newcomer Lavish K’s ‘Yo Sho’, which was released by Sony’s Relentless Records and quickly amassed over 650,000 streams on Spotify alone. She also co-wrote and produced ‘Family Matters’ which featured on TOBi’s Elements Vol 1, released by Sony Music Entertainment’s Same Plate/RCA joint venture.
Hannah also continued working on projects with long-time collaborator, JP Cooper. In August, JP set up in the legendary Abbey Road Studios to record his ‘Too Close – Live Acoustic EP’, which released in September by Island Records and was performed on and produced by Hannah. Shortly afterwards, JP and Hannah also hit a major milestone this year with JP Cooper’s debut album Raised Under Grey Skies, which has achieved over 1 million units sold globally and over 1.5 billion streams. Hannah’s latest release, ‘Do the Right Thing’ was released via French indie label Hip Dozer in November. She collaborated with established producer Shuko (Snoop Dogg, Anderson Paak) on the track, which quickly racked up over 270,000 streams on Spotify. Hannah has also had major sync successes yet again this year, with her tracks being used by blue chip companies such as American retail giant Target and luxury department store Bloomingdales.
Elsewhere, Ryan Fletcher, a founder member of gold-selling pop-rock band Lawson, released his first new tracks with the band in four years. ‘Lovers’ marked the group’s return, earned instant acclaim and featured on Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’ and ‘New Pop Revolution’ playlists. Ryan has also been amassing songwriting and production credits with a vast array of artists and producers and 2021 is set to see multiple releases from his Chesterfield-based, residential studio.
2020 also marked the 10-year anniversary of One Direction - one of the world’s largest bands in which our very own Sandy Beales has spent almost five years touring the globe. Sandy also features in JP Cooper’s touring band, in addition to credits with Mabel and Wheatus, and recently performed in a lockdown version of JP’s ‘A Little Bit of Love’. Sandy is also in the development stage of a pioneering new collaboration with Chris Johnson, and his formidable presence as a social media influencer is ever-growing with a combined reach of over 1 million followers currently.
We were also delighted to welcome one of our more recent signings, South African-born Travis Marc. Travis is currently based in New Orleans where he is working on the final stages of production for his new album. His new project is set to launch in 2021 and promises to be the most eclectic offer to date from this hugely gifted vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.
In a year like no other, which amidst the successes has inevitably included cancelled and postponed world tours, Vegas residencies and major festival appearances, our artists have adapted to and experimented with innovative ways of performing, producing and songwriting in 2020. By way of unwavering hard work, creativity, collaboration and support, NPA artists have ensured they are each in a commanding position to enter 2021 and our heartfelt thanks goes to all of the labels, managers, publishers, songwriters, producers, promoters and artists whom the team have had the pleasure of working with this year. As always, the music comes first, and we are blessed to have a network which is unflinchingly committed, regardless of any external conditions.
The roster is set to expand significantly in early 2021 as we look forward to welcoming a range of diverse, new acts from both the UK, the EU and the US in the coming weeks. For details of all the forthcoming releases, publications and shows, follow NPA artists at …
Chris Johnson - Instagram: @johnsonout, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnsonoutfanpage/
Hannah V - Instagram: @hannahvofficial, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HannahVofficial
Ryan Fletcher - Instagram: @rhinocurls, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawsonryanfletcher/
Sandy Beales - Instagram: @sandybeales
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Photo Credits:
Chloe Hashemi - Instagram: @photosbychloeh, Website: www.chloehashemi.com
Calvin Aurand - Instagram: @calaurand, Website: www.calvinaurand.com